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The future of the NBA is in good hands. With stars like Shaquille O'Nea and Jason Kidd retiring in the near future the 2008 NBA rookie class has proved they more than make up for the loss of talent. Just a month before the NBA All Star Game in New Orleans these rookies have been outstanding. Many people thought this class would be lackluster when Greg Oden (#1 overall in the draft) was lost for the season with an injury but kids like Kevin Durant and Al Horford made up for that lost. Check out the top five candidates for rookie of the year and their stats (through January 9):

1) Kevin Durant, #2 overall, Small Forward, Seattle Supersonics. Stats: 33 games, 33 min per game, 20.1 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. Arguably the number one candidate for rookie of the year this Supersonic leads all NBA rookies in points per game and has filled in the scoring role left by Ray Allen (traded to Boston). However he needs to improve his three point game (just 30 percent) to become and all around threat in this league.

2) Al Horford, #3 overall, Power Forward, Atlanta Hawks. Stats: 30 games, 30.5 min per game, 8.8 ppg, 9.9 rpg, and 1.2 apg. Although his points per game isn't dazzling, he continues to be force on the boards with his rebounds and his defense. He currently leads all rookies in rebounds per game with a three rebound lead over the runner up. He needs to work on his free throws (only 64 percent) so opposing teams won't constantly foul him (see: Ben Wallace)

3) Yi Jianlian, #6 overall, Power Forward, Milwaukee Bucks. Stats: 34 games, 28 min per game, 10.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.1 blocks per game. His game is at the same stage as Yao Ming was at the same age. He continues to put up solid rebounding and defensive numbers. Yi still needs work on his defense as he still is more as an offensive oriented inside man just like Yao.

4) Sean Williams, #17 overall, Center, New Jersey. Stats: 29 games, 20.9 min per game, 7.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2 bpg. He continues to surprise analysts and earning more and more of a role with the Nets each passing game. He is the best shot blocker of the rookie class. As with Horford, he must work on his free throwing to avoid excessive fouls

5) Jeff Green, #5 overall, Small Forward, Seattle. Stats: 34 games, 24.2 min per game, 9 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.2 apg. Acquired in the deal that sent Ray Allen to Boston, Green will not be called "the other Seattle rookie" for long if he keeps this up. He may be able to break into the starting lineup as a shooting guard soon. Jeff's three point game is absolutely horrible (13 percent) and that is obviously his biggest weakness as opposing defenders back off when he steps behind the three point line.

Notable- The high flying Jamarion Moon went undrafted in the draft and still managed to make the Raptors' roster averaging 8.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg. However he needs to work on his free throws and stop relying on drives and dunks because opposing defenders play back on him and let him shoot.

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