America's Favorite Local Sports Page
| Davis Sports Deli.com America's Favorite Local Sports Page |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 6, 2009
Davis Sports Deli.com's
NBA Top 25 Under Age 25
12th Edition: '07 Draft Class Makes Good
By: Patrick Crawley, Aaron Fischman & Joshua Fischman
Last season Aaron, Joshua and I debuted our tribute to the NBA Youth Movement: the Top 25 NBA Players Under Age 25. Over eight editions --beginning in December 2007 and running through March 2008 -- we detailed the 25 most promising talents in the league. Through the ups and downs we evaluated talent, performance and promise, charting the outcome every two weeks.
Some players (like Monta Ellis) quickly climbed the rankings while others (like Luol Deng) fell substantially. Our list created controversy in some instances (example: when we debuted Yi Jianlian in the Third Edition) and forsight in others (we debuted LaMarcus Aldridge in the Top 15 in the First Edition). Through it all, we had fun watching the NBA's young stars and debating the results we published.
Now that we're well into the 2008-09 season, it's time for the 12th version of the Top 25 Under 25 of 2008-09.
This season we've decided to forgo the "potential" aspect of the rankings and focus on in-season success. In other words, this season's version of the Top 25 Under 25 will be based on one specific criteria: an attempt to predict which players (under 25) will have the best seasons in 2008.
So without further delay, here's the 12th Edition of the Top 25 Under 25. Players who have recently turned 25 are listed in the "graduated" section. For reference, here's a link to the previous version of the Top 25.
Rank |
Player |
Prev. Rank |
Age |
Movement |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
(1) |
24 |
-- |
Seems like every time we release a new edition, LeBron is embroiled in some new controversy. This time? His "crab dribble" against Washington. The upshot? We get quotes like this: "Everything I do is a big deal." Yes, that's a direct quote . | |
2. |
(2) |
23 |
-- |
CP3 has exploded in recent games, including a triple-double on 12/30 against the Wiz (his third of the season). Following his lead, the Hornets have won four of five, including a 116-105 thrashing of the Lakers on the road tonight (1/6). | |
3. |
(3) |
23 |
-- |
Superman will again make an appearance at the Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star weekend. Though it will be hard to top last year's Super Slam, we trust Howard's goofy ingenuity enough to know that he has something cool in the works. | |
4. |
(6) |
24 |
+2 |
The Blazers miss Roy like crazy. In the three games he has missed with an ankle injury, the Blazers' scoring average has dropped nearly 15 points (from 99.2 to 84.7 ppg). No doubt here; Roy is one of the most irreplaceable players in the league. | |
5. |
(4) |
24 |
-1 |
Bosh's numbers have not slipped significantly, but the attitude (and the destination) of his team has. Is Bosh truly a leader? Or just a stat-stuffer with great promo skills? | |
6. |
(7) |
24 |
+1 |
Other than the three guys up top, Al Jeff has been the most consistent guy on this list in '08-09. He's moved exactly one spot over the course of four editions. Speaking of movement, here's a plea to Minny: find a true center and move Al to PF. | |
7. |
(10) |
20 |
+3 |
Let's play a game. "Kevin Durant is a potential Hall of Famer" comes from A) Scott Brooks, B) Gregg Popovich, or C) Jeff Van Gundy. Give up? It's Pop...and, when it comes to Durant, he can't stop gushing. | |
8. |
(8) |
24 |
-- |
The good news? Melo's broken hand doesn't require surgery. The bad (horrible, no good) news for Nuggets' fans? He has at least 3 weeks of recovery ahead of him. | |
9. |
(5) |
24 |
-4 |
In the X-Men comics, Wolverine recovers from injuries instantaneously. It's really too bad we can't integrate that kind of technology into the NBA; D-Will is only now hitting his stride after an early season ankle injury. | |
10. |
(9) |
23 |
-1 |
