Training camp is underway as teams prepare for the upcoming NBA season. That gives us just enough time to look at the best players in the league heading into the 2015-16 season. There are plenty of new faces on this list. including some local favorites who each took a huge step forward in their development a year ago and hope to do the same again. There are also a handful of players looking to bounce back and show that they can be frontline stars while others try to make themselves household names to every NBA fan.

This is my ranking of the best 50 players in the NBA today

50. Al Jefferson, Charlotte Hornets

Jefferson is one of the talented offensive big men in the game today. He has great moves with his back to the basket and a very effective little push shot when he faces up. Last season, he played in 65 games and averaged 16.6 points on 48.1 percent shooting from the floor. He added 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks in 30.6 minutes.

49. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls

Even though he had a down year in 2014-15, Noah is still the backbone of a Bulls defense and one of the best passing big men. Last season, he appeared in 67 games and averaged 7.2 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the floor and a career-low 60.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 9.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 30.6 minutes.

48. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors

DeRozan is the No.1 scoring option for the young and talented Raptors thanks to his ability to score at the rim and get to the free-throw line. Last season, he played in 60 games and averaged 20.1 points on 41.3 percent shooting from the floor and 83.2 percent shooting from the charity stripe. He added 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 35 minutes.

47. Monta Ellis, Indiana Pacers

Ellis has a new home and a new opportunity with the Indiana Pacers were he will be one of the main offensive options. He is a solid scorer and one of the better passers from the two guard. Last season, he appeared in 80 with the Dallas Mavericks and averaged 18.9 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the floor and 75.2 percent shooting from the foul line. He added 4.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 33.7 minutes.

46. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Although Randolph plays the game below th rim he is still a valuable piece on the Grizzlies offense. He can beat his man with his back-to-the-basket or knock down the midrange jump shot when he faces up. In 2014-15, he played 71 games and averaged 16.1 points on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and 76.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line. He added 10.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.5 minutes.

45. Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

Favors is an impressive young two-way player who keeps getting better each season. He can score at the rim and also has solid touch when he faces the basket. Last season, he played in 74 games and averaged 16 points on 52.5 percent shooting from the floor and 66.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line. He added 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 assists in 30.8 minutes.

44. Goran Dragic, Miami Heat

Dragic has the skill set as a lead guard to lead the Heat back to the playoffs. He is one of the best shooting point guards in the game and a solid distributor. In 2014-15, he played 78 games for the Heat and the Phoenix Suns and averaged 16.3 points on 50.1 percent shooting from the field and 77.4 percent shooting from the charity stripe. He added 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 33.8 minutes.

43. Jeff Teague, Atlanta Hawks

Teague is the engine that makes the Hawks balanced attack go. He is lightning-fast with the ball in his hands and a good on-ball defender. Last season, he played in 73 games and averaged 15.9 points on 46 percent shooting from the floor and 86.2 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 30.5 minutes.

42. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Gobert is a game-changer for the Jazz on the defensive end of the floor. He is an exceptional rim protector, good rebounder and a better than advertised offensive player in the paint. IN 2014-15, he played all 82 games and averaged 8.4 points on 60.4 percent shooting from the field and 62.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 9.5 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.3 assists in 26.3 minutes.

41. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves

Wiggins will try to improve on an impressive rookie season. He is electrifying off the dribble and one of the best finishers in the league. Last season, he started all 82 games and averaged 16.9 points on 43.7 percent shooting from the floor and 76 percent from the charity stripe. He added 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals to earn rookie of the year.

40. Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Gay is one of the most underrated scorers in the game today. He has nice touch from the outside and does a good job at drawing contact to get to the foul line. In 2014-15, he played 68 games and averaged 21.1 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the floor, including 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line. He added 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.4 minutes.

39. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Drummond is a rebounding machine who will look to carry the inside load with the loss of Greg Monroe. While his offensive game is far from polished at this point in his career, he makes up for it by attacking the offensive glass and finishing around the rim. Last season, he started all 82 games and averaged 13.8 points on 51.4 percent shooting from the floor and 38.9 percent from the free-throw line. He added 13.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 30.5 minutes.

38. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Lowry led the Raptors to a fantastic regular season that saw him make his first all-star appearance before a disappointing playoff performance. In 2014-15, he started 70 games and averaged 17.8 points on 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. He added 6.8 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 34.5 minutes.

37. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

After a significant amount of changes, Bledsoe is the main weapon in the Suns’ efforts to return to the post season. He is an explosive point guard who does a bit of everything when he is on the floor. Last season, he appeared in 81 games and averaged 17 points on 44.7 percent shooting from the floor and 80 percent from the free-throw line. He added 6.1 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 34.6 minutes.

36. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder

Ibaka will be the key defensive cog as the Thunder try to rebound from an injury-filled season. He is a great shot blocker, solid rebounder and an improving outside shooter. In 2014-15, he started 64 games and averaged 14.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting from the floor, including 37.6 percent from 3-point range and 83.6 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 33.1 minutes.

35. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

After making huge strides in 2014-15, Hayward will look to carry the Jazz into playoff contention. He does a great job at creating his own shot and getting to the free-throw line. Last season, he started 76 games and averaged a career-high 19.3 points on 44.5 percent shooting from the floor, including 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 81.2 percent from the charity stripe. He added 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 34.4 minutes.

34. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Millsap is one of the main reasons why the Hawks earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. He is a well-rounded player who can step out and knock down the 3-point shot or bang in the paint. In 2014-15, he started 73 games and averaged 16.7 points on 47.6 percent shooting from the floor, including 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 75.7 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 32.7 minutes.

33. DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

After an eventful offseason, Jordan will try to show that he is worth all of the trouble (and money). He is a great finisher at the rim and one of the elite rebounders in the game. In 2014-15, he started 82 games and averaged a career-high 11.5 points on a league-leading 71 percent shooting from the floor and 39.7 percent from the free-throw stripe. He added a league-high 15.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 34.4 minutes to earn third-team All-NBA.

32. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Conley is the heart of the Memphis Grizzlies. He is a great leader and a fierce competitor who can score from all over the floor. He also does a nice job at running the show and slowing down opposing lead guards. Last season, he played 70 games and averaged 15.8 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the floor, including 38.6 percent from beyond the arc and 85.9 percent from the free-throw line. He added 5.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 31.8 minutes.

31. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Rose is looking to stay healthy so he can carry a talented Bulls team deep in the playoffs. While his game is much different then before his numerous injuries, he showed glimpses of what made him a league MVP. In 2014-15, he played 51 games and averaged 17.7 points on 40.5 percent shooting from the floor and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 4.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30 minutes.

30. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

While his minutes and his production have declined, Parker still has the game to lead Spurs back to the top of the NBA food chain. He is at his best in the pick-and-roll where he can get to the paint and knock down short jumpers or create for his teammates. Last year, he started 68 games and averaged 14.4 points on 48.6 percent shooting from the floor and 78.3 percent from the charity stripe. He added 4.9 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 28.7 minutes.

29. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

While his best days are behind him, Bryant can still be a very productive player if he can just stay healthy. Last season, he played in 35 games and had the worst shooting year of his career. He averaged 22.3 points on 37.3 percent shooting from floor, including 29.3 percent from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 5.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.5 minutes.

28. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Nowitzki will need to have a fantastic season for the Mavericks to have a chance to compete in the west. He can still score from all over the floor and is deadly when he gets to the free-throw line. Last season, he started 77 games and averaged 17.3 points on 45.9 percent shooting from the field, including 38 percent from 3-point range and 88.2 percent from the charity stripe. He added 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 29.6 minutes.

27. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

Although he averaged a career-low in minutes per game, Horford had a stellar season. He returned to the all-star game for the first time in four seasons and led the Hawks to the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. He appeared in 76 games and averaged 15.2 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the floor and 75.9 percent from the foul line. He added 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks in 30.5 minutes.

26. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Green burst onto the scene as the Warriors ran to the 2015 NBA title. He is a lockdown defender who can guard all five positions while still making big plays on the offensive end. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points on 44.3 percent shooting from the floor and 66 percent from the free-throw line. He added 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks in 31.5 minutes.

25. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Even though he won’t be asked to carry the Heat, Wade is still one of the best guards in the east. He is a solid scorer who can still get to the basket and finish at a high-level. Last season, he played 62 games and averaged 21.5 points on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 76.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line. He added 4.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 31.8 minutes.

24. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

While his numbers took a huge dip in his first season in Cleveland, he still has an impressive skill set. He can space the floor with his excellent shooting touch and is one of the best rebounders in the game. In 2014-15, he played 75 games and averaged 16.4 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line. He added 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.8 minutes.

23. Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls

After an amazing summer for the Spanish national team, Gasol showed that he has plenty left in the tank. He found new life in his first year with the Bulls and had his best rebounding season of his career. He also showed off an impressive array of offensive moves from all over the floor. On the season, he started 78 games and averaged 18.5 points on 49.4 percent shooting from the floor and 80.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 blocks in 34.4 minutes to earn second-team All-NBA.

22. Chris Bosh, Miami Heat

Bosh was thriving as the No.1 option for the Miami Heat before he missed the second half of the season. He will need to return to his all-star form if the Heat want to make a push back to prominence. In 2014-15, he played 44 games and averaged 21.1 points on 46 percent shooting from the floor, including 37.5 percent from the 3-point line and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 35.4 minutes.

21. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

After three impressive seasons as the sidekick to LaMarcus Aldridge, Lillard will have the chance to control the fortunes of a depleted Portland lineup. Last year, he started 82 games and averaged 21 points on 43.4 percent shooting from the floor and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line. He added 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 35.7 minutes to make his second straight all-star game.

20. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Thompson is one of the most important pieces on the reigning champions. He is a great spot up shooter and an impressive wing defender. Last season, he started 77 games and averaged 21.7 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the field, including 43.9 percent from beyond the arc and 87.9 percent from the charity stripe. He added 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 assists to make his first all-star game and earn third-team All-NBA.

19. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets

Howard is one of the best rim protectors in the league and an efficient scorer around the rim. In 2014-15, he played in just 41 games and averaged 15.8 points on 59.3 percent shooting from the floor and 52.8 from the free-throw line. He added 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 assists in 29.8 minutes.

18. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Anthony is one of the best scorers in the league. He has great touch from the 3-point line, an impressive midrange game and can get to the free-throw line on a consistent basis. Last season, he played 40 games and averaged 24.2 points on 44.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 34.1 from beyond the arc and 79.7 percent from the charity stripe. He added 6.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.7 minutes.

17. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Butler’s return to the Bulls makes a Chicago an instant title contender. He is one of the best wing defenders in the east who has stepped up his game on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, he played 65 games and averaged 20 points on 46.2 shooting from the floor, including 37.8 percent from 3-point range and 83.4 free-throw line. He added 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 38.7 minutes to make his first all-star game.

16. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Duncan may be past his prime, but he still has the game to make an impact. His is an elite shot blocker and an impressive rebounder who is also in the right position on defense. On the other end of the floor, he can facilitate the offense from the post because of his court vision or beat his man for easy baskets. Last season, he started 77 games and averaged 13.9 points on 51.2 percent shooting from the floor and 74 percent from the free-throw line. He added 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in 28.9 minutes to earn third-team All-NBA.

15. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

George will try to regain his all-star form after a brutal leg injury forced him to miss all but six games last season. The good news for Pacers fans is that if he can approach that level then the playoffs are a solid possibility. In 2013-14, he started 80 games and averaged 21.7 points on 42.4 prcent shooting from the field, including 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line. He added 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals in 36.2 minutes to earn third-team All-NBA.

14. Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Leonard is great defensive presence and a gifted all-around player. He took a huge step forward in 2014-15 on both ends of the floor. He played 64 games and averaged a career-high 16.5 points on 47.9 percent shooting from the floor and 80.2 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a league-leading 2.3 steals to earn the defensive player of the year.

13. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Irving made the seamless transition from No.1 option on a bad team to a big-time scorer on a championship contender. In 2014-15, he started 75 games and averaged 21.7 points on a 46.8 percent shooting from the floor, including a career-high 41.5 percent from beyond the arc and 86.3 percent from the free-throw line. He added 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals to make his third consecutive all-star game and earn third-team All-NBA.

