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NBA: 5 Superstars Poised For Career Years In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heading into the 2016-17 NBA season, here are five superstars poised to put together the best years of their career.

NBA
May 10, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA championships are won and lost every year based on clutch performances, defense, depth, injury luck and a myriad of other factors, but viewership is won and lost by the staying power of the league’s brightest superstars.

The NBA first became popular in the mid-80s thanks to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson‘s unforgettable rivalry, Michael Jordan‘s ascension as the greatest to ever play brought the league to new heights, and the Dream Team in the 1992 Summer Olympics paved the way to unparalleled global expansion that continues to this day.

From Karl Malone to Charles Barkley to Shaquille O’Neal to Kobe Bryant to Kevin Garnett to Tim Duncan to LeBron James to Stephen Curry, the NBA fan base has always been obsessed with the league’s brightest stars. Almost every team has a bonafide franchise player, and no matter where each team lies within the league hierarchy, those superstars make the games worth watching.

Heading into the 2016-17 season, the league is in as good a place as it’s ever been. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and a plethora of superstars currently own the league, with a number of rising stars ready to take over in the near future.

Related Story: NBA: 10 Relative Unknowns Entering Defining Seasons In 2016-17

We’ve likely already seen the best seasons from some of the NBA’s current greats, but there are a few big names ready to put together the best statistical years of their careers in 2016-17. Here’s a look at five bonafide superstars ready to reach new individual heights this upcoming season.