Preseason Top 25 Under 25 (14th Edition)
October 14th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Who are the best young players in the NBA and where do they rank compared to one another? It’s a topic that never loses interest for me. That’s why I created a list of the Top 25 NBA players under the age of 25 with help from Aaron and Joshua Fischman in 2007.
We’re now in our 14th edition. Hopefully the list is as relevant now as it was two years ago.
The last edition of the Top 25 Under 25 was published in February 2008, which was a while ago. Since then a lot has changed. First and foremost, four of the list’s top 10 players - Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Chris Bosh and Brandon Roy - have turned 25 and graduated. Second, LeBron won his first MVP. And third, Dwight Howard led his team to the NBA Finals. All three are monumental developments.
Like B.I.G. once said, things done changed.
With that said, it’s time to reassess the T25-U25 landscape. It’s going to be an exciting list given how many spots are up for grabs in the top 10 and the amount of impressive rookie performances that we saw last season, so let’s get to it.
Here, in my opinion, are the best 25 players under age 25.
1. LeBron James
Age: 24
Previous Rank: 1
Movement: –
Dwight Howard may have led his team further into the playoffs, but LeBron is still the king. If you have doubts, just look at the guy holding the Maurice Podoloff trophy. The handshake snub and Dunkgate damaged his public persona, but LBJ is still an unparalleled talent on the court. Last season he averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and his true shooting percentage was nearly 60 percent. Those are otherwordly numbers, especially for a 24-year-old. With all due respect to Dwight and CP3, King James is still, without question, the best player in the League under 25.
2. Dwight Howard
Age: 23
Previous Rank: 3
Movement: +1
Howard improved his game in a major way last season. Not only did he lead the NBA in rebounding, blocked shots and free throw attempts, Howard won Defensive Player of the Year and took the Magic to the NBA Finals. Oh, and he created the definitive Stan Van Gundy impression. Now that’s a breakout year. This season Superman returns with Finals swagger and 10 pounds of added muscle. Opponents would be wise to stock up on kryptonite.
3. Chris Paul
Age: 24
Previous rank: 2
Movement: -1
Chris Paul is the best point guard in the League. If you doubt that, talk to NBA general managers, 88.4 percent of whom picked Paul as the best at what he does. With that said, CP3 slipped in the playoffs against the Nuggets last season. Hounded by Dahntay Jones and surrounded by teammates who couldn’t help him, Paul put up uncharacteristically bad numbers: 16.6 pts/game, 41.1% FG, 4.8 turnovers/game. Don’t sleep on CP3 this year, though. He’s a fighter. He’s like Denzel Washington in “Man on Fire,” coming back with a vengeance.
See who makes the cut, 4-25, after the jump.
4. Kevin Durant
Age: 21
Previous rank: 4
Movement: –
Durant is widely regarded as a superstar in the making. The 6′9″ forward has the wingspan of a pterodactyl and is a terrific shooter from all over the court, making him one of the toughest matchups in the League. Last season Durant improved significantly, hitting 42 percent of his 3-pointers and scoring with the precision of the Terminator. If he improves his defense and continues to get to line 6+ times per game, the sky is the limit. Yes, even LeBron is within range.
5. Rajon Rondo
Age: 23
Previous rank: 13
Movement: +8
Rajon Rondo is my favorite success stories from the 2006 draft. A tireless worker, Rondo has improved his numbers across the board each season. In 2008, he averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game while playing lock-down defense and shooting over 50 percent from the field, making him one of the most indispensable players in the League. Rondo was even better in the playoffs, averaging 16.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.7 rebounds. If he improves his midrange shot, Rondo will rival Chris Paul as the best point guard in the NBA.
6. Al Jefferson
Age: 24
Previous rank: 8
Movement: +2
A torn ACL brought an abrupt end to Jefferson’s season last year. After an 8-month rehabilitation, “Big Al” is back, and he’s arguably in the best shape of his life. Feasting primarily on Subway sandwiches, Jefferson lost 31 pounds this offseason. He hopes the weight loss will decrease stress on his knees and help him stay healthy. So do the Timberwolves. Without him, Minnesota went 7-25 last season.
