Top 5 Players at each pick from 1-4 from 2000-2012

Top 5 Players at each pick from 1-4 from 2000-2012

The NBA regular season inches closer and closer by the day. I can't help but be highly excited about this year's crop of rookies from picks 1-4. From how Karl Anthony-Towns will contribute to Minnesota's growth to How D'Angelo Russell will handle the pressure of LA.  I see all of them as solid contributors in the NBA. I see some even being All Stars in the future. Now it has been proven that even if you are picked higher than another player that doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be the better player. I've constructed a list of the top players from picks 1-4 from the year 2000-2012. Take a look and see what you think.

First Overall

1. LeBron James (2003)

 

 

 

 

Some of these may seem pretty obvious. Of course the best player in the world is going to be the top player on my list. Even after an NBA Finals loss to one of the greatest teams in NBA history in my opinion, you still have to sit back and marvel on the fact that he took a team with three of their key players (Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Anderson Varejao) going down with injuries. Going into the 2003 NBA Draft, there were multiple players who were first pick worthy but there was no question who the unanimous top overall player was. Cleveland was able to select their hometown kid and he brought a new buzz in the city averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, being one of, at the time, 3 rookies to ever do so (Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan). Bringing them to two NBA finals, two 60 win seasons, Lebron brought back a feeling of potentially winning the city's first championship in 50 years. Not to mention the Rookie of the Year honor, multiple All Star appearances, 2 NBA championships with Miami, and 4 MVP awards. With career averages of 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, he has been the greatest player of this generation  and with the high expectations put on him, he's reached and even exceeded some of them since the age of 18.

2.  Dwight Howard (2004)

 

 

 

 

From 2007-2012 Dwight Howard looked like the most Dominant Big Man  in the NBA. With averages of 20.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in that period, there really wasn't an argument. Coming into the 2004 NBA Draft as a skinny 6'11 high school senior, it wasn't much expected that he would go first. Emeka Okafor, who was a highly profiled college player coming off a National Championship. He was seen as the number one pick by many but the potential of the high school phenom was too irresistible by the Orlando Magic. Four Defensive Player of the Year awards, and multiple All Star appearances later it's fair to say the right decision was made. Though for the past few years, Dwight has had multiple injuries but still is a double double threat every night. While still with the Magic, Dwight Howard brought them to the 2009 NBA Finals once beating the previous NBA champion Boston Celtics on the way there. This upcoming season Dwight is in a perfect position to potentially go to the NBA Finals again and win that coveted NBA championship.

3. Anthony Davis (2012)

 

This choice may steer up a little controversy because his career is so young but I believe that in 3 years Anthony Davis has created an argument to call him the best player in the NBA. Coming off a National Player of the Year and National Championship at the University of Kentucky, Anthony was the consensus Number 1 pick. Reason being his defensive prowess, but nobody realized the potential he has offensively until his second season. Averaging 20.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, Davis was just scratching the surface on what he will be in the future. The next season he boosted just about everywhere on the stat line with 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. The most talked about stat being his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) being one of the highest in NBA history at 30.8. His rise to superstardom isn't over with. And even though the New Orleans Pelicans were swept in the First Round, You could see the potential problems Davis' team can cause. Going into the 2015-16 NBA season Anthony Davis will be looking to take the next step in his team's advancement and make it to the second round, but with his ability, who knows how far he can take this team. I strongly believe he can be the best player of his generation.

