Post by nova on Jun 11, 2011 15:55:19 GMT -5
40 Most Valuable Players Under 25 - Part 2 of 3: #25-11[/u]
#25. Marvin McCleod SF 24 6'7'' 233 A- B- D+ A- C C - Memphis Grizzlies
McLeod is a player, who productivity wise, probably belongs higher, but there are things holding him down. Namely, he's never been on a winning team, he's a poor ball handler, he's on a very large conract, and he's seemingly tapped out potential wise. And yet, he'll likely still be a 20-22 PPG player for several years. He's a talented swingman no doubt, but he's not a special player that teams really feel they need to have.
#24 Hasim Al-Fatun C 20 6'11'' 200 C+ D+ C- A B- A - Detroit Pistons
Aside from being freakishly, almost sickeningly thin, Al-Fatun is known for his defensive abilities. A talented young shot blocker, Al-Fatun's going to earn his living based on what he does in the paint on the defensive end of the floor. His offensive game is very raw, and really, almost nonexistant. He'll likely develop into a solid rebounder, but his value is attributed to his defense. As a second year player, he averaged nearly 2bpg, and with a few more TC's, he'll likely be one of the league's most imposing defensive players.
#23 Lorenzo Carr SF 21 6'10'' 210 B- B- C+ A- B- B - Atlanta Hawks
Carr, much like fellow Hawk Rashid Muhammad, is a jack of all trades but master of none type player. In his second season, he put up only marginable numbers in Atlanta and though he has improved in his first two TC's, he's still on that precipice between being a legitimately productive, talented player and an overhyped role player. Time will tell what Carr ends up becoming, but, at 21, he's still young, and could definitely become a great player, but the signs aren't really pointing in that direction. More likely, he'll be a solid, not spectacular SF.
#22 Gabe Simon SF 22 6'10'' 220 A- C C+ B+ C+ A - New Jersey Nets
Simon, a lanky, athletic SF is one of the pieces of the future in New Jersey. He's a solid inside scorer who can rebound and pass and play defense. His only notable flaw is his proneness to turnovers. Simon will never be a top option or franchise player, but he could be a great second or third option with some more development and if he can cut down the turnovers. The Nets have invested a lot in him, and he is a promising young player.
#21 Koni Bruton PF 24 6'9'' 231 B C C B A- C - Boston Celtics
Bruton is what he is. He's a premiere shot blocker, a very good rebounder, and a marginal offensive player. One of the key pieces for the Celtics, Bruton is one of the league's best shot blockers, despite being only a marginal defender otherwise. He's basically reached his ceiling, and while there are several players below him who will likely be more sought after, Bruton is the kind of player that winning teams absolutely cannot go without. He makes his presence felt on the floor, and at 24, he's got a lot of productive years ahead of him.
#20 Jayson O'Keane PF 23 6'8'' 245 A- C+ D+ C A- C - New York Knicks
A dominant post player, O'Keane is one of the most productive players on this list, and likely the most productive big man per 48 minutes in the league. A fantastic scorer, O'Keane is a double-double big man, and if he had any semblance of defensive skill, he'd probably be in the top 10 of this list. Much like Bruton, he is what he is. He'll score a lot and grab a lot of rebounds, and there's certainly a market out there for 23/10 big men.
#19 Tyrone Keane C 24 7'0'' 257 B- B+ C A B- A - Utah Jazz
One of the league's best shot blockers, Keane clocks in at number 19. One of the best FT shooting big men in the league, Keane's offense is average at best, and yet, he's a very valuable player. Shot blockers are valued commodities, especially those who play good defense, can score a little, and are decent rebounders. Keane fits that bill, and the Jazz have certainly recognized his value as he's spent his first six seasons with them.
#18 Marquell Rodgers PF 23 6'10'' 248 B+ C- B- B+ B+ B - Atlanta Hawks
Another solid, but unspectacular Hawk. There's a theme here. The Hawks have more players on this list than any other team, but none of them are franchise pieces or even #1 option caliber players. Rodgers however, is still a very good player. His numbers were a bit off this season due to more depth up front, but he's a quality scorer who can do a little bit of everything. 20/10 bigs who can pass are valuable assets, and while he's probably near his peak, there's still a chance for slight improvement.