Though Jefferson has reached his ceiling as an offensive player, and he’s a damn good one by the way, his increased devotion to defense in 2008 bumps him up to sixth on this list. If he continues to improve in that department, he could easily rise into the top 5.
7. Derrick Rose
Age: 21
Previous rank: 11
Movement: +4
Rose triumphed on multiple levels in 2008. Not only did he win Rookie of the Year last season, Rose was also the breakout player of the playoffs. The Chicago native gave fellow T25-U25 point guard Rajon Rondo a run for his money in a series for the ages, averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds per game, and coming up with an incredible game-winning block in Game 6.
Rose has his flaws, midrange shooting being the primary one, but he is also one of the most difficult players in the League to guard off the dribble. And, at 21, he’s getting better by the day. I don’t think it’s a stretch to put him top 10.
8. Josh Smith
Age: 23
Previous rank: 10
Movement: +2
Josh Smith is an incredible athlete. In fact, he’s probably one of the top 5 game-changers in the League. But I just can’t get over his bad habits. Feuding with coaches, cheating off his man on defense, taking ill-advised shots. Unfortunately, these are all smudges on the J-Smoove resumé. As was his performance last season, when his scoring average dropped by a point and a half and he grabbed 1.6 fewer rebounds per game than in 2007-08.
The dip in production can be attributed to a mid-season sprained ankle, but I’m not convinced that’s the only reason Smith struggled. When it comes to J-Smoove, I’m taking a wait-and-see approach. If he shows improvement over the lackluster numbers of 2008-09, I’ll happily move him up the list.
9. LaMarcus Aldridge
Age: 24
Previous rank: 12
Movement: +3
Aldridge is one of the toughest players on this list to pin down. Depending on who you talk to, he is either a) a prime candidate for a breakout season, b) a poor man’s David West, or c) a finesse player who has reached his full potential. Out of respect to the massive horde of Blazers fanatics who frequently support this site, I’ll reserve judgment on Aldridge until midseason. For now, ninth is an appropriate place for him. But rest assured, if Aldridge does not make good on the promise he’s flirted with for the past year and a half, I’m relegating him to the Rudy Gay Zone; or, rather, a watered-down version of the Rudy Gay Zone. And that’s not a good place to be; as you’ll see in a little while.
10. Brook Lopez
Age: 21
Previous rank: 26
Movement: +16
Before you get all up-in-arms, complaining about Lopez’s 16-spot rise, I want you to consider two things: 1) the previous ranking was made 7 months ago and a lot has happened since then, and 2) Lopez, at 21-years-old, is already one of the premier centers in the Eastern Conference. In his rookie season, Lopez put together an impressive resumé: 18 double-doubles, 53.1 percent field-goal shooting, and an average of 13 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
Lopez is one of the most efficient big men in the League, but he’s also a leader on defense. Watch a Nets game and you’ll see Lopez calling out assignments and covering for his teammates on the weak side. He also runs a mean high pick-and-roll with point guard Devin Harris, making him an ideal fit for New Jersey’s offense. With that in mind, check out this quote on nj.com from veteran center Tony Battie, who recently played with Dwight Howard in Orlando.
“I don’t know of any other big guy in the league with [Lopez's] kind of skill set, other than Tim Duncan, or (Zydrunas) Ilgauskas in his prime. Hook shot, bank shot, range — he has everything he’ll need.”
I think Lopez is a more valuable player at this point than Andrew Bynum, his closest competitor for the #10 spot. If you disagree, I welcome your comments below.
