NBA Power Rankings: Derrick Rose, Blake Griffin and the Top 25 Players Under 25
The talent in the NBA is unlike any other professional league.
With the majority of budding ballers in the league well under 25 years of age, it's unbelievable to think about the impact that these youngsters have already had in such a short time.
With most phenoms leaving college and entering the draft at the raw age of just 19 or 20, the infusion of talent coming into the league is too great to ignore.
25. Jrue Holiday, PG Phialdelphia 76ers
1 of 25
Holiday won't be 21 until June, and this talented second year point guard hasn't even scratched the ceiling of his potential.
In his second season in the league, he's seen his points per game average rise from 8.0 to 13.8, and his assists average have also risen from modest 3.8 to a respectable 6.3.
While he will certainly still drop the occasional dud in the box score, those games are now far and few between.
24. Wilson Chandler, SF Denver Nuggets
2 of 25
The Nuggets did quite well to land two of the top 25 under 25 in the recent Carmelo Anthony trade, and it should soon begin to pay dividends for the re-shaping club.
Chandler is a player who can really do it all. 2011 has really been a coming out party for the 23 year old, and he looks to be an integral part of the Nuggets' future assuming they sign him to a deserved contract extension.
He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds and blocks and looks primed to grow into a special talent for seasons to come.
23. Danilo Gallinari, SF Denver Nuggets
3 of 25
When Denver insisted on Gallo in the Melo package, they had a plan in mind: make him the number one offensive option.
Although he disappointed a lot of people in New York during his short tenure with the Knicks, the Italian import has become much more than just a three-point specialist.
He's transformed his game and become a much better all-around player and there's no reason to think that he can't average 20+ points per game moving forward with the Nuggets.
22. DeMarcus Cousins, C Sacramento Kings
4 of 25
While some might believe that Cousins' appearance on this list is a bit pre-mature, anyone who has seen this kid play knows that he can become the next great dominant center in the NBA.
Yes, he's got serious red flags thanks to his immature behavior and childish approach at times, but let's all remember one thing: this kid is just a kid!
At just 20 years old, he's not done growing mentally or physically. Already at 6'11" and a legitimate 270 lbs, Kings' fans everywhere are salivating over Cousins' sky-high potential.
21. John Wall, PG Washington Wizrds
5 of 25
Wall was the number one overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft for a reason; this kid can flat out play.
Although he struggled early with injuries and inconsistencies on a bad Washington club, Wall has been significantly better since the start of 2011.
Averaging 15.4 points per game and 9.0 assists to pair with it, Wall's rookie campaign has been nothing short of spectacular.
The Wizards have a legitimate franchise point guard with Wall on board.
20. Brook Lopez, C New Jersey Nets
6 of 25
Where are the rebounds, Brook?
That's what just about everyone has been wondering, but frankly it's becoming a little blown out of proportion.
No, he's not the beast on the glass that some would like him to be, but Lopez has proven to be a dynamite scorer during his short tenure in the NBA.
If he can continue to score at a prolific clip, it won't be long before the noise quiets around him regarding his lack of activity on the boards.
19. OJ Mayo, SG Memphis Grizzlies
7 of 25
Although he hasn't played like he deserves to be on the list this season, Mayo's skill set far exceeds his contributions in the box score.
Before being relegated to a bench role, Mayo thrived in his first full two seasons as a starter averaging 18.0 ppg. While he doesn't provide much in the way of rebounds or assists, the USC product is a plus defender and is a lock for at least one steal per night.
One of the better perimeter scorers in all of basketball, Mayo can explode at any moment for a huge game.
He just needs a better opportunity than he'll ever get under Lionel Hollins in Memphis.
18. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF Portland Trailblazers
8 of 25
The most notable All-Star snub of this season, Aldridge has been a beast for the Blazers this season and has made the losses of Greg Oden & the reduced contributions of Brandon Roy an afterthought.
