If You Can't Name These NBA Players, You're Out Of Touch!
- by Joey Haverford
- – on
- in Sports
The NBA is currently in a boom period of new superstars being made and new talent entering the league. Everyone knows LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry thanks to their dominant runs as household names. However, the league’s biggest positive is the impressive number of relevant stars. We will highlight some talented players that any current NBA fan should know. They range from new superstars to budding superstars to great role players. All these players find a way to contribute to the game and improve their team.
The bigger names are the ones now reaching the top of the mountain. When the stars like LeBron and Durant start to diminish, these guys will be the faces of the league. Some of them already dominate the merchandise sales and have made All-Star appearances. The role players even have followings due to the importance of them on winning teams. Every roster needs a few underrated players that will step up to make the big plays that decide the game result. If you are up to date with the current NBA landscape, you should be able to name these stars with ease. Putting up a poor score on this quiz would mean you are out of touch with the NBA.
Name the NBA star
The Philadelphia 76ers were criticized for their game plan of tanking over the past few years. Their goal was to land top lottery picks and draft future superstars. The plan has played off as the 76ers are now relevant thanks to the success of this man. Philadelphia has their new face of the franchise after this player has deliver two highly successful seasons back to back. His entertaining personality has added a lot of excitement to the franchise. Who is this player?
Name the NBA star
This budding superstar has become one of the most exciting players to watch on a nightly basis. He seemingly came out of nowhere a few seasons ago when making a huge step forward into the All-Star status. His past few years have seen him become a consistently great top star. Milwaukee Bucks fans are hoping he can be the one that leads them into contention. He even finished second in Eastern Conference All-Star votes to LeBron James this past season. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a very interesting core of young talented superstars right now. This man is considered the most talented of the bunch. Many believe the center position is becoming outdated with big men posting in the paint and dominating the game being a thing of the past. The player pictured above is proving centers can adapt to the current game with finesse and an outside game. He is already a top player at his position. Who is this center?
Name the NBA star
The superstar duo of the Toronto Raptors has led them to having the best season in franchise history. This player is considered the best Raptor as they look to contend for an NBA Championship soon. He is a dynamic scorer that dominates from the mid-range but can shoot from deep or drive into the paint. His recent season reached a new peak when he was voted in as an All-Star starter for his position. Can you name this Raptors superstar?
Name the NBA star
The New York Knicks have made countless embarrassing mistakes over the past two decades. One rare success story saw them hit a home run in the draft a few years ago when selecting this stud. He instantly became a fan favorite and has continuously improved. Before suffering an injury, he was having his best season this past year with outstanding numbers. The ability to dominate on offense and defense makes him a special star. Can you name this budding superstar for the Knicks?
Name the NBA star
This point guard is extremely talented despite not having much experience in the playoffs. He has been an All-Star for the Charlotte Hornets. Many fans have speculated if he would be better off with a trade to a contending team, but Charlotte won’t let him go for free. The outstanding offensive skills of this player will see him continue to play well for many seasons barring injury. Do you which of the following options is the name of the player in the picture?
Name the NBA star
This Portland Trail Blazers point guard has become the face of their franchise. The fan base loves him both for his production on the court and his attitude off it. He has stated he doesn’t plan to leave Portland to join a super team like many of his peers have been doing in recent years. His goal is to lead the Blazers to contending for an NBA Championship sooner than later. Can you name this All-Star currently on the Blazers roster?
Name the NBA star
The Indiana Pacers found a diamond in the rough when acquiring this star. His first few seasons in the NBA showed promise, but he appeared to be a secondary role player. Indiana gave him a chance to shine as the leader of the team and he responded well. His outstanding performance this season saw him make the All-Star team and lead the Pacers back into the playoffs. The future is even brighter for him. Can you name this Indiana star?
Name the NBA star
The talented backcourt of this franchise sees the Washington Wizards hoping to make noise in the Eastern Conference. Injuries have hurt the overall season for the Wizards, but this guard had his best season yet. It was an obvious choice for him to get selected to his first All-Star Game. The three-point shooting and clutch play of this young talent makes him valuable for Washington. He is now entering his prime. Do you know the name of this Wizards shooting guard?
Name the NBA star
The first season for this talented player proved the Philadelphia 76ers made the right choice drafting him. Injury concerns worried fans that he may never develop his talent, but his numbers are already outstanding. The ultimate compliment has seen him get compared to LeBron James when looking at his overall style of play. It will be a huge disappointment if he doesn’t become a consistent All-Star every season starting next year. Can you name this young and dynamic 76ers rookie?
