NBA Power Rankings: Are the Top 50 Players Getting Better or Declining?
There's a lot of talent in the NBA within its top 50 players.
Although certain names like Yao Ming and Brandon Roy have fallen out of the rankings, new entrants like Brandon Jennings and John Wall are quickly erasing memories of the past.
With the league quickly turning into one that is dominated by youth and athleticism, there's no doubt that the elite superstars have firmly separated themselves from the rest of the pack.
We're here to comb through the top 50 talents and analyze whether their game has room to improve or if they've already reached their ceiling.
50. Mike Conley, PG Memphis Grizzlies
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Consensus: Improving
When the Grizzlies handed Mike Conley a five-year, $45 million extension in the regular season, many thought the team was setting itself up for financial failure.
But now, that contract is looking like a value deal. Conley really blossomed in 2010-11, posting career-best averages in both points and assists per game.
He'll need to continue to improve in order to live up to his No. 4 draft slot out of Ohio State, but he's certainly on the right path.
49. Brandon Jennings, PG Milwaukee Bucks
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Consensus: Improving
Although Jennings was able to play in just 63 games due to injury, the enigmatic point guard was still able to boost his game in 2010-11.
He improved his field goal percentage and scoring averages, and although he took a step back in assists, he averaged more steals than in the previous campaign while simultaneously managing to cut back on his turnovers.
There's still plenty of room between Jennings' current level of play and his potential ceiling, and coming into his third year of professional basketball, it wouldn't be surprising to see him enjoy a full-fledged breakout campaign.
48. Eric Gordon, SG Los Angeles Clippers
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Consensus: Improving
It's pretty remarkable that Eric Gordon doesn't garner more attention playing alongside Blake Griffin, but he gets plenty of love on this list.
Although he was limited by injuries and played in just 56 regular season games, Gordon exploded for a massive uptick in the scoring category, going from 16.9 points per game to 22.3.
The Clippers have a very formidable one-two punch between the Gordon and Griffin, and it shouldn't be much longer until people are talking about the "Killer G's" in Hollywood.
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47. Stephen Jackson, SF Charlotte Bobcats
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Consensus: Declining
Jackson has long been one of the more underrated players in the game, but his best seasons are undoubtedly behind him.
Despite the fact that he proved that he can still capably contribute to a Bobcats team that desperately leaned on him throughout the year, Jax experienced a dip in several categories last season.
Although some of that can be chalked up to the inefficiency of his teammates, Jackson is no longer a secondary offensive option on a postseason team.
46. Chauncey Billups, PG New York Knicks
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Consensus: Declining
Billups' veteran leadership has long been the best aspect of his game, and there's no doubt that it'll prove to be critical in re-shaping the Knicks team.
However, the point guard is now 34 years old, and his troublesome left knee could prove to be a very cumbersome issue come the beginning of next season.
He's still producing at the end of his career, but after posting some of the lowest percentages from both two-point and three-point range, it's going to be tough for him to prove he's worth his $14 million price tag.
45. David Lee, PF Golden State Warriors
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Consensus: Stable
Golden State Warriors fans are going to have to get used to the fact that Lee is overpaid.
After shining in the New York Knicks up-tempo offense, Lee's talents were supposed to translate seamlessly to a Warriors team that also largely ignored efforts on the defensive end of the floor.
It's very possible that Lee has already reached his ceiling as a player when he averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.7 rebounds during the 2009-10 season, but he's still just 28 years old.
44. Joakim Noah, C Chicago Bulls
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Consensus: Improving
When Noah was selected ninth overall by the Bulls in 2007, many thought that the team was reaching to find a center of the future.
Fast forward to 2011, and suddenly that decision doesn't draw the same attention that it once did. After averaging a double-double during each of the last two regular seasons, Noah has successfully asserted himself as one of the game's top centers.
He can really dig into the skin of the opposition, but that's the type of player that every championship caliber team has to have in order to sustain a place at the top.
43. Brook Lopez, C New Jersey Nets
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Consensus: Stable
If there is one thing that Lopez has proven to be during his NBA tenure thus far, it's that he's a remarkably stable contributor.