11. Andrew Bynum
Age: 21
Previous rank: 22
Movement: +11
There’s less hype surrounding Bynum this season than there was last year due to the arrival of Ron Artest and the strange Lamar Odom-Khloe Kardashian wedding. With that said, NBA general managers recently voted him the most likely breakout star of 2009-10, putting him above Kevin Durant in that regard. I too think Bynum will have a breakout year. If he stays healthy, I think he will reach 1,000 points and 750 rebounds for the first time in his career. Barring injury, he’ll be a mainstay in the top half of this list.
12. Russell Westbrook
Age: 20
Previous rank: 24
Movement: +12
Westbrook surprised me with an excellent rookie campaign. I thought he would struggle with the point guard position. Instead, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Like Derrick Rose, Westbrook’s speed makes him difficult to contain on offense, but the biggest asset he brings to the Thunder is his defense. Basketball Prospectus recently ranked him in the upper tier of defensive point guards. In terms of shooting and ball-handling, Westbrook leaves something to be desired, but I’m encouraged by his increased assist numbers in the preseason. He’s growing into the point guard position in a way I didn’t expect him to. I think he has a bright future.
13. Blake Griffin
Age: 20
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Debut
I typically don’t put rookies in the upper half of the T25-U25 during the preseason. For example, Greg Oden debuted at #23 last season. But Griffin is the Real Deal Holyfield. He’s a complete player, with the athleticism to be a good defender and the shooting touch to have a diversified offensive game. He’s also going to be an insanely good rebounder, making him, essentially, a hybrid of Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap. I expect big things.
14. Andris Biedrins
Age: 23
Previous rank: 15
Movement: +1
With all due respect to Kevin Martin, Biedrins is the poster child for underappreciated efficiency. Although the Warriors ran zero plays for him on offense last season and Don Nelson jerked his minutes around like the New Boyz, Biedrins still averaged a double-double. He also shot over 57 percent from the field and blocked a shot and a half per game. Though he’ll never be a go-to shooter on the block, or from the line, I like Biedrins because he stays in his lane and doesn’t try to do more than he’s capable of doing. The Raptors will be lucky to have him if the Golden State-Toronto trade rumors turn out to be true.
15. Eric Gordon
Age: 20
Previous rank: 21
Movement: +6
Gordon is one of those rare players who looks comfortable shooting the ball from anywhere on the court. Whether he’s taking a layup or a long distance 3, when Gordon lets go of the ball, I’m confident it’s going in. His periphery stats need improvement - 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds is not going to cut it - but Gordon has the skillset to be a tremendous player in the League, especially because he knows how to get to the line. Hopefully Mike Dunleavy will reward him with a higher usage rate this season.
16. Kevin Love
Age: 21
Previous rank: 30
Movement: +14
With an average of 9.1 boards per game, Love is hands down the best young rebounder in the League. His offensive rebounding percentage last season, 15.1 percent, was tops in the NBA, and he only figures to get better as he learns more tricks of the trade. Offensively, Love is a bit limited - he tends to get his shot blocked - but he’s a good passer who knows how to find teammates for open shots. Last season I had qualms about Love’s ability to defend against fast-paced offenses, but apparently Basketball Prospectus doesn’t share that concern. They ranked Love among the best defensive power forwards in the NBA this season.
17. Anthony Randolph
Age: 20
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Debut
Randolph is one of the most intriguing talents in the League. As a rookie, he scrambled frantically all over the court, wreaking havoc and creating matchup problems. But that was as a reserve in limited minutes. Now that Don Nelson has made Randolph a starter, will he be able to contribute consistently? I have doubts; as a rookie, Randolph struggled to develop his shot outside of 4 feet and tried to do too much with the ball in the open court. Then again, I had doubts about Randolph as the 14th overall pick last season. And look how that turned out…
18. Paul Millsap
Age: 24
Previous rank: 14
Movement: -4
Last year Millsap enjoyed a breakout season in the absence of Carlos Boozer. As a starter, Millsap averaged 16 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and shot 55 percent from the field. He was a revelation, shooting up the T25-U25 like a bottle rocket before peaking at #14 in the 12th edition. But this season Boozer is back, and all signs point to a return to the bench for Millsap, now the League’s highest paid backup forward. That means a likely decrease in production as Jerry Sloan continues to do what he does best: make a decision and stick by it. Millsap will do well, and Utah will probably make the playoffs. With that said, I’m disappointed for what might have been.
