Not sure I agree with this list and some of you may be shocked to find out there there is not 1 Rocket on the list...Not even Chase DD... I agree with the weighting on winning thing, but the Rockets are better than some of the East's playoff teams so I do think there are some players on that list that are ranked too high. http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2010/06/nba-top-25-under-25/ TIER 1: The NBA’s Elite 1) Kevin Durant | SF | OKC Thunder 2) Dwight Howard | C | Orlando Magic TIER 2: Nearly Elite 3) Rajon Rondo | PG | Boston Celtics 4) Josh Smith | F | Atlanta Hawks 5) Derrick Rose | PG | Chicago Bulls 6) Tyreke Evans | G | Sacramento Kings TIER 3: The Talented, But Flawed 7) Monta Ellis | SG | Golden State Warriors 8 ) Al Horford | F/C | Atlanta Hawks 9) LaMarcus Aldridge | PF | Portland Trail Blazers 10) Andrew Bynum | C | L.A. Lakers 11) Russell Westbrook | PG | OKC Thunder 12) Stephen Curry | G | Golden State Warriors 13) Rudy Gay | SF | Memphis Grizzlies 14) Brook Lopez | C | New Jersey Nets 15) Michael Beasley | SF | Miami Heat 16) Kevin Love | PF | Minnesota Timberwolves TIER 4: Role Players and a “ME” Player 17) Jeff Green | F | OKC Thunder 18) George Hill | PG | San Antonio Spurs 19) JR Smith | SG | Denver Nuggets 20) OJ Mayo | SG | Memphis Grizzlies 21) Andrea Bargnani | F/C | Toronto Raptors 22) Marvin Williams | SF | Atlanta Hawks TIER 5: The Rest 23) Wilson Chandler | SF | New York Knicks 24) Eric Gordon | SG | L.A. Clippers 25) Brandon Jennings | PG | Milwaukee Bucks
It's pretty crazy that Dwight and Josh Smith still aren't 25. They were drafted 6 years ago. Looking back at that draft, not very much talent.
Blake Griffin- hasn't played a single game yet I'd rank him in the top 10. HE'S THAT GOOD. Andres Biedrins- Struggles with injuries but when healthy he's a shot blocking double-double machine. Andray Blatche- This guys a headcase but he's a baller no doubt. If he can get his **** together and keep it together he would easily belong in tier 3. As is I'd still take him over 5-7 guys on that list. Lou Williams- A very nice forgotten player. Doesn't get much attention in Philly but this guys only 23 and was having a really nice season till he broke his jaw and Iverson stole his thunder. I'd take him over 1/2 season wonder George Hill and Marvin Williams. Dejuan Blair- He's better than Chandler, Marvin Williams, JR Smith, George Hill and I might even take him over Beasley. Serge Ibaka- He's only 20, has the body, size, talent, work ethic, plays great defense and really started to make a name for himself late last season. This guy is going to be a force. I think he's the better prospect in comparison to his teammates Harden and Green. He beats out Marvin Williams in my book. Jason Thompson > Marvin Williams. Younger, less experience (will only get better), better size, more skills, smaller contract. If you haven't noticed I really don't think Marvin Williams belongs on that list. That fool sucks. George Hill over Mayo, Gordon and Jennings?? LOL very funny. Brook Lopez is better than Andrew Bynum and Kevin Love could move up a couple spots.... he will be a double-double monster for many years to come and he really understands the game. I wish we could have him.
Read it again. It say's Role players and a ME first player. Extra emphasis on "A" meaning a single person. That person being none other than JR. Smith.
Two things that jump out at me. 1. Josh Smith is qualified to be on this list yet Aaron Brooks is not 2. Wilson freaking Chandler? Is Galinari too old? Because if there's a potentially awesome young player on the Knicks roster, it's defnitetly not Chandler. He might even be 3rd behind Tonay Douglas. Otherwise... meh
Am I the only one that thinks Michael Beasley's way too high on his list? His underwhelming performance is a big part of the reason the team should be called the Miami Wades.
Westbrook should be in the top 5. I think Rondo is a good player but its because he's playing with 3 future HOF. I take Russel Westbrook over Rondo any day. Rondo usually gets the spotlight because he is playing with an elite team. If you take him out and put him in a crappy team like Memphis, he wouldn't even be as high. Rose is still a better player in my eyes than Rondo.
Rondo may play with 3 future HOF players, but he was the best player on the Celtics for most of this season and the playoffs.
You would think after Rondo LEADS the Celtics to the finals, the haters would shut up. Rondo is top 4 PG's in the league bro... hate it or love it.