[festar35Participant]

 There are a bunch of young stars in NBA, who do you think seperates themselves from the pack and becomes the elite of the elite? (2009 draft onwards)

Paul George

Blake Griffin

Stephen Curry

Damian Lillard

Anthony Davis

Kyrie Irving

Demarcus Cousins

James Harden

Andre Drummond

John Wall

 

Personally I think the guy with the best shot is Davis. I would’ve have said Paul George without hesitation but his inconsistancy of late offensively has been horrible. 

I think Curry and Lillard also have a very good chance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

with the lakers struggling,l I have probably watched/followed nba ball less then ever so I barely watch these guys right now.

With that said, I think harden is the best on this list. Curry is close and davis has awesome potential so those would be my top 3 to potentially challenge for mvp’s down the road and become true superstars. But realistically, these guys are mostly all close right now. I mean you have lebonr and Durant and then a whole bunch of guys including most of your list in the mix.

But right now I say harden is the guy who not only is the best but also has the ability to continue getting better and maintain his lead on the comp. His all around skill is scary. BUt for the love of god stop giving him every whistle. I want to root for him since he is from the pac 12 and I wanted to see him succeed the second the thunder decided he was expendable so they could keep guys like perkins and stay under the luxury tax. But if he keeps getting every damn whistle when he side steps into defenders chest’s, im gonna start rooting against him.

[llperez]

with the lakers struggling,l I have probably watched/followed nba ball less then ever so I barely watch these guys right now.

With that said, I think harden is the best on this list. Curry is close and davis has awesome potential so those would be my top 3 to potentially challenge for mvp’s down the road and become true superstars. But realistically, these guys are mostly all close right now. I mean you have lebonr and Durant and then a whole bunch of guys including most of your list in the mix.

But right now I say harden is the guy who not only is the best but also has the ability to continue getting better and maintain his lead on the comp. His all around skill is scary. BUt for the love of god stop giving him every whistle. I want to root for him since he is from the pac 12 and I wanted to see him succeed the second the thunder decided he was expendable so they could keep guys like perkins and stay under the luxury tax. But if he keeps getting every damn whistle when he side steps into defenders chest’s, im gonna start rooting against him.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I’d go with him.  He just makes it look easy and he is so young still.  He is not even close to his full potential and is in the midst of one of the two best seasons ever for a 20 year old in the NBA.  He is a top-5 player for his position on both ends of the floor, a distinction probably only shared by LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Paul George leaguewide, and still has so many areas of his game that look like they will improve.  If he gets more consistent in the post, look out.  

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I’d go with him.  He just makes it look easy and he is so young still.  He is not even close to his full potential and is in the midst of one of the two best seasons ever for a 20 year old in the NBA.  He is a top-5 player for his position on both ends of the floor, a distinction probably only shared by LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Paul George leaguewide, and still has so many areas of his game that look like they will improve.  If he gets more consistent in the post, look out.  

[mbunner23Participant]

 Drummond if he can put together an offensive skill set. Drummond is definitly not a safe pick out of the list but probably has the most potential if he puts it all together. 

[mbunner23Participant]

 Drummond if he can put together an offensive skill set. Drummond is definitly not a safe pick out of the list but probably has the most potential if he puts it all together. 

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

Harden relies on FTs and isn’t good defensively. Drummond has no actual offensive game what-so-ever. Davis is still thin. While I like most ( not Harden ) of the players listed, Cousins is the best, to me. The guy is an absolute beast on ever way, and has gotten better defensively. Everyone says that he could be the best Center, I think he’s pretty much already there. A handle, a post game, a jumper, a FT shot, Howard has none of that. D Cuz is also a phenomenal rebounder on both ends. Dude is legit, if only the Kings weren’t so bad at helping him.

[Hector_Reyes_8Participant]

Harden relies on FTs and isn’t good defensively. Drummond has no actual offensive game what-so-ever. Davis is still thin. While I like most ( not Harden ) of the players listed, Cousins is the best, to me. The guy is an absolute beast on ever way, and has gotten better defensively. Everyone says that he could be the best Center, I think he’s pretty much already there. A handle, a post game, a jumper, a FT shot, Howard has none of that. D Cuz is also a phenomenal rebounder on both ends. Dude is legit, if only the Kings weren’t so bad at helping him.

