Manu20
03-05-2005, 12:15 PM
By Mike Kahn
NBCSports.com contributor
Updated: 11:46 p.m. ET March 4, 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7094510/
It's always difficult to distinguish between Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan as the game's top player. But considering how Shaq has slimmed down, and helped transform the Miami Heat into one of the teams to beat, he's da man when it comes to singling out the NBA's top 50 players.
Every team had at least one representative except the Memphis Grizzlies, who would have obviously had Pau Gasol on the list, but he didn't make the criterion of having played at least 75 percent of the games.
The defending champion Detroit Pistons have four on the list, while the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns each have three.
So without further ado, our top 50 players this season:
1. Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat
The indomitable one impacts the flow of the game more than anyone, and has made this team title contenders.
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
The most fundamentally sound big man since Bill Walton. He could meet Shaq in the Finals.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Astonishingly, he has proven to be even better than anticipated. At 19, he'll only get better.
4. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
A sore knee and bad team chemistry are killing him, but for an unprecedented sixth straight year ... 20-10-5.
5. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
This 7-footer never ceases to be amazing as he hits the boards, handles the ball, runs and shoots from anywhere. Really amazing.
6. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
An ankle sprain disrupted his season, but more importantly he still hasn't made his teammates better despite his vast talent.
7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Fearless Fly continues to lead the league in scoring, is pushing for another steals title and has raised his assist total.
8. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
He has a shot at winning the Most Valuable Player award the way he transformed this team into a contender.
9. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers
It's been a tough year for J-O and the Pacers, and figures to get even tougher during the stretch run.
10. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
It required three months, but finally Tracy McGrady has meshed with Jeff Van Gundy's system and Yao Ming.
23. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
One of the game’s rising stars, he's an impact player in all phases of the game, although occasionally out of control.
38. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
He's still so young, he got off to rocky start with self-imposed pressure, but he's now taking over and improving daily.
NBCSports.com contributor
Updated: 11:46 p.m. ET March 4, 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7094510/
It's always difficult to distinguish between Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan as the game's top player. But considering how Shaq has slimmed down, and helped transform the Miami Heat into one of the teams to beat, he's da man when it comes to singling out the NBA's top 50 players.
Every team had at least one representative except the Memphis Grizzlies, who would have obviously had Pau Gasol on the list, but he didn't make the criterion of having played at least 75 percent of the games.
The defending champion Detroit Pistons have four on the list, while the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns each have three.
So without further ado, our top 50 players this season:
1. Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat
The indomitable one impacts the flow of the game more than anyone, and has made this team title contenders.
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
The most fundamentally sound big man since Bill Walton. He could meet Shaq in the Finals.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Astonishingly, he has proven to be even better than anticipated. At 19, he'll only get better.
4. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
A sore knee and bad team chemistry are killing him, but for an unprecedented sixth straight year ... 20-10-5.
5. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
This 7-footer never ceases to be amazing as he hits the boards, handles the ball, runs and shoots from anywhere. Really amazing.
6. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
An ankle sprain disrupted his season, but more importantly he still hasn't made his teammates better despite his vast talent.
7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
Fearless Fly continues to lead the league in scoring, is pushing for another steals title and has raised his assist total.
8. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
He has a shot at winning the Most Valuable Player award the way he transformed this team into a contender.
9. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers
It's been a tough year for J-O and the Pacers, and figures to get even tougher during the stretch run.
10. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
It required three months, but finally Tracy McGrady has meshed with Jeff Van Gundy's system and Yao Ming.
23. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
One of the game’s rising stars, he's an impact player in all phases of the game, although occasionally out of control.
38. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
He's still so young, he got off to rocky start with self-imposed pressure, but he's now taking over and improving daily.