4. Blake Griffin (2009)

After sitting out for a year with a knee injury, Blake Griffin finally was able to enter the NBA in his debut season hitting the ground running. Averaging 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, reviving a struggling franchise, and winning Rookie of the Year honors he did something that hasn't been done since Yao Ming. He made the NBA All Star team in his first season. He also was the first rookie to average 20 points and 10 rebounds since Elton Brand.  Entering the NBA Blake Griffin was a force at the University of Oklahoma. As a sophomore, earning the National Player of the Year award averaging just under 23 points and 14 rebounds it was clear cut who would be the First Overall pick. As you can see he hasn't disappointed. Making the All Star team every year of his career, this previous season was a one to remember for him. He posted a career high 5.3 assists per game. NBA writer Rob Mahoney stated "The overtly dominant aspects of Griffin’s play have made him one of the season’s greatest delights, but his game clearly stretches beyond the scoring and rebounding columns...his passing aptitude should serve as a reminder of the substance in his game. The dunks are great, but it’s his multiple-layered impact that has paved his early road to stardom." Blake Griffin is and will be for a while in the conversation for the best Power Forward in the NBA today. It's going to be fun to watch his growth his the LA Clippers and their newly vamped team looking to make the next step to the NBA Finals. 

5. Yao Ming (2002)

 

 

It's funny how quickly a player's greatness can be forgotten so quickly. Yao Ming's NBA career was shortened due to foot and ankle injuries. Yao Ming at 7'6", brought the game to new heights (pun intended). Drafted First overall in 2002, it wasn't easy at first for Yao to adjust to the NBA. His first game scoring 0 points and only grabbing 2 rebounds. He finish his first season averaging 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game and making the All Star team as a starter over the 1992 First Overall selection Shaquille O`Neal and the first rookie to start in the All Star game since Grant Hill. Yao went on to make a total of 8 NBA All Star appearances, 5 All NBA selections, and career averages of 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. He along with many other international players paved a bridge between the United States and the rest of the world when it comes to basketball. He is for sure a future member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Second Overall

1. Kevin Durant (2007)

 

 

Last season it was a struggle to watch one of the top talents in the NBA be riddled by injuries. Barring injuries Kevin Durant has an argument as the best player in the NBA. Coming into the 2007 NBA draft Durant was coming off a season at the University of Texas where he dazzled the basketball world winning the National Player of the Year award as a freshman being the first to do so. That season, he averaged 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, shooting 40.4% from 3 point range. A huge debate went on coming in to that draft of who should be the first pick Greg Oden, who also had a phenomenal freshman season or Kevin Durant. Portland eventually went on to pick Oden and the rest is history. Oden struggled with injuries while Durant went on to win the Rookie of the Year award averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds in 80 games that season finishing off the year with a season high 42 points. That would be the beginning of the 4 time scoring champion's dominance of the NBA. The 2013-14 season may have been his best season so far. He earned MVP honors averaging 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, also leading his Oklahoma City Thunder team to a 59-23 record without All Star teammate Russell Westbrook for a good part of the season. Coming into the 2015-16 NBA season it seems as even though the Thunder didn't make the playoffs last season they have high championship hopes coming in. And that definitely comes from the ability of Kevin Durant.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge (2006)

 

 

In 2006 Andrea Bargnani was considered to be the next Dirk Nowitzki. A 7 footer who could shoot was a dream to all the NBA teams. The Toronto Raptors drew the first pick and selected the Italian big man. Let's just say Bargnani didn't really meet the Dirk standards put on him. Next pick was another player who was nearly 7 feet tall with touch from out to 15 feet. That player is currently a four time All Star, 3 time All NBA select, and a new member of the San Antonio Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge didn't start off as the potential 20 point 10 rebound player we see today. His first season was a learning experience for him, averaging 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.The following season was nearly doubled his scoring averaging 17.8 points per game, along with 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. Aldridge is the prime example of the prototypical pick and pop player. In his 9 year career in which he's averaged of 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1 block, he has lead the Portland Trailblazers to the playoffs 5 times along with the help of star guards along the way like Brandon Roy and Damian Lillard. What seem to be his best years so far have been the past 2 in which he posted 23.3 points and 10.7 rebounds Now he heads to an already championship contending team, the San Antonio Spurs. It will be exciting to see how his career continues playing for such a high caliber team.

