Please note, Amir is not on the list
:stirthepot:


CNNSI recently listed off ten NBA players on the verge of stardom:
Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls.
Deron Williams, Utah Jazz.
Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics.
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers.
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks.
Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats.
Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets.
Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers.
Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings.
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors.

My Quick Take: I like all the players on CNNSI’s list. However, a few players were left off or omitted from Generation Next, so I thought I would produce an honorable mention section with five slept-on potential stars. These guys are currently a notch below CNNSI’s list, but have the potential to become a prime-time, future star:

Slept-on Potential Stars:

Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns: The Brazilian Blur is an established semi-star after winning the sixth man award. But there’s more to Barbosa (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-players/leandro-barbosa-ar20858.html)’s game. And he never gets enough credit. Could his attacking style land him in the All-Star game next season?

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors: Bargnani (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-players/andrea-bargnani-ar23631.html) at 19 years old is an evolved version of Dirk Nowitzki. Even Nowitzki agrees that the Raptors’ rookie is as tight as David Hasselhoff’s last CD. Bargnani will become unstoppable if he develops his mid-range game and gets a little tougher.

Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers: Too bad about the Kobe cell phone video. Bynum (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-players/andrew-bynum-ar23020.html) has certainly had an up-and-down first two seasons in the NBA, but all the tools are there. He just needs some more touches and confidence to develop into a 15 point, 10 rebound center. Maybe more!

Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors: The Spanish lead guard took a giant step in his second NBA season; in fact, many Raptor fans feel he’s the team’s point guard of the future, not T.J. Ford. He plays with a lot of confidence, which is so important for point guards. If he gets a starting gig, Calderon (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-players/jose-calderon-ar29168.html) will quickly become a top eight table-setter.

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers: One year wonder or the re-incarnation of B.J. Armstrong? Only time will tell. But Gibson (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-teams/cleveland-cavaliers-ar45.html) gave us some nice flashes during the NBA playoffs.


NBA Blog (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/five-slept-on-future-nba-stars-leandro-barbosa-andrea-bargnani-andrew-bynum-jose-calderon-daniel-gibson-ar45278.html)

Calderon is a fantastic point guard. Think Arroyo with less dribbling and more penetration. He's also got that passion and focus during games that sets him apart.

I really like the Raptors' core, but Bosh and Calderon are the two guys whose box scores I monitor.

I agree. I love Calderon! He's an energy guy with skills and a great attitude. He really can do it all. He would be PERFECT for our bench.

The problem is of course that Toronto loves him as well. Apparently they had a lot of interest in him from other teams this off season.

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers: One year wonder or the re-incarnation of B.J. Armstrong? Only time will tell. But Gibson (http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-teams/cleveland-cavaliers-ar45.html) gave us some nice flashes during the NBA playoffs.


B.J. Armstrong? I thought we were talking about future stars. And someone who comes "out of nowhere" in the playoffs like that is someone who hasn't been contributing all year. A flash in the pan in my book.

Al Jefferson. Interesting. Maybe McHale is getting his scouting reports from CNNSI.

I don't think anyone in the Boston area reads any sports pages except for the Boston Globe and ESPN and definitely not CNN anything. LOL

Maybe that explains why Ainge traded a player on the verge of stardom for one entering the twilight of his career as a star.

:hoops:

Calderon, Bargnani, and Barbosa will be the real deal next season.

David Lee is a sleeper.

And I think Darko may finally have his day next year.


The real Darkhorse, of course is Mr. Amir Johnson. If he can translate a fraction of his numbers from the NBDL to the NBA, watch out.

If Darko reaches stardom, than the "Most Improved Player" award is his cause he was the "most talked about failure" the last few years.

If Darko reaches stardom, than the "Most Improved Player" award is his cause he was the "most talked about failure" the last few years.
Excellent point. The league would love for him to earn that award. And it's there for the taking.

Excellent point. The league would love for him to earn that award. And it's there for the taking.

If Darko doesn't win the most improved, I will burn my DHOF card. Everything is finally in place for him. He will be in the same position to succeed that Okur was in when he went to Utah. It's all up to the big Serb now, no excuses.

If Darko doesn't win the most improved, I will burn my DHOF card. Everything is finally in place for him. He will be in the same position to succeed that Okur was in when he went to Utah. It's all up to the big Serb now, no excuses.

We're gonna hold you to this, 16.

