The 2014-2015 NBA Playoffs has started, and with this platform we are highlighting some of the best young talent that will be on show throughout the league’s most anticipated time of year. These players had an amazing regular season and are almost sure to have the same level of impact in the post-season.

Anthony Davis – New Orleans Pelicans

This is only Anthony Davis’ third season in the NBA but he is already making it his own with team-leading regular season averages of 24.4 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Pelicans – placing him in the top 10 in the league in both categories. His team owes their being in the playoff to him and will be looking to him to carry them through. Whether or not they do, expect him to make his presence felt in his first playoff series.

Klay Thompson – Golden State Warriors

This has definitely been Klay Thompson’s break out year, and his partnership with Steph Curry – the duo referred to by NBA fanatics as ‘the Splash Brothers’ – has led the Warriors to the best record for the regular season in the entire league. He averaged a remarkable 21.7 points per game this year, a career best for him, but it is his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor that is likely to have fans glued to every play he is involved in.

Kawhi Leonard – San Antonio Spurs

Kawhi Leonard is one of the most influential players in the NBA right now and he’s playing for one of the most influential teams. There are many who are of the belief that the fate of the Spurs lies in his big hands, as he will most likely be tasked with guarding the best player on any opposing them, just as he did all of last year, including when he upstaged LeBron James en route to clinching the 2014 Finals MVP honours. The aging Spurs have their sights on another NBA championship and this man can certainly help them get to it.

John Wall – Washington Wizards

John Wall plays point guard for the Wizards, and he has been the centerpiece of their exploits throughout the year. His averages of 17.6 points and 10 assists per game, while not the highest, does indicate his influence on offensive end of the court. While there are positives, he did rank fifth in the league in turnovers with 3.9 per game, so he will have to clean up on those errors to give his franchise any chance of going all the way.

Kyrie Irving – Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving is undoubtedly an important player for the Cavaliers franchise that many fans believe boasts the league’s newest “Big Three”, along with ‘King’ James and Kevin Love. Kyrie was the undisputed star while James was at Miami Heat, and has not allowed himself to be overshadowed by ‘The King’s’ presence in the locker room – even if LeBron is now considered the leader of the group. One of the reasons LeBron returned to Cleveland is to win them a championship, and he will be relying heavily on Kyrie to try and meet that objective this post-season.