19. O.J. Mayo
Age: 21
Previous rank: 17
Movement: -2
Speaking of disappointment, I’m disappointed by what’s going on in Memphis right now. Three talented guards - Mayo, Allen Iverson and Mike Conley - in a backcourt that’s clearly big enough for only two of them. Which means either Iverson is going to have to take a backseat, which is unlikely, or Conley is going to sit and Mayo will handle more of the distribution duties. Neither outcome is ideal, but the latter is clearly worse for Mayo, who is not a good primary distributor. His assist-to-turnover ratio last season was barely above 1-to-1. I still think Mayo will mature into an All-Star caliber shooting guard, but, with Iverson in the mix, I 
doubt it will happen this season.
20. Greg Oden
Age: 21
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Welcome back!
After a difficult rookie season, Oden is back in form. The “Bearded Buckeye” has been playing well in the preseason and all signs point to an improved sophomore year. So far, Oden has been cutting down on his fouls and is showcasing an expanded offensive arsenal, including an improved hook shot. Last season I jumped on the Greg Oden hype train too early and got charred in the wreckage. This season, I’m going to be more cautious. But I believe in the “Bearded Buckeye,” and I think #20 is the best place for him on this list.
21. Rudy Gay
Age: 23
Previous rank: 18
Movement: -3
Here we are, friends, the Rudy Gay Zone: a place where immeasurable talent and perilous indifference collide on a nightly basis in front of 12,745 captive viewers. That’s what happened in Memphis last season. Night after night, Gay rolled out his patented “I don’t give a shit” routine, jacking up shots whether he was open or not, and playing defense with the kind of malaise typically reserved for a day at the beach.
As a result, Gay regressed in nearly every statistical category. This at the age of 22, when most players are improving significantly. Not Gay though. His usage rate went up, but his scoring average dipped by a full point. His rebounding and assist averages dropped, too. So did his field-goal percentage and his free-throw percentage. The only stat to stay the same? His defensive rating. But then that was already bad to begin with.
What’s frustrating is that Gay is a supremely talented player. He’s athletic and a gifted shooter. That’s why he remains on this list. If he used every ounce of his talent, Gay would probably rank in the low teens, somewhere in the neighborhood of Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin. More importantly, his team would win more games. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case last year.
Which begs the question: does Gay care enough to break out of the Rudy Gay Zone? Or will he resign himself there for the rest of his career? I’m interested to see. Only time will tell.
22. Tyreke Evans
Age: 20
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Debut
I admit it. At this point, I’m driving the Tyreke Evans bandwagon like Tony Stewart drives the #14 Old Spice on race day. But you have to admit Evans is a solid prospect. A 6-foot, 5-inch point guard who plays airtight defense and scores at will around the rim? You don’t see that very often.
Yes, Evans will struggle with turnovers this season. And, yes, at times, his missed shots from the perimeter will cause fans to scream in anguish. But ‘Reke on opposing point guards is going to be one of the biggest mismatches in the NBA this season. And, for that reason alone, I think he deserves a spot on the list.
(By the way, I know the sentence above make it obvious that I know nothing about NASCAR. Thanks for hanging with me through the analogy anyway. I promise not to make a habit of it.)
23. Al Horford
Age: 23
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Welcome back!
The last time Horford appeared on this list, it was January 2009. (Welcome back, Al!) The difficulty with ranking Horford on a list like this is two-fold: 1) he is forced to play out of position, at center, on the Hawks, and 2) he’s such a steady player that his numbers rarely improve. This creates a tough situation for Horford. He was a power forward in college and has had a tough time learning how to plan in the post as a center. He’s giving it his all and trying to make the situation work, but underneath the effort he’s stuck in a rut and just wants to try something new.