We're gonna hold you to this, 16.
Seriously, if Darko doesn't start showing huge gains by the All-Star break, I'll bury my DHOF badge next to my DHHOF badge (Drew Henson HOF).

If Darko doesn't win the most improved, I will burn my DHOF card. Everything is finally in place for him. He will be in the same position to succeed that Okur was in when he went to Utah. It's all up to the big Serb now, no excuses.

I'll believe it when I see it. ;)

Seriously, if Darko doesn't start showing huge gains by the All-Star break, I'll bury my DHOF badge next to my DHHOF badge (Drew Henson HOF).

With the poor year Darko had last year he has nowhere to go but up. He should improve.

With the poor year Darko had last year he has nowhere to go but up. He should improve.
Improve he should, but by how much? There has to be a jump in his output at some point. Otherwise, he may never live up to the original expectations.

Seriously, if Darko doesn't start showing huge gains by the All-Star break, I'll bury my DHOF badge next to my DHHOF badge (Drew Henson HOF).

Shame about what has happened to Drew Henson. He was invited to the Minnesota Vikings camp last week basically as an extra QB to throw balls during practice. In their first pre-season game, the Vikings played their recent low draft pick from a place called "Costal Carolina". This candidate played his college games in front of 1,700 fans. Drew Henson did not play at all in the preseason game.

I still think Deng has the ability to take it up a notch.

Seriously, if Darko doesn't start showing huge gains by the All-Star break, I'll bury my DHOF badge next to my DHHOF badge (Drew Henson HOF).

16....zat you? You still sleeping with that badge? So what are you calling "huge gains?" Would averaging 10/5 be considered huge? Or 15/10?

16....zat you? You still sleeping with that badge? So what are you calling "huge gains?" Would averaging 10/5 be considered huge? Or 15/10?
Considering DMC won't be the primary scorer or rebounder, his role should be similar to Sheed's when we won the title, so huge gains would be at a minimum matching Sheed's #'s, 14/7, plus showing some strong Defense, and blocking a lot of shots.

Also, if Stuckey can score, Flip will play him. Don't expect rookie of the year, but he could make some noise.

DMC's, points and rebounds must add up to 23+ per game. Anything less is a disappointment.

To me Darko would show a huge improvement if a lot of his missed shots (that weren't really passes off the glass) almost went in. That's all I'm looking for.

DMC's, points and rebounds must add up to 23+ per game. Anything less is a disappointment.

The number 23? Michael Jordan? Future star? Coincidence?

Don't expect rookie of the year, but he could make some noise.

Durant has rookie of the year locked up unless he gets hurt an plays less than 60 games.

PPG 24
FTAPG 10
RPG 3.5
FG% .405

:hoops:

Durant has rookie of the year locked up unless he gets hurt an plays less than 60 games.

PPG 24
FTAPG 10
RPG 3.5
FG% .405

:hoops:
Have to agree, it's a race for 2nd place though. Oden will take time to develop his game.

DMC's, points and rebounds must add up to 23+ per game. Anything less is a disappointment.

That may be a tough hurdle. On the Pistons, Rip Hamilton was the only player to accomplish that last year with 23.1. Sheed was at 22.0 and was in 2nd place.

Ben Wallace was at 18.2.

Also, Darko will be sharing with Pau Gasol, who averaged 20.8 ppg and 9.8 rpg.


I think you'd have to go with an overall measurement, like Roland Rating (the system that rated Lebron and Kobe 1 and 2 in the playoffs). His optimal performance will involve facilitating, fitting in, and producing. Basically, he needs to be somewhere between a ball hog and wallpaper.

Basically, he needs to be somewhere between a ball hog and wallpaper.
You mean like, breathing with his eyes open? :pound:

23+

Applies to big men. Obviously Chauncey beat the mark with points and assists.

Without looking at stats, I feel safe saying that LBJ, Wade, Bosh and Melo all hit or exceed that mark.

Yep, just checked, they are all in the 30+ range.

Heck TJ Ford was a 21.9 last season (points/assists)

If folks want to post about the resurrection of Darko and the failures of Joe Dumars as it relates to his pick, during this season, then I think it is high time he actually produces. In a measurable and obvious way.

23 +

If you count points, rebounds, assists and steals then Kobe beats that mark in just one quarter probably 1 out of every 4 or 5 games.

:hoops:

23 +

If you count points, rebounds, assists and steals then Kobe beats that mark in just one quarter probably 1 out of every 4 or 5 games.