Playing in all 82 games for each of his first three seasons in the league, the more talented of the Lopez twins has proven to be a prolific scorer at his position despite his inability to pull down a rebound.
It's going to be interesting to see whether or not New Jersey commits to him as a center to build around given his ineptitude on the glass, but the sooner they embrace him as a non-traditional center, the better it will be for the future of the soon-to-be Brooklyn franchise.
42. John Wall, PG Washington Wizards
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Consensus: Improving
After being drafted first overall last season, John Wall certainly didn't disappoint during his inaugural campaign.
Averaging 16.4 points per game and 8.3 assists to go along with it, Wall has already asserted his position as one of the upper echelon point guards in the NBA.
Incredibly athletic and extraordinarily quick on the court, Wall's impressive rookie performance put some of the aging point guards on notice. He's already nipping at their heels.
41. Danny Granger, SF Indiana Pacers
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Consensus: Stable
Danny Granger is a really intriguing player to build a franchise around.
Although he's definitely no superstar, Granger's production has been prolific over the last three seasons, averaging better than 20 points per game during each campaign.
He's proven to be able to do a little bit of everything for the Indiana club, but until he can take it to the hole with greater consistency and doesn't settle for the ill-advised jumper, there's going to be no evolution in his game.
40. Al Jefferson, C Utah Jazz
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Consensus: Improving
Al Jefferson is one of the least talked about centers in the league, and like SG Eric Gordon out in Los Angeles, that simply shouldn't be the case.
Jefferson really came on strong for the Jazz after a down season in Minnesota during the previous campaign, and it appears that he's found a home in Utah.
A phenomenal presence down low, Big Al is still just 26 years of age, and it's very probable that he hasn't scraped the ceiling of his potential thus far.
39. Carlos Boozer, PF Chicago Bulls
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Consensus: Stable
Over the course of his career, Boozer's production has fluctuated from season to season but always seems to hover right around the same numbers.
Although he is maddeningly inconsistent at times, he has proven to be productive over the course of a full season, and that's exactly why the Bulls paid him the big bucks last offseason.
While he has flashes of brilliance at times, Boozer is probably not going to improve on what he currently brings to the table, bu that's just fine since he checks in at just about 17 points and 10 rebounds for his career.
38. Tyreke Evans, SG Sacramento Kings
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Consensus: Improving
The biggest area of concern with Evans is his health, as the immensely talented guard has failed to play all 82 games in either of his first two seasons in the league.
Although he took a slight step back in 2010-11 from his rookie season, the lost production can probably be chalked up to Evans playing through a painful battle with plantar fasciitis that eventually forced him to the sidelines.
He's played both guard positions and even a little bit of small forward which speaks to his incredible versatility on the court, but there's no doubt that Evans has plenty of room to improve his game and can emerge as one of the most productive players if he can manage to stay on the court.
37. Andre Iguodala, SF Philadelphia 76ers
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Consensus: Declining
I've long thought that Iguodala really doesn't receive the recognition that he deserves for everything he's provided to the Sixers, but it's clear that he's just not the franchise player that the team had hoped after signing him to a massive five-year contract.
After really struggling with a cumbersome knee injury for the bulk of the campaign, Iggy's production fell off in a big way in 2010-11, averaging career lows in points per game, rebounds and field goal percentage.
If he can handle his health and harness the elements of his game that made him previously successful, he has the chance to re-emerge as one of the most versatile players in the league.
36. Stephen Curry, PG Golden State Warriors
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Consensus: Improving
When Steph Curry was selected seventh overall by the Warriors in 2009, nobody expected him to be this good this quickly at the professional level.
Everybody knew that he could shoot the lights out of the building, but the emerging Warriors point guard has proven capable of much more than just that.
He's not only shown that he can be a capable ball handler, but he's also shown an inclination for swiping the rock and even grabbing the ball off of the glass, and it's scary to think that he's just beginning to scratch the ceiling of his sky-high potential.