Name the NBA star
The Memphis Grizzlies are currently in a state of flux after a hugely disappointing season. This player is the only person essentially guaranteed to remain on their roster next season. Other credible talent could be moved to contenders in exchange for younger players. However, this point guard certainly will be back due to his max contract and status of the squad’s superstar. The short-term future of this franchise depends on how well this player can perform. Do you know his name?
Name the NBA star
The center position has seen a huge change over the years. This big man pictured above is one of the few centers that still has an old school approach. His strengths are dominating on the offense in the paint and collecting as many rebounds as possible. The hard work was appreciated when he was selected to the most recent All-Star Game. Unfortunately, he was unable to lead his team to the postseason. Do you know the name of this Pistons center?
Name the NBA star
This talented point guard has seen his career undergo many changes over the past year. He has been traded twice despite being an MVP contender last season. Injury issues and failing to fit in with new teams have been the sources of his problems. His hope will be to have a bounce back season next year on whatever team that signs him. We have seen him prove his greatness when healthy. Can you name the controversial point guard pictured here?
Name the NBA star
The Boston Celtics signed this star last offseason when hoping to improve their overall roster. Boston has been putting together a plan for many years to set up the franchise to contend for an NBA Championship. This was the first major free agent signing to move forward. His past few seasons have shown that he is capable of being an All-Star caliber player. Injury issues slowed him down this past year, but his future with the Celtics is bright. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
This rookie has made a huge impact during his first season in the NBA. The Utah Jazz selected him, and he has become the steal of the 2017 Draft. His impressive play saw him replace Gordon Hayward as the new face of the Jazz. He saw his star power rise when winning the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend. The argument can be made that he is the reason Utah had such a great season after losing multiple talents. Can you name him?
Name the NBA star
The Denver Nuggets had an up and down season. While they had a great end to the regular season, they failed to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. Injuries hurt them earlier in the season, but one huge positive emerged. This center took a giant leap forward from a talented young player into a potential superstar. He put up quite a few triple doubles and showed the evolution of the big man with his outside shot. Do you know his name?
Name the NBA star
This player has become a forgotten man despite being one of the best players at his position. An argument can be made he is already a top five all-time NBA shooter from deep. However, he plays with other superstars that are even more talented than him. Despite being overlooked in recent years, his play is still superb whenever his team needs him to step up. Every team fears him getting in the zone during a game. Can you correctly remember his name?
Name the NBA star
The Miami Heat overachieved immensely this past season. Most expected them to miss the postseason, but they made their way into the playoff picture with a chance to make some noise. This point guard was their most consistent player and was able to make the All-Star team on the Eastern Conference side. Miami hopes to develop younger stars or find a way to acquire another superstar to pair with him going forward. Do you know the name of this point guard?
Name the NBA star
This point guard has proven to be even better than most realized when joining the Utah Jazz. His former team didn’t seem to appreciate his talent given the lack of role he had on the offense. A shocking trade saw him get moved to the Jazz. It led to a highly impressive season with him playing a huge role in the Jazz getting back to the playoffs without missing a step. Which of the following names is the point guard shown here?
Name the NBA star
The emergence of this young shooting guard has seen him rise to one of the best at the position. His offensive game can see him take over in a matter of minutes. The Portland Trail Blazers have allowed him to shine as the second option on their team. He has repaid them with consistent improvement. The sky is the limit for him as he continues to take steps forward in the NBA. Do you know the name of this shooting guard?
Name the NBA star
This player was the talk of his rookie class when the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him second overall. His dad’s big mouth put a target on his back as players wanted to shut him down for all the hype he received. The first season for the Lakers saw ups and downs. It is difficult to evaluate him based on the small sample size. He will need to take major steps forward next season to live up to the expectations. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
Another talented young player trying to make his name in the NBA is pictured here. The Minnesota Timberwolves looked to build around him when first acquiring him, but other talents have joined to get higher priority. He has reportedly been upset with his role on the team, and this could be a big problem going forward. The talent is clearly there for him to have a great career. Do you know which of the following names matches the picture of the player shown here?
Name the NBA star
The Oklahoma City Thunder have a couple of big name superstars on their roster. This man may not be considered as big of a star as the others, but he certainly deserves respect. An argument can be made that he is the second most important player on the team behind Russell Westbrook. His point total isn’t usually high, but he contributes in just about every facet of the game. The future is bright for him. Can you name this OKC center?
