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October 22, 2008
Davis Sports Deli.com's
NBA Top 25 Under Age 25
Ninth Edition: 2008-09 Preseason Top 25
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 a new season is about to begin, it's time for the first Top 25 Under 25 of 2008-09. The Ninth Edition: the Preseason Rankings.
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 Ninth Edition of the Top 25 Under 25. Players who turned 25 in the offseason are listed in the "graduated" section. For reference, here's a link to our season-ending Eighth Edition.
Rank |
Player |
Prev. Rank |
Age |
Movement |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
(1) |
23 |
-- |
Now that LeBron has an Olympic gold medal, all he needs is an NBA championship and an MVP award to complete the trifecta of NBA superstardom. Meanwhile, he'll have to settle for his ninth straight appearance at the top of our Top 25. | |
2. |
(2) |
23 |
-- |
Paul recently lost the PBA Celebrity Invitational to LeBron. Question is: will that bowling loss foreshadow another concession to LeBron (in the MVP race)? | |
3. |
(3) |
22 |
-- |
It's been a big month for Superman. First he landed the lead spot in McDonalds' monopoly campaign and now he's gracing the front cover of Sports Illustrated. Somewhere Peyton Manning is stewing in a jealous rage. | |
4. |
(4) |
24 |
-- |
D-Will may be out for two weeks with a sprained ankle, but we're confident that he'll return quickly. In his three-year career, Williams has missed only four games total. | |
5. |
(6) |
24 |
+1 |
Bosh was America's most impressive big man throughout the Olympics, regardless of what D-Howard fans say. That's the reason for his promotion into the Top 5. In an unrelated note, the Bosh-O'Neal tandem needs a cool nickname. Suggestions? | |
6. |
(5) |
24 |
-1 |
Melo is one of those guys who seems to be "getting it" only to make a bad decision and move backwards again. Case-in-point, the DUI last season just before the playoffs. Will he ever grow up? | |
7. |
(7) |
23 |
-- |
We wanted to show Al Jeff some love, but then he showed up to camp overweight. Now the only Love he's seeing is teammate Kevin. | |
8. |
(10) |
22 |
+2 |
J-Smoove and Hawks coach Mike Woodson had another preseason dust-up on Tuesday. What? You thought that $58 million was going to change Smith's attitude? Shame on you. | |
9. |
(9) |
24 |
-- |
At 24-years old, Roy is the undisputed leader of the Blazers, a serious playoff contender in the packed Western Conference. We don't know about you, but to us that means a helluva lot. | |
10. |
(11) |
24 |
+1 |
Brand is to Iguodala what Garnett was to Pierce last season. A welcome relief. Now that Iggy doesn't have to shoulder the scoring load every night, he can return to what he does best: getting in the lane, distributing and playing shut-down defense. | |
11. |
(13) |
23 |
+2 |
Aldridge may well be the most improved player in the league this season. Oden gets the hype. Roy gets the pub. But Aldridge will be The Man in Portland this year. | |
12. |
(14) |
19 |
+2 |
It's funny how, collectively, the NBA community has failed to come up with a nickname for Kevin Durant. The guy has freaky athleticism, an endless wingspan and game coming out of his ears, yet we still have nothing. Brainstorm, people! | |
13. |
(8) |
22 |
-5 |
Every time I think about the 30-game suspension, I picture Warriors owner Bob Rowell reenacting Walter's "This is what happens..." rant from 'The Big Lebowski'. THIS is what happens, Monta! THIS is what happens, Monta! THIS is what happens when you crash your mo-ped and lie to execs. | |
14. |
(15) |
22 |
+1 |
While it's nice to see Gay camping out on the three-point line less often, it remains to be seen whether or not he will contribute on defense or pass to his teammates. | |
15. |
(16) |
20 |
+1 |
The second-coming of Kareem, Wilt and Shaq. All rolled into one. According to Lakers' fans... | |
16. |
(17) |
22 |
+1 |
Atlanta has to be satisfied with their recent drafts. Horford had a great rookie season for the Hawks and Matt Ryan is killing it in the NFL this season. It's rejuvenation time in the ATL! | |
17. |
(20) |
23 |
+3 |
Now that Scott Skiles is on the scene, the Big Aussie will finally have some defensive help in Milwaukee. | |
18. |
(19) |
23 |
+1 |
Will Luol break out of his '07 funk, live up to his contract and become The Man in Chicago this season? All signs point to...maybe? | |
19. |
(NR) |
22 |
+12 |
When Don Nelson fell in love with 'small ball' last season Biedrins' minutes went down, down, down. But Beans is a good player who deserves more time on the court. With Monta out, it looks like he'll get his shot. | |
20. |
(NR) |
24 |
Debut |
Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy says that Thornton "could be an All-Star player in this league." Sounds feasible to us, given Thornton has game and will be filling the deep field goal void left by departed swingman Corey Maggette. | |
21. |
(24) |
23 |
+3 |
Smith came on like a hurricane at the end of last season, averaging 15.7 points off the bench in Denver's final 30 games. His efforts have paid off. ESPN's John Hollinger rates Smith as the leading candidate for M.I.P. in 2008-09. | |
22. |
(21) |
24 |
-1 |
The Bobcats are in a shambles. In fact, they may be the most dysfunctional team in the league right now. Can Felton be a bright spot in the midst of all this turmoil? | |
23. |
(NR) |
20 |
Debut |
Can this beard-growing, karoake-singing, Obama-endorsing, OSU-flag-waving, weight-losing, pressure-shouldering TrailBlazer live up to the hype? We certainly think so. | |
24. |
(30) |
20 |
+6 |
At age 20 Young has a bright future ahead of him. Especially since he's one of the hardest-working players on a rejuvenated Sixers roster that appears primed for a strong season. | |
25. |
(22) |
22 |
-3 |
Things have been tough for Williams. Expectations are high, improvement has been slow and an injury setback has limited playing time in the preseason. Keep your head up, Marv. It'll get better. |
On the Cusp: Michael Beasley (Miami), Rajon Rondo (Boston), Ronnie Brewer (Utah), Travis Outlaw (Portland), Louis Williams (Philadelphia)
Graduated:
Danny Granger - Granger is still going through an up-swing in terms of development. So it feels like he should still be on this list. But age doesn't lie. Granger celebrated his 25th birthday in April. Granger's highest appearance on the Top 25 was at #12 (in the 8th Edition)
Ben Gordon - After wearisome contract talks this off-season with Chicago, Gordon is back with the Bulls for one more year. It will be interesting to see what role new coach Vinny Del Negro carves out for the offensively-efficient, defensively-suspect Gordon, who turned 25 in April as well. Gordon peaked at #18 (8th edition).
David Lee - We always wanted to see this gritty, Sonny Corleone look-a-like do well on our list. But unfortunately, a lack of playing time held him off until the 8th edition, when he debuted in our "On the Cusp" section (at #28). Like Gordon and Granger, Lee turned 25 in April.