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The idea for starting this topic came out of my realization that Deron Williams, arguably the second best point guard in the NBA, has yet to be an All-Star. I'm really surprised by that. I remember I'd initially believed he was on last season's western conference roster. How could he not, I'd thought? I looked it up then... And sure enough, he wasn't an All-Star last season.

So, now I begin thinking about Rondo. And about how many other young, twenty-something players in the league besides Deron are still not an All-Star and might should be. I ended up coming up with a long list of names of young players, veteran and rookie, that each fall into sub groups. Their placement is based on my personal opinion of where they're at in their careers. But, to answer my initial question: Al Jefferson is another young player I'm surprised isn't an All-Star already. Moreover, I asked myself: Of all these young, twenty-something players that I've listed. Which ones truly have star potential. In other words, they're more than a player good enough to be named to an All-Star game.

Here is who I'd came up with in a list.

You're There, Not There Yet or you probably Won't Ever Be There. I'm saying there meaning either you should be an All-Star, a star player or you're on the cusp of either or. For players categorized in the latter of the three, I would say they could fall into one of these.

Best case scenario: Mike Bibby (long and mostly productive career, but never an All-Star)

Typically, a player that has the talent but for whatever reasons he can't sway voters and fans to choose him ahead of other choices. You aren't a star, but there's nothing wrong with being a constant second tier player.

Worst cast scenario: Gerald Green (not on a team longer than one or a few seasons; soon out of the league)

Typically, a player with unrealized potential, unmotivated or not wired to reach that next level.

My list is open to debate but I believe I'm dead-on with several of them. It's more clearer at the top. I definitely believe those I'd listed for the first two groups have star potential. They've limited or unlimited marketability not just for the teams they currently play for but nationally. But, admittedly, Durant might be the lone name that can be marketed internationally.


I

There (totally there...)

Deron Williams
Al Jefferson
Kevin Durant

There (good enough to be a reserve)

Josh Smith
Rajon Rondo
Monta Ellis
Derrick Rose (R)
Paul Millsap
Jeff Green

II

Not There Yet (stuck in the unsure status)

Andre Iguodala
Zach Randolph
Andris Biedrins
Emeka Okafor
Ben Gordon
Gerald Wallace
LaMarcus Aldridge
Raymond Felton
Al Horford
Andrew Bynum
Kendrick Perkins

Edit: A lot of possible "Bibby" examples here. Even if All-Star worthy, they might not reach a star status. Constant injuries can factor into this.

Won't Ever Be There (are they as good as their statistics would suggest?)

Kevin Martin
Rudy Gay
TJ Ford
Charlie Villanueva
David Lee
Andrew Bogut
Kevin Love (R)
Michael Beasley (R)
Courtney Lee (R)
Ramon Sessions
Luol Deng
Marvin Williams
Chris Kaman
Joakim Noah
Tyson Chandler
Chris Duhon
Andrea Bargnani

Edit: These players are the toughest to gauge fairly. Because they could rise or slide depending on their circumstances.

III

Too Young or Early To Tell, but for some. You never know

Al Thornton
OJ Mayo (R)
Brook Lopez (R)
Rodney Stuckey
Aaron Brooks
Spencer Hawes
Tyrus Thomas
Andray Blatche
Mario Chalmers (R)
Wilson Chandler
Thaddeus Young
Russell Westbrook (R)
Marc Gasol (R)
Travis Outlaw
Anthony Randolph (R)
Nick Young
Rudy Fernandez (R)
Carl Landry
Joey Graham
Brandon Bass
Marreese Speights (R)
Ryan Anderson (R)
Marco Belinelli
DeAndre Jordan (R)
Daequan Cook
Kelenna Azubuike
Sean Williams
DJ Augustin (R)
Corey Brewer
Joe Alexander (R)
George Hill (R)
Jerryd Bayless (R)
C.J. Miles
Mike Conley, Jr.
Daniel Gibson
Bill Walker (R)
J.J. Hickson (R)
Sergio Rodriguez

Edit: These players have showed flashes early on. Or for some, you can see they have it in them to become keepers. So, it's imperative for each of them to be patient, work hard and make the best of their opportunity no matter big or small.

Not sure how you put Walker ahead of Big Baby, who only has one more year of pro experience.

BBD's upside is at least David West.

Marc Gasol should also be on the list somewhere.

I initially forgot about Chalmers, so it happens.

Your opinion of Davis is your opinion, not mine. Walker is the unknown right now. Conversely, Davis' ceiling might be what you're seeing now. From what I've seen... I don't think of him as worth adding here. He can score and shoot some. A lot of average players in the league can do that. Ryan Gomes, for example.

Rudy Gay and Kevin Martin in the won't ever be there catergory? That's kinda crazy. Also D. Rose is in the there catergory - ahead of Rondo despite the Bulls series, IMHO.

