If Timmy gets his ring #6 this year, how does he rank in relation to Kobe?

[Arnold Toht]

Instead of 6>5 we'd legitimately be at 5<6. I know laker fans like Thread will never show up in the forum again if that happens. But, there will be a new generation to ST someday. So the Q is, will the new generation officially reach the consensus that is Duncan 6 over Kobe 5?

[DMC]

1. Who's the best shooting guard in the NBA?



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Graydon Gordian, 48 Minutes Of Hell (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/): James Harden. The position is in a period of transition. As the older generation of shooting guards -- Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Manu Ginobili -- has begun to wear down, Harden has emerged as the most dynamic 2 in the game. His vision, playmaking and efficient shooting have propelled him to the top of his position.

Rahat Huq, Red 94 (http://www.red94.net): James Harden. With Kobe sidelined and Wade yet another year older, the best is now indisputably James Harden. Harden resoundingly proved last year he can be a No. 1 option and figures to be even more dangerous next year with Dwight Howard rolling to the rim. But he needs to bend his back on defense to really get the accolades as one of the game's true elites.

Dave McMenamin, ESPNLosAngeles.com: Kobe Bryant. Often imitated, yet never duplicated, Bryant has owned the distinction as the game's top gunner for a decade plus and will continue to own it unless his Achilles injury offers evidence to the contrary.

Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: James Harden. Harden finished just ahead of Bryant and Wade to lead all SGs in WARP last season, and given the ages of the three players -- plus Bryant's Achilles injury -- it's hard to see that changing next season. Harden could reign as the league's best shooting guard for years to come.

Kyle Weidie, Truth About It (http://www.truthaboutit.net): James Harden. Not only is he a clutch long distance threat and a classic scorer, but Harden can also run the show breaking defenses down off the dribble and screens to find teammates. Bryant and Wade can stand next in line by mere seniority.



This sums up nicely Kobe's real status in the NBA and offers just a microcosm of how his zealous fans are blind to reality because of their media crazed fervor and blatant denial.


1. Who's the best power forward in the NBA?

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Sebastian Christensen, ESPN Deportes: LaMarcus Aldridge (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2983/lamarcus-aldridge). He has great size, a well-rounded post game and a decent 18-foot jumper. While he lacks consistent health and a good team, he is the power forward with the best skill set in the NBA.


Ian Levy, The Two Man Game (http://www.thetwomangame.com/): Kevin Love (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3449/kevin-love). Health questions aside, extreme efficiency and versatility make him my choice. He may not be the best in any single area, but doing so many things well at the offensive end means an array of different lineups and skill sets can be oriented around him. His best comes from filling the cracks and supporting his teammates in countless ways.


Benjamin Polk, A Wolf Among Wolves (http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/): Kevin Love. I say this with hesitation because Love is still a mediocre defender, and his 2012-13 season was wrecked by injuries. But I'm still convinced that when he's healthy, he's one of the top six or seven players in the league. Nobody in the NBA can match his synthesis of offensive volume, scoring efficiency and utter rebounding domination.


Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Los Angeles: I can't believe how difficult it is for me to answer this one. I want to say Tim Duncan (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/215/tim-duncan) after his resurgent season. But how can I ignore younger talents like Blake Griffin (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3989/blake-griffin), Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge? And how can I dismiss veterans like Pau Gasol (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/996/pau-gasol), Zach Randolph (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1017/zach-randolph), Kevin Garnett (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/261/kevin-garnett) and Dirk Nowitzki (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/609/dirk-nowitzki)? Ah, forget it, I'm going to stick with Duncan. He was one Patrick Ewing moment away from his fifth ring at age 37.


Jordan White, Hardwood Paroxysm (http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/): Kevin Love. Love's limited season robbed us of one of the NBA's best young players, one who is capable of posting a 20-point, 20-rebound line on any given night. He has improved enough on the defensive end to where he's no longer a liability, and is in fact decent in man-to-man situations. Still, his calling card is on offense, where he can do equal damage from inside and out and on the boards.


Yet even LA homers know that Tim Duncan is the greatest PF in the game, still.