Unfortunately, Horford is stuck where he is until the summer of 2011, when he becomes a restricted free agent, or until the Hawks decide to get rid of Josh Smith, which probably won’t happen any time soon. Until then, Horford will bust his butt on defense, rebound and play the role of good citizen. It’s a role he’s good at, but I think he’s capable of doing more with another team.
24. Tyrus Thomas
Age: 23
Previous rank: N/R
Movement: Debut
Due to inconsistent play, Thomas has been absent from the T25-U25 in the past. But last season he performed well, averaging 10.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and blocking nearly two shots per contest. Thomas continued to play well into the playoffs, using his athleticism on defense to frustrate Boston’s forwards. As one of the best athletes in the League, Thomas is capable of becoming a premier lockdown defender. His potential as a “LeBron stopper” is intriguing to me. Hopefully, Thomas will hone that part of his game.
25. Ronnie Brewer
Age: 24
Previous rank: 27
Movement: +2
Like Tyrus Thomas, Brewer is a gifted athlete who broke out last season. Coach Jerry Sloan awarded Brewer more minutes, and Brewer responded by scoring over 1,000 points for the first time in his career. Most of those points were scored inside 4 feet, since Brewer’s range is limited to an arsenal of athletic finishes around the rim. His midrange game hasn’t developed yet, but Brewer does get to the free throw line often, which increases his scoring efficiency. Defensively, Brewer gambles often, resulting in an average of 1.7 steals per game. He needs to focus more on his on-ball defense, though, in order to become a well-rounded player.
On the cusp: Monta Ellis (26), Marc Gasol (27), Marvin Williams (28), Rudy Fernandez (29), Mike Conley (30)
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[LeBron James photo courtesy of cleveland.com.
Brook Lopez photo courtesy of NY Daily News.
Greg Oden photo courtesy of SI.com.]
Posted in Al Jefferson, Andrew Bynum, Anthony Randolph, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Eric Gordon, Greg Oden, Josh Smith, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Marc Gasol, Monta Ellis, OJ Mayo, Paul Millsap, Rajon Rondo, Rudy Fernandez, Rudy Gay, Top 25 Under 25, Tyreke Evans, Tyrus Thomas | 
Tags: 14th edition, Basketball Fiend, list, NBA, preseason, rankings, Top 25 Under 25, who are the best young players in the league?
October 14th, 2009 9:21 am
I don’t get how you can put Brook Lopez above Andrew Bynum. Not only did Bynum put up better numbers than Lopez, but he’s a defensive anchor - something Lopez is not. I recall very clearly Doc Rivers’ comment after the Celtics faced the Celtics with a healthy Kevin Garnett last season. He said that Bynum on the court made his veteran then-champion squad hesitant, afraid to go the basket and shoot shots out of their comfort zone. Not many players in the NBA affect a game that way and Brook Lopez is NOT one of them. Let me add this: Has Brook Lopez ever posted over 26ppg, 14rpg and 3bpg over a 2 week period? Bynum did just that before Kobe slammed into his knee, so, NO, Lopez is not the more valuable player.
October 14th, 2009 9:23 am
OK, I’m not gonna say anything mean like you’re stupid for leaving Rudy Fernandez off the list. Not gonna do it, even though he set the rookie record for most 3pt’s made in a season. And what a rookie season. You might as well have interchanged him for Rudy Gay. It would be more accurate.
October 14th, 2009 9:53 am
For you to have Monta Ellis outside the top 25 is criminal. He should be in the top 10!
October 14th, 2009 10:41 am
Are you really going to put Monta Ellis at 26? Have you ever watched him play? Thanks for the love on AR and Biedrins, but Monta is way better or has proved way more than Thomas,Brewer,Evans, and Love. Start watching the Warriors instead of reading stupid ESPN blogs who just listen to Tim Kawakami.
