Post by Clifford "Poop" Harris on Mar 23, 2010 2:05:26 GMT -5
Top Ten Players to Have over the Next Decade
We've seen plenty of talented draft classes over the last four or five years, with some of them already having their impact felt throughout the league. All Star Game Appearances and All League teams are all over these guys resumes and barring anything catastrophic, these guys will go down as some of the best players the league has seen. The list includes arguably the best player and each of these guys could be considered the best at their position right now. Unless you have one of them, watching them dominate the league over the next decade might be tough to watch. The next crop of stars has arrived and they will go on to gain many accolades even if they have already. In doing this list, i took current production into account along with upside and positional value. Enjoy.
1. Lebron James
Ratings: A- B+ B+ A- A- B
Age: 22
Season Stats: 28.4 ppg 10.0 rpg 6.6 apg
Awards: 2x Rookie Game Participant, Rookie Game MVP, Rookie of the Year, Slam Dunk Contest Winner, 2x All Star, All League 2nd team
Lebron came out of High School and into the League with a lot of hype and expectations. So far, he has exceeded and is one of the best players in the league, if not the best and it's easy to forget he's only 22. Hard to believe the 22 year old is already in his 6th season and leading his team to the best record in the NBA. Lebron has already been selected to two all star games and played in two Rookie Games early in his career, coming away with the Rookie Game MVP in one of those. He's also won the slam dunk contest and selected to an All league Second team. Don't be surprised if he fills his cupboard with MVP's, Finals MVP's, All Star Game MVP's, and All-League Team appearances. His resume should be stacked by the time he calls it quits. As the best player in league history nears the end of his career in Etienne Preira, another could be on the horizon in Lebron James. If there's one guy who can match the accomplishments of Etienne, it's Lebron. Enjoy watching him the next 15 years.
2. Dwayne Wade
Ratings: A- A- B- A C C
Age: 25
Season Stats: 29.2 ppg 6.6 rpg 5.6 apg
Awards: 2x Rookie Game Participant, 4x All Star, All Defensive Team, All Defensive 2nd Team, All League 1st team
Wade has probably accomplished more in his first five seasons than Lebron James and Grizzlies GM might have an argument for Wade to be #1, but over the next 10 years it's hard to imagine anyone playing better than Lebron James. That, coupled with the three year age difference puts Wade at #2. Grizzlies might have been bummed out at missing out on Lebron in the lottery, but Wade has been a heck of a consolation prize. Already a top 5 player at only 25 and continually leading his team deep into the playoffs, the Grizz are lucky to have his services locked up for the next 5 and half years. Similar to Lebron, Wade is the best player on the best team in the league and is a legit MVP candidate. Expect Flash to sustain this level of performance for the next 10 years and continue to keep his team among the best.
3. Amare Stoudemire
Ratings: A- C D A- B+ C
Age: 24
Season Stats: 30.2 ppg 12.3 rpg
Awards: Rookie Game Participant, 3x All Star, All Star Game MVP
Amare is already arguably the best PF in the game at the ripe age of 24. He's probably putting up the best numbers of anyone on this list and i considered putting him at #2, but this is barely his first unreal statistical season so i had to slot him behind Wade, since wade has done it with more regularity. Just like the previous two players, Amare is among the leaders in the MVP race and could very easily win it. As the main option on his team and only player on the Knicks averaging more than 15 ppg, it's impressive how far he's taken the Knicks this season as he has them in position to possibly win home court in the first round. Just mind boggling the level Amare has taken his game to this year, up 7 ppg and half a rebound from last year, Amare seems to be hitting his prime with a vengeance. Will be a top 3 Big man for the next 10 years.
4. Al Jefferson
Ratings: A- C- D+ A- A- A
Age: 22
Season Stats: 19.4 ppg 11.1 rpg
Awards: 2x Rookie Game Participant, All Star Game Participant
I'm not quite sure Al Jeff has reached his potential despite having ridiculous ratings for a 22 year old nor do i think he's met GM Broph's expectations over the last few years, but he's a stud nonetheless. Broph has been patiently waiting for Al to become the team's third scorer and it looks like that patience is finally paying off. It's no coincidence that Al Jeff's improvements have coincided with the Nets rise atop the East. Expect him to be a key contributor for one of the best teams for years to come. Nets will see a lot of success over the remainder of his career if they manage to resign him this off season. One of the brightest stars in arguably the most important position.
5. Dwight Howard
Ratings: A- C D- A- A C
Age: 21
Season Stats: 20.1 ppg 11.7 rpg
Awards: 2x Rookie Game Participant, All Star Game Participant, All League 2nd Team
I went back and forth between Al Jeff and Dwight for these two spots and I'm still not sure I made the right decision. Dwight has the better ratings, he's slightly younger and he's performed better for the most part. If i had to pick one Center to start my team with, it would be Dwight, but he's never performed with another scorer taking away opportunities or for a good team period. This is why i gave Al the nod at #4. While Dwight has been the #1 option in most teams he's been on, he's performed considerably below his ratings. Once he gets his fg percentages up and becomes more efficient, there is no doubt in my mind, he'll be top three in this list eventually. For now, 40% from the field isn't going to cut it.
