The Pistons lead Rising Stars, but does it translate to NBA stardom?
Rising Stars Challenge: How many stars from each season?
2008: Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant
It’s hard to believe Durant has been in the league this long. Some would leave Rondo off, but his playoffs earned him a spot.
2009: Kevin Durant, Marc Gasol, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook
Three future MVPs here. How about some appreciation for how freaking good Durant still is?
2010: Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love
Remember when Harden, Durant and Westbrook were all on the Thunder? Seems impossible now. This year changed the game of basketball for better and worse.
2011: John Wall, Boogie Cousins, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, Jrue Holiday
This would be a pretty good team right here
Ranking the top-10 NBA rookies and sophomores. light. Related Story
2012: Paul George, Boogie Cousins, John Wall, Blake Griffin, Kemba Walker
Remember how good Cousins was?
2013: Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, Andre Drummond
One of these things is not like the other…. Sorry, Pistons’ fans, but I’m putting Drummond on there! Was he ever a star? No! But he was our “not a star.” This year was stacked.
2014: Damian Lillard, Andre Drummond, Bradley Beal, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis
The rise of Giannis
2015: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zach LaVine
LaVine is questionable but on the rise.
2016: Zach LaVine, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic
Three of these guys are leading their teams to amazing seasons right now.
2017: Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, KAT, Devin Booker, Brandon Ingram
Ingram should make his second All-Star game this season, torched the Pistons last night.
2018: Ben Simmons (yes), Joel Embiid, Domantas Sabonis, Donovan MItchell, Brandon Ingram, De’Aaron Fox
Maybe a little too early for Fox. The year of the Process!
2019: Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Pretty much all of the best young players in the league
2020: Trae Young, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, SGA
Will one of these players win an MVP some day? Luka is the best bet.