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, here it is... 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.
Brooklyn
Rising Star: Julius Randle, Bruno Caboclo - 2 young guys who have potential and will be given the chance to do so on a young team
Star: Jrue Holiday, Serge Ibaka - Special talent at the PG spot with superb lockdown defensive skills while the reported Ibaka deal gives them a great help defender and shot blocker that protects the rim at an advanced level
Boston
Rising Star: C.J. McCollum - Potential to be a special player with great shooting ability
Star: Josh Smith, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez - Special superb all-around talent in Josh Smith while Chris Paul has shown to still be capable of running a team at a very high level along with big Brook Lopez who is rumored to have been traded but he's a guy who can score and defend as well
Elite: Al Jefferson - The ultimate low post scoring threat putting up huge numbers on a winning team
New York
Star: Ty Lawson - Special talent at the PG spot who is capable of big games at any time
Superstar: Carmelo Anthony - Superstar scoring talent capable of explosive scoring games at will
Philadelphia
Rising Star: Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams, Adrien Payne - 3 young guys who excel at what they do with a big future ahead of them
Superstar: Jabari Parker - I'm going out on a limb here and calling Jabari a Superstar scorer already at this stage and sky is the limit for the young fella
Toronto
Star: Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter - Little frame, big game from the PG who single-handedly took his team to the Conference Finals along with big bruising bigman Kanter doing the dirty work
Superstar: Kawhi Leonard - Kawhi having Superstar defensive ability while having a nice offensive touch as well
Chicago
Rising Star: Gary Harris - Loads of potential in the 2nd year guy from Michigan State... Go Spartans
Star: Joakim Noah - Still consistent at what he does best, rebounding and defense though numbers are dropping slightly for Jo No
Superstar: Kevin Love - Big time rebounder and scorer who can possibly take the next step
Elite: Derrick Rose - Rose has elite level athleticism and scoring... hasn't shown it the past season but I believe he still has it in him
Cleveland
Superstar: Kyrie Irving - Superstar scoring with ability to become elite this coming season
Detroit
Star: Jeff Teague, Deron Williams - A luxury to have two PG's who are star players and a nightmare to matchup with
Superstar: Andre Drummond - Incredible force defensively who can only get better as he progresses
Elite: Al Horford - Big Al has shown to be elite when put in an offense that gives him the ball to let him dominate
Indiana
Rising Star: Aaron Gordon, Bradley Beal - Gordon has potential to be unique while Beal has one last time to take the next step he was scouted to take
Superstar: LaMarcus Aldridge - Dominating at the PF spot, LMA is capable of leading a team to Playoff success when surrounded with talent
Milwaukee
Star: Jonas Valanciunas, Rudy Gay - Big Valley finding his stride in MIL and starting to flourish while Rudy played excellent as the main threat in MIL prior to Klay Thompson trade
Superstar: Klay Thompson - Huge in LA prior to the Howard trade where he struggled with Dwight but now finding his stroke in MIL
Miami
Star: Chris Bosh, Kyle Lowry - Still a very effective player who could possibly put up bigger numbers in a different role while Lowry is a great drive, score, and dish PG
Elite: LeBron James - Mr. Do-It-All for the Heat has a lot of tread left on those elite tires, still going strong and is in the highest order of the League
Washington
Rising Star: Montrezl Harrell - Big body rebounder and defender starting to standout in his class
Star: Tristan Thompson, Dion Waiters - Comes up huge on the offensive glass and a great defender as well, Waiters serves up buckets hot, cold, or however you want 'em
Elite: John Wall - Extraordinary talent leading the Wiz to the Playoffs, he's not only a PG, he's the "Player President"
Charlotte
Rising Star: Clint Capela - Young defensive stalwart in the making
Star: Ricky Rubio, Cody Zeller - Spectacular talent at the lead guard spot, may have the chance to take the next step just as Cody Zeller propelled himself into Star status with a tremendous showing this past season
Superstar: Marc Gasol - Huge bodied big who can impact both sides of the floor
Atlanta
Star: Monta Ellis - As part of the DET deal, this guy is a great scoring guard
Superstar: Greg Monroe - Shown to put up huge numbers in a leading man role
Orlando
Rising Star: Doug McDermott, Frank Kaminsky - Proficient scorer/ shooter in one guy, efficient post play from the other... teach me how to shoot it Dougie
Star: Nicolas Batum - With ORL reportedly moving Batum, this guy is an excellent bridge between the back and front court with all around game
Elite: Paul George - He may be touted as a "Superstar" in the Orlando papers but make no mistake about it, he's easily gone to the next level in a flashy way as the head guy or as I call him, Mr. "Give Him The Ball and Let Him Play"
Great job Smitty... Well, that's all we have time for right now as we'll come back to the Western Conference 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!