Golden Age for the NBA?

If you ask me, there's no doubt about it, we ARE heading towards a golden age. To the old timers reading this, deal with it. Accept the fact that the league has changed - for better and/or for worse - and for what it currently is we are seeing an extremely bright future. Below is a list of 34 players and eight rookies who I determined to be particularly golden.

34. Javale McGee (21) - Two reasons for putting McGee on this list. First, I needed a Wizard. But second, and most importantly, McGee is going to be a great player. Think a more athletic Marcus Camby who can handle the ball. Oh, and this welcome-to-the-NBA moment for Blake Griffin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoGRoFz21ho
33. Michael Beasey (20) - Remember this guy? The unquestioned best player in the 2008 NBA Draft? Well I don't wanna say I told you so (I had Rose, Mayo and Westbrook ahead of him), so instead I'm here to remind you that the kid can still play (20.6 and 8.6 in April). I still expect big things, especially when D-Wade bolts for Chicago and he becomes the primary scorer (but even if that's not the case ha).
32. Al Thornton (25) - He's very inconsistent, but at times he can be an absolute BEAST. During those times he's a strong finisher and his athleticism always makes him a threat in transition.
31. Mike Conley (21) - When Conley was finally given consistent minutes, he shined like the top 5 pick he was. I don't know why the Grizz don't want him to start (Allen Iverson? Really?), he could do some serious damage running with Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo.
30. Marc Gasol (24) - He quietly had a very good year last year. He won't ever be as good as his brother, but he'll be a solid center in the league for a while. (By the way, Hasheem Thabeet... why? Talk about benefiting from being the ONLY center in the draft...)
29. Brook Lopez (21) - Brook Lopez seems like an extraordinarily dumbed-down Tim Duncan. Keep in mind though, that IS a compliment, as Lopez is very fundamentally sound. AND he makes free throws!
28. Eric Gordon (20) - Eric Gordon is, simply put, the next Ben Gordon. Too small for the 2, no point guard skills to speak of, beautiful jumper and can go off for 30+ on any given night. I'm a big fan of BG, but I actually think Eric will be better; he's better attacking the basket and is a better passer.
27. Kevin Love (20) - By a show of hands, how many people knew that Love averaged a double doube over the second half of the season? He's probably never going to be spectacular, but he is undoubtedly the type of player that will help a team win a championship.
26. Monta Ellis (23) - I'm not his biggest fan, but he's definitely a dangerous weapon in the right system. If he develops a perimeter shot, or maybe even PG skills (or both), he'll be scary.
25. OJ Mayo (21) - There's no doubt that Mayo has the ability to be a superstar. He's already an extraordinary individual player (on both sides of the ball), and once he gets used to the grind of a full 82 game season he'll be an all-star. The question is if he'll ever learn how to play within a system, as the team concept seems lost on him as to this point. Otherwise he'd be right up with Derrick Rose.
24. Andrew Bynum (21) - I used to have Bynum over Oden, mostly because he's a smoother athlete and (seemingly) more skilled overall. But after his wildly inconsistent recent past, I'm not quite as big a fan. I still think he'll be great, as he's still VERY young, but I'm not as sure.
23. Greg Oden (21) - Conversely, I used to HATE Oden as a prospect. He is an awkward and overall poor athlete and has little offensive game to speak of. But there have been a LOT of things conspiring against him in his young career (injury mostly, leading to a lack of opportunity to put major work in), and now that he's had a full healthy offseason, I'm expecting big things this year.
22. Paul Milsap (24) - I need to see more of him (mostly his offensive game) to make a real analysis of how good he is, but I know this: he IS very good. 16, 10 (including 4 offensive) and 2.5 (assists) as a starter, in his first year of significant playing time, is no joke. He's the ideal blue-collar PF for Jerry Sloan; Carlos Boozer, on the other hand...
21. Rodney Stuckey (23) - This is not based on his body of work, moreso on the flashes he's shown of what he could (and will) become. He just has a complete game, and will be given an opportunity to blossom this season with the roster the Pistons have put together...
20. Anthony Randolph (20) - I had to throw Randolph right here in the middle, because while I haven't seen him play once, everyone seems to be raving about the kid. I'll update this once I get a chance to watch him.
19. Russell Westbrook (20) - I had Westbrook ranked 3rd, behind Rose and Mayo, before he was drafted, calling him Rajon Rondo with scoring capability. While he's never going to have the point guard skills Rondo has (VERY few do), he's got the complete game to be an elite PG. And he will be. Soon.
18. Jeff Green (22) - Green and Westbrook are interchangeable for now in these two slots. Westbrook probably has a higher ceiling, but right now Green is better, and he keeps getting better. He's like the anti-Lamar Odom; swiss army knife game but effort over talent with Green. I'm a big fan.