October 14th, 2009 10:53 am
[...] Read the original: Preseason Top 25 Under 25 (14th Edition) | Basketball Fiend [...]
October 14th, 2009 11:33 am
@PG, no Lopez did not have a two week stretch like the one you mentioned for Bynum, but he also only has one year of NBA experience under his belt. Give him time. He’ll put up some great numbers in his prime. And yes, Lopez does have the skillset to become a defensive anchor. He’s already the captain of the defense (calling out assignments, etc.). I think you’ll see a lot of defensive improvement from him this year.
October 14th, 2009 11:38 am
Addressing Monta Ellis at #26: he had a down year last season, he’s coming off of surgery, he’s unhappy in Golden State, he’s a miserable defender who is going to struggle defensively in a backcourt with Stephen Curry, and he has a terrible outside shot. What about him makes him a better candidate for Top 25 than Tyreke Evans or Ronnie Brewer?
October 14th, 2009 11:42 am
@Steve L, Rudy is an incredibly talented shooter. So much so that Basketball Prospectus compared him to Reggie Miller this year. I have a lot of respect for Rudy. If he gets higher usage, keeps shooting well from 3-point and continues to improve defensively, you’ll see him move up. Be patient.
October 14th, 2009 11:45 am
Keep an eye on Nicolas Batum of the Portland Trail Blazers. Last year he played limited minutes in games as a defensive specialist covering James, Bryant, Wade and others. He is much more than that as shown in the 2009 EuroBasket Championships. Batum was France’s second leading scorer to Tony Parker. He can shoot the three and take it to the rim. He even played point guard when Tony was out. It won’t be long until he makes this list.
October 14th, 2009 3:22 pm
did mike beasley die in rehab ? why is he not on this list ? he avg 14pts and 5 rb in just over 24 min a game. he also shot 40% from the 3pt line.
October 14th, 2009 5:32 pm
@KA-PacNW, got you covered. Batum is a good young defender. I like his game. I look forward to seeing him develop and make a name for himself on this list beside Oden, LMA and Rudy.
October 14th, 2009 5:36 pm
@rahim, Beasley’s a player. No question about it. Miami just isn’t a good fit for him, so we haven’t even scratched the surface of what he is capable of yet. Be patient. He’ll be on here soon enough.
October 14th, 2009 7:21 pm
I am really excited about Tyreke Evans. Stroke of Genius to draft ‘Reke and pass on that fraud Rubio. While Rubio hides in Europe, I believe ‘Reke will be taking the NBA by storm! He is as fast or faster than any PG and he is taller as well. AS he improves his jumper, he will get to the line even more often than he already does. This kid in the backcourt with Kevin Martin will have a scoring field day against teams. I really like what I have seen out of ‘REKE so far, and look for him to improve this year to the point where he contests for the ROY. They have not found anyone who can stay in front of him yet! And his defense is solid. He is going to get plenty of playing time on a bad Kings team, so his numbers will be huge! I just hope he stays healthy and takes it to the Old NBA Pointguards in the league. Let’s see how they mix it up! If ‘REKE can get his assist numbers up to 5 ish he will be a monster PG! He has outrageous physical tools. He is ready to take on the League (at with the team he is on, he’s taking on the league single handedly…)
October 14th, 2009 8:03 pm
@FaStAmAn, I’m glad you’re with me on the Tyreke Evans bandwagon. He’s gonna be great.
October 14th, 2009 8:31 pm
The biggest problem I have with this list is Biedrins as high as he is, along with Horford as low as he is. But, that’s me.
I also think Rajon Rondo is too high at 5, but I’m not sure how far I’d drop him. I wouldn’t have Derrick Rose below Rondo, though.
Heh @ Monta Ellis being 26. Good.
October 15th, 2009 1:02 pm
“Addressing Monta Ellis at #26: he had a down year last season, he’s coming off of surgery, he’s unhappy in Golden State, he’s a miserable defender who is going to struggle defensively in a backcourt with Stephen Curry, and he has a terrible outside shot.”