35. Rudy Gay, SF Memphis Grizzlies
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Consensus: Improving
Although Gay has taken a lot of flack for not being worth the maximum contract that the Grizzlies signed him to last summer, the small forward was really blossoming before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the season.
Gay was shooting the best percentage (47.1) from the floor in his career, as well as all-time personal highs in three-point percentage, free-throw percentage, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
While there are certainly still aspects of his game that need to be honed, Gay has certainly proven that he's worth the money that he's getting paid in today's NBA.
34. Kevin Love, PF Minnesota Timberwolves
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Consensus: Improving
It only makes sense that Kevin Love is improving considering that he easily won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award this season, and most people don't realize just how good he really is.
In addition to averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game, Love shot 41.7 percent from the three-point line and 85 percent from the charity stripe. Those are some really impressive numbers.
It's pretty scary to consider that Love could stand to improve even further on his numbers if he played on a team that was more loaded with talent, and he's proven that he's no one-tricky pony.
33. Tony Parker, PG San Antonio Spurs
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Consensus: Stable
When the San Antonio Spurs re-signed Tony Parker to a four-year, $50 million extension at the onset of the regular season, I imagined it would be a mistake that the team would soon regret.
However, to my surprise, Parker proved me to be wrong, improving his numbers across the board from the 2009-10 campaign. He was a prolific contributor this season to a Spurs team that needed every ounce of effort it received from from the point guard.
He should prove to be a sound investment for the next few seasons, but at age 29, he's likely already reached his ceiling as a player and may have more value as an expiring trade chip than as a player by the end of his current deal.
32. Gerald Wallace, SF Portland Trail Blazers
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Consensus: Declining
Wallace showed his versatility to a new crowd last season when he was traded from Charlotte to Portland, adapting to a sixth man role when he was originally acquired by the team.
He's one of the most unique players in the game thanks to his extraordinary versatility, but Wallace took a major step back from the stats he posted in 2009-10.
It will be interesting to see whether or not the veteran proves capable of bouncing back from a down season, but he's already battled injuries throughout his career, and he's not getting any younger.
31. Andrew Bogut, C Milwaukee Bucks
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Consensus: Stable
Despite the immense talent that Bogut clearly possesses, it's really hard to imagine him becoming a true star in this league as long as he continues to battle injuries in every single season.
He's played in all 82 just once (in his rookie season) and hasn't eclipsed 70 contests since the 2007-08 campaign. Clearly hampered by an elbow injury throughout the year, Bogut posted career lows in both field-goal and free-throw percentage.
If he continues to show that he's another injury prone big man, this consensus is going to shift to declining very, very quickly.
30. Al Horford, C Atlanta Hawks
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Consensus: Improving
Should the Hawks decide to alter strategy and acquire a true center to start in the middle, Horford could slide over to power forward and potentially explode off of the charts.
Despite the fact that he plays as an undersized center, Horford has proven more than capable of holding his own against some stiff competition and really impressing a lot of talent evaluators along the way.
Registering career highs in field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and points per game, Horford is on his way toward being an impact name in the NBA for a long time.
29. Marc Gasol, C Memphis Grizzlies
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Consensus: Improving
It was really a tale of two seasons for Marc Gasol, who displayed to everybody that he should no longer be referred to as Pau's little brother.
After a less than stellar regular season, Gasol exploded in the postseason and was instrumental in propelling the Grizzlies in their magical playoff run that ended against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He watched his front court mate Zach Randolph get handed a larger than life $70 million extension, so the team is really going to have to roll out the red carpet if they want to keep him in town.
28. Monta Ellis, SG Golden State Warriors
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Consensus: Improving
Although Ellis' chances of getting traded seem to be improving by the day, and any interested teams would do well to put its best foot forward in acquiring the bona fide star.
After dealing with an ankle injury due to a moped accident that cost him the majority of the 2008-09 regular season, Ellis has really taken his game to another level.
He's still got plenty of room to become an even better player if he can cut down on his turnovers, but when the ball is in your hand as often as Ellis has had it, it's not uncommon that there are a few blunders along the way.