#17 Christian Gola C 24 6'11'' 289 A- C+ C- B+ C+ B - New York Knicks
O'Keane's frontcourt mate in New York, Gola is one of the few promising young shot blockers who is also a good scorer, which is why he's ranked highly. Gola and the few players ahead of him are a little interchangeable in terms of rankings, but Gola's seeming inability to play more then 31 MPG hurts his value a bit as does the fact that he's only a marginal rebounder, but he's still a great young player whose future looks very bright. The Knicks are supremely high on him and have made that known, so he seems likely to remain in the Big Apple for a while, or as likely as you can be with Skillz at the helm.
#16 Purnell Jackson PG 20 6'7'' 210 B+ C+ B+ C+ C A - Chicago Bulls
Recently named the 6th Man of the Year in only his second season, Jackson is one of the most exciting young PG's in the league. Standing 6-7, he towers over most of his fellow PG's, and his skills do as well. A very solid scorer and passer, Jackson's glaring flaw is defense. However, he still has the talent and play-making ability to be a star PG. It's hard to really gauge how productive he would be as a starter, but if he can continue to improve the next few years, he could become a Chris Paul-esque PG, which would make him hugely valuable.
#15 Jason Robinson C 22 6'8'' 235 A- C D+ B- C+ A - Orlando Magic
Robinson, one of the talented young trio of players in Orlando, marks the beginning of the top 15. A rookie and the #1 pick of the draft last year, Robinson is in an interesting place. He didn't have a great first Training Camp and doesn't seem to be as dominant as scouts first thought. With that said, he's still a very good post scorer and a solid rebounder. However, there are doubts about whether he can become a dominant scorer, and for him to really prove himself as having been worthy of the #1 pick, he'll need to make strides in his defense and rebounding. If he has another poor showing in TC, he'll plummet down this list.
#14 Tanner Thompson SG 22 6'5'' 204 B- A- B B+ C B - Orlando Magic
Another rookie from the Magic, Thompson already looks like he was a steal at #8 in the draft last year. Unlike Robinson, he had a great first TC and followed it up with a solid rookie campaign averaging 15.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 3.6 APG. He's an all-around player without any huge flaws and he seems to have the makings of a star. If he can continue to make strides, he could be one of the league's best SG's soon enough.
#13 Lamont McGee PF 20 6'11'' 225 B+ D+ D+ B B- A - New Jersey Nets
A talented young post player, McGee is coming off a solid rookie season and proved himself as one of the few bright spots for the Nets. He was #1 on their list in last year's draft, and they were lucky enough to get him at 4. He's still very much a work in progress, but if he can continue to improve like he has already, McGee could become one of the league's better PF's.
#12 Omar Green SG 21 6'8'' 180 C+ A+ D+ C+ D A - Memphis Grizzlies
Green is one of the most dynamic young players in the league and is going to be a star scorer, and yet, he's not in the top 10. What holds him back is the fact that he's a mediocre defender and an atrocious passer and rebounder. Now, he's young, and chances are he'll become decent at least one or two of these skills, but for all intents and purposes, he's a one-trick pony, but is he ever good at that trick. He could very well be one of the league's leading scorers soon, and his value, despite his one-dimensional game, is unquestionable.
#11 A.J. Perkins SF 24 6'9'' 212 A- A- C- B- B- B - Dallas Mavericks
Perkins is probably what Green will be in a few seasons, but he's also a quality rebounder. Quietly he had himself an outstanding season in Dallas, averaging 27.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG. He's turnover prone and he's not a great defender, but nonetheless, he's a dominant player. The fact that he's on an incredibly affordable contract also enhances his value. Along with J.D. Quincy, Perkins gives the Mavs a fantastic young 1-2 punch, and is without a doubt one of the league's best up and coming SF's.