“A torn ACL brought an abrupt end to Jefferson’s season last year. After an 8-month rehabilitation, “Big Al” is back, and he’s arguably in the best shape of his life. Feasting primarily on Subway sandwiches, Jefferson lost 31 pounds this offseason. He hopes the weight loss will decrease stress on his knees and help him stay healthy. So do the Timberwolves. Without him, Minnesota went 7-25 last season.”
Fail. You’re telling me Ellis gets shafted because he had surgery and an off season but Al gets love because he’s gonna have a comeback season? Ellis has a horrible outside shot?
Monta Ellis became the ninth guard in league history to shoot at least 60 percent from the field in a single month after making 60.2 percent of his shots in February, 2008. - And that wasn’t just drives to the basket. His pull-up jump shot is wet. Fail.
Thinking that Al Jefferson is anything but a horrible big man defender. Fail.
And Drafting Jason Thompson over Anthony Randolph/ Believing Spencer Hawes is a legitimate center….well you get the idea…
October 15th, 2009 6:04 pm
Thaddeus Young??? The guy was the best player on the 76ers last year and they didn’t even run any plays for the guy. He averaged 15 points and 5 boards while shooting 50%. He should be at least in the top 20, but not even in your top 30??? No love for Philly as usual.
October 15th, 2009 6:19 pm
@JR, let me get this straight: you’re basing your argument for Monta Ellis’ outside shooting on layup percentages from a year and a half ago?? Makes no sense to me.
All I know is that Monta shot 31% from 3-point last season. That’s bad. He is not a good outside shooter. He is not wet. He is good at getting to the basket and finishing. That’s cool, but it’s not enough to crack the Top 25.
Al Jefferson, on the other hand, is an efficient low post scorer. He isn’t good on defense, but he’s improving at least. Monta is not. Also, Monta is saying negative things in the media about his teammates and the organization. Jefferson is not.
Monta Ellis. Team chemistry fail.
I didn’t put Jason Thompson or Spencer Hawes on the list, so I’m not sure what you’re talking about with the last comment.
October 15th, 2009 6:26 pm
@Kevin, Young’s stats last season are deceiving. His per game stats went up, but he was also playing 13 minutes more per game than he did his rookie season. His per minute numbers actually went down in rebounding, assists and defensive measures. His field goal percentage, while good, also decreased.
It’s difficult to rank a young player positively when he regresses in his second season in the League (when most players are improving).
October 15th, 2009 8:06 pm
Its not difficult at all to rank Young. There are quite a few players who were less efficient then Young in there regardless of whether or not his per minutes numbers went down from his rookie year. The fact of the matter is Young was a productive player on a play-off team and there are guys like OJ Mayo ranked on this list and ranked fairly highly. Mayo started out great and then regressed pretty badly. Right now it looks like the only thing Mayo can do is shoot jumpshots and sometimes not all that particularly well. You talk to NBA people and ask them if Thaddeus Young is not one of the top 25 players under 25. Young is also still one of the Youngest players in the league. A guy like Ronnie Brewer who is three years older then Young is on this list. By the time Thad Young is 24 he will make an all-star team. Thad Young averaged 20+ points a game in a spam of about 15 games late in the season before spraining an ankle. You really need to learn more about Young.
October 15th, 2009 9:44 pm
Let me explain…you stated that the reason Monta didn’t place in the top 25 is because he had a down season/he’s coming off surgery yet this had no bearing on Al Jefferson, because he’s going to have a “comeback season” and lost weight. My point was that you contradicted yourself.
Monta may have a bad 3pt shot, but his midrange shot is legitimate.
“All I know is that Monta shot 31% from 3-point last season. That’s bad. He is not a good outside shooter. He is not wet. He is good at getting to the basket and finishing. That’s cool, but it’s not enough to crack the Top 25.”