He averaged 44.1 last year or 11 a quarter. So maybe he doesn't get 23+ in a quarter in 1 out of every 4 or 5 games, but for sure in two quarters in just about every game.

Though I know for sure that he does get an occasional 23 + quarter.

:hoops:

23+

Applies to big men. Obviously Chauncey beat the mark with points and assists.

Without looking at stats, I feel safe saying that LBJ, Wade, Bosh and Melo all hit or exceed that mark.

Yep, just checked, they are all in the 30+ range.

Heck TJ Ford was a 21.9 last season (points/assists)

If folks want to post about the resurrection of Darko and the failures of Joe Dumars as it relates to his pick, during this season, then I think it is high time he actually produces. In a measurable and obvious way.

You're expecting Darko to get Tyson Chandler-like numbers?

I believe that Dumars mistake with regard to Darko, was not realizing that Brown didn't like to play players that haven't learned their game in America.

I think if Joe D. had known this he probably would have taken someone like Bosh and not Darko.

If the Spurs had drafted Darko Pop would have done a lot better job in developing him than Brown did and Darko would be a top notch big man at this time.

:hoops:

I guess 23+ is a good benchmark if you expect him to be better than Sheed, Dyess, Ben Wallace, and Marcus Camby.

By the way, I was looking at the Pistons playoff stats before by mistake. Their regular season numbers are worse.

Sheed is only a 19.5
Webber is an 18.0
Dyess is a 14.1
Maxiell is a 7.8
Ben Wallace - 17.1

So Maxiell, who we love, only produces 1/3 of what you require for DM.


As for me, I'm not expecting big stats from Darko this year for the same reason he didn't get them last year. He is going to be part of a twin tower situation and will have to share/ defer more than he would if he went to a team where he was the lone big man.

I think that if he continues to be a force in the paint on offense and defense, and the Grizz get to the playoffs, then they will get what they paid for.

I guess 23+ is a good benchmark if you expect him to be better than Sheed, Dyess, Ben Wallace, and Marcus Camby.
I simply expect him to start performing at the level of his draft classmates. The "intangible" Darko theory is starting to get out of control. Let's see some tangible points and rebounds on a night in, night out basis. Not the intangible ones that he tipped to teammates and the points he contributed to by making the pass that led to the pass that scored.

The amount of hyperbole, backtracking, spinmeistering when it comes to Darko is quite frankly, worthy of a presidential campaign.

So Maxiell, who we love, only produces 1/3 of what you require for DM.
Are we talking about Roland Rating? Because if we are, I debunked it last year on the Detroit News forum.

As for me, I'm not expecting big stats from Darko this year for the same reason he didn't get them last year. He is going to be part of a twin tower situation and will have to share/ defer more than he would if he went to a team where he was the lone big man.
Well, there will always be an excuse. Player "X" takes all the shots, or player "Y" hogs the ball, or Coach "Z" doesn't use him effectively. Despite all of this, let's see some success, both individually and for the team. And by that, I mean putting up some #s. Memo does it as the 2nd option big man in Utah, shouldn't Memo #s be within DMC's reach?

I think that if he continues to be a force in the paint on offense and defense, and the Grizz get to the playoffs, then they will get what they paid for.
They will probably get what they paid for. But he was drafted to be a max player big man after his rookie deal.

Look, my point is that if we're going to continue to monitor this guy's progress, with the insinuation (from some only) that his every success is a black eye on the Pistons, then I'd like to start talking about his success and growth in measurable terms.

No extra camera angles, no shootaround accuracy reports, no bloodflow, no European sportsmanship constraints (y'all know what I am talking about), no more hyperbole.

I guess 23+ is a good benchmark if you expect him to be better than Sheed, Dyess, Ben Wallace, and Marcus Camby.

By the way, I was looking at the Pistons playoff stats before by mistake. Their regular season numbers are worse.

Sheed is only a 19.5
Webber is an 18.0
Dyess is a 14.1
Maxiell is a 7.8
Ben Wallace - 17.1

So Maxiell, who we love, only produces 1/3 of what you require for DM.


As for me, I'm not expecting big stats from Darko this year for the same reason he didn't get them last year. He is going to be part of a twin tower situation and will have to share/ defer more than he would if he went to a team where he was the lone big man.

I think that if he continues to be a force in the paint on offense and defense, and the Grizz get to the playoffs, then they will get what they paid for.

