Hello CSL fans, I'm Cindy Cindy and welcome to the all new CSL Tonite! Please welcome Steve Smith as he discusses the differences between rising star, star, superstar, elite players in the CSL and the teams who have them so without further delay, let's get to it!
Alright Cindy Cindy, we've talked about the teams in the East now let's talk about the guys in the West but first... let me give you all MY definition of these levels of talent. A rising star is usually a younger player who has the talent and potential to become something very special in this League and at times has shown to make an impact on a game, a star player is a guy who'll be loved by his team and is an impact player who affects the game. A superstar is a special talent who can impact the game in every way possible making it easier for their team to be a title contender year in and year out, and an elite player... well they are the guys who are unstoppable and can single-handedly take over any game at any point, regular season, Playoffs, or Finals and will his team to victory... these are the rarest of the rare in the League so let's take a look at them.
San Antonio:
Rising Star: Gorgui Dieng - Defensive beast capable of becoming a future star
Elite: Kevin Durant - Lethal scorer with down numbers this past season but deadly from just about anywhere on the court
Houston:
Star: Kenneth Faried, Thadeus Young - Bigtime defender and rebounding high energy guy in Faried while Thad has been amazing this year off the bench as both a scorer and defender
Superstar: Andre Iguodala - All CSL Defensive 2nd teamer played standout ball this season with extraordinary DEF
Elite: James Harden - Mr. Buckets turned Mr Do-Everything for the Rockets from the PG spot last season, a scoring assassin
Memphis:
Superstar: Mike Conley, Goran Dragic - So underrated but an unstoppable lead guard this past season now teams up with another unstoppable scoring guard in Dragic making for what could be an exciting pairing
Dallas:
Rising Star: Nik Stauskas - Very prolific scoring ability shown from the rookie
Star: Lance Stephenson - Put up some great numbers as the number one option in Big "D"
New Orleans:
Rising Star: Bryce Cotton, Okaro White - With White on the move to CHA, it leaves the Pelicans with a stud of a PG in Cotton who is a rising young talent
Star: Kobe Bryant - Still a very solid scoring option in the League helping the Pelicans win a title
Superstar: DeAndre Jordan - Max dollars and max defense is what Jordan brings to the table giving you Superstar defense
Elite: Anthony Davis - Cream of the crop top of the food chain MVP Player year in and year out
Denver:
Rising Star: Terrence Ross, Tobias Harris - Key guys from the Orlando trade that can step into the Star level of talent in this League
Star: Nikola Pekovic - Unheralded bigman put up great numbers for the Nuggets last season
Elite: Blake Griffin - Got a ring nearly by himself, ultra high level of scoring, rebounding rolled into one player, unique MVP type of guy
Minnesota:
Rising Star: Victor Oladipo - Transition time for the young guy to become a star or even Superstar
Star: Larry Sanders - Great defensive stalwart for the Wolves
Elite: Russell Westbrook - One of the most unstoppable scoring forces in the entire CSL took this team to the Playoffs by himself offensively
Oklahoma City:
Rising Star: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Nikola Vucevic, John Henson, Nick Johnson, Brandon Knight - MKG elite defensive ability, Vucevic as a top scoring bigman, good defensive presence of Henson, Nick Johnson with a superb scoring and shooting knack, and BK who we feel can get back on track when given playing time, they could transition into more prominent CSL players this season
Star: Paul Millsap - Not quite suited for a Sixth Man, if inserted into a starting role will once again thrive
Portland:
Rising Star: Kyle Anderson, Giannis Antetokounmpo - Good overall talent that could be ready to become more, same could be said of the "Greek Freak" who didn't really progress as expected this season
Star: Harrison Barnes - Has gotten better each season and has now become recognized as a true threat and oncourt presence as a scorer
Superstar: Damian Lillard - Will this be the year the high scoring exciting PG finally moves into Elite status, I say YES
Utah:
Rising Star:Trey Burke, Tyler Ennis - Both very talented young PG's will be interesting to see how well they handle splitting time
Superstar: Dante Exum, Derrick Favors - Exum has shown he can be counted on as a leading man along with the great scoring and rebounding defensive presence of young bigman Derrick Favors being an interior force
Golden State:
Rising Star: Branden Dawson, Anthony Bennett - Dawson was a huge surprise last season and could already be a star in the making while Bennett seems to be on his last chance at stepping into a different level, a make or miss year for the young guy
Star: Pau Gasol - The veteran PF still has something to give as he's still putting up respectable numbers
Superstar: Stephen Curry - Curry has had a really down year but we believe he still has Superstar talent
Elite: DeMarcus Cousins - The Big guy put up huge numbers and I went back and forth about his selection but the stats convinced me he's a force to be reckoned with given the right opportunities offensively
Los Angeles (Clippers):
Rising Star: Rodney Hood, KJ McDaniels - Hood has shown to be a very reliable shooter while McDaniels is gonna make a huge improvement when given time and KJ surely won't disappoint
Star: Dwyane Wade - Still showing to have some tread left on those wheels as a main weapon in LA
Superstar: Marcus Smart - Make no mistake, after one season of huge numbers this wasn't a fluke and we look for even better or efficient production from him soon
Elite: Dwight Howard - Once given the reins in LAC after being traded from Houston the big fella went OFF and I think he'll maintain his elite status whereas he was a Superstar prior to the move
Los Angeles (Lakers):
Star: DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Walter Tavares - DeRozan completely took over that Laker offense while Amir Johnson is a proven asset in this League and Laker C Walter Tavares mans the middle controlling the interior as a young force who may just be ready for Superstar status
Phoenix:
Rising Star: Alex Len, Isiah Austin, Delon Wright, Andrew Wiggins - Len made a huge jump while Austin was as solid as ever, rookies Wright and Wiggins are looking to be the faces of this team sooner rather than later joining their leader
Superstar: Eric Bledsoe - Amazing athlete putting up monster numbers on BOTH sides of the court, capable of Elite status perhaps
Sacramento:
Rising Star: Elfrid Payton, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Richard Solomon, Jusuf Nurkic, Christian Wood - Payton and McLemore form one of the better young up and coming backcourts with solid defense and shooting while Porter and Solomon provide lockdown ability at the Forward positions while Nurkic does outstanding at the C spot as well as Wood developing nicely with all being able to make the next leap
Star: Chandler Parsons, Tony Parker - Led a young Kings team to the Playoffs as the main scoring piece until his injury along with still top PG Tony Parker who still has shown to be a proven commodity
And that'll do it Cindy Cindy!!! The Rising Stars, the Stars, the Superstars, and the Elites of the CSL!
Great job Smitty and thank you so much for your analysis... Well, that's all we have time for right now, see you in the next edition of CSL Tonite!
Hit us up and let us know if you agree or disagree with our list!
Bye for now!
2020, 2023, 2027
