We Are Seeing Tremendous Growth in the NBA This Year

We are nearly halfway through another NBA regular season, and it has been relatively lackluster compared to previous seasons. This lack of excitement in the NBA is likely the result of the litany of injuries the NBA is going through this year. Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, & Chris Paul have all experienced significant injuries. Though the NBA as a whole is not as exciting as years' past, we are seeing the maturation of the NBA's current and future superstars.  Here are some of the big names in the NBA who are finally living up to their potential:

1. Kevin Durant

It seems that every year someone in the NBA goes on a scoring frenzy around the months of January and February. This year it is Kevin Durant's turn.  Fresh off of scoring 30+ points in 12 straight games, finally, Kevin Durant is turning into the no holds barred ball player we've all been waiting for him to become.

                                  Durant's Month-by-Month Point and Assist Averages

	G	PPG	ASG
November	13	26.9	5.4
December	17	29.4	4.5
January	16	35.9	6.1

In a previous post, I asked if Kevin Durant would have blocked Lebron James's jump shot in the All Star Game; Now we know the answer.  Durant went at Lebron in a statement game this past January, where in one particular instance Durant drained back to back 3s in LeBron's face. With Westbrook out for a while, Durant has formally informed the world that the MVP trophy would be his this season.

2. Blake Griffin

The impact Doc Rivers is having on Blake Griffin is clear;Griffin is having a career year.  Gone are the days of Griffin being a small forward in a power forward's body.  He is no longer soft.  While Griffin still takes an occasional jump shot here and there, Griffin's game has probably shown the most growth this year.  His post game has improved immensely, and Griffin takes it hard to the basket at every opportunity he gets. 

Good Foot Work

Even Charles Barkley has taken note of Griffin's improvement; "One of the best things that has happened to him is Chris [Paul] being out because he has been more aggressive. And that's been [my] only criticism of him is he's not aggressive enough," Barkley said. "To me, he's got to start to impose his will more. With Chris being out, he's doing that more." With his improved post moves, Griffin is no longer just a dunker in the NBA.  Look for Griffin to cement his spot as a top 5 NBA player in the years to come.

3. Dwight Howard

Like Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard's game has improved by leaps and bounds since taking his talents to Houston following his injury plagued season with the Lakers.  While Howard is NOT putting up the "28 & 15" Shaq says he should be putting up every night (Not even Shaq did that), Howard is now a viable post player.

He's still too reliant on dunks though

Oddly enough, he has a better left-handed post move then a right-handed post move.  With the NBA's big men near extinction, Howard is likely to be the best Center in the league for the foreseeable future.

A Young Kobe?

4. Paul George

Following his breakout series against the Miami Heat in last year's playoffs, Paul George has emerged as a star in the NBA.  But where did George come from?  Having only been in the league since 2010, George is a relative newcomer. He was a mid-tier player until his series with the Miami Heat last year.  Who knew George would be this good?  George is averaging a career high 22.4 points per game this year, to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.  George has also drastically increased his free throw percentage from 80% over the past few years, to 85% this season.

Here are two comments from TNT's Steve Kerr & Charles Barkley during George's breakout series against the Miami Heat;

Kerr: "Paul George has gotten the better of LeBron James in the last part of the fourth quarter and overtime. If there is any doubt at all that Paul George has elevated to superstar status, he's dispelled that doubt tonight."

Barkley: "I was impressed with Paul George. To guard LeBron James and play well, that's impressive."

This upcoming NBA Playoffs will be the true test of George's growth, as he will likely have to face off with a Lebron James in the Eastern Conference Finals this year. With George's recent emergence as a star in the NBA, this list looks like it will encompass the league's top 5 players(with LeBron included) for the next 10 years or so.