Rajon Rondo shot 31% from downtown. Josh Smith shot 29% (also a bad defender even though he can block shots). You placed Derrick Rose in the top ten….His midrange shot is underdeveloped….his 3pt field goal percentage was 22%. Does that get it done? Because it didn’t get it done for Monta.
Monta has a better midrange and outside shot than Rose (for example)but It’s a no brainer that Rose is and will be the better player…however I’m just saying if you want to explain why you kept Monta out of the top 25 don’t say its because of his injury (it didn’t keep Al out) or his jumpers (better than Rose)
“Also, Monta is saying negative things in the media about his teammates and the organization. Jefferson is not.
Monta Ellis. Team chemistry fail.”
I’m guessing you didn’t actually research this yourself….Monta stated that he and Curry cant play defense together in the backcourt when they stop running and the game slows down. I think that’s called common sense. Can you deny that his concerns are unfounded? He later even gave Curry his props and said the kid “was better than he thought” and Monta and the organization are in good standing. Monta and the team are in good standing…don’t group him with Jackson. The media misconstrued what Monta said and blew it out of proportion. Monta said he’s a Warrior and that he just wants to win.
And as an afterthought, what a lame reason to keep someone off the top 25… If it’s character decisions that’s holding him back….what about Derrick Rose tossing up gang signs at a party and taking pictures- seems more of an issue than Monta explaining that him and Curry are both really small. Wouldn’t that hurt the team or its chemistry?
All you had to do was say that Monta was a horrible defender and I would have gladly accepted that (Tyrus Thomas a lockdown defender? Aldridge a great defender? Al is “improving”?…but you judged him based upon things you let conveniently slide for other players. Not fair.
October 18th, 2009 11:54 am
This ranking is complete TRASH…..created by someone who does not know hoop too well. Ronnie Brewer, tyrus thomas, Eric Gordon, Andris Biedrins, Andrew Bynum?????!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is really fustrating to read all these postings that base all their points on hype and seem to have NO CLUE on the production of these players.
You seem to leave people off like MONTA ELLIS due to all the hype you are bying into from the other media outlets who also seem to have quickly forgot how productive and skilled he is.
People like you should re-think your ability to write competently, it is a shame, and I feel bad for those who have read this section (yes including myself)….we are all dumber for reading this post
Thank You, I am going to go watch the WNBA now
October 18th, 2009 10:21 pm
Thad Young will be in the top 10 on this list by the end of this season.
October 19th, 2009 2:01 am
@JR, you make some valid points in regard to my argument about Monta. I think a comprehensive list of pros and cons will better demonstrate why I left him off the list. I’ll make one this week and post it here on the site.
October 19th, 2009 2:05 am
@Joe and @KH, it’s obvious to me from your comments that Thaddeus deserves a closer look. I’m happy to re-evaluate my position and watch more footage. At the same time, rankings like this one are in large part based on the idea of realized potential and Young regressed in a number of categories last season. That’s not good.
October 19th, 2009 2:09 am
@Josh, I’ll leave you to your WNBA viewing. Clearly you know good basketball when you see it.
October 20th, 2009 3:22 pm
andrew bynum injury free is the nxt great big man in the gane today.
October 21st, 2009 12:14 pm
andrew bynum is the most overhyped player outside of hedo turkoglu in the league. talk to me when the guy plays for more than 1/2 a season. dude will never be more than a complimentary player at best.
October 26th, 2009 5:57 am
Greg Oden is going to be better than Bynum this season. I believe that I read a comment that said Bynum is a defensive anchor..? are you kidding me? Bynum is a terrible defender, and is not that great at rebounding either. He is also a moron for thinking that he is to good for the help of a legend. Oden is very raw offensively (though expect that to continue to improve this season) but he is a lock down defender and an elite rebounding (he gets rebounds at a better rate than dhoward). If he continues to stay out of foul trouble, (like he did in preseason– even though preseason is not a good indicator of anything, also the regular refs are back and that could be good or bad) then Oden will be most improved player this season.