The Top 25 NBA Players Under The Age of 25: #20 - #16
Posted by Matt McCready on 06.26.2007
411's Matt McCready continues his countdown of the top young stars in the NBA. Last week Ben Gordon came in at number 21 and this week we look at numbers 20 through 16. Will Muggsy Bogues Jr. make the cut?
How the players are rankedTo 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.
20. Monta Ellis SG/PG, Golden State Warriors
I feel like I should be doing some lame Bob Sagat impression while looking at this picture
If everything goes right he could be the next… Allen Iverson Favorite shot at the bar... Apple Juice
Upon entering the league
Entering the draft straight out of high school, Monta Ellis was the top scoring high school player since Dujuan Wagner, who was selected in the top 10 and had a very similar game to his while in high school.
While this might seem like a good thing on paper, the colossal bust that Wagner turned out to be sure didn't help his standings. Monta fell all the way to the 10th pick of the second round as scouts were concerned about a minor knee injury, questions about whether his frail frame was tough enough for the grinding schedule of the NBA and whether he'd be tall enough to play the 2 guard at the NBA level.
Why he's so good
Monta Ellis is one of the NBA's quickest and most athletic players. Ellis scores a lot of buckets during fast break opportunities. This along with a sweet shooting stroke, are the reasons that Ellis shot such a high percentage this year.
Playing in Don Nelson's up-tempo system is gold for Ellis' style of play. Nelson's addition as coach was a huge reason for his Most Improved Player Award.
Why he'll get even better
His defense is brutal. At below average defensive player on the perimeter (which should change due to his above average lateral quickness) his low body strength makes him a non-factor defending the low-post.
Ellis's assist-to-turnover ratio could use a lot of work. Seeing he is only 6'3, he could be a defensive liability to a lot of large NBA shooting guards. Improving his playmaking skills and court vision are essential elements to his improvement as a player.
Overall: Monta Ellis had a spectacular season but his disappearance in the playoffs is really concerning. Most of the attributes that make Ellis effective are ones that tend to dissipate with age, so rounding out the edges in his game are a must for him to continue to be effective. From all accounts he seems to have a good work ethic so don't be surprised if Monta Ellis is playing at a high level for the next decade.
19. Brandon Roy SG, Portland TrailBlazers
Brandon Roy holding his rookie-of-the-year trophy like a proud father holds his newborn son. The only thing wider than his smile would be the mother's birth canal.
If everything goes right he could be the next… Manu Ginobili Favorite Meal... Everything Burger w/ extra salami
Upon entering the league
The ‘draft experts' consensus opinion of Brandon Roy entering last year's draft was ‘the prospect who could contribute the most right away'. Well they don't call them draft experts with quotations for nothing, as the Ad-Wizards finally got one right.
Roy was the most polished prospect – and is one of the most polished players on this entire list – in a draft that featured a lot more potential than production. I wrote an article earlier in the season calling for Andrea Bargnani to win the rookie-of-the-year award over the talented Trailblazer, but Roy's work over the remainder of the season made a believer out of me.
Besides what mediocre sports writer wouldn't vote for Roy as Rookie Of the Year? The article writes itself!
Why he's so good
While it's possible that Andrea Bargnani, Rudy Gay and Tyrus Thomas might become the better player, Roy's grasp on basketball fundamentals and his ability to help out on the floor in a variety of different roles might never be matched by his fellow draftees.
He even has a little range. A 37 percent three point percentage is nothing to laugh at.
Why he'll get even better
The probable trade of go-to scorer Zack Randolph will change the look of the team entirely. Running the offense through a player who is most effective backing his way into scoring positions in half court sets isn't nearly as beneficial to Roy's game as a faster paced balanced attack.
One of the biggest complaints towards the Ohio State system where future number one pick Greg Oden played his only college season is that it didn't take advantage of his ability to jumpstart fastbreaks with his excellent outlet pass ability. With full-court speedsters like Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Sergio Rodriguez and Travis Outlaw it wouldn't be surprising if Portland is among the fastest teams in the league next year. Those added fastbreak opportunities will help Roy's game a lot. He's effective both as a playmaker and finisher while the ball is in transition.
Overall: Roy will probably never be known as a franchise player but he's the type of player every championship team needs. He's a perfect number two or three guy.
18. Tyson Chandler C/PF, New Orleans Hornets
Few players in the history of the NBA can match Tyson Chandler's combination of length, sleeping, roof raising and defense.
If everything goes right he could be the next… Ben Wallace Mister Men Long Lost Brother Mr. Tickle
Upon entering the league
Tyson Chandler entered the NBA in the draft that featured the most top-heavy high school player content in league history. He also entered one of the worst drafts in league history.
The year was 2001. Michael Jordon, he of the multi-million dollar gambling losses, brought his winning touch – the one he shows off in Caesar's Palace as opposed to NBA courts - when he and the Washington Wizards selected Kwame (Crappy) Brown first overall in the NBA draft out of high school.