[festar35Participant]

 The more I watch Griffin the more I think he could be right there with Davis to make that leap. 

His mid-range jumper has become much improved and he is shooting over 70% from the FT line. If this is truly a common theme for him for seasons to come the Clippers may become as much his team as Chris Pauls within the next season or two.

The key will be those guys that add something each season. The guys that have shown that to me are Griffin, Davis and George which I think have the best shot.

Cousins is all about attitude and it seems to be improving, so he could be great.

 

 

 

 

[festar35Participant]

 The more I watch Griffin the more I think he could be right there with Davis to make that leap. 

His mid-range jumper has become much improved and he is shooting over 70% from the FT line. If this is truly a common theme for him for seasons to come the Clippers may become as much his team as Chris Pauls within the next season or two.

The key will be those guys that add something each season. The guys that have shown that to me are Griffin, Davis and George which I think have the best shot.

Cousins is all about attitude and it seems to be improving, so he could be great.

 

 

 

 

[jwall1Participant]

Its too hard to choose 1, so I’ll choose 5 that I feel have the best chance and also list why I think the others wont be able to..

 

Paul George: Super athletic and improving at a scary rate. Scary ceiling…

Anthony Davis: I feel he is the closest thing to the next Tim Duncan in the league.

James Harden: His skill set on offense is already the "elite of the elite" in the league. Once he improves defensively theres no question he will be the best 2 guard in the league for atleast the next decade. In my opinion, hes alread in the "elite of the elite."

John Wall: I’ll probably get negged for adding Wall to this list instead of Curry, but IMO hes got a higher ceiling and is a better passer and defender. I just think Wall has had a bigger impact on his team than Curry. 

Demarcus Cousins: So talented. There is noone at the center position at his level offensively and honestly I don’t think there will be for another decade. 

 

Reasons I don’t think these players will…

 

 

Blake Griffin: He will always be a top 5 PF in the league, but his slow rate of improvement since coming in the league worries me. Also, his development defensively has not been encouraging.

Stephen Curry: He was the hardest to leave off the list, but his ability to stay healthy is concerning. If he can stay healthy through his career, he will reach that level.

Damian Lillard: Hes a great player and will be a perennial all-star, but I just don’t think he has a high enough ceiling to reach that level.

Kyrie Irving: Kyrie was another name that was hard to leave off the list, hes still so young and has already accomplished alot. Its obvious his defense has to improve and as a pg his court vision needs to too. I just think he will end up being too one dimensional (too scoring oriented) to be able to make a big impact on his team as a point guard.

Andre Drummond: Don’t get me wrong, Drummond is a great player, but his lack of an offensive game worries me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jwall1Participant]

Its too hard to choose 1, so I’ll choose 5 that I feel have the best chance and also list why I think the others wont be able to..

 

Paul George: Super athletic and improving at a scary rate. Scary ceiling…

Anthony Davis: I feel he is the closest thing to the next Tim Duncan in the league.

James Harden: His skill set on offense is already the "elite of the elite" in the league. Once he improves defensively theres no question he will be the best 2 guard in the league for atleast the next decade. In my opinion, hes alread in the "elite of the elite."

John Wall: I’ll probably get negged for adding Wall to this list instead of Curry, but IMO hes got a higher ceiling and is a better passer and defender. I just think Wall has had a bigger impact on his team than Curry. 

Demarcus Cousins: So talented. There is noone at the center position at his level offensively and honestly I don’t think there will be for another decade. 

 

Reasons I don’t think these players will…

 

 

Blake Griffin: He will always be a top 5 PF in the league, but his slow rate of improvement since coming in the league worries me. Also, his development defensively has not been encouraging.

Stephen Curry: He was the hardest to leave off the list, but his ability to stay healthy is concerning. If he can stay healthy through his career, he will reach that level.

Damian Lillard: Hes a great player and will be a perennial all-star, but I just don’t think he has a high enough ceiling to reach that level.

Kyrie Irving: Kyrie was another name that was hard to leave off the list, hes still so young and has already accomplished alot. Its obvious his defense has to improve and as a pg his court vision needs to too. I just think he will end up being too one dimensional (too scoring oriented) to be able to make a big impact on his team as a point guard.

