NBA underground rank 15-11. Raw Big Men and Three Point Guards.

 15) Blake Griffin. Power Forward, Los Angeles Clippers. 
A human highlight film, Griffin is still raw after two years in the NBA. Still without an effective mid-range game, Griffin is able to rely on his supreme power and athleticism to be a star in the league. Griffin is a player in development, but his amazing dunks often overshadow some glaring flaws in his game.

14) Andrew Bynum. Center, Philadelphia 76ers. 
After his first healthy season, Bynum has immediately been considered the second best center in the NBA. A double-double machine, Bynum's defense is likely to improve playing under Doug Collins. Though sometimes volatile, he can do everything a center needs to on the court. His free-throw shooting gives him a favorable comparison to Dwight Howard in late game situations.

13) Rajon Rondo. Point Guard, Boston Celtics. 
If Pierce is the heart of the Celtics and Garnett is the soul, let's call Rondo the pulse. He is the playmaker in Boston and the main reason they can still contend in the East. Last year's triple-double leader, Rondo's shooting improved in the playoffs as well. Rondo's continual improvement has made him the most well-rounded point guard this side of Chris Paul.

 12) Deron Williams. Point Guard, Brooklyn Nets. 
Entering his eighth NBA season, Williams is finally on a team with a decent supporting cast. Of the score-first point guards in the NBA, he is the best passer. While not blessed with tremendous speed or athleticism, Williams uses his power, shooting and high basketball IQ to be one the the best playmakers in the league.

11) Russell Westbrook. Point Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Under heavy scrutiny the past two years, Westbrook is one of the league's most dynamic scorers. A pure athlete with blazing speed, he takes criticism for questionable shot selection. Coming off a good Finals, Westbrook is a definite star in the NBA. His scoring would be even higher if he didn't play on a team with some guy named Kevin Durant.

NBA underground rank 20-16

20) Pau Gasol. Power Forward, Los Angeles Lakers.
After two disappointing playoffs by Laker standards, Gasol should flourish this season playing with Dwight Howard. The best passing big man in the league, Gasol has perfected his finesse game. He should have more open mid-range shots this year as defenses will look at him as the third option in L.A.

19) Tony Parker. Point Guard, San Antonio Spurs. 
Parker had a terrific season in 2012, leading the Spurs to the West's best regular season record. Parker has been the Spurs best player since winning Finals MVP in 2007 and he regained his All-Star form last year. He is the catalyst for a San Antonio offense that looks to be among the leaders in points-per-game this season.

18) Joe Johnson. Small Forward, Brooklyn Nets. 
Perennially underrated as a Hawk, Johnson joins the Nets this season where the spotlight will be on. As part of a formidable one-two punch in Brooklyn, he will experience the pressure from a franchise that wants to win right now. A silky smooth player who can go it all offensively, Johnson has been a consistent star for many years now. He hopes to continue that with his new team.

17) Lamarcus Aldridge. Power Forward, Portland Trail Blazers. 
A first time All-Star in 2012, Aldridge has been the face of the Blazers for some time now. While continually succeeding on a struggling Portland team, Aldridge is comparable to Chris Bosh's days in Toronto at this point in his career. A good mid-range player who can also attack the rim, Aldrige's skill set makes him a dangerous offensive player in the NBA.

16) Paul Pierce. Small Forward, Boston Celtics. 
The original Celtic can still do it at age 34. Pierce and the Celtics are looking to make another run in their seemingly endless "Boston Three Party" era. A high-volume scorer who gets to the line constantly, Pierce is still among the most clutch players in the NBA. Few players embrace the closing moments of a game like Pierce. A 10-time All-Star, Pierce has already cemented his legacy as an all-time great Celtic.

NBA Underground rank 25-21. Best Players on Good Teams and Third Wheels on Great Teams.

 25) Danny Granger. Small Forward, Indiana Pacers. 
Granger has been the face of the Pacers for a few years now. Since his All-Star season in 2009, Indiana has put more talent around Granger and that showed last year. A reliable scorer and defender, he consistently produces and is the de facto leader of the Pacers.

24) Andre Iguodala. Small Forward, Denver Nuggets. 
Now a Denver Nugget, Iguodala is one of the most complete players in the NBA. An athletic defender who scores, rebounds, and assists, he should fit in perfectly in Denver. An Olympian this summer, Iguodala will be counted on to defend the elite scorers in the West and lift the Nuggets into contention.

