BERSERK
10-09-2006, 10:55 AM
Mike Kahn ranks the NBA's Power Forwards for this upcoming season.
In case you thoroughly enjoyed all those new faces in the Western Conference finals last year, don't get used to it.
Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs will be back, and you can count on it. Following a year filled with injuries — a lot of it coming from being so worn down with international offseason commitments by this multi-cultural team — the group is coming back intact, and healthier.
Once again, they've gone through some transition. But that never seems to matter, if only because Duncan always makes it work. Not only is he immensely skilled, his intelligence quotient for the game puts him in another stratosphere.
Also...
# Kahn: Top point guards
# Kahn: Top shooting guards
# Kahn: Top small forwards
"The fortunate thing for us is that it seems that, given enough talent, all pieces fit around Timmy," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He figures it out. If you look at '99 we played with Avery (Johnson), Jarron Jackson and Mario (Elie) and then he plays with Tony (Parker) and Manu (Ginobili) as rookies in 2003. Timmy has an uncanny ability of allowing people to come in and have the pieces fit around him."
Part of the reason, of course, is simply because Duncan makes the game look easy and it naturally becomes easier for everybody else around him. And that's why he once again ranks as FOXSports.com's top power forward.
Even though the Dallas Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki, knocked out the Spurs in that spectacular seven-game Western Conference semifinal last year, Nowitzki still hasn't displayed enough to knock Duncan off his perch. But he's getting closer as his game expands beyond extraordinary speed, agility and shooting range on a 7-foot, 250-pound frame.
Following an injury-plagued 2005-2006 season, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan is healthy and is expected to return to MVP form and lead the Spurs back to the NBA finals. (Gregory Shamus/NBAE / Getty Images)
Mostly it was leadership and success that allowed Nowitzki to upend the always special Kevin Garnett from the No. 2 spot this season.
"I think Dirk really started last year in terms of striving to be a more vocal leader," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "I think obviously he said some things at the wrong time, but hey I'd rather have that guy say something and let me correct him on what he said than not say it at all."
Right on their heels was the extraordinary season from Elton Brand, who led the Los Angeles Clippers from the perennial ashes of the Western Conference basement into the second round of the playoffs. He is only getting better — and so are the Clippers.
This could be a transitional season for Jermaine O'Neal, who has to prove to the Indiana Pacers and himself that he can perform for an entire season — something that has become increasingly difficult for him the past three years. And speaking of injuries, Memphis star Pau Gasol will start the season with a cast on his broken foot, but still merits ranking in the top 10 as his game expanded to a new level.
Young Chris Bosh is expected to help the Toronto Raptors become more consistently competitive as opposed to a couple times a week, while veterans Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace and Antawn Jamison always merit mention.
But meriting mention and competing at the level of Duncan is a different story ... just wait ... and on with the rankings based on subjective FOXSports.com research.
1. Tim Duncan, 30, San Antonio Spurs: 6-11, 260: With three titles and three Finals MVP awards, he struggled physically last season while averaging 18.6 pts., 11.0 reb., 3.2 ast., .88 stl., 2.03 blk., and shot .484 from the field. He was spectacular in the seven-game playoff loss to the Mavs, and some calls that could have gone either way were the difference. This is the first summer he's had off in years and don't underestimate what he will do this season.
2. Dirk Nowitzki, 28, Dallas Mavericks: 7-0, 250: Dirk went to a whole new level last season but the 26.6 pts., 9.0 reb., 2.8 ast., .72 stl., 1.02 blk., and .480 field goal percentage didn't tell the story. He was the unequivocal leader, taking the big shots on the floor and giving the big shots off the floor — even to owner Mark Cuban. His shrinkage during the Finals collapse notwithstanding, he became a scorer at the basket, to go along with his outrageous range and free-throw shooting.
