LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, James Harden and a few other superstars are the reasons fans come out to the arenas to watch the games live.
If a team already has a bonafide superstar, chances are the team is competitive and in the middle of the playoff hunt. If a team doesn’t have a superstar, chances are that it’s not winning many games and hoping for a top draft pick to select a potential future star.
All the current NBA superstars are great, but they won’t be around forever.
Here are 5 potential NBA superstars who are under the age of 21.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Milwaukee Bucks
In a very small sample size, Giannis Antetokounmpo (aka GA), has shown that he has as much potential as any rookie in the NBA.
This quote from European basketball fanatic Kyle Edwards sums it up best:
"He has Kevin Durant’s body. Moves like Paul George. Sees passes two plays before they happen and can dunk from the free throw line."
Talk about a recipe for success in the NBA.
GA has the size, length, skill and nickname to be a star in the NBA. You won’t find many nicknames better than The Alphabet, and you won’t find many players with more potential than Antetokounmpo.
Tony Wroten, G, Philadelphia 76ers
After a disappointing rookie season in Memphis, Tony Wroten has burst onto the scene with the 76ers this year. In 12 starts this year, he’s averaging close to 18 points, six rebounds and five assists per game.
The biggest flaw in Wroten’s game at this point of his career is his lack of a jumper. Right now, Wroten’s J is broke, as the young point guard is only shooting 19 percent from deep this year.
If Wroten can develop a consistent J, it’ll open up a lot more driving lanes, and if there’s one thing Wroten excels at right now it’s getting to the rim. Wroten has great size and athleticism for a guard and has a knack for getting to the rim.
Once he develops a consistent jump shot, this guy is going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal is the best offensive player in the NBA that can’t legally buy an alcoholic drink yet. Seriously, this guy can flat out score the rock.
A lot of young players struggle with their jump shots early in their careers, but not Beal. The second-year guard is shooting 43 percent from deep this year, and he isn’t shy about letting it fly.
The biggest knock on Beal right now is his injury problems. Last season, Beal only played in 56 games for Washington as he dealt with shoulder issues. This season, he’s already missed seven games while dealing with a leg injury.
When he’s on the court, Beal is an absolute stud. Not many players, regardless of age, can stroke it from deep like Beal can. It’s just a matter of staying healthy for the former Florida Gator.
Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans
Anyone that doubted Anthony Davis’ potential coming out of Kentucky has quickly been proven wrong. The former Wildcat big man is already one of the better big men in the NBA in just his second season.
After setting all sorts of defensive records at Kentucky, Davis has followed up that act with something just as impressive: leading the NBA in blocked shots per game.
Offensively, Davis has made a living around (and mostly above) the rim. His post game is still a work in progress, but you can see that he’s learning quickly.
Davis’ midrange game hasn’t developed yet, but the potential is there. Davis shoots 85 percent from the free throw line, so there is no question about his touch. He just has to put it all together.
The sky is the limit for the Pelicans’ big man right now. Without any real offensive game, Davis is finding a way to average nearly 20 points per game. Just imagine what he could do when his game develops.
His only flaw right now is his injury history, as he missed 18 games as a rookie and won’t play for the next month or so after fracturing his left hand.
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons
Depending on who you ask, Andre Drummond may already be a star in this league.
The former UConn center has been an absolute force for the Pistons this year, and he’s played his best basketball of his career in the past month. In December, Drummond is averaging 18.4 points and 16.8 rebounds per game. That’s just ridiculous.
Drummond has the rare combination of elite size (6-foot-10, 275 pounds) and athleticism that not many big men can match up with. Drummond moves and jumps like he’s a 6-foot-7 wing, and then it hits you that he’s a legit-sized NBA center.
Drummond has been so good this year that the Pistons have had to play Greg Monroe and Josh Smith less minutes just so Drummond can stay on the court. Really though, how can you keep a guy who is shooting 64 percent from the floor on the bench?
On both sides of the court, Drummond is a beast.
His post game is still raw, as he is implementing new moves on almost a nightly basis. Drummond will be able to score 10 points each night off hustle points and offensive boards alone, so the possibilities are endless if he can develop a back-to-the-basket game.
Now if he could just hit his free throws, because that 38 percent mark is just unacceptable...
[tps_footer]By Mike Lucas[/tps_footer]