NBA underground rank 50-46

50) Al Horford. Center, Atlanta Hawks.
After missing most of the 2012 campaign with a torn pectoral muscle, Horford looks to get back to his All-Star form this season. If he can regain form and average a double-double this year, the Dominican big man will be among the elite centers in the NBA.

49) Paul Millsap. Power Forward, Utah Jazz. 

Millsap can is a great rebounder who can also score. He was one of the main reasons the Jazz clinched a playoff berth last season. After picking up the scoring numbers up these past two years, Millsap has a good chance to be an All-Star if he keeps improving.

 48) David Lee. Power Forward, Golden State Warriors. 

Lee has been an inside force in the NBA for the past few seasons. After signing that big deal with the Warriors in 2010, he has been under the radar the last two years. If the Warriors want to make the playoffs this year, Lee will need to be the leader of their new frontcourt trio that also features Andrew Bogut and rookie Harrison Barnes. 

47) Carlos Boozer. Power Forward, Chicago Bulls. 

Entering his third year with the Bulls, the pressure is very much on Carlos Boozer. After a subpar playoff performance, Boozer will need to step it up or he will be on amnesty alert. With many Bulls fans calling for him to be benched in favor of Taj Gibson. It is essentially now or never for Boozer as he and the Bulls look to fill the massive void left by Derrick Rose's injury. 

46) John Wall. Point Guard, Washington Wizards. 

 At point guard, only Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook have the skill set at of John Wall. Rose and Westbrook both had huge breakout years in their third seasons, so this should be the time for Wall. If the Wizards ever want to get back to respectability, Wall needs to be the man to lead them. If he can improve his shooting (especially from 3), expect Wall to be much higher on this list next year. 

NBA underground rank - Honorable Mention

ESPN is doing their annual NBA Rank, so I was inspired to put together my own top 50 players in the NBA. But before I start the top 50, here are five guys that just missed the cut. Let's call them this year's honorable mention.

Lou Williams. Guard, Atlanta Hawks.
Williams is a combo guard who can create his own shot and fill up the stat sheet when he is on his game. After being in a crowded backcourt as a 76er, Williams joins the Hawks expected to take on a bigger scoring role. Along with Al Horford and Josh Smith, Williams will be a key if the Hawks plan on making the playoffs this year.

 Tyreke Evans. Guard, Sacramento Kings. 
After winning rookie of the year in 2010, Evans's numbers have slightly decreased in the two seasons since. He is a versatile young player, but will have to do more this season if he wants to lead the Kings out of the cellar in the Western Conference.

Jason Terry. Guard, Boston Celtics. 
Jason "JET" Terry is a volume scorer who looks to shine as Ray Allen's replacement in Boston. He will come off the bench this season and will contend for Sixth Man of the Year. When on his game, Terry can make it rain from beyond the arc.

Kyle Lowry. Point Guard, Toronto Raptors. 
Lowry quietly had a very good season last year in Houston. He has a chance to improve on his succes this year in Toronto. His defensive prowess will fit nicely in the Raptors new scheme. If they plan on fighting for a playoff spot, it's up to Lowry to play the point effectively.

Roy Hibbert. Center, Indiana Pacers. 
A first time All-Star in 2012, Hibbert needs to do more with his 7'2" frame this season if the Pacers want to keep a top three seed in the East. Hibbert has developed a nice jumper at this point in his career, but he should play closer to the basket and shake off his "soft" label. Hibbert should be among the league leaders in blocks and rebounds as the anchor of that good Pacer defense.

So it begins...

This is the first post of many by NBA underground. I know that we're in the middle of the offseason, but this blog has no offseason. Tune in every day for new posts and fresh takes on the NBA.