23) Rudy Gay. Small Forward, Memphis Grizzlies. 
A supreme athlete, Gay can do it all for the Grizzlies. After an early playoff exit, Gay starts this season with a chip on his shoulder. He is the best player in the NBA to never make an Olympic or All-Star roster. If the Grizzlies can stay competitive in the West, Gay will reap the rewards and recognition.

22) James Harden. Shooting Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder. 
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Harden's scoring would be much higher if he played on a different team. A crafty scorer and gifted slasher, Harden is also an underrated passer. Just 23 years old, expect Harden to keep improving after tasting the Finals for the first time last year. If the Thunder allow him to test free agency, Harden and his beard will be in for a huge pay day.

23) Chris Bosh. Center, Miami Heat.
The forgotten member of Miami's big three, Bosh had a nice NBA Finals after missing a chunk of the playoffs. A 7-time All-Star, Bosh's defense has improved since joining the Heat. While struggling sometimes, it's still impressive that he has been able to put up big numbers while playing with James and Wade. Now a champion, Bosh's confidence will be higher than ever heading into the season.

NBA underground rank 30-26

30) Al Jefferson. Center, Utah Jazz.
After breaking through and finally making the playoffs for the first time in his career, Jefferson hopes to lead the Jazz further this season. Jefferson has been one of the most consistent centers over the last five years, always averaging around 20 points and 10 boards a game. He is one of the best big men in the game today to never make the All-Star game, but that could change this year.

29) Ty Lawson. Point Guard, Denver Nuggets. 
After trading Carmelo Anthony in 2011, the Nuggets were in need of a rising young star. They found that in Lawson. One of the fastest players in the league, Lawson is the catalyst for a very entertaining Nuggets team. An explosive scorer, he played the best basketball of his career in the 2012 playoffs.

28) Zach Randolph. Power Forward, Memphis Grizzlies. 
Before Memphis, Randolph was known as a talented scorer, but also an off-the-court risk. That all changed in the 2011 postseason. He lead an upset over top-seeded San Antonio and emerged as on the the best players in those playoffs. After missing most of 2012 with an injury, Randolph will be needed if the Grizzlies want to make a deep playoff run this season.

27) Josh Smith. Forward, Atlanta Hawks. 
Josh "J-Smoove" Smith is a player that keeps improving. Always a great athlete, Smith has now become a complete player. After career highs in scoring and rebounding last year, he is on the verge of making his first All-Star team. With the departure of Joe Johnson from Atlanta, it's conceivable that Smith could average 20 points a game this season.

26) Luol Deng. Small Forward, Chicago Bulls. 
The ultra-consistent Deng is coming off his first All-Star season. A great shooter and defender, Deng may have to raise his game even more this season. Without Rose, teams will look at him as Chicago's best player. Deng may have to learn to take more defenders off the dribble if he wants to be a go to guy every night.

NBA underground rank 35-31. Shooting guards and Uncle Drew.

35) Monta Ellis. Shooting Guard, Milwaukee Bucks. 
At this point, teams know what to expect from Ellis. He is a score-first guard who can go for 40 on a given night. Now playing for the Bucks, Ellis is in an explosive backcourt with Brandon Jennings. Similar to his time in Golden State, he is part of a high scoring guard duo that is asked to take the majority of his team's shots.

34) Arron Afflalo. Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic. 
As the main compensation for Dwight Howard. Afflalo heads to Orlando as the best player on his team for the first time in his career. He is a good 3 point shooter who will defend the opposing team's best perimeter player every night. More will be asked of Afflalo this year as he will be the star of what looks to be a bad Magic team.

33) Kevin Martin. Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets. 
Much like Ellis, Martin has averaged around 20 points a game for a few years now. With the Rockets rebuilding, Martin will be asked to keep carrying the load offensively this year. A gifted slasher, Martin's game involves getting to the line and shooting a high free-throw percentage. He shoots 90% from the line, even with an "unorthodox" release.

 32) Kyrie Irving. Point Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers. 
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Irving is actually the only rookie from last season to make this list. The Cavs made a good choice in selecting Irving as he looks to be on his way to multiple All-Star games. While not the caliber athlete of Rose or Westbrook, Irving is a better shooter than both were as rookies. The pressure is on Irving, as he is the heir apparent in Cleveland to...you know.

