The Top 25 NBA Players Under The Age of 25! - #25 - 21
Posted by Matt McCready on 06.19.2007
The NBA season is over and the San Antonio Spurs are the NBA Champions. But who are the future superstars that will lead their teams to greatness? Find out in the first part of Matt McCready's list of the top 25 NBA players under the age of 25.
Welcome to 411mania.com's list of the Top 25 NBA Players under the age of 25!
How the players are ranked
To determine the ranking of the players on this list they are evaluated equally on their performance last year and their overall potential level. For example, while Andrea Bargnani is ranked highly on potential he also had the worst season on the list last year and is graded justly. On the other hand, Gerald Wallace had a terrific season last year but the combination of his age, league experience and injury history causes his potential score to be amongst the lowest.
25. David Lee PF/SF, New York Knicks
Nope sorry tweenagers, this isn't the cover of a lame Simple Plan album, it's New York Knicks star David Lee!
If everything goes right he could be the next… Dennis Rodman Rock Star Equivalent: David Lee Roth
Upon entering the league David Lee was originally expected to be drafted among the first picks of whichever draft he chose to enter his name in but over-exposure in a major program like Florida and the belief that he hadn't improved his play in college caused his star to tumble quite a bit. Isiah Thomas got a steal, selecting him with the final pick of the first round. I hate ‘Zeke' as a general manager but no one can knock the dude with his drafting.
Why he's so good: David Lee is the antithesis of Eddy Curry. All motor and desire with little offensive skill. Actually, what offensive skills they do have are similar, as Lee's range is very miniscule but can score with both hands around the basket. Luckily for him, he's got perfect teammates for his skillset. On a team where Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Quentin Richardson (need I go on?) chuck up shots with reckless abandon, Lee's scoring consists of getting garbage baskets and dunks in transition.
The boards is where Lee really makes his impact, his above average athleticism and endless energy were the reasons he averaged over ten boards a game in under thirty minutes.
Why he'll get even better: As mentioned earlier, the range on Lee's shot could improve. Defensively he gives consistent effort but can improve.
Overall: Lee is good stuff, a glue guy, a rich man's Renaldo Balkman.
24. Eddy Curry C, New York Knicks
You know you've made it when you posterize ‘Mr. Rejection' JEFF FOSTER
If everything goes right he could be the next… Shaq, without the blocks/boards/leadership/winning Pro Wrestling Equivalent: The Great Khali
Upon entering the league Curry was drafted by Chicago 4th overall in the 2001 entry draft, possibly the worst draft in the last ten years. It was notable for being the first draft where a high schooler was drafted (Kwame Brown OUCH) as well as being the draft where the first collegiate player was not selected until the 5th pick (Jason Richardson). Curry was one half of ‘The Baby Bulls' (two high school big men drafted in the top 4 of the NBA Draft) along with Tyson Chandler, a duo that was supposed to lead Chicago back to prominence. Neither one is currently with the organization.
Why he's so good: Curry's number one attribute is his gargantuan size which he takes full advantage of with his phenomenal low post game. Curry uses his wide shoulders to carve out room in the paint. His low post moves are tremendous, especially considering he's straight out of high school. If the opposing team does not have a reliable bulky big man, Curry could go off for 50 points.
Why he'll get even better: Curry has all the physical tools of a dominant center. Strong like ‘The Juggernaut' Eddy has gotten himself into better shape and runs the floor well for a man his size. He'll most likely improve at passing, blocking and rebounding because he really couldn't get any worse.
Overall: His scoring ability is undeniable (he averaged nearly 20 points a game while shooting a blistering 58 percent from the field) but he does so little outside of that. There's no excuse for him only to average seven boards on a team devoid of solid big men like the Knicks. With numbers like those it would indicate that maybe he's defending the paint and blocking shots but he averages an embarrassing .5 a game. Even though he's consistently double teamed, he has trouble passing out of it averaging less than one assist per game while only Dwight Howard averages more turnovers for the position. Curry could prove me wrong and expand his game, he has the talent to do so, I just don't know if it's in his character. I'd use the word ‘heart' in place of character but that's entirely over the line.
23. Andris Biedrins C, Golden State Warriors
Andris Biedrins game is so commendable that even Ron Artest is prone to mid-game hugfests. His tenacity on the boards is matched only by his snuggability.
If everything goes right he could be the next… more athletic Dale Davis
EuroLeague Nickname: The Latvian Delight
Upon entering the league The general consensus entering the 2004 draft was that the Golden State Warriors were selecting a big man. Selecting three spots ahead of Golden State were the Toronto Raptors and while word coming out of Toronto was that they would select ‘the best player available' there was a pressing need for a center on their roster. The Raptors were looking hard at Rafael Aroujo - a seven foot senior out of BYU who couldn't average a block per game while in college - and looking to trade down to select him.
Feeling that the team the Raptors would trade with might select Biedrins - the man Golden State General Manager Chris Mullin was looking at - Mullin spread word that his team was very interested in Aroujo and would take him if available. When approached with this information, Raptors rookie GM Rob ‘Bobbito' Babcock behaved the same way a rookie Adam Morrison would trying to defend Tracy McGrady, he faltered. The Raptors rebuked offers to trade down and reached longer than Saer Sene could, selected Arouj and allowing Andris to move to Oakland.
