Commentary

Palmer's Ballot: Best 23-and-under players

Originally Published: April 1, 2008

By | ESPN.com

We asked our writers two questions:

Rank 1 to 5: Which players age 23 or under would you want as the foundation of your team?

Wild card: Who else has the greatest upside?

Here are ESPN The Magazine senior writer Chris Palmer's picks:

Palmer's Ballot
Rank	Player	Comment
	LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers Small Forward Age: 23	The best ever at his age is only getting better.
	Dwight Howard Orlando Magic Center Age: 22	Rapid skill development. Great attitude. Limitless potential. Perfect timing. (So long, Shaq.)
	Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets Point Guard Age: 22	Has anyone so small ever had a bigger impact on the outcome of a game?
	Michael Beasley Kansas State Power Forward Age: 19	As rare a skill set as you'll find. Could be All-NBA two years from now.
	Kevin Durant Seattle SuperSonics Shooting Guard Age: 19	Might end up averaging 30 more times than any other young player.
WILD CARD	Rajon Rondo Boston Celtics Point Guard Age: 22	Gets overshadowed but everything he does helps his team win. This generation's Terry Porter.