3. Tyson Chandler (2001)

 

When Tyson Chandler entered the NBA he had some very high expectations. He was compared to a former MVP Kevin Garnett. Those are very lofty comparisons to put on a kid that just graduated from high school's shoulders. Chandler's career reminds me of wine because it gets better with age. As a young player, he was still trying to figure out his identity as a basketball player. It started to come together for him around the 2006-07 in which he averaged 9.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Even now that he is entering his mid 30's, he is still a huge defensive presence. In 2011 he was the anchor to the defense that defeated the very much hyped Miami Heat team and their Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. And at the age of 30 he made his first and only NBA All Star team. With career averages of 8.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks, Chandler will never be KG but he has been one of the toughest defensive players in the league.

 

4. Emeka Okafor (2004)

 

 

Coming off a National Championship, many people thought Emeka Okafor would be the First pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Dwight Howard was ultimately selected, but that pick was questionable at first. Emeka Okafor just finished a 3 year career at UConn with averages of 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game. Even after that, his rookie season he was named the best rookie his first season by being named the Rookie of the Year with averages of 15.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. As a defensive specialist, he was a leader in the shot blocking department throughout his career, averaging a career high 2.6 blocks in the 2006-07 season. Today Okafor is looking to make it back into the NBA. He wasn't signed last season, but his defensive skills could help many teams off the bench this year .

5. Marvin Williams (2005)

Marvin Williams is another player who has been solid in the NBA, but that's it. He's been a great role player on some pretty tough Atlanta teams. Especially in the 2007-08 season where the Atlanta Hawks took the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs.  That season he averaged 14.8 points and  5.7 rebounds in the regular season and 11.4 points and 4 rebounds in the playoffs. At UNC, Williams was a big contributor on the 2005 National Championship team. His lone freshman season he averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. Going into the draft teams couldn't help but love the potential the lanky 6'8 small forward posessed. Williams is the perfect player on a really good team. This year being on the Charlotte Hornets with some new talent, let's see how he helps them in their development.

 

Third Overall

1. Carmelo Anthony (2003)

In 2003, the NBA Draft's main focus was an 18 year high school kid from Akron, Ohio. The second seemed to be an unknown 7 footer from Serbia. Then there was Carmelo Anthony. At the end of the college season in 2003, he looked like the best college basketball player on the planet. Averaging 22.2 points, and 10 rebounds as a freshman at Syracuse University, he won a National Championship with the team and was eventually drafted by the Denver Nuggets at the 3rd overall pick. LeBron James was the 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, but Carmelo put up a fight for the award as well leading his team to the playoffs with a 43-39 record averaging 21 points and 6.1 rebounds. Carmelo continued to grow into superstardom. Carmelo Anthony has become an 8 time All Star, 6 time All NBA selection, and a scoring champion. His scoring ability is like very few in NBA history. He has the ability to post players and also take them to the perimeter has score which allows him to play the small forward and power forward position. Carmelo entered the NBA with the ability to score like a polished veteran. Even in his veteran years, there is no stopping him from scoring 25+ points. On January 24, 2014, Anthony set the New York Knicks' single game scoring record by scoring a career high 62 points. He also has been one the best players in crucial moments in games. In 2005-06 he hit 5 game winners with under 5 seconds left in the 4th quarter or overtime. With the New York Knicks this upcoming season, he is looking to revitalize the team after an nightmare-like season for the city. It will be tough but for Carmelo Anthony, he's up for the challenge.

2. James Harden (2009)

I'll be the first to tell you that I expected James Harden to be a pretty good player, but I didn't expect him to be this good. Without question "The Beard" is the best Shooting Guard in the NBA. His projection coming into the 2009 NBA Draft was pretty much on point. A left handed guard, who is crafty with the ball. Sounds just like the player he was compared to the most. Manu Ginobili, a former All Star with the Spurs. And like Manu, his role with the Thunder was very similar. Especially in the 2011-12 seasin where he won the 6th man of the year award, averaging 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. The following season, he would find himself in a situation I wouldn't think would be for him. The star player on his team. He took to it with such ease that it caught me off guard. He averaged 25.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists with the Houston Rockets. His best season so far being this previous season where he averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Harden not only had career highs in nearly every statistical category, he led his Houston Rockets to the Western Conference Finals where they battled the eventual NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors. He also finished 2nd in the MVP race. At only 26 years old, Harden has plenty of more winning and growing to do in the NBA. The Houston Rockets improved this season, adding another guard with playmaking ability. Could this mean Harden could take that next step to leading his team to the NBA Finals? We'll find out in June.