6. Deron Williams
Ratings: B- A- A B D+ A
Age: 23
Season Stats: 23.4 ppg 5.4 apg 4.2 rpg
Awards: 2x Rookie Game Participant, Rookie of the Year, Rookie Game MVP
Beast! In only his third season he's already achieved A handles and A- outside and is on his way to get achieving 20 ppg for the 2nd time in his first three seasons. You would think, the 76'ers gm would play him at PG full time considering his handling and play making ability but for some reason, Williams continues to see major minutes at the PG spot. His value at SG won't be as valuable to the team in the long run as it would at PG. His defense would probably be better at the PG spot and his ability to have more of an effect on the game would be greater. I don't know what the 76'ers long term plan is with Deron, but i wouldn't put him up this high in the list if i felt the rest of his years would be played at SG.
7. Deshawn Stevenson
Ratings: B A A- B+ C C
Age: 25
Season Stats: 22.0 ppg 11.7 apg 5.7 rpg
Awards: 4x All Star, 2x All League First Team
Arguably the best Point Guard in the game and showing no signs of stopping despite it not being his natural position. It's easy to forget it's already his 8th year in the league at the age of only twenty-five. He's won numerous awards and has helped the Nets reach the #1 seed in the East thus far this season. A ridiculously efficient Point Guard with a 7:1 assist:TO ratio with the ability to shoot at high percentages from the outside is a fortunate commodity to have. I have a feeling the Nuggets are really regretting dealing him considering they're about to hit their CY. Great for the Nets though, I don't even want to know how good the Nets will be once Al Jefferson reaches his peek, it's crazy to think Deshawn could possibly play with Al Jeff for the next ten years, Nets are stacked.
8. Andre Iguoadala
Ratings: B+ B+ C+ A- C B
Age: 23
Season Stats: 26.8 ppg 3.5 apg 7.2 rpg
Awards: Rookie Game Participant
I had a lot of trouble with the last three slots. Who to put? Where to put them? I finally chose to put Iguoadala here. His stats indicate maybe he should be a little higher, but i took into account he's playing for a bad team and has never really helped a team win. I'd be interested to see what he'd do in a contending team as a 2nd/3rd option. At the end of the day though, I'd want him on my team in a heartbeat, he's special and if Celtics GM can put the right pieces around him, Iguodala could be the cornerstone of a legit playoff team some day. His offensive game is legit and there's no doubt he'll be one of the best defenders pretty soon. It's hard to find a 23 year old with the production this kid is putting up, he should perform at this rate the rest of his career, if not better.
9. Dajuan Wagner
Ratings: B A A- A- C- B
Age: 24
Season Stats: 25.4 ppg 5.5 apg 5.5 rpg
Awards: None
Playing out of position seems to be becoming a theme here, and just like the rest of the guys, he seems to be playing well regardless. Not only is he great offensively, but despite being undersized, his defense isn't too far behind. If the Kings needed him to play PG, he'd probably be a top 3 Point Guard and be among the league leaders in assist. Having a player with the ability to play two positions at the level Sebastian is capable of is a heck of a luxury. Him and Tony Parker should keep there back court nice and steady for the next 10 years barring any unforeseen trade.
10. Tony Parker
Ratings: A- C+ A- A- D+ C
Age: 25
Season Stats: 24.2 ppg 10.1 apg 3.8 rpg
Awards: Rookie Game Participant, All Star Game Participant
The Kings nabbed themselves a stud when they stole him away from the Pistons via Free Agency. He along with Dajuan Wagner form the best young back court in the league and they're both 25 or younger. Up until this year, Parker had always hovered around the 19 ppg 9 apg statline, but he's taken his game to a new level this season averaging a career high in both points and assists with 24 and 10. He's doing all this despite being a below average perimeter scorer, if he ever develops that facet of his game watch out, he could become the best Point Guard in the game. He could easily be higher up in the rankings but I have to see him put it together for more than just one season before i put him in the class with Deshawn or Deron. It's not out of the question though, dude is definitely a keeper. Kings should be good for many years to come.
Beast of the Rest (Reasons why they didn't make the cut):
11. Sebastian Telfair (Everyone else was just better)
12. Yao Ming (Great Center, a little too old)
13. Chris Paul (Most believe he will be one of the best players in a few years, but he hasn't done anything yet)
14. Gilbert Arenas (Best player who didn't make the cut, inefficiency and topg along with his drop in ppg are the reasons he didn't make it)
15. Eddy Curry (nice player, but doesn't rebound enough for a Center)
Any team would love to have these players, i just didn't have enough room to put them all in the top 10. It was tough to find a flaw in any one of them, it just came down to others being way too good.
Award Breakdown:
Rookie Game Participant: 19
Rookie Of The Year: 4
All Star Games: 23
All League Teams: 5
All League Defensive Teams: 5
All Star Game MVP: 1
Draft Class Breakdown:
'99 Draft: 1
'00 Draft: 2
'01 Draft: 2
'02 Draft: 2
'03 Draft: 2
'04 Draft: 4
'05 Draft: 1
'07 Draft: 1
Every draft over the last 9 years is represented except for the awful '06 draft which produced just one guy who was even taken into consideration, that being Brandon Roy. The '04 draft was stacked with talent, but I think we all agree '03 was probably the best top to bottom. I found it crazy also that someone drafted 9 seasons ago could make this list, but that's the case with Gilbert Arenas and he's still only 25. He's got just about as many years behind him as he does ahead of him. Guys like Carmelo Anthony, Greg Oden, and Rudy Gay were also considered but the just haven't performed on this level as consistently as all the guys on this list.
