Derrick Rose and 10 Young Players Who Are Taking Their Games to the Next Level
It seems as though the only two things that have been talked about in basketball this season have been LeBron James, the rest of the Miami Heat and what they are doing on a nightly basis, or Carmelo Anthony and all of the trade discussions surrounding the Denver All-Star.
Add in the sudden retirement of Utah head coach Jerry Sloan, one of the game's all-time best coaches, and the recent struggles of the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, and you have some interesting storylines which have dominated the news.
Such talk has really masked another fact about the league: There are some young players who are in the process of taking their games to the next level, and some of them are even rapidly gaining superstar status.
The following is a list of 10 young players, some obvious and some not so obvious, who are taking their games to the next level.
10. Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers
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In just two years, Matthews has gone from being undrafted to an important piece on a playoff contending team in Portland.
By averaging 16.5 points per game this season, Matthews proved that pretty much every team in the league made a mistake by not drafting him in 2009. There is no denying that Matthews has the talent; so much so that former coach Jerry Sloan voiced his displeasure that the Utah Jazz failed to bring Matthews back to the team for his sophomore season.
Portland handed Matthews a five-year, $34 million contract before this season started, and he hasn't disappointed. Along with the points, Matthews has established himself has a deadly three-point shooter, hitting almost 40 percent of his shots from beyond-the-arc.
Matthews' impact has been more than just numbers, however. With Brandon Roy being hurt for most of this season, and his career in serious jeopardy with his chronic knee problems, the Blazers desperately needed someone to fill his shoes. With Roy, this team was a legit contender. But with Matthews in, the team has barely missed a beat.
The Blazers are currently fifth in the Western Conference and are riding a six-game winning streak, and much of the credit should be given to one of the team's breakout stars.
Not too bad for a guy nobody wanted on draft day.
9. Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
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Let's be honest: The Raptors are dreadful.
But lost among the teams struggles and 15-41 record has been the play of Andrea Bargnani, who has flourished ever since Chris Bosh departed to Miami to become a very expensive role player.
The 25-year-old Italian is currently posting a career high in points at 21.9 per game while also averaging 5.5 rebounds and almost a block per game.
Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Bargnani is averaging 1.2 three-pointers a game, which is remarkable for a guy who stands at seven feet tall.
Because of their record and location, the Raptors don't receive a ton of media attention, and deservedly so.
But among the mess in Toronto, there is indeed a budding star.
8. Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
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Contrary to popular belief, Blake Griffin is not the only player currently employed by the Clippers. Although you wouldn't know it by watching an episode of SportsCenter, there are other players on the roster.
In fact, Griffin isn't even the team's leading scorer.
That honor goes to Eric Gordon.
In his third year in the league, the former lottery pick is averaging 24.1 points per game, which is eight more than he has averaged the last two years.
Gordon is lethal from long distance, but also can pass the rock, averaging 4.5 assists per contest.
Unfortunately for Gordon and the Clippers, he has been out since Jan. 22 with a fractured wrist. The team could have really used him on a recent eight-game road trip where the team compiled just a 2-6 record.
The 22-year-old Gordon is helping Griffin put some excitement back into the Clipper franchise.
7. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
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The Hawks have an elite scorer in Joe Johnson and a high-flyer in Josh Smith, but Horford has become the most dependable player for this team.
Always known as a good defender, the 24-year-old Horford has improved his scoring output in each of his first four seasons in the league. Horford is currently averaging 16 points to go along with nearly 10 rebounds per game.
Aside from a recent dust-up with the Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire, Horford is relatively low-key and just goes about his business in a professional manner. He isn't the most talented or most flashy player in the league, but he always finds a way to get the job done.
Horford was recently named to his second consecutive All-Star team, proving his play isn't going unnoticed throughout the league.
6. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
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The good news for the Memphis Grizzlies is that Rudy Gay has helped lead the team to a 31-26 record, which almost no one saw coming at the beginning of the season.