3. Pau Gasol (2001)

I read a scouting report saying Pau Gasol was a more polished Robert Horry. I think he surpassed that. He entered the NBA as a skinny 7 footer with range. Similar to a few International prospects before him like Dirk Nowitzki and Toni Kukoc. The difference with Pau and these players is Pau came with All Star ability. Scouting reports say Pau needed work on his post skills, his defense, his rebounding, and his shot selection. How ironic is it that those "weaknesses" are his strengths. It was also questioned whether or not he would immediately play. After being traded on draft night for Shareef Abdur-Rahim, he entered the season as the face of the Memphis Grizzlies. He went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award averaging 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks, and in his 15 year career, he's been named a 5 time NBA All Star and a 4 time All NBA selection. The beginning of his career though he did have talent, it was overshadowed by the success of his team. In the 2007-08 season he was traded to the Lakers. He was able to help bring them two NBA championships in 3 Finals appearances. And even after many thought he was starting to slow down as he gets older, he was able to rejuvenate himself and average 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game with the Chicago Bulls and also starting in the 2015 NBA All Star game. Gasol has been one of the best international players in the NBA and looks like he will continue to be.

4. Deron Williams (2005)

There was a time where it was a legitimate argument  on who was the best point guard in the NBA between Chris Paul and Deron Williams. This battle began in the college ranks and continued to the NBA Draft when Williams was selected 3rd overall, 1 spot ahead of Paul. Chris Paul went on to win Rookie of the Year and looked like the comparison was ludicrous, but the next year Deron showed everyone he still was in the same ranks as Chris Paul. In Deron's second season he averaged 16.2 points and 9.3 assists per game, being in the running for Most Improved Player after averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 assists the season before. 7 times Deron Williams has been in the top 5 in assists per game. He's also been a phenomenal scorer as well, twice averaging of 20 points per game along with with at least 8 assists. In recent time Deron Williams has had multiple injuries which have plagued his play. Starting fresh with the Dallas Mavericks he looks to revamp his career. With averages of 17 points and 8.5 assists; If he can get back into that area in terms of production, the Mavericks will be a contender in the Western Conference.

5. Al Horford (2007)

The 2007 NBA Draft was a Freshman focused draft. Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, and Mike Conley were some of the top names of that draft at the time. There were a few seniors though however that were highly thought of. One being Al Horford. Coming out of the University of Florida and two National Championships, Al Horford showed the most promise out of any Florida prospect. He was selected 3rd by the Atlanta Hawks and made his case for Rookie of the Year, leading his team to the playoffs, and going 7 games with the eventual NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics averaging 12.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. He finished the regular season averaging 10.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Now going into his 9th season, he's had some injury riddled years but that hasn't prevented him from being a 3 time All Star and now more of a scoring force on the Hawks. When he first entered the NBA, he was used for more of his defensive skills. Now with Joe Johnson in Brooklyn and Josh Smith in LA, he gets more opportunities with the ball in his hands. the past three years he's averaged 17.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. After winning 60 games last season and a loss in the Eastern Conference Finals, Horford and the Atlanta Hawks are looking to finally make it to the NBA Finals. Let's see how they grow and improve from the best record in Atlanta Hawks history.

