new new school.

"I wouldn't be mad if he (Chris Paul) won the MVP" - tone.

This years playoffs have been boring and entertaining at the same time. Kobe Bryants Lakers are top dogs again, teams like the Pistons and Celtics seem ready for a championship run and the damn two face commercials just keep popping up. But this post isn't about the playoffs, its about the emerging superstars who are coming to the forefront on a national stage to show why the NBA will be safe again for another ten years. The world already knows about LeBron James, I am a witness and so are you. But for the average joe blow newcomers are showing themselves to the world on the grandest stage. First, there is Chris Paul. The 23 year old NC native from Wake Forest who is on the brink of leading his New Orleans Hornets to the Conference Finals. Paul does it with supreme passion and poise. When I see Paul play I think of a mix between Isiah Thomas and John Stockton. He has the scoring ability and tenacity of Zeke but the general like command on the floor like Stockton. Paul finished second in MVP voting to the Darth Kobe, but Paul's time will come soon enough. Another bright star who's playoff dreams ended a few hours ago is Dwight Howard. Now the world caught a glimpse of his showmanship as he took home the Slam Dunk Title but still the average joe doesn't know about him. Living under Patrick Ewing's wing, Howard has blossomed ever since entering the league straight from high school. After dominating 20-20 performances in the first round, Howard's Magic will would shortly fizzle out as the Pistons took them down. The great thing about Howard is that he is so young (22) and so good already. With moves as quick as Olajuwon and already being named as the most athletic center ever, Howard must now show and prove. The knock on his game as of late has been his inability to have the killer instinct. You know the thing you know the thing you see in Kobe's eyes when its crunch time or when the team is in need of a basket. Well, Howard has yet to develop that. I believe with hard work and a more competitve edge, Howard could average 30-15-5 if he wanted to, but time will tell. With these two at the forefront and Durant and Oden just getting out of there shell, the NBA should be safe. Lets not forget about Rose and Beasley coming to the land of Men next season either.

Complete list..

G - Chris Paul - New Orleans - 23
C - Dwight Howard - Orlando - 22
G/F - Kevin Durant - Seattle - 20
C - Greg Oden - Portland - 20
G - Deron Williams - Utah - 23
G - Monta Ellis - Golden State - 23
G/F - Rudy Gay - Memphis - 22
G - Derrick Rose - Univ. of Memphis -19
F - Michael Beasley - Kansas St Univ. - 19

i-n.