Youngsters Blake Griffin, Roy Hibbert, and Russell Westbrook deserve your immediate attention, not just for their outstanding performances that warrant a very deserving berth in this year’s NBA All-Star Game, but as a symbol that after the Duncan-Shaq-Kobe era reaches its conclusion that they and other young NBA talent such as John Wall are ready and willing to carry the torch into the next decade.

Griffin has been on a frightening rampage, of course, and leads a group of amazing young talent that the NBA is banking on to replace this generation’s best players in capable fashion. When Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, and the like finally place their high-tops in the closet there are worthy successors who will be around to keep the party going strong.

So far this season these eight youngsters - three seasons or less before this year - have caught my eye and I’m going to enjoy watching them wage war on the court for years to come.

Check out the links below each player’s respective commentary for video highlights related to that player.

(NOTE: I am NOT including Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and a few others on this list - the guys mentioned are players I really enjoy watching and following. Berate me if you must!)

Enjoy!

  1. Blake Griffin - ClippersIt’s impossible for me to not begin this list with the ROY favorite who enters this week averaging 20.2 points, 11.6 boards, and a plethora of highlights reminiscent of a young Charles Barkley. Griffin has scored more than twenty points and pulled down more than thirteen rebounds in five consecutive games and might be the most incredibly athletic big man we have ever seen. It’s almost unfathomable to think he’s just 21 years old and bound to improve dramatically over the next few seasons. I’m hoping that owner Donald Sterling finally attempts to build a legit, winning squad as this kid is the franchise superstar that the Clippers have never had and it would be a travesty to waste such a talent.

Check out highlights of Griffin’s 44-point performance vs. the Knicks HERE.

  1. Roy Hibbert - Pacers

I recently wrote a column about Roy Hibbert emerging as the next great NBA center in the future (Check it out HERE) and after watching last night’s Pacers victory over the Lakers I’m as big a believer as ever. Hibbert outplayed MVP candidate Pau Gasol all night on the way to 24 points, 12 boards, and six assists for the ever-improving Pacers and I can’t wait to watch him grow into the dominant force I know he can be. Hibbert is also an incredibly humble, hard working guy who seems completely genuine - follow him on Twitter and you’ll see what I mean! Roy enters this week posting 16.1 points, 9.6 boards, and 2.1 blocks per night.

Check out highlights from last night’s Pacers’ victory over the Lakers HERE.

  1. Derrick Rose - Bulls

Wow… Rose is better than I ever imagined. His averages of 26.6 points and 8.2 assists don’t begin to tell the whole story of how much better this guy is compared to two years ago. Coach Tom Thibodeau has done a fantastic job schooling Rose on his defensive principles and offensively Derrick has been a juggernaut lately - 30.5 points in his last six, including a perfect 15-15 from the line in his last two! If Rose develops a reliable long-range shot and can nail freebies… oh my!

Check out a clip of Rose highlights from the Bulls 2OT win over the Suns HERE.

  1. Russell Westbrook - Thunder

Thriving in Kevin Durant’s shadow seemed impossible just eight months ago but Westbrook is the real deal, folks. After coming alive in the playoffs last season against the Lakers Westbrook has continued surging with averages of 23.8 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per contest for Oklahoma City this year, including a career-high 43-point outburst in a win against Indiana and leading the Thunder to a victory over Boston with Durant sidelined. Westbrook might also be the best rebounding guard in the NBA as well, taking that title away from the age-defying Jason Kidd.

Here are some Westbrook highlights from the Thunder’s win over the Celtics HERE.

5. John Wall - Wizards

Wall has played in just nine games this season with an assortment of injuries but when he has been on the court, look out! I wasn’t quite ready to commit to his future greatness but I’m taking that leap of faith now. He’s already almost impossible to guard in transition and has lightning-quick hands on defense that just gobble up steals. Wall is posting 18.0 points, 9.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game so far and if he improves his semi-reliable jumper the league is in trouble. Stay healthy, please!!!

Check out a Wall highlight-reel HERE.

  1. Kevin Love - Timberwolves

Love is just beginning to crack his potential, which is pretty frightening considering what he has accomplished so far this season. Nineteen points and fifteen rebounds per night while shooting a ridiculously high percentage from the line for a big-man (.897) have left me confused at why Coach Rambis refused to play this guy big minutes sooner. While he needs to improve defensively (who doesn’t?) his ability to generate second-chance points and clean the glass can’t be denied. We all know about his 31/31 game against the Knicks and it was no fluke, folks - Love has averaged 25.7 points and 20.3 boards in his last three! If you are a fan of hard-working, energy types who bring it every night keep an eye on Love in the future.

Check out highlights of Love’s 31/31 performance HERE.

  1. Stephen Curry - Warriors

I know the Warriors have stumbled a bit since their fast start but they continue to be one of my favorite teams to watch, in no small part thanks to Stephen Curry. Curry is averaging 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per outing and possesses one of the sweetest-shooting strokes I have ever seen - when I watch him work I am reminded of a young Milwaukee Bucks’ version of Ray Allen. He’s also incredibly unassuming and I’m hopeful that he and Monta Ellis will create sweet music that Warriors fans will love over the next few years.

Check out an awesome Curry highlight clip HERE.

  1. Eric Gordon - Clippers

I  never really believed that Gordon would take the next step into stardom but he sure is proving me wrong. Gordon is filling it up this year, averaging 24.3 points (!) and forming a very potent pick-and-roll combination with Blake Griffin that has Clippers’ fans shouting “Baron who?”. Please hit the treadmill, Baron! Gordon turns the ball over a bit more than he should but that will probably iron itself out eventually. I truly hope the Clippers realize what they have with these two and lock them up long-term ASAP.

Check out a monster dunk Gordon threw down on Roy Hibbert’s head HERE. Sorry Roy!

With these guys displaying tremendous talent and joined by NBA superstars like (gulp) LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwight Howard our league is in great hands going forward.

My only wish? That we could keep Steve Nash around FOREVER!

Until next time….