27. Ray Allen, SG Boston Celtics
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Consensus: Stable
Isn't it appropriate that Allen is labeled as stable considering how remarkably consistent he's been throughout the course of his career?
While his numbers might be down since joining the Celtics, that is really a byproduct of Allen having a decreased role in the offense. Rather than being the featured scorer, Allen is the second or third option in most sets and still manages to put in better than 16 points per game.
In his age 35 season, Allen posted one of the most productive stat lines of his career and has really shown that he's still a big piece of the puzzle despite his age.
26. Joe Johnson, SG Atlanta Hawks
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Consensus: Declining
It's pretty unbelievable that Johnson was able to procure a max deal from the Hawks, and although many think of him as a fairly productive player, he underwent a serious regression last season.
While some of the slip in production can probably be attributed to a nagging thumb injury, the onus of the blame belongs on the player. Johnson just wasn't the same player that he was during the previous few seasons.
From 2005-10, Johnson averaged more than 20 points per game, but saw his season average dip to just 18.2 last season. He also posted a miserable percentage (29.7) from beyond the arc and didn't do as much on the glass or with the rock as he's shown capable of doing.
25. Josh Smith, PF Atlanta Hawks
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Consensus: Improving
There are a lot of Atlanta Hawks fans who are tired of Smith and his inclination to shoot the ill-advised, mid-range jumper, but he's been a lot better than he used to be during his previous campaigns.
Although Smith can certainly cut down his shooting from more than 15 feet out, his major improvement at the foul line from the previous two seasons are indicative of his willingness to work at the weaknesses in his game.
Still just 25 years old, Smith's athleticism is off of the charts and will remain one of the most versatile players in the league for the foreseeable future.
24. Lamar Odom, SF Los Angeles Lakers
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Consensus: Improving
In a season that was labeled as the maturation of Lamar Odom, he took a giant step forward in cementing himself as the most valuable bench player in the game.
He shot the ball at career-best percentages from the field and from beyond the arc, while posting the best scoring average since the 2007-08 regular season.
His ability to seamlessly adapt between a starting and reserve role drives his value up immensely to the Lakers and around the league, and there may not be a player of his size that has the highly versatile skill set that Odom possesses.
23. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF Portland Trail Blazers
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Consensus: Improving
It's absolutely asinine that LaMarcus Aldridge didn't make the All-Star team last season when you take a look at just how good he was, but by the end of the year, everybody knew that was an egregious mistake.
The young power forward posted career highs in free-throw percentage, rebounds per game, scoring and tied his previous top marks in both assists and blocks.
Although he's not much of a force on the defensive end, Aldridge is an offense-first power forward for a team that desperately needed someone to step up in the wake of Brandon Roy's balky knees, and Aldridge is answering the call with emphasis.
22. Zach Randolph, PF Memphis Grizzlies
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Consensus: Improving
It wasn't long ago that Z-Bo was seen as just an out of shape, undersized power forward who was dealt straight up for Quentin Richardson, but Randolph has finally earned some respect around the NBA.
After averaging a double-double for the second straight season, Randolph has now registered better than 20 points per season for the last four years. It's hard to compose a list of power forwards who have done that.
He was the lifeblood behind Memphis' surprising postseason run after the team hadn't won a game in the franchise's playoff history, and after signing a $70 million extension to stay with the team, he's looking to improve on his already outstanding production.
21. Blake Griffin, PF Los Angeles Clippers
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Consensus: Improving
It's really scary to think that Griffin could be even better now that he's had some professional experience, because he certainly surpassed all expectations throughout his inaugural campaign.
Although he shot poorly from the free-throw line and wasn't much of a threat on the defensive side of the floor, his highlight slam dunks brought more electricity to the Clippers franchise than they've seen in recent memory.
As he continues to improve his shot selection and develops more prowess in the low post, Griffin will undoubtedly enjoy even further success and remain in the cream of the talent crop.
20. Tim Duncan, PF San Antonio Spurs
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Consensus: Declining
The 2010-11 regular season marked the first time in Duncan's incredibly prolific career that he couldn't manage to average a double-double.