Part 3 (#10-1) to come tomorrow
#25. Marvin McCleod SF 24 6'7'' 233 A- B- D+ A- C C - Memphis Grizzlies
McLeod is a player, who productivity wise, probably belongs higher, but there are things holding him down. Namely, he's never been on a winning team, he's a poor ball handler, he's on a very large conract, and he's seemingly tapped out potential wise. And yet, he'll likely still be a 20-22 PPG player for several years. He's a talented swingman no doubt, but he's not a special player that teams really feel they need to have.
#24 Hasim Al-Fatun C 20 6'11'' 200 C+ D+ C- A B- A - Detroit Pistons
Aside from being freakishly, almost sickeningly thin, Al-Fatun is known for his defensive abilities. A talented young shot blocker, Al-Fatun's going to earn his living based on what he does in the paint on the defensive end of the floor. His offensive game is very raw, and really, almost nonexistant. He'll likely develop into a solid rebounder, but his value is attributed to his defense. As a second year player, he averaged nearly 2bpg, and with a few more TC's, he'll likely be one of the league's most imposing defensive players.
#23 Lorenzo Carr SF 21 6'10'' 210 B- B- C+ A- B- B - Atlanta Hawks
Carr, much like fellow Hawk Rashid Muhammad, is a jack of all trades but master of none type player. In his second season, he put up only marginable numbers in Atlanta and though he has improved in his first two TC's, he's still on that precipice between being a legitimately productive, talented player and an overhyped role player. Time will tell what Carr ends up becoming, but, at 21, he's still young, and could definitely become a great player, but the signs aren't really pointing in that direction. More likely, he'll be a solid, not spectacular SF.
#22 Gabe Simon SF 22 6'10'' 220 A- C C+ B+ C+ A - New Jersey Nets
Simon, a lanky, athletic SF is one of the pieces of the future in New Jersey. He's a solid inside scorer who can rebound and pass and play defense. His only notable flaw is his proneness to turnovers. Simon will never be a top option or franchise player, but he could be a great second or third option with some more development and if he can cut down the turnovers. The Nets have invested a lot in him, and he is a promising young player.
#21 Koni Bruton PF 24 6'9'' 231 B C C B A- C - Boston Celtics
Bruton is what he is. He's a premiere shot blocker, a very good rebounder, and a marginal offensive player. One of the key pieces for the Celtics, Bruton is one of the league's best shot blockers, despite being only a marginal defender otherwise. He's basically reached his ceiling, and while there are several players below him who will likely be more sought after, Bruton is the kind of player that winning teams absolutely cannot go without. He makes his presence felt on the floor, and at 24, he's got a lot of productive years ahead of him.
#20 Jayson O'Keane PF 23 6'8'' 245 A- C+ D+ C A- C - New York Knicks
A dominant post player, O'Keane is one of the most productive players on this list, and likely the most productive big man per 48 minutes in the league. A fantastic scorer, O'Keane is a double-double big man, and if he had any semblance of defensive skill, he'd probably be in the top 10 of this list. Much like Bruton, he is what he is. He'll score a lot and grab a lot of rebounds, and there's certainly a market out there for 23/10 big men.
#19 Tyrone Keane C 24 7'0'' 257 B- B+ C A B- A - Utah Jazz
One of the league's best shot blockers, Keane clocks in at number 19. One of the best FT shooting big men in the league, Keane's offense is average at best, and yet, he's a very valuable player. Shot blockers are valued commodities, especially those who play good defense, can score a little, and are decent rebounders. Keane fits that bill, and the Jazz have certainly recognized his value as he's spent his first six seasons with them.
#18 Marquell Rodgers PF 23 6'10'' 248 B+ C- B- B+ B+ B - Atlanta Hawks
Another solid, but unspectacular Hawk. There's a theme here. The Hawks have more players on this list than any other team, but none of them are franchise pieces or even #1 option caliber players. Rodgers however, is still a very good player. His numbers were a bit off this season due to more depth up front, but he's a quality scorer who can do a little bit of everything. 20/10 bigs who can pass are valuable assets, and while he's probably near his peak, there's still a chance for slight improvement.