3. Kevin Garnett, 30, Minnesota Timberwolves: 6-11, 230: K.G.'s numbers dropped to 21.8 pts., 12.7 reb., 4.1 ast., 1.37 stl., 1.41 blk., and .526 from the field, but you would have thought he collapsed the way the criticism flowed. The team was a mess and Kevin McHale kept making bad deals. When a guy becomes the first player ever to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists six years in a row and slips only .9 assists from doing it again, it's most likely a commentary on his teammates rather than him.
4. Elton Brand, 27, Los Angeles Clippers: 6-8, 270: Brand spent most of last season as an MVP candidate not only because of his escalating numbers — 24.7 pts., 10.0 reb., 2.6 ast., 1.03 stl., 2.54 blk. and connecting on .527 of his shots — but because he led the Clippers to the second round of the playoffs. He expanded his shooting range, continued to block shots and used his deceptive body to dominate inside. He keeps getting better.
5. Jermaine O'Neal, 28, Indiana Pacers: 6-11, 250: Although he averaged 20.1 pts., 9.3 reb., 2.6 ast., .53 stl., 2.29 blk., and made .472 of his shots, O'Neal again missed too many games and wasn't the dominant factor he needs to be. He's played in only 95 of a possible 182 games the past two seasons and in the 2004 conference finals he was playing on one leg. They need him on two legs, playing at an All-Star level again to be serious playoff contenders. No excuses.
6. Pau Gasol, 26, Memphis Grizzlies, 7-0, 260: Although he likely won't be playing for a while due to a foot injury during the world championships, we'll cut Pau some slack after a career-altering 20.9 pts., 8.9 reb., 4.6 ast., .58 stl., 1.91 blk., and .503 field goal percentage last season. The Grizzlies still haven't won a playoff game in their history, but it's not because of what he didn't do. If they don't fall too far back early, he might just get them into the playoffs again.
7. Chris Bosh, 22, Toronto Raptors: 6-10, 235: Based on how much he improved last season by putting up 22.5 pts., 9.2 reb., 2.6 ast., .71 stl., 1.13 blk. and hitting .505 of his shots, Bosh should take another giant step this season with the addition of slick point guard T.J. Ford. Contrary to what some people may say, he doesn't deserve yet to be referred to as a lefty Kevin Garnett, but he is so young, very bright, talented and keeps getting better.
8. Chris Webber, 33, Philadelphia 76ers: 6-10, 250: His numbers — 20.2 pts., 9.9 reb., 3.4 ast., 1.37 stl., .83 blk., and .434 field goal percentage — belie the generally erratic play of last season that led the Sixers to a second straight lottery trip. Nonetheless, Webber's staggering versatility deems him one of the great pure talents at power forward in the history of the game. But his inconsistency and brooding have always overshadowed the awesome gifts and always will now that microfracture knee surgery has destroyed his legs.
9. Rasheed Wallace, 32, Detroit Pistons: 6-11, 240: 'Sheed took a lot of criticism last year with the 15.1 pts., 6.8 reb., 2.3 ast., 1.03 stl., 1.63 blk., and .430 shooting percentage, but mostly because of his erratic play offensively. The fact of the matter is he's always been that way. It is his team defense, moving the ball and the threat of what he can do offensively that makes him special. But with Big Ben leaving, they'll be counting on him more in the post — which he hasn't liked over the years — so now he has to respond.
10. Antawn Jamison, 30, Washington Wizards: 6-9, 240: If you look at the numbers — 20.5 pts., 9.3 reb., 1.9 ast., 1.1 stl., .15 blk., and .442 field goal percentage — you can see why so many people like Jamison. That's not to mention what a high-quality guy he is on and off the court. But the fact of the matter is he's pretty much just a scorer and offensive rebounder. They need him to play defense, move the ball better and have some kind of interior presence, or this team will always be limited.
Also given consideration were: Zach Randolph, Portland Trail Blazers; Nenad Krstic, New Jersey Nets; Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz; Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats; Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets; Kurt Thomas, Phoenix Suns; Troy Murphy, Golden State Warriors; Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat; Drew Gooden, Cleveland Cavaliers; Chris Wilcox, Seattle Sonics.