Speaking of recoveries...J-Smoove is back! Smith had a season-high 29 points (on 13-16 shooting) in a win over Houston on 1/3. That sound you hear? A collective sigh of relief from the ATL. | |
11. |
(18) |
24 |
+7 |
In nine games without Elton Brand, Iggy has scored 20+ points six times. In the 25 games before that? A grand total of three 20+ games. Which begs the question: can we please vote Brand off the island now? | |
12. |
(14) |
23 |
+2 |
Against Boston, Aldridge proved that he can rise to the occasion in crunch time. Portland's recent skid can't be pinned on him. The truth is that L.A. operates best when Roy is there to initiate the two-man game. | |
13. |
(11) |
21 |
-2 |
Let's be clear. Mayo is the best SG to enter the league since Kobe Bryant. In addition to a fully-developed offensive repetoire, ESPN's David Thorpe recently tabbed Mayo as the rookie with the best defensive potential. | |
14. |
(23) |
23 |
+9 |
With 19 pts and 14 reb against the Warriors on 1/5, Millsap recorded his 18th straight double-double. Which makes you wonder: which free agent is Utah more worried about this offseason? Milly or Booz? (I choose Millsap). | |
15. |
(NR) |
22 |
Debut |
Coach Curry should consider making Stuckey's starting spot permanent. Over the course of the past five games (12/27-1/4), Stuckey is averaging 21.6 pts, 5.4 ast and 4.8 reb. Better yet, the Pistons have won seven games in a row. | |
16. |
(15) |
22 |
-1 |
In 36 games this season, Beans has had 20 double-doubles while maintaining the 10th-best shooting percentage in the league (55.4%). When he's not perfecting his inside shot, Biedrins is working on his soccer game. (It's working, apparently). | |
17. |
(NR) |
22 |
Debut |
The Thunder are enduring a tough season, but Green gives fans a reason to smile. He's been a great all-around player since his Georgetown days. Now he's starting to grow into his NBA game. Averaging 18 pts/7 reb in Dec, Green is opening eyes. | |
18. |
(13) |
20 |
-5 |
Outwardly Rose is showing subtle signs of slowing down. His three-point and free throw percentages took signficant dives in Dec., which lowered his scoring average. The weight of an entire franchise is a heavy burden for a rookie (ask Durant). | |
19. |
(16) |
22 |
-3 |
Gay's going to have to come up with something a lot more creative than this if he wants to beat Nate & D-Howard in the upcoming dunk contest. Get to work, Rudy. | |
20. |
(20) |
22 |
-- |
Rondo is an enigma. His improvement led to a great winning streak for Boston, but now he's struggling (9 TO in a loss to Charlotte on 1/6) and the Celtics are losing. | |
21. |
(12) |
21 |
-9 |
Suffice it to say that Bynum has not been the dominant force we expected him to be this season. But, hey, the Lakers are winning, right? That should be consolation enough for the fans in L.A. | |
22. |
(17) |
23 |
-5 |
Monta is "chomping at the bit" to get back on the court. Hopefully his return is soon to come, but the decision lies solely with the Warriors' front office. | |
23. |
(19) |
24 |
-4 |
The Aussie has struggled with back spasms lately, but he looked great in an upset win over the Spurs on 12/30. Talk of the playoffs no doubt speeds up Bogut's timetable for return. | |
24. |
(21) |
22 |
-3 |
Horford is steady on defense and boring on offense. His progress is steady. He's an integral part of Atlanta's improvement this season. Not exactly the most newsworthy guy in the league but, hey, what're you going to do? | |
25. |
(30) |
20 |
+5 |
Lopez's offensive success is of little surprise, but his defensive improvement has been very impressive. He ranks fifth in the NBA in blocked shots per game (1.91). |
On the Cusp: J.R. Smith (Denver), Eric Gordon (LAC), Ronnie Brewer (Utah), Thaddeus Young (Philly), Nate Robinson (New York)
Graduated:
Al Thornton - To the vast dismay of the Fischman brothers (huge Clippers fans) Thornton graduates this edition. He does graduate with honors, though, at #22.
Kelenna Azuibuke - A mainstay off the Warriors' bench for the past two seasons, Azuibuke never really got the burn he deserved. His last appearance was at #29 in the 10th Edition.