TheSportsPACK

There is a slew of young talent emerging in the NBA and we would like to take time out to recognize these future stars with an Under 25 All-NBA Team. Being a young player in the NBA is no easy task but these players have proven that they can play ball with the best of them. PG Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers (23 years old) 21.7 ppg 5.1 apg 3.1 rpg - Irving is quickly emerging as a top 5 point guard in this league. Making his 3rd All-Star appearance in his 4th season, Kyrie has shown elite ball handling, a consistent  jumper and has became one of the best finishers at the rim in the league. Two 50 point games this season proves that Kyrie is aiming to be the best point guard in the league for years to come. courtesy of zimbio.com SG Victor Oladipo Orlando Magic (23 years old) 17.9 ppg 4.1 apg 4.2 rpg - Victor Oladipo has become a leader on the floor for this young Orlando Magic team. From shooting percentage to assist per game, every statistical category has improved f...

*averages from 1/8 to 1/15 Point Guards 1. Stephen Curry   GSW  27.3 points 8 assist 2.7 rebounds 2. John Wall   WAS  19.3 points 9.3 assist 2.5 rebounds Chris Paul 3. Chris Paul   LAC  21 points 10.7 assist 3.7 rebounds 4. Damian Lillard   POR  20.3 points 4.8 assist 2.8 rebounds 5. Kyle Lowry   TOR  17.8 points 9.5 assist 6.5 rebounds 2.0 steals Shooting Guards 1. James Harden   HOU 23 points 4 rebounds 8 assist 2.4 steals 2. Klay Thompson   GSW  18.3 points 4 rebounds 2 assist 3. Kobe Bryant   LAL  15.5 points 6 rebounds 12 assist 4. Dwayne Wade   MIA 14.7 points 5.3 rebounds 5.7 assist 5. Monta Ellis DAL 18.7 points 4 rebounds 5.3 assist 2 steals Monta Ellis Small Forwards 1. LeBron James CLE 34.5 points 6 rebounds 5 assist 2. Kevin Durant   OKC  28 points 7.5 rebounds 3.5 assist 3. Rudy Gay   SAC 16.3 p...

*averages from the week of 1/1-1/7 Point Guards 1. Stephen Curry GSW 25.5 points 9 assist 7 rebounds 2.5 steals 2. John Wall WAS 15.5 points 10 assist  2.8 rebounds 3. Damian Lillard POR 27.5 points 6 assist 7 rebounds 4. Chris Paul   LAC  19.3 points 11 assist 5.3 rebounds   5. Kyle Lowry TOR 20.5 points 7.5 assist 4 rebounds 2 steals Shooting Guards 1. James Harden HOU 20 points 4 rebounds 4.3 assist 2. Jimmy Butler CHI 21.3 points 8 rebounds 4 assist 2.3 steals 3. Dwayne Wade MIA 20 points 5 rebounds 5 assist 4. Kobe Bryant LAL 17.5 points 7.5 rebounds 7 assist 5. Klay Thompson   GSW  26.3 points 3 rebounds Small Forwards 1. Rudy Gay SAC 20.3 points 6.7 rebounds 3 assist 2 steals 2. Kevin Durant   OKC  24 points 9 rebounds 3. Gordon Hayward UTA 17.3 points 3.8 rebounds  3.8 assist 4. Joe Johnson BNK 17 points 4.3 rebounds 3.8 assist ...

As conference play gets set to begin next week, TheSportsPACK is highlighting some of the standout freshmen from across the country. These first-year players have made an immediate impact for their schools this season with hope of continuing that throughout the conference schedule. Rashard Vaughn  @ShowtimeMr1   ( UNLV )  The 6-6 guard from Findlay Prep leads all freshman in scoring averaging 17.7 points per game. Vaughn has scored in double digits 8 out of the 10 games he has played this season. Four of those contest resulted in 20+ point outings including a career high 29 vs Albany and 21 points in the upset win over #3 Arizona.  James Blackmon Jr. @JBlackmon2   ( Indiana )  Blackmon Jr.is the first freshman guard to lead the Hoosiers in scoring since Devin Dumes during the 2008-2009 season. Blackmon Jr. is averaging 17.6 points per game; second among freshman and third in the Big Ten Conference. James has scored over 15 points in 8 of hi...

Every Saturday The Sports PACK will take a look at the top 5 NBA players at each position. The criteria for this list overall performance, consistency and team success. The combination of these three categories is what separates the good players from the great. Career high averages are in Bold Point Guards 1. Stephen Curry GSW 23.9 ppg 7.6 apg 5.3 rpg 2.0 spg 2. John Wall WAS 17.9 ppg 10.6 apg 4.6 rpg 2.1 spg 3.  Damian Lillard  POR  21.6 ppg 6.2 apg 5.1 rpg 4.  Kyle Lowry  TOR  19.4 ppg 7.8 apg 4.6 rpg Lowry is 4th among PG in player efficiency (+23.29) 5. Mike Conley MEM 17.8 ppg 6.2 apg 3.0 rpg Shooting Guards 1. James Harden HOU 26.7 ppg 6.3 rpg 6.7 apg 1.9 spg 2. Kobe Bryant LAL 24.6 ppg 5.1 rpg 5.0 apg 3. Jimmy Bulter CHI 21.9 ppg 6.0 rpg 3.3 apg Butler is 3rd among SG in offensive rating (125.0)  4.  Dwayne Wade  MIA  22.8 ppg 3.8 rpg 5.5 ast ...

With a quarter of the NBA season in the books lets take an early look at my All-NBA 1st and 2nd teams 1st team PG: Stephen Curry GSW   (23.9 ppg 7.6 apg 5.3 rpg 2.0 spg) If there was any question about Steph Curry being a top 5 point guard, those questions have been answered with his play this season. An early MVP frontrunner, Curry has the Warriors atop of the Western Conference by shooting a career best 48.5% from the floor. SG: James Harden HOU   (26.7 ppg 6.7 apg 6.3 rpg) Harden stepped up his game in the 11 games Dwight Howard was out by averaging 30.8 ppg per game during that stretch. Despite James Harden's status as the league's leading scorer and arguably the best shooting guard in the game, questions arise defensive. A little too early to be thinking about playoffs but the way Harden is scoring the ball, Houston will be a tough out. SF: LeBron James CLE   (25.4 ppg 7.6 apg 5.4 rpg) King James is still the best small forward in the NBA...