8. Andre Iguodala(6'6" - 23 years old - G/F - Philadelphia 76ers)
19.0/5.6/4.6/2.3/0.7/3.1/44.0%/31.7%/76.7%/39.2
The "other" AI in Philadelphia, the fourth year player was thrust into the lead role of the 76ers when AI demanded a trade last year. While the argument has been made that Iggy's strength is in a Scottie Pippen-type swiss-army-knife complementary role to another star, the numbers don't lie. Iguodala's racked up some big time numbers across the board, leading his team in scoring while contributing on the boards, as a playmaker, and as an excellent defender averaging more than two rips a game. Plus he was completely robbed at All-Star Weekend two years ago in the dunk contest by Nate Robinson, despite having the best dunk of the contest by far.
9. Al Jefferson(6'10" - 23 years old - F/C - Minnesota Timberwolves)
20.3/12.0/1.3/1.0/1.4/2.1/49.1%/--/69.9%/36.3
The lynchpin in the Celtics acquisition of Kevin Garnett. What kind of player would be worth acquiring by giving up KG? A 23 year old monster in the post, whose become one of the league's top post scorers, as well as an absolute rebounding machine and excellent shot blocker through his use of his massive frame in position and his athletic ability often hidden by his size. Also notable in his low number of turnovers considering he's a big man that is very much the centerpiece of the Wolves offense.
10-11. The Jazz (Deron Williams & Carlos Boozer)Deron Williams
(6'3" - 23 years old - G - Utah Jazz)
19.3/3.0/9.1/1.1/0.3/3.5/51.6%/40.0%/78.4%/36.5
The Stockton/Malone comparisons are a bit played out at this point, but there's an argument to be made. Deron Williams is quietly positioning himself as one of the league's top point guards, dishing out nine assists a game, while taking his share of the scoring load with 19 points a game on ridiculous 51.6% shooting and 40% shooting from three point range. Able to get to the rack on anybody thanks to his big frame for a guard and his penchant for knocking down big crucial shots has drawn a lot of comparisons to Chauncey Billups, and it's certainly deserved.
Carlos Boozer
(6'9" - 26 years old - F - Utah Jazz)
22.8/10.8/2.9/1.2/0.5/2.7/55.0%/--/72.5%/34.7
Ugh. I can't believe I'm praising a Dukie. Especially after the shit he pulled with the Cleveland free agency. But C-Booz has been playing exceptional over the past two seasons, drawing the Karl Malone comparisons with ease by running the pick and roll to perfection and outworking his defenders on the nightly. Not bad for a former second round pick.
12. Chris Kaman(7'0" - 25 years old - C - Los Angeles Clippers)
17.4/13.8/1.9/0.5/3.1/3.1/47.3%/--/74.9%/39.4
When the Class of 2003 extension time rolled around, a lot of people believed Chris Kaman was paid too much. His unfortunate 06-07 campaign didn't do much to disprove the critics either. But Elton Brand blowing up his Achilles tendon opened up a door, and Kaman has completely kicked it open this season. Despite being on a ragged Clippers squad, Kaman opened the season with MVP type numbers, and is currently averaging over 17 points and a crazy 13.8 boards a game, with an outstanding 3.1 blocks a contest. When Elton Brand gets back into the mix, the Clippers could have quite the low post tandem on their hands.
13. Kevin Martin(6'7" - 24 years old - G - Sacramento Kings)
24.9/4.6/1.8/1.4/0.1/2.1/47.3%/41.4%/86.0%/37.6
Stealth player of the year last year. Former star at Western Carolina and picked in the end of the first round of the 2004 draft by the Kings, Martin has developed into an absurdly efficient scorer who uses an array of crafty moves to the rack and pull-up jumpers to knock down shots and pile up points at the free throw line. His notable height for his position with his wiry frame makes him a terror to defend from anywhere on the court, and is a critical part of the Kings developing youth core.
14. Josh Smith(6'9" - 22 years old - F - Atlanta Hawks)
18.2/7.9/3.4/1.8/3.3/3.3/44.2%/24.1%/71.6%/35.7
Probably my favorite player in the league, if I had to choose. Absolute FREAK athlete, as shown by him killing the All-Star Weekend dunk contest in his rookie year, and by the myriad of YouTube compilations of his dunks and blocks. A ridiculous shot blocker in a category usually dominated by big men and one gangly Russian, J-Smoove is averaging 3.3 on the season. But beyond the hammers and rejections, Smith is also developing into an excellent all around basketball player, scoring 18 a game and adding almost 8 boards a game in addition to his supreme defense. Smith is an absolute monster who makes a great companion to Hawks scoring savant Joe Johnson and rookie double-double machine Al Horford.
15. Gerald Wallace(6'7" - 25 years old - F - Charlotte Bobcats)
21.5/6.1/3.4/2.2/1.0/3.3/46.4%/33.3%/72.9%/39.6
A great story in the NBA. Sat on the bench for a few years in Sacramento, until he was picked first overall in the Charlotte Bobcats' expansion draft. Since then, Wallace has surpassed all of Charlotte's lottery draft picks and free agent acquisitions to become the star of the team. Wallace is a jaw-dropping athlete who is an absolute terror on defense, averaging over 2 steals and 2 blocks on the season a few years back. But he's continued to grow into an outstanding scorer, highlighted by a recent stretch of four or five games where he averaged nearly 40 points a game. Add into that his ability on the boards and his improved playmaking, and Gerald Wallace is a pivotal piece in a developing young Bobcats team. Oh, and for good karma points, when extension time came around, Gerald Wallace essentially took the first offer from Charlotte, seemingly just to get the thing over with and get back to basketball, rather than testing free agency and possibly having to move to a team. Solid dude.
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