Andre Drummond: Don’t get me wrong, Drummond is a great player, but his lack of an offensive game worries me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Cousins is too ineffiecient for a guy his size, this is the first season he has shot over 46.5%, and he fouls WAY too much to get consistent minutes. Add to that he gives little to no effort on the defensive side and his off court and maturity issues, I’m wary of taking him. Dude can ball, but he is too much of a liability defensively as he either fouls or gives up a basket on any given defensive set, though I will concede that he and Brook Lopez are the best scoring centres in the league. All that being said, give me Anthony Davis all day every day. Even at 220 pounds(if hes even that much), this guy dominates at both ends, rebounds like a beast, and can get you 3 blocks, 1.5 steals whilst playing GOOD defense, not DeAndre Jordan defense which is just highlight reel blocks. His offensive game has gone from just garbage buckets last season, to now being able to post effectively and extend the D to 15 feet with his jumper. And the kid is only 20 years old. 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Cousins is too ineffiecient for a guy his size, this is the first season he has shot over 46.5%, and he fouls WAY too much to get consistent minutes. Add to that he gives little to no effort on the defensive side and his off court and maturity issues, I’m wary of taking him. Dude can ball, but he is too much of a liability defensively as he either fouls or gives up a basket on any given defensive set, though I will concede that he and Brook Lopez are the best scoring centres in the league. All that being said, give me Anthony Davis all day every day. Even at 220 pounds(if hes even that much), this guy dominates at both ends, rebounds like a beast, and can get you 3 blocks, 1.5 steals whilst playing GOOD defense, not DeAndre Jordan defense which is just highlight reel blocks. His offensive game has gone from just garbage buckets last season, to now being able to post effectively and extend the D to 15 feet with his jumper. And the kid is only 20 years old. 

[Jester87Participant]

It depends on what you mean with elite. Imho George, Curry and Harden are already there. George is a top 5 player in the Nba right now, Curry is one of the most devastating offensive weapons in the league, Harden is the best shooting guard in the game and the franchise player of one of the best teams in the league.

Lillard is very close and if he plays like this all year it’s hard to keep him out. Davis is close, but not there yet. With a little more polish on offense and some more experience on defense he belongs. Griffin has played a lot better last month. If he finds consistency in his FTs and mid range jumper and keep focused on defense instead of whining all the time he can get into the debate.

The other ones are a bit further: Wall has a lot to work on (jumper, decision making especially in half court settings, defense, consistency), but he has great potential, if he puts all things together is one of the best point guards in the league. Irving is stuck in a bad team and has lost some ground this year. He’s all over the place for me. I like him a lot, but I’m not sure how much he’s helping his team. I expected him to step up a little on D in his third year, but he hasn’t. Cousins is great on offense, but he’s too bad on defense and being a center that hurts too much his team. You can always question his maturity, though he seems more under control this year. Drummond is an odd one: people are so excited about his potential, personally I’ve got a few doubt. I see more upside as a Tyson Chandler kind of guy, who brings D and is a pick and roll and finish threat on offense than as a true superstar (just to make it clear, I’m a big fan of Chandler). Obviously he’s stronger than Chandler so he can be even more effective as a finisher, but right now on D he’s nowhere close to Chandler and his free throws are such a liability for his team it’s hard to play him in crunch time. To become something more on offense he needs to build a jumper or a back to the basket game and for now there are no signs he can do that, he hasn’t shown any improvement this year in any of those areas.

[Jester87Participant]

It depends on what you mean with elite. Imho George, Curry and Harden are already there. George is a top 5 player in the Nba right now, Curry is one of the most devastating offensive weapons in the league, Harden is the best shooting guard in the game and the franchise player of one of the best teams in the league.

Lillard is very close and if he plays like this all year it’s hard to keep him out. Davis is close, but not there yet. With a little more polish on offense and some more experience on defense he belongs. Griffin has played a lot better last month. If he finds consistency in his FTs and mid range jumper and keep focused on defense instead of whining all the time he can get into the debate.

