| Basketball is unique compared to most other | | | | the Lakers to a championship in 2009. |
| professional team sports. Because there are only 5 | | | | 3. Dwight Howard |
| players from each team on the court at a time, a | | | | Howard also decided to forgo college, and he was |
| single great player can have a huge impact. A football | | | | selected as the #1 player in the 2004 draft. Within a |
| quarterback or a baseball pitcher can also have a | | | | few short years he has proven himself to be a player |
| huge impact on his team, but a basketball player is on | | | | everyone should be watching. The 2009 season, in |
| the floor for both offense and defense. | | | | particular, was a huge breakout year for Howard. He |
| Here are the current and upcoming NBA basketball | | | | was named to the All-NBA First Team, he became |
| sport stars. | | | | the youngest player in NBA history to be named the |
| 1. LeBron James | | | | Defensive Player of the Year, and he stunned |
| Ever since LeBron James was drafted directly out of | | | | everyone by leading the Magic past both the Boston |
| high school in 2003, he has had an enormous impact | | | | Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 |
| on the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was voted Rookie of | | | | playoffs. The Magic were finally defeated by Kobe |
| the year after his first season, he led the Cavaliers to | | | | and the Lakers in the Finals. |
| the NBA Finals in 2007, and he was named MVP of | | | | Runners-Up: |
| the NBA in 2009. It will be interesting to see if Lebron | | | | Besides those three, there are many other good |
| can begin to win some championships for the Cavs. | | | | players in the NBA. Tim Duncun has won 4 |
| 2. Kobe Bryant | | | | championships for the Spurs and Steve Nash picked |
| Kobe Bryant was another player who was drafted | | | | up two consecutive MVP trophies. Dwayne Wade, |
| directly out of high school. In 1996, he was drafted by | | | | Kevin Garnett, and Dirk Nowitzki have all consistently |
| the Charlotte Hornets, but he was immediately traded | | | | played at a high level. |
| to the LA Lakers. He picked up 3 championship titles | | | | Many people have wondered if there will ever be a |
| with teammate Shaquille O'Neal during the 2000-2002 | | | | player as dominant and unstoppable as Michael Jordan. |
| seasons. After O'Neal left the Lakers, Kobe has | | | | Maybe there hasn't been yet, but in the near future - |
| proven that he is capable of leading a team without | | | | Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard will |
| Shaq. He picked up the MVP trophy in 2008, and led | | | | undoubtedly be the players to watch. |