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23 and younger: The top of the NBA’s bright future

Trey Flynn|
BEIJING - AUGUST 4: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays basketball with young Chinese players during the Nike 2005 Battlegrounds event August 4, 2005 in Beijing, China. James is on a two-day visit to Beijing as part of his 2005 Asia tour, which will make stops in Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong, as a cross-cultural exchange between LeBron and young kids in Asia. (Photo by Cancan Chu/Getty Images)
BEIJING - AUGUST 4: LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays basketball with young Chinese players during the Nike 2005 Battlegrounds event August 4, 2005 in Beijing, China. James is on a two-day visit to Beijing as part of his 2005 Asia tour, which will make stops in Tokyo, Beijing and Hong Kong, as a cross-cultural exchange between LeBron and young kids in Asia. (Photo by Cancan Chu/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 12: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 12: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket against the LA Clippers in the first quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 12, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

17. D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets

It sort of feels like the NBA community has counted out D’Angelo Russell for any chance to improve as a player.

I disagree.

Russell has been shaky since coming back from his injury, but this guy doesn’t lack the confidence to become one of the best offensive players in the league. He literally doesn’t know what a bad shot looks like. That can hinder most players, and sometimes, it hinders Russell.

He just turned 22 years old about a week ago and the Nets opposition has to recognize his knack to play offense against any defender.

What’s holding him back? Like most young guards, defense and injuries, we’ll see.

My comp here is actually a really fun one – Stephon Marbury. Possibly a Deron Williams type player as well. I’m high on Russell’s future.

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