12. John Wall, Washington Wizards

Wall has quickly become one of the elite point guards in the world. He is a great distributor who can get to the rim off the bounce and finish as good as any guard. In 2014-15, he started 79 games and averaged 17.6 points on a career-high 44.5 percent shooting from the floor and 78.5 percent from the charity stripe. He added 10 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 35.9 minutes to make his second straight all-star game.

11. DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Even though the Kings have never even sniffed the playoffs during his time in Sacramento, Cousins is a very gifted player. He had a career year in 2014-15 when he appeared in 59 games and averaged 24.1 points on 46.7 percent shooting and 78.2 percent from the free-throw line. He added 12.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.5 steals in 34.1 minutes to make his first all-star game and earn second-team All-NBA.

10. LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

Aldridge traded individual stardom for a great chance to win a championship. He is a skilled post scorer who can also knock down produce from the outside. Last season, he appeared in 71 games for Portland and averaged 23.4 points on 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 84.5 percent from the free-throw line. He added 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 35.4 minutes to make his fourth consecutive all-star game and make second-team All-NBA.

9. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Gasol is a great defensive player who can fill it up on the offensive end when needed. Last season, he made his second all-star game after he averaged a career-high 17.4 points on 49.4 percet shooting from the floor and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 blocks to earn first-team All-NBA honors.

8. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

After an incredible individual year, Westbrook will have plenty of help as the Thunder try to make a statement in the west. In 2014-15, he took advantage of some Oklahoma City misfortune to put up some monster numbers. He averaged a league-leading 28.1 points on 42.6 percent shooting from the floor and 83.5 percent from the free-throw line. He added 8.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals to earn second-team All-NBA.

7. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Griffin has turned from a high-flyer to a much more complete player. He has developed a solid face-up game to go along with his terrific finishing ability at the rim. Last season, he started 67 games and averaged 21.9 points on 50.2 percent shooting from the floor and 72.8 percent shooting from the charity stripe. He added 7.6 rebounds and a career-high 5.3 assists in 35.2 minutes to earn second-team All-NBA.

6. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Harden is one of the most creative scorers in the game thanks to his ability draw contact and get to the free-throw line. Last season, he averaged a career-high 27.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the floor, including 37.5 percent from beyond tha arc and 86.8 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 36.8 minutes to make first-team All-NBA for the second straight year.

5. Chris Paul, Los Angles Clippers

If there was ever a year for Paul to prove that he could carry a team to the finals, this is it. He has been one of the best point guards in the league for almost a decade thanks to his ability to play both ends of the floor. In 2014-15, he averaged 19.1 points on 48.5 percent shooting from the floor, including 39.8 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line. He added 10.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals to earn second-team All-NBA honors.

4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Curry is the best pure shooter in the league and a dynamic play-maker. In 2014-15, he led the Warriors to an NBA championship while earning the MVP. In the regular season, he played 80 games and averaged 23.8 points on 48.7 percent shooting from the floor, including 44.3 percent from 3-point land and 91.4 percent from the foul line. He added 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 32.7 minutes.

3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Even though he missed most of the 2014-15 season, Durant is clearly still one of the best players in the world. He is a legendary scorer and an underrated passer. In 2014-15, he played 27 games and averaged 25.4 points on 51 percent shooting from the floor, including 40.3 percent from distance and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line. He added 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 33.8 minutes.

2. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Although he is just 22 years old, Davis is the best big man in the game today. He can score from inside and out, own the glass and block plenty of shots. In 2014-15, he played 68 games and averaged 24.4 points on 53.5 percent shooting from the field and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line. He added 10.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals to earn first-team All-NBA recognition.

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Even though the Cavaliers lost in the NBA finals, James is still the best player in the world. He can guard all five positions, score at will and is a tremendous passer. Last season, he played 69 games and averaged 25.3 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the floor and 71 percent from the free-throw line. He added 7.4 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals to earn his ninth All-NBA first-team selection.