How three 25-and-under stars are taking the torch in NBA playoffs
In the 2024 playoffs, young stars such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Doncic are making their mark.
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There’s usually a bit of comprehension and hesitation in the NBA when it’s about the star pecking order and that four-letter word: Next.
Like, who’s got it?
Is the evidence we’re currently observing so persuasive that we can confidently conclude that change is imminent?
This postseason indicates that Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are no longer following in others’ footsteps. They are now carving their own paths and dominating in the process. This could indeed signal the anticipated generational and seismic shift.
While LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, all well into their 30s, are at home watching on TV or doing whatever inactive superstars do with their unexpected free time in May, their spots are occupied by players much younger and just as hungry, if not more.
The history of the league is marked with a long line of succession. Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell passed the torch to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Then Magic Johnson and Larry Bird paved the way for Michael Jordan, who then passed it on to Kobe Bryant, and Bryant eventually to James, among others.
Claiming with complete certainty that Edwards, Doncic, and Gilgeous-Alexander are on the brink of pursuing championship trophies with their teams may be somewhat hasty. It’s possible they won’t even secure one next month, or at any point in their careers.
At times, occurrences can disrupt the discourse and shatter the crystal ball. Take Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and Grant Hill as examples – they were all perceived as the “upcoming” ones during their prime.
However, it certainly feels like a new chapter unfolding in the spring of 2024.
These young players, who are impatient and greedy as any prospective champion and superstar should be, are no longer seeking autographs from James, Curry, and their peers.
Here’s how and why these stars, all aged 25 and under, are boldly announcing their attempted takeovers in these playoffs:
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Take another look at some of Anthony Edwards’ standout performances from the first round against Phoenix.
Body of work: At just 22, he owns the fastest-rising reputation in the league, drawing comparisons to 2006 Dwyane Wade and even Michael Jordan (pre-six championships). The latter might be a bit rich, but such is life in a social media and debate TV era, where recency bias runs unchecked and nuance is often lost in the rush to gush.
Make no mistake, though, Edwards is jumping the line and could already be a top-five pure talent in today’s game. Just ask Kevin Durant, whom he swept in the first round, or any current greats. Or, just trust your eyes. Best of all, his impact lies on both ends of the floor.
Edwards’ main area of improvement is his shooting skills. He once mentioned, “When I first joined the league, I was not a good shooter”. His 3-point shot still needs some work – his career average is 35.3% and it has declined from the previous season. However, his confidence in long-range shots has increased and he is not afraid to take them during crucial moments.
His scoring has improved every season. Besides the development in his mid-range game, his passing skills and increased trust in his teammates demonstrate a higher level of basketball sophistication.
Edwards desires the final shot in the game, unconcerned about the potential repercussions if he does not succeed.
At last, Edwards is available. He has played 79 games for two consecutive seasons. Indeed, his youth gives him an upper hand, but it’s his excellent physical condition and football background that also play a significant role. Moreover, Edwards’ love for basketball is not merely verbal; he demonstrates it through his actions.
Work to do: He just took his team into the Western Conference semifinals. At least that’s progress, considering he lost in the first round last season. The ultimate measure of greatness is playing well into May and even June, and doing it consistently.
Edwards has not yet won a major award, but he’s just beginning. It is anticipated that he will be bestowed with the All-NBA title this month, potentially the first of many accolades to come.
Said Durant: “So impressed with Ant. My favorite player to watch … he’s gonna be somebody I’m following for the rest of his career.”
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Body of work: Initially he was on the fast track for being one of the greatest international players ever. After further review, Doncic at his current pace could rank among the greatest players — regardless of birthplace.
Doncic stands out among his contemporaries with his ability to create plays, make shots, pass, rebound, and assess the court. The combination of exceptional basketball intelligence and skill is uncommon, even among the top players in the league, making him a formidable opponent.
He’s already made four All-NBA first teams, is a four-time All-Star starter and claimed the scoring title this season (only Euro to do so). He and LeBron James are the only players to reach 10,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 3,000 assists before turning 25.
Furthermore, Doncic’s competitive spirit is incredibly strong. This often leads to negative repercussions – especially for the referees overseeing his games – but it also drives him to excel during crucial moments when the game is on the line.
Did someone say alley-oop!? pic.twitter.com/PaGjSH7iDf
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) May 4, 2024
Doncic has only led the Mavericks to a single Western Conference Finals, indicating his need for a consistent star teammate to make regular deep playoff runs. While he played with Dirk Nowitzki, the latter was too advanced in years to be Doncic’s co-star. Currently, Doncic is in his second season playing alongside Kyrie Irving.
Work to do: Win a Kia MVP, win a championship. That’s the to-do shortlist for Luka. Both are reasonable, especially the MVP as he could win multiple such awards.
Said Irving: “I want to see him win MVP. If it’s not going to be this year, it’s going to be in the eventual future.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Body of work: Discipline, work ethic, talent, competitive spirit. It’s all there with Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s making a strong bid to be the most dangerous scorer in the league at just 25.
About that scoring: Gilgeous-Alexander mainly works the creases and openings inside the 3-point arc, searching for that spot to pull up for the jumper. It’s all very Chris Paul-like, which is no accident since he took tips from Paul in 2019-20, their one season together.
Furthermore, his frequent trips to the free-throw line illustrate his innovative and resourceful approach in scoring by any means possible. This season, he had an impressive 87.4% shooting accuracy from the line. Over the past two seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has maintained an average of 30.7 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 52.3%.
He should make first-team All-NBA for the second straight season, mainly because — aside from scoring and leading the Thunder to the top of the West — his defense took another leap. His two steals per game tied him with the Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox for No. 1 in the NBA.
Work to do: Despite his knack for scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander is an average 3-point shooter (career 34.9%). Defenses will choose their poison and collapse and give him that space. If he can stretch the floor more, he’d be even better off the dribble — and nearly unstoppable.
As a point guard, his passing game is decent but not exceptional, with a career assist average of 4.9. Nonetheless, he showed improvement in the recent season by recording 5.5 assists per game, his best since the 2020-21 season when he had 5.9 assists per game. This level of progression is what makes him a contender for the MVP title.
Said Nikola Jokic: “He’s a special player. Not just this year. And the good thing about him, he wants to win. He doesn’t care about numbers. He wants to win. And I think that’s the best thing about him.”
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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