2008-09 Projected PER: 30.13
League Average Comparison: +15.13
2007-08 PER: 28.39

2008-09 outlook: Paul projects to lead the NBA in PER this season, a fact that surprised some folks -- like me, for instance; I'd expected LeBron James to be ... Complete Profile
2.

LeBron James 2008-09 Projected PER: 29.65
League Average Comparison: +14.65
2007-08 PER: 29.23

2008-09 outlook: James is the best player in the league and he's only 23, which means he still could get considerably better. It's not hard to imagine how -- ... Complete Profile
3.

Amare Stoudemire 2008-09 Projected PER: 27.68
League Average Comparison: +12.68
2007-08 PER: 27.61

2008-09 outlook: Stoudemire projects to finish third in the NBA in PER, and I'm wondering if that doesn't undersell him. He looks fully recovered from his mic ... Complete Profile
4.

Yao Ming 2008-09 Projected PER: 24.60
League Average Comparison: +9.60
2007-08 PER: 22.61

2008-09 outlook: If his country isn't going to take care of Yao, then the Rockets need to redouble their efforts. With the talent on board there isn't any que ... Complete Profile
5.

Kevin Garnett 2008-09 Projected PER: 24.37
League Average Comparison: +9.37
2007-08 PER: 25.30

2008-09 outlook: Garnett is 32, and has two worrying factors in his stat line. First, his rebound rate fell sharply last year, which, since rebound rate is an ... Complete Profile
6.

Kobe Bryant 2008-09 Projected PER: 23.83
League Average Comparison: +8.83
2007-08 PER: 24.31

2008-09 outlook: Bryant is one of the best players in the league, of course, and that shouldn't change much this year, but one thing to track in coming season ... Complete Profile
7.

Tim Duncan 2008-09 Projected PER: 23.63
League Average Comparison: +8.63
2007-08 PER: 24.41

2008-09 outlook: Duncan is 32 and has played deep into the playoffs nearly every season; fortunately for him the Spurs have managed his minutes extremely well ... Complete Profile
8.

Chris Bosh 2008-09 Projected PER: 23.45
League Average Comparison: +8.45
2007-08 PER: 23.88

2008-09 outlook: The arrival of Jermaine O'Neal should be a big help for Bosh, as he's needed a physical defender to help do the dirty work at the defensive ... Complete Profile
9.

Manu Ginobili 2008-09 Projected PER: 23.19
League Average Comparison: +8.19
2007-08 PER: 24.34

2008-09 outlook: Ginobili reinjured his left ankle playing for Argentina in the Olympics and underwent surgery that will keep him out for the first two months ... Complete Profile
10.

Dwight Howard 2008-09 Projected PER: 22.66
League Average Comparison: +7.66
2007-08 PER: 22.98

2008-09 outlook: It's hard not to be bullish on Howard's prospects -- he's 23, he's improved every year, he has a good head on his shoulders, and he has he b ... Complete Profile
11.

Dirk Nowitzki 2008-09 Projected PER: 22.22
League Average Comparison: +7.22
2007-08 PER: 24.66

2008-09 outlook: Nowitzki turned 30 over the summer, but he probably has less to worry about in this department than you'd imagine. Height and shooting abilit ... Complete Profile
12.

Chauncey Billups 2008-09 Projected PER: 22.03
League Average Comparison: +7.03
2007-08 PER: 23.61

2008-09 outlook: Billups is 32, but the past three seasons have been the three best of his career and he has a lot of positives in his favor going forward. Fo ... Complete Profile
13.

Al Jefferson 2008-09 Projected PER: 21.98
League Average Comparison: +6.98
2007-08 PER: 22.80

2008-09 outlook: Jefferson obviously will be Minnesota's go-to guy and put up some big numbers, but he won't get much recognition for it until the Wolves star ... Complete Profile
14.

Dwyane Wade 2008-09 Projected PER: 21.90
League Average Comparison: +6.90
2007-08 PER: 21.63

2008-09 outlook: I have a feeling he's going to beat that projected PER rather handily. Wade looked to be back at full strength and then some while playing fo ... Complete Profile
15.

Carmelo Anthony 2008-09 Projected PER: 21.37
League Average Comparison: +6.37
2007-08 PER: 21.16

2008-09 outlook: Anthony is a really good player, a bona fide All-Star, but after three fairly similar seasons one has to being doubting whether he'll ever be ... Complete Profile