Potential Superstars under 23

[jlawje]

Shaedon Sharpe.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by pmatic

Ok, I'll downgrade just for you. Give me a few that you think will be hobby relevant in this list, not in the same tier of Curry or Giannis but not low enough to be irrelevant like Jimmy Butler or Damian Lillard, how about that?

Banchero and Edwards.

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I have to agree with the nobody here.

Don’t forget that guys like Lebron and curry come once every ten years.

From 1999-2006, only Lebron.

These guys are special because they come out once a decade.

That “next” hobby superstar is probably still in grade school.

The list is from guys in the last three years, so you can’t force the hobby to have a superstar.

This is why I mentioned both Curry and Giannis.



Curry was picked 7th and played backup for Monta Ellis. He was a nobody that played in Davidson and was riddled by injuries in his first 3 seasons and fast forward to present and he's already a Top 10 player of all time while still he's still an active player.



Giannis was a scrawny teenager that embarrassed himself in the slam dunk contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzR01hZc4pI

If a thread was created then, I'm pretty sure everyone would laugh at the idea that kid has the potential to become a B2B NBA MVP, a DPOY and a FMVP all under his belt before he turned 28 years old.


Going forward with a less relevant examples. Did you all foresee Jokic as a 2 time MVP after he was drafted 41st in 2004? How about Harden winning an MVP and leading the league in scoring after he played 3rd fiddle and a 6th man in OKC?



You look at all the talent the league has brought us in the last 3 years and you're already giving up on the idea someone will actually exceed expectations and become the next big thing?

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Banchero and Edwards.

Thank you. Those are popular picks.

[Nomad]

I'll pick that player who basically earned a starting role and doubled his career stats from first two seasons in Boston. But wait, he is 23, 6'5, and on the Pacers. No chance.

Maybe Mobley. He has the size, smarts, attitude, and is gonna bulk up. Killer instinct may be lacking...

[Dame]

That’s crazy, can’t believe Giannis missed those dunks. Those were gimmes.

[wxguy44]

Originally Posted by pmatic

Curry was picked 7th and played backup for Monta Ellis. He was a nobody that played in Davidson and was riddled by injuries in his first 3 seasons and fast forward to present and he's already a Top 10 player of all time while still he's still an active player.

If you saw him play for Davidson, I don't think you would have called him a nobody, especially after that run through the NCAA touney in 2008. BUT I certainly would not have guessed he would accomplish what he has in the NBA.

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by jlawje

Shaedon Sharpe.

He’s not on the list . Really curious to see what they do with him when dame and Ant are back in the starting lineup. Is he going to get as many opportunities as he did at the end of the season?

[mc1]

Originally Posted by wxguy44

If you saw him play for Davidson, I don't think you would have called him a nobody, especially after that run through the NCAA touney in 2008. BUT I certainly would not have guessed he would accomplish what he has in the NBA.

Agreed. Its unfair to label Steph a nobody simply because he wasnt projected to be a future huge hobby star. Sure, not many thought he could be the next Kobe or Lebron.

[wxguy44]

Originally Posted by mc1

Agreed. Its unfair to label Steph a nobody simply because he wasnt projected to be a future huge hobby star. Sure, not many thought he could be the next Kobe or Lebron.

Absolutely. I saw the 1st round game vs Gonzaga in person, and I immediately was sold. Just wish I was back in the hobby around that time. I surely would have bought as much of him as I could.

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by wxguy44

If you saw him play for Davidson, I don't think you would have called him a nobody, especially after that run through the NCAA touney in 2008. BUT I certainly would not have guessed he would accomplish what he has in the NBA.

My post was misunderstood. I'm simply implying that he's not highly regarded during that draft especially in comparison to his success in the NBA. He barely got any scholarship offers and in fact took 3 years before he announced his intentions to be drafted. He was skinny and unathletic. He could shoot like his father but there are plenty of shooters who doesn't fit the NBA's measurables and that's why he dropped to 7th.


I'm well aware of his NCAA journey during his Sophomore year but to be quite honest, NCAA play are sometimes dismissed unless you are heralded since day one like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson or Olajuwon types.



Going back to my OP, this is the intention of my thread. It's a fun exercise and not about who will be right or wrong years from now.