I think at some point you just have to get it done. I mean, you can be a Woody Austin sitting around and talking about how good you are, or you can produce some numbers and wins for your team. How many wins will the addition of Darko produce for Memphis?

All I'm saying is that he doesn't have to get to Lebron's level to be considered for most improved player.

I think that if he gets to Sheed's level, that would be a tremendous step.

How many wins will the addition of Darko produce for Memphis?

That is tough to say. If they make the playoffs, the reason will be that Gasol is not injured and their rookies performed.

All I'm saying is that he doesn't have to get to Lebron's level to be considered for most improved player.

I think that if he gets to Sheed's level, that would be a tremendous step.

The only way he would get T'd up as much as Sheed is if Larry Brown became head of NBA officials.

:hoops:

Are we talking about Roland Rating? Because if we are, I debunked it last year on the Detroit News forum.


No. I was talking about the un-debunkable Roscoe benchmark of 23 P+R/game. Maxiell gets about 7.

Ronald "Supe' Dup" Dupree. The pistons next black hole.

No. I was talking about the un-debunkable Roscoe benchmark of 23 P+R/game. Maxiell gets about 7.
Certainly it is a difference of opinion, and I am no more, and perhaps much less qualified to set the bar, but if I am setting it, lets set it high.

As far as picking on a guy who simply doesn't get the minutes to produce the #s, I think you will find that pro-rating Maxiell to Darko's #s by minute will yield that Maxey was a comparable statistical player. With 2 less years in the league, millions less dollars, and a much lower return draft position.

Player Comparison Machine (Beta) - Basketball-Reference.com (http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm.cgi?req=1&cum=0&p1=maxieja01&y1=2007&p2=milicda01&y2=2007)

Ronald "Supe' Dup" Dupree. The pistons next black hole.

Ron should be putting up Maurice Evans numbers this year...5 points and a couple of boards was Evans mark...so a total of 7 should be good for Dupree if he gets off the bench.

Certainly it is a difference of opinion, and I am no more, and perhaps much less qualified to set the bar, but if I am setting it, lets set it high.

As far as picking on a guy who simply doesn't get the minutes to produce the #s, I think you will find that pro-rating Maxiell to Darko's #s by minute will yield that Maxey was a comparable statistical player. With 2 less years in the league, millions less dollars, and a much lower return draft position.

Player Comparison Machine (Beta) - Basketball-Reference.com (http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm.cgi?req=1&cum=0&p1=maxieja01&y1=2007&p2=milicda01&y2=2007)

That's what I'm saying. For the time they are given, they are both producing rather nicely. The only major difference is the passing. They even foul at the same rate.

Darko has had more time in the league, but he is also 2 years younger and didn't get the college experience of "being the man," which would have probably helped.

The draft position and the money... Maxiell will be making a nice chunk of change when he signs his second contract too.

As far as the 23 per game. I hope Maxiell goes out and does it for us. It would be a spectacular improvement.

I simply expect him to start performing at the level of his draft classmates. The "intangible" Darko theory is starting to get out of control. Let's see some tangible points and rebounds on a night in, night out basis. Not the intangible ones that he tipped to teammates and the points he contributed to by making the pass that led to the pass that scored.


Have to agree with this. If Darko is going to prove that he was deserving of the #2 pick, he is going to have to put up big numbers in his first real chance of playing.

If he just puts up decent or above average #s he proves that he isn't a bust, but that Darko should have been a late lottery pick, not the #2.

Have to agree with this. If Darko is going to prove that he was deserving of the #2 pick, he is going to have to put up big numbers in his first real chance of playing.

If he just puts up decent or above average #s he proves that he isn't a bust, but that Darko should have been a late lottery pick, not the #2.

Yeah but if he doesn't show improvement isn't it still LB's fault for ruining his confidence as a young and fragile man?

At the age of 21, he compares favorably to this #1 pick:
Player Comparison Machine (Beta) - Basketball-Reference.com (http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm.cgi?req=1&cum=0&p1=bargnan01&y1=2007&p2=milicda01&y2=2007)

And also this one:
Player Comparison Machine (Beta) - Basketball-Reference.com (http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm.cgi?req=1&cum=0&p1=bogutan01&y1=2006&p2=milicda01&y2=2007)

Interesting. He's also almost in the Kwame Brown range:

Player Comparison Machine (Beta) - Basketball-Reference.com (http://tinyurl.com/2c4c9f)

Yes, very similar indeed.

They are even more similar if you compare him to the current Kwame (at 24 years old).