Fourth Overall

 

1. Chris Paul (2005)

 

 Arguably the best point guard in the NBA, Chris Paul walked in as already one of the best. After a two year stint at Wake Forest University, Chris Paul entered the 2005 NBA Draft being considered the best  player in the draft, however a point guard wasn't what the Milwaukee Bucks were looking for at the first pick. Neither were the Atlanta Hawks at 2. At the 3rd pick, Deron Williams was actually selected over Chris Paul. It's odd to call a player a steal at the 4th pick in the draft but you can say that considering the player Chris Paul has become. Winning the NBA Rookie of the Year with only one vote going to another player for first place, and averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 points, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals, he was the best point guard prospect dating back to Jason Kidd it looked like. His next year also show All Star like play averaging 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.8 steals, but his season had some bumps along the road, playing only 64 games and missing the playoffs. In the 2007-08 season, Paul showed why he should be known as the best point guard in the NBA. Averaging an astonishing 21.1 points, 4 rebounds, 11.6 assists, and 2.7 steals he carried the New Orleans Hornets to the playoffs. This year he also made his first All Star team in which New  Orleans was hosting the festivities. Paul is mainly known for his maestro like passing leading the NBA in that category 4 times. To date he is closing in on a milestone number of 7,000 assists in his career making him 1 of 15 players to do so. With the new era Los Angeles Clippers, he is looking to add an NBA title to his resume` of 8 All Star selections, 7 All NBA selections, and 7 All NBA Defensive team selections. With players like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and newly acquired player like Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson, the Clippers look like they could be the last team standing in June with Chris Paul at the helms.

2. Russell Westbrook (2008)

 

 There's two things I can remember about Russell Westbrook before he got to the NBA. The dunk on Jamal Boykin and the fact he won Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac-10 (now the Pac-12). Westbrook was a prospect who was a high risk, high reward type player. And what a reward he was to the Thunder. To be honest, I didn't think Westbrook would go as high as 4, but yet another player who can be considered a steal at the 4th pick. Westbrook's rookie season, he arguably had a good bid for Rookie of the Year. Out of all rookies, he was 4th in scoring, averaging 15.3 points, 9th in rebounds with 4.9 per game, 2nd in assists with 5.3 per game, 2nd in steals with 1.3 per game, and 4th in minutes played averaging 32.5 per game. This season show his ability to play the point guard position. His ability was even more outstanding the next season when his assists numbers grew to 8 per game. Westbrook has the green light at all times and is unstoppable attacking the rim. He's such an exciting player to watch with multiple arrays of dunks and passion for the game of basketball. His past season has definitely been his best individual season performance in which he played most of the season without Kevin Durant. He averaged 28.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. This season he won the scoring title just like his teammate Durant did the year before and also recorded 11 triple doubles, twice having 2 back to back. His performance gave him his fourth NBA All Star appearance as well as an 2nd Team All NBA selection and fourth place finish in the MVP race. Westbrook is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes in the history of the NBA. With career averages of 21.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.7 steals, he's solidified himself in the conversation for not only being possibly the best point guard in the NBA, but also possibly the best player. With a healthy Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder look ready to go after the NBA title.

3. Chris Bosh (2003)

 

The Miami Heat won two championships in the past 5 years. Most of the credit goes to their two superstars at the time, Lebron James (now with the Cavs) and Dwyane Wade. Most fans forget about the importance of Chris Bosh in those two Larry O'Brien trophies. With the Miami Heat, Bosh seemed to have taken the biggest sacrifice. He played the star role player on the team while LeBron and Wade starred in the show. Let's not forget Bosh was in the conversation for best power forward in the NBA at one point. Coming out of Georgia Tech as a freshman, he was drafted fourth overall to the Toronto Raptors. He averaged a respectable 11.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in his rookie season. He then went on to become on of the Raptors history, becoming the all time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, double doubles, free throws made, and minutes. He also was the first player in Raptors history to score 10,000 points. Bosh was able to make 5 All Star teams in Toronto as well as a 2nd team All NBA selection in the 2006-07 season. Now with LeBron in Cleveland, and Wade winding down, Bosh is looked as the Alpha of the team. With his ability to face up and also play with his back to the basket, he looks to continue his already astonishing career. With a total of 10 All Star selections, Bosh looks to be on the path to the Basketball Hall of Fame one day.