Bulls GM followed that move up with his own Michael Jordan business savvy by trading current top twenty NBA talent to the Los Angeles Clippers for the second overall pick – and how inept do you have to be to get ripped off by the CLIPPERS - which he used to select Chandler.
Why he's so good
Tyson Chandler's physical characteristics and athleticism are the reason he was drafted at such a high position and it's the same reason he is slowly developing into one of the better interior defenders in the NBA. Standing seven foot one with arms that would make Saer Sene blush and an impressive vertical leap. Chandler understands his limitations and has developed a nose for the ball on both the offensive and defensive glass.
Why he'll get even better
The New Orleans coaching staff expects the following out of Tyson Chandler: Elite shot blocking and rebounding.
The New Orleans coaching staff never expects the following from Tyson Chandler: Anything resembling an offensive game.
Chandler's offense is among the worst in the league, most of his points come off alley-oops or dunks and he barely shot fifty percent from the free-throw line. If he developed an offensive punch equal to his defensive one, he'd be the top player in the league. After six years in the league, that seems terribly unlikely though as his shooting form is more repulsive than that porno starring Chyna Doll and Ben Affleck's haircut.
Overall Tyson should be among the best defensive players in the league for years if his chronically wonky back holds up. As of right now, Chandler is a possible future Defensive Player of the Year.
If everything goes right he could be the next… Everyone wants to say Nowitzki (and I don't necessarily disagree with them) but I'm going to go with Bob McAdoo Upperclass Suburban Equivalent Steven Ralph Hyland
Upon entering the league
Andrea Bargnani is the reigning top pick of the NBA draft (although he'll probably lose that title this year! Hardeeharhar? R D R R.) The giant Italian's selection was the defining move of incoming General Manager Bryan Colangelo's overhaul of the Raptors lineup.
The expectations of being the number one selection aside, Andrea couldn't have entered the NBA under better circumstances. His former Euroleague teammates Jorge Garbajosa and Uros Slokar were on the roster, there were nine new players so the local community was not as focused on his performance as they otherwise would be and to top it all off, his former general manager Maurizio Gherardini was just named his team's assistant general manager. While his frontcourt pairing with All-Star Chris Bosh might seem a bit redundant as they're both sweet-shooting big men, it forces opposing coaches to have both their big men guard on the perimeter, something most are not inclined to do.
All in all, being drafted by the Toronto Raptors was the perfect scenario for Bargnani's rookie campaign.
Why he's so good
Despite having the size to bash around the post like a big man typically does, offensively Bargnani is more of a small forward than a typical center. He possesses qualities that are extremely rare for a player his size, the ability to put the ball on the floor, decent quickness, creative finishes around the basket and three point shooting. No seven footer sunk as many three pointers as Andrea Bargnani did in his rookie campaign and that includes MVP Dirk Nowitzki. They don't call him Il Mago (the magician in Senegalese) for nothing.
Why he'll get even better
Looking at Bargnani's statistics, he might have been the least productive player of anyone on this list. It's Barg's vast potential that has him on this list. I've argued before that Bargnani has the deepest range of any player in the NBA. The combination of his height, range that extends a few feet beyond the three point line and quick shot release give this shot the potential to be the league's most unguardable attack since Kareem's skyhook.
While his shotblocking is underrated, the harsh critique of his rebounding is deserved. Bargnani's rebounding development is crucial for him to realize his immense potential.
Overall: A future All-Star who might turn out to be one of the most unique NBA players in history.
16. Kevin Martin SG, Sacramento Kings
Kevin ‘Kmart' Martin's basketball future is hopefully a little sunnier than the box store he fancies himself as.
If everything goes right he could be the next… Reggie Miller
Actual unimaginative nickname K-Mart (not to be confused with Kenyon Martin a.k.a. K-Mart 1.0)
Also not to be confused with…Zarko Cabarkapa a.k.a. Zellers
Upon entering the league
Kevin Martin's scoring ability has never been questioned. Among the leaders in NCAA scoring throughout his collegiate career there were worries on whether the rest of his game, particularly his defense. That combined with a relatively deep draft caused Martin to slip to the 26th pick in the 2004 entry draft behind stiffs like Sergei Monia and Pavel Podkolzin.
Why he's so good
Martin's basketball game isn't overly exciting but just ask Tim Duncan on whether boring play can equal success. While others on this list will wow with spectacular dunks and outlandish athleticism, Martin simply hits every open jumpshot presented to him. Not that he's got wonky knees or anything of that nature but physically he does not stand out in the NBA. His dribbling is well above average and he uses screens well to get open shots.
Martin's shooting percentages are excellent regardless of position. A shooting guard that can score 20 any night with those percentages is extremely rare in the NBA. Martin's ability to score in the halfcourt are even more valuable to Sacramento as they're one of the slowest teams in the league.
Why he'll get even better
The fact that K-Mart's game isn't dependent on athleticism is actually an excellent thing for his career. As he ages and his body begins to break down he should still retain that excellent shooting form and court awareness.
Overall: Martin should be a top scorer for the duration of his career and his efficiency should keep in the league well into his thirties. His inability to contribute much elsewhere on the court prevents him from being ranked any higher.