At least Mike Kahn saw the truth on Dirk's "choke-job" on the finals.
In case you thoroughly enjoyed all those new faces in the Western Conference finals last year, don't get used to it.
Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs will be back, and you can count on it. Following a year filled with injuries — a lot of it coming from being so worn down with international offseason commitments by this multi-cultural team — the group is coming back intact, and healthier.
Once again, they've gone through some transition. But that never seems to matter, if only because Duncan always makes it work. Not only is he immensely skilled, his intelligence quotient for the game puts him in another stratosphere.
Also...
# Kahn: Top point guards
# Kahn: Top shooting guards
# Kahn: Top small forwards
"The fortunate thing for us is that it seems that, given enough talent, all pieces fit around Timmy," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He figures it out. If you look at '99 we played with Avery (Johnson), Jarron Jackson and Mario (Elie) and then he plays with Tony (Parker) and Manu (Ginobili) as rookies in 2003. Timmy has an uncanny ability of allowing people to come in and have the pieces fit around him."
Part of the reason, of course, is simply because Duncan makes the game look easy and it naturally becomes easier for everybody else around him. And that's why he once again ranks as FOXSports.com's top power forward.
Even though the Dallas Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki, knocked out the Spurs in that spectacular seven-game Western Conference semifinal last year, Nowitzki still hasn't displayed enough to knock Duncan off his perch. But he's getting closer as his game expands beyond extraordinary speed, agility and shooting range on a 7-foot, 250-pound frame.
Following an injury-plagued 2005-2006 season, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan is healthy and is expected to return to MVP form and lead the Spurs back to the NBA finals. (Gregory Shamus/NBAE / Getty Images)
Mostly it was leadership and success that allowed Nowitzki to upend the always special Kevin Garnett from the No. 2 spot this season.
"I think Dirk really started last year in terms of striving to be a more vocal leader," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "I think obviously he said some things at the wrong time, but hey I'd rather have that guy say something and let me correct him on what he said than not say it at all."
Right on their heels was the extraordinary season from Elton Brand, who led the Los Angeles Clippers from the perennial ashes of the Western Conference basement into the second round of the playoffs. He is only getting better — and so are the Clippers.
This could be a transitional season for Jermaine O'Neal, who has to prove to the Indiana Pacers and himself that he can perform for an entire season — something that has become increasingly difficult for him the past three years. And speaking of injuries, Memphis star Pau Gasol will start the season with a cast on his broken foot, but still merits ranking in the top 10 as his game expanded to a new level.
Young Chris Bosh is expected to help the Toronto Raptors become more consistently competitive as opposed to a couple times a week, while veterans Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace and Antawn Jamison always merit mention.
But meriting mention and competing at the level of Duncan is a different story ... just wait ... and on with the rankings based on subjective FOXSports.com research.
1. Tim Duncan, 30, San Antonio Spurs: 6-11, 260: With three titles and three Finals MVP awards, he struggled physically last season while averaging 18.6 pts., 11.0 reb., 3.2 ast., .88 stl., 2.03 blk., and shot .484 from the field. He was spectacular in the seven-game playoff loss to the Mavs, and some calls that could have gone either way were the difference. This is the first summer he's had off in years and don't underestimate what he will do this season.
2. Dirk Nowitzki, 28, Dallas Mavericks: 7-0, 250: Dirk went to a whole new level last season but the 26.6 pts., 9.0 reb., 2.8 ast., .72 stl., 1.02 blk., and .480 field goal percentage didn't tell the story. He was the unequivocal leader, taking the big shots on the floor and giving the big shots off the floor — even to owner Mark Cuban. His shrinkage during the Finals collapse notwithstanding, he became a scorer at the basket, to go along with his outrageous range and free-throw shooting.
3. Kevin Garnett, 30, Minnesota Timberwolves: 6-11, 230: K.G.'s numbers dropped to 21.8 pts., 12.7 reb., 4.1 ast., 1.37 stl., 1.41 blk., and .526 from the field, but you would have thought he collapsed the way the criticism flowed. The team was a mess and Kevin McHale kept making bad deals. When a guy becomes the first player ever to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists six years in a row and slips only .9 assists from doing it again, it's most likely a commentary on his teammates rather than him.