Can some explain to me what they don't like in Kevin Martin, I know he had an off game against Boston this season but that dude is Ray Allen 2 inches taller and rebounds? I have just seen it a few times I would love to see that guy in Green.

ive always liked kevin martin, sully, he was great in college...but hes no ray allen

How bout Aaron Brooks? Hes only 24 I think All star is an easy possibilty for him once he morphs his PG instincts a bit more....I really like this guy speed just like size you cant teach it...i dont think i have seen a single guy this playoffs that can stay in front of him.

TheCelticTruth wrote:ive always liked kevin martin, sully, he was great in college...but hes no ray allen

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... nra02.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... ike02.html

Help me out with this because last I checked they called it "Shooting Guard" for a reason. Kevin Martin has TS% of over 60 for his career, it is second among active players and 11th all time. Your right he isn't Ray Allen through his first 5 years he scores more and shoots better. Sure his team sucks but this is a fan base that labeled Al Jefferson the next Kevin McHale.

KG_21_05 wrote:How bout Aaron Brooks? Hes only 24 I think All star is an easy possibilty for him once he morphs his PG instincts a bit more....I really like this guy speed just like size you cant teach it...i dont think i have seen a single guy this playoffs that can stay in front of him.

When is Aaron Brooks ever going to be better than CP3, Deron, or Tony Parker? Never mind the talent at the SG spot. Nice player though.

GuyClinch wrote:Rudy Gay and Kevin Martin in the won't ever be there catergory? That's kinda crazy. Also D. Rose is in the there catergory - ahead of Rondo despite the Bulls series, IMHO.

I agree will all three suggestions. Rudy Gay has shown respectable defensive ability for someone his age and his offensive statistics would presumably be better alongside better teammates. He's still real young.

Kev Martin, I am not sure if he is young enough to be on the list but if guys like Okafor and Randolph are then Kev Martin is more than good enough to be a reserve. His offensive stats are very solid for someone who has been playing on an iffy team.

And Rose is not above Rondo.

Other names which should be in this thread, which come to mind, are JR Smith, Andris Biedrins, Devin Harris, Eric Gordon.

KG_21_05 wrote:How bout Aaron Brooks? Hes only 24 I think All star is an easy possibilty for him once he morphs his PG instincts a bit more....I really like this guy speed just like size you cant teach it...i dont think i have seen a single guy this playoffs that can stay in front of him.

Yup, another one I forgot about. I haven't gotten use to all of their names yet.

If you put Carl Landry and some of the other suspect names in the too early to tell (Brandon Bass? Be serious now...), then you have to put BBD in there. He may be playing out of his mind right now (I'd argue this is reasonable expectations from him), but he's putting up 17 and 6 through the playoffs so far, with Ray, Paul, and Rajon all ahead of him in option order. I really do like the David West comparison and think he's ahead of him at the same age. Who's to say in a few years, after more development and with a bigger role on a team that he won't be averaging 20+ and 8+? Once he gets a little more limelight and his personality shines through with his role, I could see him having an outside chance of making the all star game one day.

Interesting thread. I think Kevin Martin and Zach Randolph need to switch lists.

Looking at this further, there's so many more problems with the list. How could you ever put any rookie in the "Won't Ever Be There (are they as good as their statistics would suggest?)" list? Heck, half of them overall don't make sense. For now, I'll comment on Kevin Love. I'm guessing you put him in there because of all the question marks pre-draft regarding his potential. At the very least, he's proved he'll probably average 13-15 rebounds per game down the road and he at least has the skill set to maybe have a David West type scoring record. 20-22 PPG and 13-15 RPG, depending on his situation, because he's not going to put those volumes up next to Big Al, is definitely all star worthy.

Beasley and Lee are big there too. Who's to say what a rookie's role will be five years from now or how much they'll develop.

JohnStarksTheDunk wrote:Interesting thread. I think Kevin Martin and Zach Randolph need to switch lists.

Randolph's the most interesting player of the established veterans on my list. On talent alone, he's an All-Star who never was. But, his attitude, seemingly lack of a desire to play defense and playing more for losing teams in his career has tarnished his image. There's a lot of talented big men in the league that some players simply get pushed out of consideration. If David West can make an All-Star team, then Randolph could too under ideal circumstances.

I'm glad Jeff Green has turned out to be pretty damn good, it's just a shame it's for the Thunder instead of the Sonics.

Jeff Green? Not even close. Especially at his position I don't see him ever getting there.

Jeff Green's pretty good right now. He's surprised a lot of people already and if he ever gets out from under Durant's shadow and doesn't have to keep playing in between positions he's going to surprise a whole lot more.

I'm also looking at it from the perspective of some of these young players possibly blossoming on a different team. So, Jeff Green could emerge with another team. Right now he's playing out of position and in the shadow of Durant. But, he's still a solid player in spite of this.