4. Mike Conley (2007)

 

Not many would've expected Mike Conley to have a more successful career than his Ohio State teammate and former 1st pick overall Greg Oden. Conley may have never been selected for an All Star team yet in his 9 year career, but he looks like one helping a defensive minded Memphis Grizzlies team battle in the Western Conference. Coming into the NBA he had very inconsistent play averaging a modest 9.4 points and 4.2 assists. The Grizzlies continued to help their star point guard develop by trading the other competing point guards on the team away like Kyle Lowry, who eventually found success in Toronto. In the 2013-14 season Conley average a career high 17.2 points per game and 6 assists to go with his scoring increase. Conley is considered to be one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Whenever the top point guards in the league topic comes up it is easy to forget his name to due the little flash he brings. His game is an example of his team grit and grind. He is an old fashion player who gets the job done. With career averages of 13.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals, his numbers won't wow you but watch him play and I guarantee you that you will know why many players in the NBA have so much respect for him.


5. Tyreke Evans (2009)



Like another player on this list Tyreke Evans is one of four players in NBA history to average 20 points, 5, rebounds, and 5 assists in their rookie season. Maybe that is why it was undeniable that he was the best rookie of the 2009-10 season. He looked like a potential superstar. With the Sacramento Kings, his 20.1 points led all rookies, he was fifth in rebounds with 5.3,  and second in assists with 5.8. During his lone season in Memphis, he led the Tigers to a 33-4 record, averaging 17.1 points,, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.  And even though throughout his career his role has somewhat diminished, he still is a very versatile and effective player. This past season he averaged a career high in assists with 6.6 while also averaging 16.6 points, and 5.3 rebounds. Along with Anthony Davis, they led the New Orlenas Pelicans to the playoffs and battled with the eventual champion Golden State Warriors, and the reigning MVP Stephen Curry. He holds a very all around game with career averages of 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists, Tyreke is still young so who knows how much more he can blossom. With new coach Alvin Gentry, this team could go places with their young core.

 

Let a Young Man Get Paid.

Let a Young Man Get Paid

As we all know already know, the NBA lottery was won by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Once again  the top tier players in the draft are mainly freshman. Every year it seems there are a bunch of 18-19 year old kids who go to college for one or two semesters just to leave right afterwards.

Since 2007, seven out of the last eight first picks have been freshman. For the most part it seems like these players should've at least had the opportunity to enter the NBA draft coming out of high school. But ever since 2007, the NBA has banned high schoolers the ability to go to the NBA. The problem with that though is why can't a young man have the opportunity to use his skills to create income? Now there are some reasons I somewhat agree with onto why it was banned. It does give the young men the opportunity to do a little bit of growing up before they go into a "Man's" league. It also prevents apparel companies, agents, and other business folks from pressuring these young men to making decisions that could seriously alter their lives. But at the same time college isn't for everyone so why force someone to do something that may not be in their favor? I believe there should be another way for them to continue their journey why also learning the skills, basketball wise and life skill wise.

NBADL

The NBADL is a minor league organization for young players to develop and players looking for an opportunity to make it to the NBA. Many players have made the transition such as Danny Green, Avery Bradley, and even All NBA Defense Team member Draymond Green. Now high school players are allowed to enter the NBADL. However, is it worth going when the average D League salary is $25,500 and the exposure? I would think not. In this case I would say college is the better idea. But what if the NBA invested more in the D League? Rumor has it that the NBA has decided to increase the amount of teams in the D League so that every team has their own individual team. The only issue with that is that it would liquidate the D League talent wise. But let's say that they raised the average income of the players.

Let's say somewhere between $75,000-$100,000 and give more television time to this league. Many top notch high school athletes would find this option more of a higher value than to go overseas or go to college for a year. It gives these young men the opportunity to develop their talents, learn to be a professional, and also earn an income in which they can support themselves. This will bring more revenue to the NBA as well. The money put into the NCAA by these young men would also be going to them as well. The young men are not officially in the NBA, but they are in a position to be there within the next year. Who are we to say that a "kid" is not ready to be in that position? Many criticizers of the jump from high school say that these "kids" aren't ready for the jump. However, in sports like baseball, track & field and hockey, athletes are allowed to come out of high school, success or fail. A problem with our society is we try to protect the youth so much, we don't allow them to be successful young. Now I'm nowhere near saying that any of these young men are going to be Lebron James or Kevin Garnett, but what I am saying is that they should have the opportunity to be in the position to work towards that and focus on their craft.