The first ballot Hall of Famer really took a step back this season, averaging just 13.4 points per game, a stark drop off from his career average of 20.6. Additionally, Duncan's 8.9 rebounds per game is a pretty large decline from his 11.4 mark throughout his career.
No longer the player that he once was, Duncan still remains plenty productive on his best nights, but the difference between the present and the past is that when Timmy D doesn't have his A game, he can no longer cruise past the competition with the ease he's experienced in the past.
19. Chris Bosh, PF Miami Heat
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Consensus: Stable
Despite the inordinate amount of criticism that Bosh took at the onset of Miami's season, he's been the same player that he's shown for the previous seven seasons in Toronto.
While he got off to a less than stellar start, Bosh had to adjust to a new role on a completely different team and those aren't the type of changes that can be made overnight.
As the season wore on, Bosh grew comfortably into his role and began to execute in the same manner that we've so often seen during his time with the Raptors. Many are quick to hop off his bandwagon, but he's been riding the same path for a while.
18. Kevin Garnett, PF Boston Celtics
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Consensus: Declining
Kevin Garnett did really well to rebound this season a down campaign in 2009-10, but unfortunately for the veteran, he didn't improve by much.
Since his first season in Boston that saw the Celtics win a championship, Garnett has struggled mightily, even looking like a shell of his former self at times. Although he's still capable of exploding for a monster game, those types of performances are few and far between.
It seems that the fiery flames in his eyes have had a bucket of water doused on them, because I just don't see the same intensity or production from K.G. that I did during the prime of his career.
17. Manu Ginobili, SG San Antonio Spurs
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Consensus: Declining
Although Ginobili didn't take a statistical step back last season from his career numbers, his inability to stay healthy and proclivity to wear down over the last few seasons is extremely concerning.
The veteran was simply a less efficient player in 2011, taking more shots and making fewer baskets than in previous campaigns. Ginobili still showed up at times, but when he had an off night, he was WAY off and had multiple games during the regular season where he scored in single digits.
He's proven to be much more than a scorer in his career, but he's never played a full compliment of games in a season, and that's not a trend that he's going to buck as he gets older.
16. Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City Thunder
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Consensus: Improving
There wasn't a more publicly scrutinized player than Westbrook in the 2011 NBA postseason, but it's only because he was so good this season that most set the bar of expectations far too high.
Westbrook is a good, not great, point guard, who is still learning the position as he plays the game. This was an entirely new concept to him when he was drafted by the team out of UCLA, and most forget that there's a steep learning curve at the professional level when trying to run an offense.
He's certainly going to need to improve on his shot selection and cut way down on the turnovers, but he's not close to scraping the surface of his inordinately high ceiling.
15. Paul Pierce, SF Boston Celtics
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Consensus: Stable
"The Truth" has really been consistent throughout the course of his career, and after a slightly down season in 2009-10, Pierce shed a little extra weight and got his numbers back up this season.
Despite the fact that he was born and raised in California, Pierce is one of the most legendary Celtics of all time, and he's a no-brainer to have his number retired when he decides to call it quits.
He's one of the more underrated players of his generation despite the prolific production, and there's no sensing a decline in his play at any point in the near future.
14. Rajon Rondo, PG Boston Celtics
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Consensus: Improving
If Rajon Rondo's miraculous return during the postseason taught us anything, it's that this kid is absolutely fearless on a basketball court.
Rondo has improved by leaps and bounds since entering into the league, and the five-year, $55 million extension that he signed with the team looks to be one of the biggest value contracts in the NBA right now.
He really needs to work on both his free throw shooting and jumper, but Rondo averaged double-digit assists for the first time in his career last season, and I'm certain it won't be the last. He is one of the best passers currently playing the game.
13. Pau Gasol, PF Los Angeles Lakers
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Consensus: Improving
Despite all of the criticism that Pau received throughout the season, last year was just the second time in his career that he's averaged a double-double. Additionally, Gasol has averaged between 18-19 points since the 2007-08 campaign, and any team would welcome a power forward who posts those kind of numbers.
Gasol also shot the best percentage from the foul line that he's ever posted last season (82.3) and played the role of Robin to Kobe's Batman almost flawlessly.