After failing to live up to lofty expectations prior to this year, LA has been a force. Averaging 22.3 points per game and 8.9 rebounds, Portland's cornerstone is locking in career highs across the board.
A legitimate 6'11" power forward, there are not many other at the four spot that can bang with him in the post.
17. Brandon Jennings, PG Milwaukee Bucks
9 of 25
Jennings has been a bit up and down since his enigmatic personality graced the NBA, but his raw skill and unbelievable potential have him looking at a very promising future.
Jennings has already proven that he can score, so now it's time for him to show capable of running an offense as a more traditional point guard.
He'll have to lift his anemic field goal percentage as time goes on, but as he continues to get more experience (and better talent in town), that number should rise without any qualms.
16. Al Horford, C Atlanta Hawks
10 of 25
If that Hawks could find a legitimate center and allow Horford to play the four spot, he would be much higher on this list.
As it is, big Al is playing as an undersized center and still dominating the competition. Averaging a legitimate 16 & 10 this season, Horford has really proven his worth as a dominant big man.
The Hawks locked up Horford to a five year, $60 million deal early this season, and by the end of the deal it's going to look like an absolute steal.
15. Stephen Curry, SG Golden State Warriors
11 of 25
Much like his father Dell, Steph's sweet shot is a thing of beauty when it's going right.
But Curry's value extends far beyond just his three-point shooting. He has an uncanny ability to set up his teammates for the open shot, and he contributes in just about every category other than blocks.
While he and teammate Monta Ellis might have to share the ball more than each would like at times, the combination of the two in the Golden State backcourt is among the most feared in all of basketball.
14. Eric Gordon, SG Los Angeles Clippers
12 of 25
Eric Gordon is a beast.
Although he's recently been sidelined with a tricky wrist injury, EG has really come on during his age 22 season. Averaging 24.1 points per game, he and rookie teammate Blake Griffin gives Clippers fans two big reasons to be happy for a very long time.
A threat from beyond the arc and with a phenomenal ability to blow by his defender, Gordon should be a perennial all-star when it's all said and done.
13. Josh Smith, SF Atlanta Hawks
13 of 25
Smith's athletic ability is absolutely off the charts, but unfortunately that doesn't prevent him from taking ill-advised three-pointers in almost every contest.
J Smoov is a monster in the box score, contributing in literally every category across the board. A strong rebounder and excellent defender, Smith is truly a one-man show.
At age 25, his best years are most likely still ahead of him.
12. Andrew Bynum, C Los Angeles Lakers
14 of 25
Bynum would be even higher up on this list if he wasn't already standing on two balky knees.
Proven to be somewhat injury-prone during his short career, Bynum's potential is still extraordinarily high given the fact that he's only 23 years old.
Assuming that he can put his injury woes behind him, Bynum could go down as one of the greatest centers in Lakers history, but he's facing some stiff competition in that regard.
11. Tyreke Evans, PG Sacramento Kings
15 of 25
Evans hasn't had the sophomore season that many had predicted, but make no mistake that Evans is among the most talented youngsters in the league.
With a unique ability to score, pass, rebound & steal the ball, Evans is a very talented piece that the Kings will be able to build around for the foreseeable future.
He'll have to get his foot issues under control as he's battled plantar fasciitis for quite some time now, but Evans should be a regular appearance at future all-star contests.
10. Monta Ellis
16 of 25
Ever since his embarrassing moped accident that resulted in a gruesome ankle injury, Ellis has come back to ball with a vengeance.
Seeking to prove that he's no one-trick pony, the combo guard is enjoying career-high averages in both steals and assists this season. Additionally, Ellis is a volume scorer capable of taking over a game at any point.
Although he's a bit undersized and often referred to as a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body, Ellis has had no problem establishing success since he entered the league.
9. Rudy Gay, SF Memphis Grizzlies
17 of 25
It's a shame that Gay's season has been cut short by his recent shoulder injury because this was truly a breakout season for the newly minted max-contract player.
