Charley Rosen: Young Guns - Wise enought to be Champs?

[Allanon]

Foxsports article by Charley Rosen:

Which youngsters are wise enough to be champs?


After analyzing what the contending teams might expect from their aging players, let's turn the spotlight on some of the league's young bucks. In fact, there are a host of young guys on ball clubs with championship hopes, players who have yet to reach their physical and mental peaks (between the ages of 28-32), but who are still outstanding performers.

The question under consideration is this: What aspects of their respective games do these young men need to improve for their teams to have a legitimate shot at displacing the championship Celtics?

LeBron James (23): His straight-up defense has improved to the point where he doesn't routinely embarrass himself and can occasionally mount stubborn resistance to opponents who lack warp-speed moves. And his help defense has improved even more so.
Despite that, there's still room to grow here. LBJ's most significant deficiency is his erratic outside shooting. For sure, he can go off on sensational hot streaks, but he clearly lacks a shooter's stroke. As a result, he unleashes too many front-rimmers and airballs and allows opponents to sag and clog the lane.

What other areas need work? His post-up game and his play without the ball.

Should James step up in all of these highlighted categories, then he could easily become the greatest player of all time and the Cavs would be a lock to return to the finals.

Dwight Howard (22): His post-up moves remain both limited and predictable. Developing some kind of short-range turnaround jumper would turn him into a scorer. Howard also needs to improve his passing, particularly when he's doubled.

What else? Free-throw shooting, defensive rotations, outlet passing.

For now, Howard's power, size, athleticism and determination allow him to dominate the boards. But unless he works on his shortcomings or is surrounded by a bevy of All-Stars, the Magic's championship hopes will continue to be illusory.

Chris Paul (23): He's certainly not going to get any taller and too much time spent in the weight room might impair his blazing speed and quickness. As a result, Paul can often be bullied on defense by bigger opponents. Still, there are several areas that do allow for improvement: his long-range set-shooting, his mid-range pull-up shooting, and his ability to drive, create and finish going left.

However, even if CP3 makes only minimal progress in these areas, he still has the goods to lead the Hornets to glory.

Deron Williams (24): He's tough, creative, unselfish and extremely powerful for a point guard. What Williams needs to do is improve his defense and somehow get a half-step quicker. Even so, he remains a championship-caliber point guard.

Andre Iguodala (24): A more reliable 3-point shot and pull-up game, better defense and a slicker, more judicious handle from Iguodala would help vault the Sixers into the top tier of the Eastern Conference. As it is, if Iguodala can adjust to Elton Brand being Philly's go-to scorer, then his numbers might decrease, but he'll be a more well-rounded player.

Carmelo Anthony (24): He's become more adept at making the right pass when he's two-timed, which makes his floor game just about flawless on offense. However, Melo's defense remains a major weakness. More significant, though, is his continuing immaturity. Eventually he'll outgrow his mini-temper tantrums and his periodic pouting — hopefully while he's still an active player.


However, even if Anthony becomes a model of decorum and unselfishness, the Nuggets are long on glitter and short on substance.

Amare Stoudemire (25): His work ethic is pathetic and he still gets visibly upset when he doesn't get as many touches as he thinks he deserves. Yes, his mid-range jumper has vastly improved, and he's also showing signs that he's motivated to play defense before his opponent has the ball. But he's still a me-first player and a chump on defense.
In other words, unless Shaq can exert a powerful influence on the young man and/or Stoudemire consents to some heavy-duty professional counseling, he'll always be a loser.

Andrew Bynum (20): Needs to add some kind of jumper to his offensive repertoire, become a more accomplished passer, play more effective man-to-man defense, learn when and where to help on defense, and when to merely show-and-recover. Plus, he must show a continued commitment to working hard as well as a willingness to play with necessary abandon in the wake of his injury.

But, he's still only 20 (egad!) and has a great pair of hands. His potential, therefore, is just about unlimited. Assuming Kobe Bryant can stay healthy and maintain his excellence for the foreseeable future, there's the possibility of another mini-dynasty for the Lakers.

Virtually all of the Blazers: Brandon Roy (24) must improve his defense (who doesn't?), but otherwise is there. Greg Oden (20) needs more variety in his offense and must learn how to play NBA-quality post-up defense. LaMarcus Aldridge (23) and Travis Outlaw (24) must get stronger and more active in the paint. Martell Webster (21) needs to develop consistency in just about every aspect of his game. Rudy Fernandez (20) needs more muscle to avoid being derailed when he's hit and to survive the season unscathed. Jerryd Bayless (20) has to learn what he can and cannot do.

Unless Nate McMillan has access to an unlimited supply of experience pills, the Blazers are still a year or two away from being a powerhouse team.

The Hawks: The team demonstrated a hint of its potential while extending the Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite signing a humongous contract, Josh Smith (22) needs to stay hungry, come to play every minute of every game, improve his off-the-ball play at both ends of the floor and act more like a responsible adult. Al Horford (22) needs to expand his offense, learn how to defend without committing excessive fouls and continue to learn the NBA game. Marvin Williams (22) must increase his shooting range, become at least an adequate defender and avoid his prolonged periods of invisibility.

While the Hawks have a ways to go before they can consistently challenge the league's elite teams, with a concerted effort their trio of youngsters can do much to shorten the journey.

[Gino]

I wouldn't be suprised if Paul wins a ring before LeBron.

In other words, unless Shaq can exert a powerful influence on the young man and/or Stoudemire consents to some heavy-duty professional counseling, he'll always be a loser.

Unfortunately they both have the exact same weaknesses. Im not sure what kind of posetive influence Shaq could be on Amare.

He's still a beast, though.

[RonMexico]

Because Shaq played for the Lakers, Charley will inflate any influence he thinks he may have.

[Gino]

I think its more a Phil-Jackson love-fest, but point taken.