Everything Rafeal Aroujo touches turns to dirt. Except for anabolic steroids. Him touching those turned into a guaranteed three year contract from the worst general manager in basketball history.
"C'mon Matt, it's been 3 years. Won't you just let it go?"
- Former Toronto Raptors General Manager/Pro Bellend Rob Babcock
Biedrins - on the other hand - was no reach whatsoever. After bamboozling the Raptors into taking the worthless Brazilian, the athletically gifted Latvian was picked one spot after another bust; Luke Jackson. At barely 18 years old, Biedrins was the youngest player taken in the draft and not physically developed enough to play significant minutes his first year.
Why he's so good: There are few seven footers in the NBA that run the floor like Biedrins does. The fleet footed Latvian is a ball of energy and a magnet for rebounds and loose balls. Upon entering the NBA he had a propensity to needlessly foul while trying to defend and block shots but that's improved as well. Now opposing defenders actually fear Biedrins's low post presence and shot blocking as opposed to just trying to draw fouls.
Why he'll get even better: Biedrins's game is not exemplary of the typical European basketball player stereotype. There was a debate on ESPN's ‘Pardon The Interruption' on which was uglier, Charles Barkley's golf swing or Andris Biedrins's free throw shooting. Biedrins also breaks the mold in that he's athletically advanced, especially for his size. He is quicker than most players and could learn to draw a lot of fouls. If he's able to convert a better number of his foul shots than his dismal 52 percent he shot last year he might actually be used as an offensive player outside of putbacks and transition dunks.
Overall: At only 21 years old and already a double-double threat each time he steps onto the court, there's a good chance that Biedrins could develop into a top ten center in the NBA.
22. Andrew Bogut C, Milwaukee Bucks
Andrew Bogut, presumably auditioning for an upcoming Ed Wood feature
If everything goes right he could be the next… Vlade Divac with more toughness but less cigars Supervillain Equivalent: Jaws (James Bond)
Upon entering the league Andrew Bogut took an unusual route to the NBA as he was a known, accomplished foreign player who then competed in the NCAA. Bogut first got NBA scouts salivating during the 2003 FIBA World Junior Championships, where he led Australia to its first championship at the event while dominating to the tune of 26 points, 17 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. Upon entering college basketball scouts were initially disappointed in the big Aussie's freshman season, but that all changed during his dominant sophomore campaign. Bogut displayed unusual passing ability for a big man, vaulting to the top of the charts in a deep draft without many superstars. The height challenged Milwaukee Bucks selected him first overall in 2005, ahead of both Deron Williams and Chris Paul.
Why he's so good: Bogut gives everything a coach can ask for, just not in superstar quantities. He's got good size for the center position and plays with an edge. Skill wise he can hit the mid-range jumper while also can be used as a point center to take advantage of his great passing ability.
Why he'll get even better: The Milwaukee offense runs through Michael Redd (as it should, he's among the league's best scorers) but there's no excuse for the lack of touches that Bogut receives. Whenever the Bucks are stuck in a halfcourt offense, the ball HAS to go through Bogut as his passing out of the low post could open up many offensive possibilities for his teammates. The former number one has been visibly upset over his lack of involvement in the offense throughout his sophomore season.
For a big man that's as skilled as he is, Bogut could stand to get a lot better at the free throw line. While he's no Shaq, 57 percent from the line is still terrible.
Overall: Bogut will probably go down as a bad first overall selection and it's not really his fault. He should still go on to become a bonafide top 10 center in the league soon enough.
If everything goes right he could be the next… Shorter Gilbert Arenas
Comparable character from a cartoon of steadily declining comedic value Quagmire
Upon entering the league
Ben Gordon was drafted third overall in the 2004 draft behind Dwight Howard and University of Connecticut NCAA championship teammate Emeka Okafor. There was a lot of speculation on whether Chicago would select Gordon or Luol Deng out of Duke. Things turned out great for Chicago as Deng fell all the way to the eighth pick, also owned by Chicago.
Why he's so good: Incredible scoring instincts. Gordon's tickle trunk of offensive moves is endless and he can read the defense. The only drawback to such a varied offensive repertoire is that Gordon would typically avoid defenders with spectacular moves as opposed to drawing fouls. This year however he's cleaned that up by averaging nearly five and a half trips to the line per game.
Why he'll get even better: If Gordon ever ends up on the same team as an offensively talented big man it could really help out his game. 1000 year old P.J. Brown doesn't cut it.
Gordon REALLY needs to establish some sort of playmaking ability. Since he's too undersized to guard fellow shooting guards he forces backcourt teammate Kirk Hinrich to expel too much energy guarding the larger opponents. The only way Gordon wouldn't be a defensive liability would be if he could play the lead guard and it's doubtful that will happen as he averages nearly as many turnovers as assists; terrible numbers for a 2 guard let alone a point.
Overall: Many will cry foul at having a player that can score as well as Gordon listed so low on this list. What prevents him from moving up is that he's one of the oldest players listed, his inability to do anything on the court outside of putting the ball in the basket and the unlikelihood of him improving much in those areas prevents him from moving up the board.
Well that's the first edition of the Top 25 players under the age of 25, come back next week for the players ranked 20 thru 16!
Ok ben gordon is way better than most of the those players i dont know what you were somking puting ben gordon in the 21 spot and carmelo is better than bost and right now should be the second and gordon should be in the top 10 man think.
Posted By: Jorge Luna (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 01:05 AM
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