Post by jiggy on Dec 16, 2010 2:25:11 GMT -5
#20- Ekpe Udoh 19.00 PF CHI 24 6'10'' 240 B D+ C- A- B+ B
What I like most about Udoh is unlike other similar shotblocking/rebounding bigs, he can score when asked to, and do so at a good clip. I think that with continued offensive development, he could someday approach the 15ppg plateau to go along with his 11-12 boards and 3 blocks. Not eye-popping numbers, but very solid nonetheless.
#19- JaVale McGee 19.04 C CHI 23 7'0'' 240 B+ C- D B- B- C
Because he is fairly maxed out already, this may be the highest McGee ever gets on this list, but he deserves the recognition. He's a nasty shotblocker and plays an integral part on a very good team. Doesn't put up great FG%, but his other numbers are respectable, and he's a good free throw shooter for a 7 footer.
#18- Anthony Randolph 19.10 SF CHA 22 6'10'' 208 B C+ C+ B B B
Probably won't ever be a scoring option type, but goddamn what a nice complimentary piece he will be for the next decade or so. All-Defensive 2nd Team at 22, and could be vying for First Team very soon. But he isn't all steals and blocks. He's actually got a well-rounded skill set. He can board, he's a pretty good passer, and although he doesn't put up good FG%, his other shooting numbers do a bit to make up for it.
#17- DeMar Derozan 19.11 SG MIL 22 6'7'' 226 A B- D+ C+ C+ A
A B- scoring + A potential + 22 years old = Holy shit!!! Gets 21 ppg on a team that also has Bosh, Ginobilli, Kaman and Nene. 7 rebounds per game for a SG is excellent. DeRozan isn't much of a passer or defender, but on the flipside, .7 turnovers per game in 36 minutes is pretty amazing. I would love to build a team around this guy. Stud.
#16- Amir Johnson 19.27 PF PHI 24 6'11'' 223 B C- C- A- A- B
Seems like Amir has been around forever, but he's still only 24. Aside from being a very good shot blocker and rebounder, he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. He's not a great scorer, but will average a double double and block a ton of shots. Whoever drafted him at number 10 got really good value. Oh wait...that was me. Ok...he was auto'ed to me but still.
#15- John Wall 19.34 PG IND 21 6'4'' 195 A- B A- B+ C+ A
John Wall should end up being in the top 10 on this list next season, and could be challenging for top 5 by the time he is 24. As it stands, he is a game-changing passer who plays solid defense and rebounds a bit, but with time, he should develop into a legitimate stud PG. Has the makings of a dangerous offensive weapon. Didn't shoot particularly well, but he may be the single biggest reason that the Pacers made the playoffs this season.
#14- Gordon Hayward 19.44 SF CHI 21 6'8'' 210 C+ A B- C C+ A
Probably doesn't have the trade value or star power of many of the players ranked behind him, but the solidity of the numbers he puts up can't be ignored. Does 14.5, 5.7 and 3.9 in just 30 minutes on good percentages and with low turnovers. Given legitimate starter's minutes and in the right offense, he could probably do 20, 7 and 5 right now. Obviously not ever going to be a good defender, but neither was Bird. That's not to say that Hayward will ever be as good as Bird, but he could turn out Bird-like at his peak.
#13- Nicolas Batum 19.72 SF DET 22 6'8'' 206 B B C- A- C+ A
Batum seems to be coming along very slowly. With the exception of strong passing, he has a nice blend of offensive and defensive skills and doesn't turn the ball over much at all. Though he's a solid player, he isn't spectactular in any one area and coming off of his rookie contract, he still hasn't had a breakthrough sason yet. At his peak her could be kinda Marvin Williamsy, but I don't see much more for him. This is probably as high as he'll ever get on this list.
#12- Eric Gordon 20.14 SG MIA 22 6'3'' 222 B- A+ B A- C B
Aside from turning the ball a little more than you'd like, there isn't much Gordon can't do. He's a dangerous player on both ends of the floor and in transition as well. He gets a ton of boards for a guy his size and he can absolutely shoot the lights out. He's made noticable improvements every season so far, and if he could get a couple of more key improvements, he could add a lot more trophys to his shelf. His less than ideal size may hamper him enough to keep him from the realm of elite scorers, but he'll be an extremely valuable player for the next decade or so.
#11- Thaddeus Young 20.37 SF HOU 23 6'9'' 220 A- B+ C- A- C+ A
Young is on the cusp of legitimate stardom in BBS. He's already a 27 and 7 player with what looks like potential to burn, so there's no reason not to think that he could eventually reach superstardom. My only real qualm with him is that he's a bit trigger happy and doesn't sport an ideal FG%. He's a player you can tank with. The players around him need to be counted on to prop up the team FG%, else you could shoot .438 like The Rockets did this year. All negative critcism aside, Young is a stud scorer, solid defender and adequate rebounder on a sweet, sweet contract. One of the more valuable young commodities in the league.