The bad news for the Grizzlies is they may have to play the rest of the season without Gay, who suffered a shoulder injury in a recent game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
But before getting hurt, Gay was having a career year for the upstart Grizzlies. Not only was he averaging 19.8 points per game, but was also averaging career highs in field goal percentage (47), free throw percentage (80.5) and three-point field goal percentage (39.6).
Gay had enormous potential since coming into the league in 2006, but was just starting to put it all together on a consistent basis. Memphis rewarded the 24-year-old with a five-year, $81.6 million extension this past offseason.
Upon returning from injury, Gay will only continue to get better, and will be the face of the Grizzlies franchise for years to come.
5. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
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Similar to teammate Wesley Matthews, Aldridge was left to carry the offensive load and be a team leader for the Blazers, and he has really embraced and excelled in his new role.
Aldridge has scored over 30 points 10 different times this season, including a 42-point effort on Feb. 7 against the Chicago Bulls. For the season, the 25-year-old is averaging 22.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
The Blazers have battled injuries for most of the season, especially across the front line. Greg Oden is out for the year, and both Marcus Camby and Joel Przybilla have also missed significant time. All of these injuries have forced Aldridge in to playing almost 40 minutes a night, which is pretty much unheard of for someone at his position.
In my mind, Aldridge was the biggest All-Star snub, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter much anyway.
LaMarcus could use the break, as he has put this team on his back for the majority of the season.
4. Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Don't ask me how he does it, because I have no clue. But the fact of the matter is that Love is putting up numbers at a record pace.
The big man is averaging 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds per game. Recently, Love set the record for most double-doubles before the All-Star break at 51.
At 6'10", Love can also step outside and hit from distance, averaging over one three made per game. He also shoots 87.6 percent from the free-throw line.
Although his team is just 13-43, Love was recently rewarded for his outstanding play by being named to the Western Conference All-Star team, replacing the injured Yao Ming.
I still contend that during Love's 31 point, 31 rebound game against the Knicks, he left the ground for about 15 percent of those rebounds, but I guess it doesn't matter.
Somehow, some way, Love finds a way to get it done.
3. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Kevin Durant made this franchise relevant again, but it was Westbrook who put them over the top.
Playing Robin to Durant's Batman, Westbrook has been brilliant. He is averaging 22.2 points per game, up six points from last season, to go along with 8.6 assists and even five rebounds.
The Thunder are one of the league's youngest and most athletic teams, and they also have one of the league's best players in Durant.
But come playoff time, this team will only go as far as Westbrook takes them.
Westbrook's growth is a great sign for both the present as well as the future for the Thunder.
2. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
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Watch out, the NBA has been put on "Blake Alert."
For the first time in a long time, people are starting to show up to Clipper games, and much of that credit should fall on the broad shoulders of Griffin.
Only a rookie, Griffin is averaging 22.8 points and 12.6 rebounds a game. But the numbers don't tell the whole story for this humble superstar.
With his high-flying style and hard-nosed play, Griffin has made people care about Los Angeles' other team. He is leading a roster full of young talent, and although they have slipped of late, they are getting better and better.
Griffin will be the star of this weekend's All-Star festivities, participating in not only the game itself, but also the Slam Dunk contest and Rookie-Sophomore challenge.
Plain and simple: Griffin is good for the league.
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
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The previous players on this list were guys currently taking their game to the next level, but Rose is a little different.
The "next level" Rose has reached is elite. He is now arguably the best point guard in the NBA.
The 22-year-old is having a remarkable season, averaging 24.9 points, 8.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. But the numbers only tell half of the story.
The Bulls brought in free agent Carlos Boozer this past summer to bring the team a solid No. 2 option. The only problem is that Boozer missed the first month of the season rehabbing a broken hand. Just days before he finally returned, Joakim Noah had surgery to repair a broken ligament in his thumb, and has yet to return to action.
Through all of it, Rose has led the Bulls to a 38-16 record, only two games behind the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.
As a result, Rose is a legit MVP candidate.