17. JR Smith (23) - This is probably the most polarizing name on this list. Some might say he's a chucker who can't play within a team and ultimately can't help anyone win. (...) Others will say he's arguably the most talented scorer in the NBA, and his overall offensive game is continually improving. Obviously I'm firmly a part of the latter group. I will concede that his head isn't always where it should be, but he's only 23, and has shown marked improvement in his mental game. Defensively he's very good when he wants to be, but his concentration is sporadic at best. Right now he defines the 6th man role, as nobody provides more of a spark coming off the bench. Obviously he CAN help a team win (see: Denver Nuggets in the WCF), and if/when he matures there's no telling how great he could be; he surely will jump ahead of some of the players on this list.
16. Al Horford (23) - I am not an Al Horford fan, and I expect him to be leapfrogged by quite a few of the players behind him. But for now, he's up here because of his consistency, mostly on the glass. He also seems to be developing a serviceable jumper; which will help, but only in pick-and-pop situations.
15. LaMarcus Aldridge (24) - (On draft day 2006, the Blazers wound up moving Randy Foye and Tyrus Thomas for Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Wow.) I like Aldridge a lot, I think he'll be a softer Chris Bosh, which will be fine if and when Greg Oden starts playing like he should. Offensively he's got the ability to be a 23-25 point scorer.
14. Josh Smith (23) - Smith was tough to place. On one hand, he might be the most gifted player in the league (besides LBJ of course), and when properly motivated he's a NIGHTMARE. However, key phrase there is 'when properly motivated,' which isn't anywhere close to being on a consistent basis. I'm rooting for him, because he can be one of the great ones, there's just no way of knowing what's gonna happen. (I'm hoping Atlanta trades him somewhere that has any semblance of leadership when his trade restriction is lifted in August)
13. Rajon Rondo (23) - Rondo is one of my two or three favorite players in the league right now. Nobody brings the feistiness and tenacity that he does. How many sub-6 footers (I know what he's listed at...) can average 5+ rebounds/game? (let alone 7.0 in February!) Throw in the 8+ assists and 2 steals and you have an elite point guard. If he ever develops a consistent jumper he'll be one of the best players in the league; at worst he's on pace to be the next Jason Kidd.
12. Andre Iguodala (25) - I'm actually not the biggest fan of AI9, but it's hard to deny the production. And he's really stepped his game up in clutch situations; he's not a franchise player, but an extraordinary complimentary piece.
11. Rudy Gay (22) - In 2006 I thought Rudy Gay was the best player in the draft. While a few people agreed with that sentiment, a large percentage of fans and "experts" had other names at the top of their board; only one has proven himself better (B. Roy). And while Gay's past three seasons have been unspectacular for the most part, he's poised to have a monster year (you heard it here first).
10. Derrick Rose (20) - Ever since his game against Tennessee I've been 100% positive that Rose would become a star. Everything he's done since then has pointed in the same direction, and more. He WILL go down as one of the best point guards of all time, and if D-Wade decides to sign with Chicago next offseason, he'll get at least one ring very soon.
9. Al Jefferson (24) - To be honest I haven't seen much of Jefferson. But from what I've heard, combined with what I've seen, once I do get to see him play a few times (helloooo NBA Package for '09-'10) he'll probably move way up this list. I've heard he has the best post moves in the NBA! Can't wait to watch him play this year. (And I will NEVER comprehend Ernie Grunfeld's decision to turn down Boston's Al Jefferson-Etan Thomas trade proposal from early '07)
8. Chris Bosh (25) - I'm a Bosh fan, but I just feel like he's missing something, I can't really put a finger on it exactly (and if you can help me out, please do). Don't get me wrong, he's a big time player, there's just a bunch of players I'd rather build my team around - including quite a few ranked below him.
7. Brandon Roy (25) - I am a HUGE Brandon Roy fan; I call him the Tim Duncan of the perimeter. While he's obviously not quite the fundamental machine that TD is, his game is still just so smooth and efficient. (For people with a problem with Roy being this high: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-McSwCxU9q0)
6. Kevin Durant (20) - I won't be surprised when he leapfrogs everyone on this list (other than LeBron) and you shouldn't be either. This guy has all the tools to be an elite all-around player, the likes of which we've never seen. Once he matures physically and puts on about 20 pounds (some big game experience couldn't hurt either), watch out.
*Think about Kevin Durant on the Blazers instead of Greg Oden. Just for a second. GOOD GOD.
5. Chris Paul (24) - Probably the best offensive point guard, tho I'd still argue on D-Will's behalf. But there's no denying CP3's ability and production.
4. Dwight Howard (23) - He still has a lot of room to grow (showed signs of improvement in his offensive post play, but there was nowhere to go but up. And he's still an overrated defender....), but there's no denying his production; he's the best center in the NBA.
3. Deron Williams (25) - Best point guard in the NBA. Something tells me this will be revisited when the NBA season gets underway....
2. Carmelo Anthony (25) - I don't care if you believe me or not, but I saw this "revival" Melo went through coming from a mile away. He's easily one of the five best individual players in the league.
1. LeBron James (24) - Um...