College is a place where minds are given the opportunity to grow intellectually, emotionally, and creatively. For a lot of people it is where they find themselves. For some people it is a hassle in which they had no interest anyway. College basketball is a beautiful thing in which I too enjoy. I do however think that the college game is detrimental to some of these men. We are told to stay in school, but for some of them it takes away from their NBA draft stock. Harrison Barnes and Jared Sullinger stayed in college for an extra year and lost money on behalf of this. Could they have made more money going pro straight out of high school? Possibly. The point is that these young men should have an opportunity to Live their dream when they feel they're ready. Not when someone else feels they are. But since they aren't allowed to fully live it for a year, let them get a piece of what it is like to be a professional basketball player.

The rise of Hassan Whiteside and the new value for Centers in the NBA

For those reading thank you. This is my first attempt at trying to create a blog since I was in high school. My name is Marcus, I'm from Boston and I love basketball. I know you all don't want to hear all about me so I have a topic I have been thinking about ever since the day he stepped in South Beach as a forgotten entity. Hassan Whiteside.

For all you that have been following the NBA this season, you have heard of the 7 foot tall 265 lbs Center from Marshall University. He's having a magical year. A year in comparison to the rise of Jeremy Lin. He shows you what opportunity brings to a hungry individual just waiting to get it. Now we still have to wait to see if he continues this high level of play, but I believe that he has it in him.

I remember first hearing about Whiteside my senior year of high school. The talk of the country were the Fab freshmen like John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Lance Stephenson. Out of nowhere we hear about a freshman averaging 13 points 9 rebounds and 5 blocks per game from Marshall University. I started watching him and analyzing his game. He seemed like he could potentially be a player in the likes of Marcus Camby minus the jump shot. Only thing I thought he needed was to get more muscle on him and to become that mean gritty guy. As the season went on his draft stock rose. Offensively he had no skill but I believed in his potential as a rim stopper. He enters the draft as I expect and ends up going low as a second round pick. As his career begins he really was on the wrong team in my opinion. Being on a team who just drafted Demarcus Cousins I felt that was not a good place for him to develop. He struggles and ends up going to the NBADL and eventually overseas in places like China and Lebanon. At that point I thought his NBA career was pretty much at his end. I nearly forgot about him until I saw he was finally back in the NBA. 

Now what's interesting is that Hassan was on a team about a week before he was signed to the Miami Heat. He was on the Memphis Grizzlies. He didn't even play. He's let go, suits up for Miami on November 25, 2014 and really didn't get a true opportunity until late December. Out of nowhere he is dominating. He is putting up double doubles and even a triple double. Most recently he posted a box score of 18 points, 25 rebounds, and 4 blocks against the Lakers which made me just think about how far this guy has come finally being on the right team.

 Now the NBA has transitioned their style of play over the years. It is different slightly in my opinion from even 4-5 years ago. The Center position has improved by how they are used now. This made Hassan's position for the Heat ideal for him. A new trend has been brought up which seems like the new formula for success. Having your man in the middle be focused on dominating defensively and on the rebounds. These players don't get plays offensively ran for them. They are scoring off simply putting all their effort into getting rebounds and running the floor. You see players like Rudy Gobert, Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan, and of course Hassan Whiteside become focal players and even borderline All Stars because these type of player's value has risen. 

Hassan Whiteside will never be an elite nor decent post scorer in the NBA but if he keeps this passion for defending and grabbing rebounds up he could be a potential All Star no question in my mind. He is only 24 so the sky is the limit for him to improve once teams bring more focus to him.