I think there's a few gems in the last few years that people are missing. Everyone in the hobby seemed locked in on Luka Doncic and Ja Morant (before his shenanigans)and some are still hopeful Zion will turn it around.

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by wxguy44

Absolutely. I saw the 1st round game vs Gonzaga, and I immediately was sold. Just wish I was back in the hobby around that time. I surely would have bought as much of him as I could.

I remember watching a couple of his NCAA tournament games back then.

Like you, I wish I returned to the hobby earlier but I was in college, focused on other things.

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by mc1

Agreed. Its unfair to label Steph a nobody simply because he wasnt projected to be a future huge hobby star. Sure, not many thought he could be the next Kobe or Lebron.

I would love to hear your contribution. Any of these player(s) you're high on?

[jcardstore]

There’s not a single player on this list who will be long term hobby relevant.

Half these guys aren’t very good. Most are in terrible markets and on bad teams going nowhere.

Haliburton is the best basketball player on this list but his game isn’t conducive to tons of highlights and he plays in Indiana.

If I had to pick anyone off this list it would be Paolo just because of how I think he projects as a scorer.

[Ayork]

Originally Posted by pmatic

This is why I mentioned both Curry and Giannis.



Curry was picked 7th and played backup for Monta Ellis. He was a nobody that played in Davidson and was riddled by injuries in his first 3 seasons and fast forward to present and he's already a Top 10 player of all time while still he's still an active player.



Giannis was a scrawny teenager that embarrassed himself in the slam dunk contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzR01hZc4pI

If a thread was created then, I'm pretty sure everyone would laugh at the idea that kid has the potential to become a B2B NBA MVP, a DPOY and a FMVP all under his belt before he turned 28 years old.


Going forward with a less relevant examples. Did you all foresee Jokic as a 2 time MVP after he was drafted 41st in 2004? How about Harden winning an MVP and leading the league in scoring after he played 3rd fiddle and a 6th man in OKC?



You look at all the talent the league has brought us in the last 3 years and you're already giving up on the idea someone will actually exceed expectations and become the next big thing?

Curry was a nobody? He had plenty of hype, just the health issues were his major concern early on. He had pre draft hype bc of his dad and I would definitely not call him a no one coming into the league. That’s just disingenuous.


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[Ayork]

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

He’s not on the list . Really curious to see what they do with him when dame and Ant are back in the starting lineup. Is he going to get as many opportunities as he did at the end of the season?

No he won’t get the same opportunities once those 2 high usage players get back on the court…


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[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by pmatic

This is why I mentioned both Curry and Giannis.



Curry was picked 7th and played backup for Monta Ellis. He was a nobody that played in Davidson and was riddled by injuries in his first 3 seasons and fast forward to present and he's already a Top 10 player of all time while still he's still an active player.



Giannis was a scrawny teenager that embarrassed himself in the slam dunk contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzR01hZc4pI

If a thread was created then, I'm pretty sure everyone would laugh at the idea that kid has the potential to become a B2B NBA MVP, a DPOY and a FMVP all under his belt before he turned 28 years old.


Going forward with a less relevant examples. Did you all foresee Jokic as a 2 time MVP after he was drafted 41st in 2004? How about Harden winning an MVP and leading the league in scoring after he played 3rd fiddle and a 6th man in OKC?



You look at all the talent the league has brought us in the last 3 years and you're already giving up on the idea someone will actually exceed expectations and become the next big thing?

The problem is that you’re picking some of the most extreme outliers in all of NBA history. It’s near impossible to predict what you’re saying.

There are so many more examples of players who were a “sure thing” and peak at really good and are forgotten

[elontusk1119]

only ANT has superstar potential hobby-wise

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

The problem is that you’re picking some of the most extreme outliers in all of NBA history. It’s near impossible to predict what you’re saying.

But why are we setting an invisible line on these outliers? Who's to say that Anthony Edwards couldn't win an MVP and titles? A huge trade in the offseason could simply alter his fortune?

Lamelo Ball could finish his career healthy and get traded to the Lakers at one point and put a new spin on showtime, perhaps to the Knicks and bring back that elusive championship to the Mecca.

Wembanyama may just be the second and better version of Durant.


Im more interested in the why not to be honest.

