The NBA's New-Era Superstars

With the players from the 2000s either retired or towards the end of their careers, the NBA has players like Kawhi, Harden, and still, LeBron currently dominating and carrying the league. But as they get older the league will need new faces to carry it into the future.

Luckily the NBA has such a surplus of young talent in the league, some that are already carrying the mantle for their franchise. These players are slowly proving that they will belong in the same company with the megastars before them. The players that have taken their teams on championship runs and been box office while doing it, the likes of LeBron, Wade, Kobe and now Durant, Kawhi, and Curry.

But who are these young players that will dominate the league and carry the NBA into the future? Find out here:

Luka Doncic

This 20-year old has been nothing short of amazing since entering the league in 2018, now averaging career-highs of 29 ppg, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.6 assists this season. He has his team currently seventh in the tight Western Conference where they are only five games back from the second-seeded Denver Nuggets. Doncic has dazzled the NBA fans with stepback threes and crafty playmaking ability showing he has star written all over him. For a franchise that has been carried for so long by Dirk, Doncic has fully accepted being the face and next cornerstone for the Dallas Mavericks.

After gaining recognition for a spectacular rookie season which earned him ROTY, his breakout game was a thriller against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this season where he recorded a 40-point triple-double, the second-youngest player to do so behind LeBron. Doncic already has so many accolades on his resume that its hard not to see him as a staple in the NBA’s future. He has a very IQ for the game at such a young age and is able to dictate the pace with the best of them. His shooting ability isn’t anything amazing yet, but what he does have his an underrated physique and ability to take contact and finish at the rim along with his next-level court vision.

Luka’s talent has also made him such a draw for fans. In his second season, he became the youngest European player to start an All-Star game. Per NBAstore.com, he ranked sixth in jersey sales in all of the NBA. His likable personality has made him a loveable star in the league at such a young age while also gaining the respect of future Hall of Famers. Now with fellow young-star Kristaps Porzingis getting back healthy, the Mavericks are primed to be a dark horse to play upset in the playoffs where Doncic will shine on the big stage and begin his legacy as one of the greats to do it.

Jayson Tatum

After an up-and-down season for the Boston Celtics last year, this young star is taking the leap to superstar this season as many predicted after his rookie campaign. Since being in the league, all Tatum has known is success at the pro-level. He had a sensational playoff run in his first year where he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only rookies to have 10 games of scoring 20 or more points in their first playoff run and had the dunk on LeBron in their ECF. Fast-forward this year and he has already made an All-Star team and became the No. 1 option for the Celtics.

Tatum is now on the best run of his career. He tied a career-high 41 points against the Lakers this past Sunday, the day before Kobe’s Memorial. In his last 15 games, he is averaging about 27 ppg shooting 47.8 percent from the floor. As Kemba has been out battling injury, he has truly become the face for the Celtics and it shows in his demeanor and the way he attacks the floor more confidently rather than settling for jump shots. He has shown potential to be one of the best scorers the game has seen early in his career, getting comparisons to KD and Kobe. He also is an underrated defender with his length and passer this early in his game.

Tatum landed in the best possible scenario for himself and for the NBA. Not only has he shown an elite talent, but he’s also doing it for one of the legendary franchises in the NBA. He has a very good team around him with players like Kemba, Brown, Hayward, and Smart, along with exceptional coach Brad Stevens, and can no doubt contend for a championship this year unlike Luka, who’s team still needs some pieces. Playing for the Celtics and competing for championships will keep him in the limelight for years to come as he continues to develop his game. Already he is one of the more popular players in the league with a sneaker deal and other endorsements at only 21-years old.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

We are now living in the era of the Greek Freak. The reigning MVP is off to another incredible start this season even improving from last year. He is averaging a career-high in points and rebounds at 29.9 PPG and 13.6 rebounds while also improving his jump shot. He has his team with the best record in the NBA at 49-8 in what has been a historic season for the Bucks. What stood in his way last year in Kawhi in the Eastern Conference is no longer there, opening a path to the NBA Finals. He is one of the most unique players this game has seen with the skills he posses at his size and he truly accepts the mamba mentality.

Many have the Bucks reaching the Finals this year and meeting one of the L.A teams in the championship. The way they have been playing backs that up as they are the No. 1 defensive team in the league behind Giannis, an incredible defender. With his length and speed, he is able to glide to the rim and he has the ball-handling of a guard, often making him truly unstoppable.

On this past Saturday’s prime time game, Giannis and the Bucks dominated one of their biggest threats in the Sixers. In the game, Giannis almost had a triple-double with 31 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists in only 29 mins of action.

Despite him being a low-maintenance star, its no question he is the leader of the new era of players. At only 25, he is dominating in the paint unlike we’ve seen since Shaq. His high motor and work ethic has separated himself from other players who have talent but lack the drive to be great. And fans love him as you can see as he was selected as the All-Star captain in this year’s game. They love to watch him play and his team’s pre-game ritual has become must-see TV. He is one of the brightest stars in the game which is truly special with him coming from overseas and right now he is looking like a two-time MVP winner. Next step, a championship.

The NBA is truly in good hands with these three at center of its future. Expect them and their respective teams to be at the forefront of competing for chips the next couple of years.