As for the rookies, I realize it's too early to really tell who's gonna be good. But these are the guys I'm putting my money on:

1. Blake Griffin - I try to find ways to hate him, but it's just not possible. He's so athletically gifted and possesses so much skill. If he's not a star I'll be shocked
2. James Harden - I'll admit that I'm higher on him than most... but that's only because most people are wrong; he WILL be a great player. The Brandon Roy comparisons are interesting, but as of now I'd say Harden won't be quite the scorer that Roy will be. However he's a better passer, better rebounder, and better defender, and has the drive and mental makeup to improve and excel.
3. Jonny Flynn - Flynn is another guy who has star written all over him. The Big East tournament sealed it for me, where he averaged about 60 minutes per game (ok, he only averaged a mere 45 minutes; for those of you who forgot a regular college game lasts 40).
4. Tyreke Evans - I was on the fence about Evans for a while, but I'm coming around. He will NOT be a point guard, for the people who foolishly think otherwise, but a productive do-it-all 2-guard? I have little doubt.
5. Terrence Williams - While I don't expect him to be a star, I just feel that he brings so much to the table (rebounding, defending, passing/distributing) that he'll be a major factor on a contending team.
6. Earl Clark - Another guy who I feel I'm probably in the minority on, but I think he's gonna be just like Lamar Odom. People hate him too, but while most people see inconsistency, the truth is he brings something to the table every game. As long as you're not relying on him for much, he'll do a lot for you.
7. DeMar Derozan - Derozan has star potential, no question about it in my mind. He played like a man possessed at the end of the season, making jumpers, attacking the basket, rebounding and making hustle plays. It was evident that his confidence was through the roof. If he can find that in the NBA on a consistent basis, the sky's the limit.
8. Brandon Jennings - This is just a wait and see situation. He's so young and so immature, but what people are neglecting to think about is, there hasn't been a prospect with point guard skills like Jennings has in a VERY long time. I hope he figures it out, because he could be great.

Well that's it. I'm sure this will make people think, and question what I've said. Most likely I'm right, but leave a comment anyway if you have one. NFL divisional previews coming soon.