New coach Mike Brown plans to use an offense similar to what San Antonio used when they had the twin towers, so it's very possible that we see Gasol's already outstanding averages improve to new heights next year.
12. Amar'e Stoudemire, PF New York Knicks
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Consensus: Stable
The New York Knicks and Amar'e Stoudemire needed each other desperately before STAT put pen to paper and signed a five-year, $100 million deal with the team last season, and although many thought he was overpaid, he proved to be worth every penny.
Stoudemire is such a unique player that most casual fans have trouble with him as a power forward because he doesn't play a traditional big man's game, but the sooner one accepts his unusual combination of talents, the better.
The injuries with Stoudemire will be a focal point of concern, but when many people doubted his ability to be the superstar of a team, STAT stood up and emphatically delivered.
If he could ever learn how to play a lick of defense and rebound the ball with better efficiency, Stoudemire would be a bona fide superstar, but that term is reserved for the league's most elite.
11. Steve Nash, PG Phoenix Suns
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Consensus: Stable
Despite the fact that Nash averaged the second-most amount of assists per game of his career last season, the veteran point guard experienced declines in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and points per game.
I'm not ready to say that his game is in decline quite yet since he's never really relied on top-tier athleticism for success, and his production would be even more prolific if he were playing with a more talented team.
At age 37, Nash is still going strong and remains one of the game's top point guards, but it's not going to be long before he hands the reigns over to the next generation of players at the position.
10. Carmelo Anthony, SF New York Knicks
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Consensus: Stable
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers in the game, but just because he's an elite scorer does not mean that he is one of the top five players in basketball.
Anthony's defensive game has more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese, and that's being generous. However, he has improved on his ability to rebound, on his shot selection and his three-point shooting.
No. 7 also took a major step forward at the foul line last season, shooting a solid 87.2 percent, but if Melo wants to go down in the record books next to the greatest players of his generation, he really needs to show more effort on the defensive end of the floor than we've seen from him heretofore.
9. Derrick Rose, PG Chicago Bulls
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Consensus: Improving
Remember when there was a debate as to whether Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley should be selected first overall in the draft? I think it's pretty safe to say that Chicago went with the right choice.
Aside from field-goal percentage, Rose improved every facet of his game this season by a big margin. Most notably, after struggling horrendously with the deep jumper, Rose developed a reliable three-point shot and really stretched the floor for himself to penetrate into the lane.
He's an extraordinarily gifted player and has a laundry list of good qualities about him, but until he can improve on his shot selection and learn that he doesn't need to lead his team in scoring every night to craft a winning game plan, he's still a work in progress.
8. Deron Williams, PG New Jersey Nets
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Consensus: Improving
Deron Williams does not get the recognition that he deserves as one of the game's top two point guards. And no, the other one is NOT Derrick Rose.
After being traded to New Jersey, D-Will averaged nearly 13 assists per contest and looked every bit like the franchise player that they need him to be. Although a nasty wrist injury really took a toll on his shooting, Williams is still one of the best scorers at his position and can drop 30-plus on any given night.
It's pretty remarkable that Utah was willing to deal this guy for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and some draft picks, because no matter who the Jazz acquire in the upcoming NBA draft, there is no way that they can adequately replace Williams.
7. Chris Paul, PG New Orleans Hornets
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Consensus: Stable
Chris Paul is still the best point guard in the NBA. Period. End of discussion.
Although he's been somewhat limited in his ability to produce because of a cumbersome knee, CP3 still proved that he's got the skills with his impressive postseason performance over the Lakers. Despite being just 6'0" and 175 lbs, Paul has had no trouble going toe-to-toe with some of the bigger opposition that he's faced in his career.
Although his stats were slightly down from the previous season, Paul would have some of the most unbelievable numbers known to man if he were playing on a team with any explosive talent alongside him, and it'll be interesting to see if people change their opinion about him should he be playing with a different squad at any point in the not so distant future.