The other ones are a bit further: Wall has a lot to work on (jumper, decision making especially in half court settings, defense, consistency), but he has great potential, if he puts all things together is one of the best point guards in the league. Irving is stuck in a bad team and has lost some ground this year. He’s all over the place for me. I like him a lot, but I’m not sure how much he’s helping his team. I expected him to step up a little on D in his third year, but he hasn’t. Cousins is great on offense, but he’s too bad on defense and being a center that hurts too much his team. You can always question his maturity, though he seems more under control this year. Drummond is an odd one: people are so excited about his potential, personally I’ve got a few doubt. I see more upside as a Tyson Chandler kind of guy, who brings D and is a pick and roll and finish threat on offense than as a true superstar (just to make it clear, I’m a big fan of Chandler). Obviously he’s stronger than Chandler so he can be even more effective as a finisher, but right now on D he’s nowhere close to Chandler and his free throws are such a liability for his team it’s hard to play him in crunch time. To become something more on offense he needs to build a jumper or a back to the basket game and for now there are no signs he can do that, he hasn’t shown any improvement this year in any of those areas.

[bullsdynasty92Participant]

 My two selections of players that will separate themselves from the pack are Anthony Davis and Paul George. I always like players who are consistent on both ends on the floor. Paul George is demonstrating he is a franchise player by being the number 1 option offensively for the Pacers and succeeding, and having the Pacers on pace to be the #1 seed in the playoffs.

Anthony Davis if he stays healthy will become one of, if not the best big men in the Nba. Its so surprising that he is demonstrating a competent offensive game even though he doesn’t have much of a back to the basket game. However, he has a great pick and pop game as well as a great pick and roll player. Its surprising that he is almost averaging 20 points per game when his offensive and defensive game remind me of Serge Ibaka. His ceiling is out of this world!

I want to include Stephen Curry, but I just don’t see him ever being a consistent defender. He is a serviceable defender, he just isn’t a very good one. 

 

 

[bullsdynasty92Participant]

 My two selections of players that will separate themselves from the pack are Anthony Davis and Paul George. I always like players who are consistent on both ends on the floor. Paul George is demonstrating he is a franchise player by being the number 1 option offensively for the Pacers and succeeding, and having the Pacers on pace to be the #1 seed in the playoffs.

Anthony Davis if he stays healthy will become one of, if not the best big men in the Nba. Its so surprising that he is demonstrating a competent offensive game even though he doesn’t have much of a back to the basket game. However, he has a great pick and pop game as well as a great pick and roll player. Its surprising that he is almost averaging 20 points per game when his offensive and defensive game remind me of Serge Ibaka. His ceiling is out of this world!

I want to include Stephen Curry, but I just don’t see him ever being a consistent defender. He is a serviceable defender, he just isn’t a very good one. 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

There are only two players on that list that play both ends of the floor. Paul George and Anthony Davis. 

I’d go with Paul George. Defensively, he’s special. He brings it every single night and can lock up any backcourt/wing position. He should be on the NBA All-Defensive First Team this season. He should’ve been on it last season. His defense is what separates him from James Harden IMO. 

Offensively, he hasn’t shot the ball well the last six or seven games, but he’s still shown significant improvement this season. He’s averaging 23 points on 45% FG, 37% 3PT and 86% FT (averaging 6 per game, which is 3 more than last season). His confidence at the offensive end has gone up several notches. His mid-range game and ability to shoot off the dribbe is much improved. His footwork, skill, etc are all improved this season. Even with his recent shooting slump, he’s still shooting 60% on corner three-pointers. He still needs to tighten up his handle and decision making with the ball (tries to be too flashy at times). I’d also like to see him add a post game. 

George is already the second best two way player in the league behind LeBron James and he’s only scratching the surface. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

There are only two players on that list that play both ends of the floor. Paul George and Anthony Davis. 

I’d go with Paul George. Defensively, he’s special. He brings it every single night and can lock up any backcourt/wing position. He should be on the NBA All-Defensive First Team this season. He should’ve been on it last season. His defense is what separates him from James Harden IMO. 

Offensively, he hasn’t shot the ball well the last six or seven games, but he’s still shown significant improvement this season. He’s averaging 23 points on 45% FG, 37% 3PT and 86% FT (averaging 6 per game, which is 3 more than last season). His confidence at the offensive end has gone up several notches. His mid-range game and ability to shoot off the dribbe is much improved. His footwork, skill, etc are all improved this season. Even with his recent shooting slump, he’s still shooting 60% on corner three-pointers. He still needs to tighten up his handle and decision making with the ball (tries to be too flashy at times). I’d also like to see him add a post game. 

George is already the second best two way player in the league behind LeBron James and he’s only scratching the surface. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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