Originally Posted by jcardstore

There are so many more examples of players who were a “sure thing” and peak at really good and are forgotten

Would love to hear them but keep in mind those players were probably prior to 2020 or before the hobby explosion.

If they play now in this era, there's a good chance they may be hobby relevant.

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by elontusk1119

only ANT has superstar potential hobby-wise

Another vote for Edwards. I see a really nice pattern here, appreciate it.

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by Ayork

Curry was a nobody? He had plenty of hype, just the health issues were his major concern early on. He had pre draft hype bc of his dad and I would definitely not call him a no one coming into the league. That’s just disingenuous.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm going to just politely address this one last time as I feel like it was completely misunderstood but going forward, please understand that was more of a praise on Curry as he overcame a lot of odds and became the best shooter in league history.

[NSGJT]

Originally Posted by pmatic

Do you see any potential Superstars from these next wave of players under 23 both on the court and in the hobby? While I'm fairly new to collecting, I've followed basketball daily and from lurking this board, I know that production doesn't necessarily translate to hobby love. My examples are De'Aaron Fox, Anthony Davis and James Harden who are severely undervalued in the market, while guys like Zion and Ja Morant even Luka are IMO tremendously overpriced.


I'm currently on the Lamelo Ball hype train as I feel he has the highest potential of all players under 23 and with the prices dipping, he's becoming more attractive to prospect. A 6'8 playmaker with amazing court vision and aesthetics are hard to come by but others may disagree. I like Haliburton too but I have a feeling he won't be a hobby relevant in a few more years.


In 3-5 years, if you can pick the 5 players from this group, who do you think has the highest odds to be hobby relevant?

Do you see a Curry or Giannis type (not necessarily the same career trajectory since they have unique skills but a player that blossomed into Superstardom after an underwhelming first few seasons in the league)



Lamelo Ball
Paolo Banchero
Jalen Williams
Tyrese Haliburton
Jalen Green
Cade Cunningham
Franz Wagner
Wembanyama
Scooot Henderson
Franz Wagner
Anthony Edwards
Jaden Ivey
Evan Mobley
Scottie Barnes
Josh Giddey
Alperen Sengun
Jonathan Kuminga
Ben Mathurin
Chet Holmgren
Amen Thompson

Would love to hear peoples thoughts on this. Prospecting for new hobbyists can be hard and confusing when money is involved.

Wemby is the only guy and he has shown the least obviously so you're purely speculating on a prospect.

The NBA hasn't had a mega star in a draft for years, since Zion really who at this point in the "hobby" is dead. Doncic and Tatum prior who share 0 rings thus far across 5 and 6 seasons respectively (Celtics could win though).

I'd agree with KhalDrogo. LeBron, Curry, KD are all about to retire very soon. Sport lacks stars. There is going to be a massive fall off in talent.

[tYEwREEEk13]

In terms of hobby generational talent.. I don't see anybody personally. In terms of being a straight up baller... even though he's 23 and not UNDER 23.... I gotta say this for the controversy and fun responses this will bring up..... KEVIN PORTER JR.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by pmatic

But why are we setting an invisible line on these outliers? Who's to say that Anthony Edwards couldn't win an MVP and titles? A huge trade in the offseason could simply alter his fortune?

Lamelo Ball could finish the season fully healthy and get traded to the Lakers and put a new spin on showtime.

Wembanyama may just be the second and better version of Durant.





Would love to hear them but keep in mind those players were probably prior to 2020 or before the hobby explosion.

If they play now in this era, there's a good chance they may be hobby relevant.

There’s a lot of different things going on here.

1st: I’m talking about long term hobby relevancy. You can also be short term relevant and no good. Long term relevancy is only achievable by having an all time great like top10 all time career or project that way.

Let’s take Edwards since you mentioned him. If you’re insane and think he’s young d wade, you may as well light your money on fire. D wade is a 3x ring, FMVP, multi time all nba 1st team, 13x all star, top3 all time SG and nobody cares about his cards.

And the chance of Edwards being as good as wade is slim at best, regardless of what you think about him as a player

[oldgoldy97]

You’ve hated Ant from the get go. I get it, I wanted Lamelo, too. But Ant is better than Lamelo. And he showed in the playoffs he can be a force.