4. Elton Brand, 27, Los Angeles Clippers: 6-8, 270: Brand spent most of last season as an MVP candidate not only because of his escalating numbers — 24.7 pts., 10.0 reb., 2.6 ast., 1.03 stl., 2.54 blk. and connecting on .527 of his shots — but because he led the Clippers to the second round of the playoffs. He expanded his shooting range, continued to block shots and used his deceptive body to dominate inside. He keeps getting better.
5. Jermaine O'Neal, 28, Indiana Pacers: 6-11, 250: Although he averaged 20.1 pts., 9.3 reb., 2.6 ast., .53 stl., 2.29 blk., and made .472 of his shots, O'Neal again missed too many games and wasn't the dominant factor he needs to be. He's played in only 95 of a possible 182 games the past two seasons and in the 2004 conference finals he was playing on one leg. They need him on two legs, playing at an All-Star level again to be serious playoff contenders. No excuses.
6. Pau Gasol, 26, Memphis Grizzlies, 7-0, 260: Although he likely won't be playing for a while due to a foot injury during the world championships, we'll cut Pau some slack after a career-altering 20.9 pts., 8.9 reb., 4.6 ast., .58 stl., 1.91 blk., and .503 field goal percentage last season. The Grizzlies still haven't won a playoff game in their history, but it's not because of what he didn't do. If they don't fall too far back early, he might just get them into the playoffs again.
7. Chris Bosh, 22, Toronto Raptors: 6-10, 235: Based on how much he improved last season by putting up 22.5 pts., 9.2 reb., 2.6 ast., .71 stl., 1.13 blk. and hitting .505 of his shots, Bosh should take another giant step this season with the addition of slick point guard T.J. Ford. Contrary to what some people may say, he doesn't deserve yet to be referred to as a lefty Kevin Garnett, but he is so young, very bright, talented and keeps getting better.
8. Chris Webber, 33, Philadelphia 76ers: 6-10, 250: His numbers — 20.2 pts., 9.9 reb., 3.4 ast., 1.37 stl., .83 blk., and .434 field goal percentage — belie the generally erratic play of last season that led the Sixers to a second straight lottery trip. Nonetheless, Webber's staggering versatility deems him one of the great pure talents at power forward in the history of the game. But his inconsistency and brooding have always overshadowed the awesome gifts and always will now that microfracture knee surgery has destroyed his legs.
9. Rasheed Wallace, 32, Detroit Pistons: 6-11, 240: 'Sheed took a lot of criticism last year with the 15.1 pts., 6.8 reb., 2.3 ast., 1.03 stl., 1.63 blk., and .430 shooting percentage, but mostly because of his erratic play offensively. The fact of the matter is he's always been that way. It is his team defense, moving the ball and the threat of what he can do offensively that makes him special. But with Big Ben leaving, they'll be counting on him more in the post — which he hasn't liked over the years — so now he has to respond.
10. Antawn Jamison, 30, Washington Wizards: 6-9, 240: If you look at the numbers — 20.5 pts., 9.3 reb., 1.9 ast., 1.1 stl., .15 blk., and .442 field goal percentage — you can see why so many people like Jamison. That's not to mention what a high-quality guy he is on and off the court. But the fact of the matter is he's pretty much just a scorer and offensive rebounder. They need him to play defense, move the ball better and have some kind of interior presence, or this team will always be limited.
Also given consideration were: Zach Randolph, Portland Trail Blazers; Nenad Krstic, New Jersey Nets; Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz; Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats; Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets; Kurt Thomas, Phoenix Suns; Troy Murphy, Golden State Warriors; Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat; Drew Gooden, Cleveland Cavaliers; Chris Wilcox, Seattle Sonics.
At least Mike Kahn saw the truth on Dirk's "choke-job" on the finals.