6. Dirk Nowitzki, PF Dallas Mavericks
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Consensus: Improving
Dirk Nowitzki is a superstar in every aspect of the word, and there's no doubt in my mind that he's going to be one of the most talented players to ever play the power forward position.
The undisputed best talent to ever emerge from the European ranks, Nowitzki has averaged at least 20 points per game since his third year in the league. Spending his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks, Nowitzki's calm demeanor and quiet excellence just add to his overall greatness.
In a league that is filled with a lot of me-first athletes concerned about only themselves, Nowitzki's team-first approach and unquestioned desire to win for his team separate him by leaps and bounds from his competition.
He probably won't ever receive the proper attention that he deserve as a face of the NBA, but this guy is exactly the type of player who should be at the forefront of everything that the league does.
5. Dwight Howard, C Orlando Magic
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Consensus: Improving
While the rest of the league was busy getting swept up in the Derrick Rose hype, Dwight Howard was busy posting an MVP-caliber campaign for the Orlando Magic who would be dead in the water without him.
The last remaining dominant center in the league today, Howard's raw strength and incredible production are scary to think about when you consider that he's just 25 years old. He is a presence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court, and never gives up on a play before it's done.
He has a lot of room to improve on his pathetic free throw shooting, but similar to Shaquille O'Neal, that may just be an area of weakness that critics have to ignore. Howard is the definition of a game-changer, and although that term is tossed around a little too frequently these days, it fully applies to Dwight.
4. Kevin Durant, SF Oklahoma City Thunder
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Consensus: Improving
Despite a step back in statistical production this year, Kevin Durant's game is about to explode through the roof.
The most prolific scorer in the NBA today, Durant had to share the ball with Russell Westbrook, who took a greater role in the offense than he probably should have this season. The numbers don't tell the entire story, just bits and pieces of it.
Durant reportedly plans to add about 20 lbs of mass to his frame during the offseason which should really help him with some of the bigger players at his position, and there's no doubt that when Westbrook learns to become more of a pass-first point guard than a shooting guard playing the point position, Durant's numbers will rise accordingly.
3. Dwyane Wade, SG Miami Heat
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Consensus: Improving
Even though LeBron James has taken his talents to South Beach this season and garnered the majority of the attention, there's no doubting that the Heat team still firmly belongs to Dwyane Wade.
After he posted the most impressive season averages of his career in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and rebounds, it's clear that he's still evolving every aspect of his game and isn't willing to settle for anything less than greatness.
It wasn't all that long ago that many people were ready to write him off as an injury-prone player, but now that seems like a very distant memory. He is a superstar in every aspect of the word.
What other player can say that he got a county officially re-named after him?
Welcome to Dwyane's world, Miami-Wade County.
2. Kobe Bryant, SG Los Angeles Lakers
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Consensus: Declining
As someone who grew up watching Kobe Bryant in his prime doing things that most players could only dream about, it pains me to write that the Black Mamba is on the decline, but it would be foolish not to recognize that's what is happening.
But it's to no fault of his own; there is a lot of tread on those tires. Bryant, who just finished his 15th professional season, is now dealing with irreversible knee problems, a finger that will give him trouble throughout the remainder of his playing days and battling age for the first time in his career.
He's simply not the same player that he was in his prime, but that's to be expected. Bryant is owed more than $80 million on the remainder of his current deal, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him walk away from the game after it concludes, especially if the Lakers can manage to win another title.
1. LeBron James, SF Miami Heat
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Consensus: Improving
There is not a player even remotely close to LeBron James in the NBA, and whether you love him or hate him, you have to respect him as the most talented player in the game today.
While most expected a drop-off in production since he'd have to share the ball with both Wade and Bosh, Bron still managed to put up 26.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 7.0 apg in his first season with the team, remarkably close to his 27.7/7.1/7.0 career mark.
Although it doesn't show up in the box score, James' lock down defense is a major reason as to why he's elevated his game and become the undisputed top dog in a new-look league.
LeBron is the only player that I've seen capable of potentially averaging a triple-double in a season since Oscar Robertson accomplished the feat, and at this point, nothing James does should serve as a surprise to anybody.
He's really just that great.
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