Name the NBA star
The New Orleans Pelicans are currently making an impact in the playoff picture thanks to the elevation of their talent. This player has been the most important one to take a huge step forward this season. Most teams need a great point guard playing at a high level to contend in the current NBA landscape. He has become just that for New Orleans as the team shows a lot of potential going forward. Do you know the name of this Pelicans point guard?
Name the NBA star
The Phoenix Suns are in a terrible position right now as one of the worst teams in the league. Their most promising asset is this talented player pictured here. He is already a great offensive weapon despite not having any noteworthy help around him. The three-point shooting of his game can reach the level of Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson if he keeps progressing. LeBron James and Kevin Durant have each named him to be a future All-Star. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
The incredible season of the Houston Rockets saw them set a record for most regular season wins in franchise history. Everyone knew James Harden and Chris Paul were superstars, but this player stepped up as the third option on the team. Whenever he was on the court, another dynamic was added to make the Rockets truly unstoppable. His play could make or break Houston’s chance at winning an NBA Championship this season. Can you name this underrated talent for the Rockets?
Name the NBA star
Another franchise in a horrible place is the Atlanta Hawks. Their best bet is to tank and win the lottery as seen with their plan this past season. The player pictured here is one of the only players that will be a part of their long-term future. He showed promise during the Hawks’ last playoff run and has remained on the roster throughout the changes. Atlanta is a long way from contending, so he is all they have right now. What’s his name?
Name the NBA star
The controversial player shown here has had many ups and downs throughout his career. He once grew the ire of LeBron James to get traded away from a contender. Since joining the Miami Heat, his play has improved dramatically. Despite the occasional bonehead mistake or desire to play hero ball, he has come through in the clutch for them enough to make it worthwhile. His return from an injury will be huge for the following season in Miami. Can you name him?
Name the NBA star
The Indiana Pacers have an interesting roster of players that can improve. This specific player pictured here is the center for Indiana. He has yet to develop a relevant name in the NBA, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. Pacers fans have high hopes for them stepping up to contend in the Eastern Conference at some point soon. This player is arguably the most important piece in terms of becoming a second star for them. Do you know his name?
Name the NBA star
One major reason for the Boston Celtics in recent seasons has been their ability to draft well. Boston does a good job scouting talent in the draft class each season. This past offseason saw them trade the #1 pick in the draft to move down a few spots. They knew they could get their favorite player in the draft pictured here. He has lived up to the hype helping the Celtics finish with the second best record in the Eastern Conference. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
The Houston Rockets have been constructing a roster that they believe can challenge the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. This player is a huge part of the plan due to his three-point shooting. Any team looking to take down the Warriors will have to shoot the ball from deep. He has been a great sixth man for the Rockets with his strength being the shooting from outside. This role player has become a huge piece for a contender. What is his name?
Name the NBA star
The Brooklyn Nets have been a disaster for a few years now after a trade stripped them of all their draft picks. They had to get creative and make more unique trades in recent years to land young talent. This player is the most talented player to join the Nets roster. His play essentially will make or break their rebuilding process going forward. Inconsistency has seen him range from looking like a future All-Star to a bust. Next season will be huge for his development. Who is he?
Name the NBA star
The success of the Miami Heat this past season came thanks to the emergence of various role players. Despite not being the vocal point of the offense, this player has stepped up in a big way to make up for some Heat injuries. The team now has another young piece with potential going forward. Every team needs to have players like this to eventually contend. Miami lucked into it this time around. Can you name this talented role player for the Heat?
Name the NBA star
Another role player for a playoff team is shown here. The Utah Jazz was forced to deal with a plethora of injuries during the first half of the season. This player stepped up to play a bigger role in the system with bigger names on the sideline. Once everyone returned, the Jazz started to play outstanding basketball. This player remained an important part of the rotation after proving his proving his value to the team. Do you know the name of this player?
Name the NBA star
This past rookie class showed the future of the NBA is bright. Quite a few rookies have made an impact or at least shown they have the talent level to shine in the league. This player has one of the highest ceilings for the rookies to join the league. Dallas Mavericks fans are hoping he is the one to become the face of the franchise when Dirk Nowitzki finally retires. There’s a belief that Dirk is playing one more season to help him progress. Who is this player?