One summer on Team USA seems to have done wonders for Gay's all-around game and work ethic, as he's also become a reckoned force on the defensive side of the ball.
Although he might still be undeserving of the contract he signed over the offseason, it's clear that Gay still hasn't reached his potential quite yet.
8. Kevin Love, PF Minnesota Timberwolves
18 of 25
The lone bright spot in Minnesota, Love looks like he'll be the NBA's leading rebounder for quite some time.
After very deservedly making his first all-star appearance this season, Love's averages of 20.9 points and 15.5 rebounds are absolutely extraordinary. Now with 47 straight double-doubles this season, it's clear there's no slowing down the 22 year old machine.
While some refer to him as the poor man's David Lee, that's hardly the case. He's far more talented.
7. Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City Thunder
19 of 25
When the team selected Westbrook fourth overall in 2008, even they couldn't have thought that he'd be this good this fast.
Making his first all-star appearance this season, RW has been the Thunder's MVP this season, which is quite the accomplishment considering that so many were pegging teammate Kevin Durant to win the award this season.
22.0 points, 4.9 rebounds & 8.4 assists per night at just 22? It shouldn't be long before the front office signs him to the max extension that he deserves.
6. Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles Clippers
20 of 25
He's been a ton of fun to watch during his rookie campaign, but less than one full season in the league is still too small of a sample size for him to rank inside the top five.
The kid is an absolute monster who will lead the universe in highlight slam dunks from season to season, but all championship players play great defense. That's an area where BG desperately needs to improve.
Averaging less than a steal and a block per contest, Griffin's freak athleticism should allow him to become a more active participant on the defensive side sooner rather than later.
5. Rajon Rondo, PG Boston Celtics
21 of 25
Standing 6'1", Rondo has an incredible 6'9" wingspan that is an extraordinarily valuable asset in his game.
Able to penetrate through the lane and create tons of shot opportunities for his Hall of Fame teammates, Rondo's insane assist count is becoming routine because he does it so often.
For a player that so many thought couldn't blossom into a star player at the next level, RR has really silenced his critics in a big way.
4. Derrick Rose, PG Chicago Bulls
22 of 25
This season's leading MVP candidate, there hasn't been this much buzz surrounding Chicago basketball since Michael Jordan was still in his prime with the Bulls.
Remember all of the debate surrounding Rose or Beasley as the top pick in 2008? It looks like the team made the right pick.
Averaging 24.8 points and 8.1 assists this season, Rose has led both in voice and by example and has really come of age at just 22.
3. Chris Paul, PG New Orleans Hornets
23 of 25
Just a short time ago, Paul was the unquestioned number one point guard in the league.
Now? It depends who is surveyed, but names like Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo & Derrick Rose are all legitimate candidates as well.
It's pretty amazing to consider that CP3 is still just 25 and he's already provided such prolific contributions to the league, which makes his future (with perhaps a new team) rather intriguing.
2. Dwight Howard, C Orlando Magic
24 of 25
Dwight Howard will go down as one of the most dominant centers in NBA history.
Although he's just 6'10", his oversized shoulders and muscular upper body give off the image of a much larger human being. Superman is on pace to shatter his previous career high in points scored this season, and the nightly effort he brings to the table is really second to none.
Many have speculated that the center may be on his way out of town come 2012, and at just 25 his best basketball days are still firmly ahead of him.
1. Kevin Durant, SF Oklahoma City Thunder
25 of 25
While Durant might not secure the MVP crown as so many had predicted he would this season, it's hard to argue with his placement atop this list.
Improving every season since he was selected behind Greg Oden, Durant is one of, if not the best pure scorer in the entire league. Although his perimeter game still needs work, KD35 is well on his way toward fixing his limited flaws and becoming the complete package.
If he can become a better passer & continue to step up his defensive prowess, there's no doubt that Durant will head into the Hall of Fame as a first-ballot candidate.
