2014 NBA Top 20: #16 - #13

14. Rajon Rondo

It has long been acknowledged that Rajon Rondo was the best player in the Boston Celtics but this time around the chip on the shoulder is even bigger. Gone are the big-three who turned the franchise around. Now it’s a solo act with what now seems a collection of numbers rather than names. It will be on Rondo’s shoulder to not only facilitate the offense but produce some of his own as well.

Rondo will not only be the player that his teammates will look to on the floor to make a play but also the man off it to lead the spirit. He was to take over the mantle of Kevin Garnett in becoming the soul of the team and binds it together. The biggest thing working in Rondo’s favour is that he is a win-win situation.

No one in the league doubts the pedigree of one of the best pure point guards, having produced the goods year in year out. However with a rebuilding team that is expected to do quite badly this time around Rondo will surely be given the benefit of doubt. However if Rajzilla can propel his team to some kind of success, the accolades are there to be won.

13. Kyrie Irving

The Cavaliers had the privilege of the 1^st pick in this years but it’s the 1^st pick of the 2011 draft that all will have their eyes on when Cleveland hit the hardwood this season.

Kyrie Irving has etched out his identity in his two years in the NBA. In the space of two years, the young point guard has re-kindled the hope of Cavalier fans. His presence is the one singular reason why they have moved on from the devastating blow of LeBron James’ departure three years ago with such haste.

Irving garnered his first All-Star game call up last season which was preceded by “rookie of the year” honours in his first. Now it’s on to bigger things for Irving as he now needs to channel his personal prowess towards pushing Cavaliers back into the playoffs for the first time in four years.

The additions of Anthony Bennett, this year’s first overall pick coupled with the free agency pick-ups of Jarrett Jack and Andrew Bynum should help in that regard, but Cavaliers will only go as far as Irving will take them. It’s his team now; he is the leader and alpha male that everyone is going to look up to.