 31) Eric Gordon. Shooting Guard, New Orleans Hornets. 
The third and final scoring-only shooting guard in this section, the Hornets made a wise choice in resigning Gordon. He is key to their young, talented core. After missing most of last year, Gordon should be primed to return with his good new teammates. A consistent Gordon will be important if the Hornets want to sneak into the playoffs. I expect him to make his first All-Star team as he will be have the best season of his career with rookie Austin Rivers putting the pressure on him.

NBA underground rank 40-36

40) Greg Monroe. Center, Detroit Pistons. 
After two seasons, Monroe is looking like the next good center to come out of Georgetown. He lead the Pistons in scoring and rebounding last year, and hopes to lead Detroit back to relevance in the East this season. Monroe will be paired with rookie center Andre Drummond as part of a young and talented Pistons frontcourt.

39) Amar'e Stoudemire. Power Forward, New York Knicks. 
After a great first year in New York, Stoudemire struggled last season with multiple injuries. He missed time with a back injury before returning just in time for the playoffs. However, Stoudemire was forced to miss a playoff game after cutting his hand when he punched through a fire extinguisher after a loss to the Heat. New York will need him this year if they plan on moving up in the East.

38) Marc Gasol. Center, Memphis Grizzlies. 
Having long been in his brother Pau's shadow, Marc Gasol enjoyed his best season in 2012. After being an All-Star last year, Gasol and the Grizzlies lost a tough playoff series to the Clippers. A gifted passer for a big man, Gasol's goal this season should be to play more physical. With him as the centerpiece of a good defense, Memphis has a chance to advance further in the playoffs this year.

37) Steve Nash. Point Guard, Los Angeles Lakers. 
Nash may not have been the Lakers biggest splash this summer, but he could very well be their smartest signing. Even at 38, Nash can still pass, shoot and run a high-octane offense as good as anyone. The two-time MVP shot the best percentage of his career last season and will see even more open looks playing in L.A. In an offense with Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, is there a better man to run the point? I'll let the Lakers pick and roll answer that question. 

 36) Tyson Chandler. Center, New York Knicks. 
Last season, Chandler changed the identity of the Knicks. While coaching changes, Linsanity and Melodrama took over New York headlines, Chandler brought a defensive presence that had not been seen since the days of Ewing. A well deserved recipient of Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler is a proven winner in the NBA and a guy who every team would like to have in the locker room. 

NBA underground rank 45-41

45) Jrue Holiday. Point Guard, Philadelphia 76ers. 
Holiday is coming off a good postseason and looks to keep improving entering his fourth season. He is an above average shooter and defender at his position. Holiday should see an increase in his assists this year, playing with newly acquired center Andrew Bynum.

44) Manu Ginobli. Shooting Guard, San Antonio Spurs. 
As part of the Spurs big three, Ginobli can still get it done. Whether it's starting or coming off the bench, he is able to help the Spurs contend year after year.With three NBA titles to his name already, he hopes to help San Antonio reach another Finals this year. Ginobli's versatility and clutch play make him one of the greatest international players the NBA has ever seen.

43) Kevin Garnett. Power Forward, Boston Celtics. 
Entering his 17th NBA season, few active players have had better careers than Garnett. While the offensive numbers may have declined with age, Garnett can consistently hit the mid-range jumper and will always make the right basketball play. He is the reason Boston has been so good defensively the last five years. If he can stay healthy, the Celtics can make a serious playoff run in the East this year.

42) Demarcus Cousins. Center, Sacramento Kings. 
The volatile Cousins has all the skills necessary to become a great NBA center. One of the game's best rebounders, Cousins is now paired with Thomas Robinson as one of the best young frontcourt duos. If the Kings can move up a few spots in the West, he could see his first All-Star selection this season.

41) Ryan Anderson. Power Forward, New Orleans Hornets. 
In the midst of last season's Dwight Howard drama, Anderson quietly had a very good year in Orlando. Along with being one the the league's best 3 point shooters, he is an underrated rebounder. He was named the NBA's Most Improved Player last season after leading the league in 3's. Anderson is now part of a very promising young team in New Orleans.