#17 Christian Gola C 24 6'11'' 289 A- C+ C- B+ C+ B - New York Knicks
O'Keane's frontcourt mate in New York, Gola is one of the few promising young shot blockers who is also a good scorer, which is why he's ranked highly. Gola and the few players ahead of him are a little interchangeable in terms of rankings, but Gola's seeming inability to play more then 31 MPG hurts his value a bit as does the fact that he's only a marginal rebounder, but he's still a great young player whose future looks very bright. The Knicks are supremely high on him and have made that known, so he seems likely to remain in the Big Apple for a while, or as likely as you can be with Skillz at the helm.
#16 Purnell Jackson PG 20 6'7'' 210 B+ C+ B+ C+ C A - Chicago Bulls
Recently named the 6th Man of the Year in only his second season, Jackson is one of the most exciting young PG's in the league. Standing 6-7, he towers over most of his fellow PG's, and his skills do as well. A very solid scorer and passer, Jackson's glaring flaw is defense. However, he still has the talent and play-making ability to be a star PG. It's hard to really gauge how productive he would be as a starter, but if he can continue to improve the next few years, he could become a Chris Paul-esque PG, which would make him hugely valuable.
#15 Jason Robinson C 22 6'8'' 235 A- C D+ B- C+ A - Orlando Magic
Robinson, one of the talented young trio of players in Orlando, marks the beginning of the top 15. A rookie and the #1 pick of the draft last year, Robinson is in an interesting place. He didn't have a great first Training Camp and doesn't seem to be as dominant as scouts first thought. With that said, he's still a very good post scorer and a solid rebounder. However, there are doubts about whether he can become a dominant scorer, and for him to really prove himself as having been worthy of the #1 pick, he'll need to make strides in his defense and rebounding. If he has another poor showing in TC, he'll plummet down this list.
#14 Tanner Thompson SG 22 6'5'' 204 B- A- B B+ C B - Orlando Magic
Another rookie from the Magic, Thompson already looks like he was a steal at #8 in the draft last year. Unlike Robinson, he had a great first TC and followed it up with a solid rookie campaign averaging 15.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 3.6 APG. He's an all-around player without any huge flaws and he seems to have the makings of a star. If he can continue to make strides, he could be one of the league's best SG's soon enough.
#13 Lamont McGee PF 20 6'11'' 225 B+ D+ D+ B B- A - New Jersey Nets
A talented young post player, McGee is coming off a solid rookie season and proved himself as one of the few bright spots for the Nets. He was #1 on their list in last year's draft, and they were lucky enough to get him at 4. He's still very much a work in progress, but if he can continue to improve like he has already, McGee could become one of the league's better PF's.
#12 Omar Green SG 21 6'8'' 180 C+ A+ D+ C+ D A - Memphis Grizzlies
Green is one of the most dynamic young players in the league and is going to be a star scorer, and yet, he's not in the top 10. What holds him back is the fact that he's a mediocre defender and an atrocious passer and rebounder. Now, he's young, and chances are he'll become decent at least one or two of these skills, but for all intents and purposes, he's a one-trick pony, but is he ever good at that trick. He could very well be one of the league's leading scorers soon, and his value, despite his one-dimensional game, is unquestionable.
#11 A.J. Perkins SF 24 6'9'' 212 A- A- C- B- B- B - Dallas Mavericks
Perkins is probably what Green will be in a few seasons, but he's also a quality rebounder. Quietly he had himself an outstanding season in Dallas, averaging 27.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG. He's turnover prone and he's not a great defender, but nonetheless, he's a dominant player. The fact that he's on an incredibly affordable contract also enhances his value. Along with J.D. Quincy, Perkins gives the Mavs a fantastic young 1-2 punch, and is without a doubt one of the league's best up and coming SF's.
Part 3 (#10-1) to come tomorrow
