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wow ESPN is acting like they are getting tortured just by putting timmy's name up there
For real, who are the top five players in the NBA?
by Ted Bauer
Normally in this slot, we write something fairly esoteric and attempt to reference the map above. Two things are wrong with that principle today: (1) it's almost the holidays, so we're not sure anyone wants to wrap their dome around something esoteric and (2) we really need to update that map. (Rationalization: "It's the holidays!") With the NBA taking over front-and-center on Christmas Day (Celtics/Lakers is at 5pm on ABC), we decided to turn to a topic addressed at a Christmas party we hit up Saturday night: Who are the five best players in the NBA right now? It's literally impossible to get consensus.
Most people will give you the "big two" right off the bat: Kobe Bryant, whose been doing it for years and dropped 36 points on the Memphis Grizzlies just last night, and LeBron James, who seems to be the only rational answer to "How the heck are the Cavs so good right now?"
The third name most of our friends dropped Saturday night was Chris Paul, surprising because of how short a time he's been in the league but completely unsurprising when you realize how many rap songs have already referenced him.
Some people will take Dwyane Wade as their third name sputtered out, which is logical considering he (a) is a beast and (b) won a ring before anyone else in the NBA Draft '03 class and (c) did it almost entirely on his back (sorry, Shaq.)
If you take 'em both—seems logical, and we'll get to our picks in a second—then you have one spot left and everything goes all "cats-and-dogs-living-together." One of our friends said Carmelo Anthony. People went nuts. Another said Kevin Garnett. Some agreement—"Did you see what he did to the Hawks?"—but his age was raised as a concern. Dwight Howard? ("If he could start hitting free throws, dude's unstoppable.") "Someone that plays in Texas?" People bantered around the name Tim Duncan, which seems completely legitimate. When Brandon Roy got honestly tossed into the discussion, we knew we had stumbled upon a debate classic.
Here's our five. Hate on us in the comments.
Kobe Bryant: Ridiculous amount of miles on him, and hasn't won a le since Shaq, but is probably still the best basketball player in the world.
LeBron James: If he's a legit 6-8, 274, that means he's bigger than DeMarcus Ware, who currently leads the NFL in sacks.
Chris Paul: Saw this kid play at Wake Forest and said to our friend, "That's the fastest anyone has ever gone end-to-end." We kinda say similar things about Ty Lawson right now, but have not even the remotest thought he'll become CP3. There's just something about him.
Dwyane Wade: Too good a hooper not to make this list. Also, for our money, "Fall Down 7 Times, Stand Up 8" is one of the most underrated shoe ads ever.
Tim Duncan: Yea, we'll go here. Thing people always miss in these debates: basketball is a team sport. Yea, we're having an individual discussion, but like Craig Robinson will tell you about Barack Obama, your success on the court is all about how you fit into the team. Duncan? 4 rings. Could Amare or Dwight flush him right now? Probably, yes. But in a Game 7 on the road, would you want anyone else at the 4/5 slot?
OK, so now: who you got?
wow ESPN is acting like they are getting tortured just by putting timmy's name up there
Could Amare or Dwight flush him right now? Probably, yes. But in a Game 7 on the road, would you want anyone else at the 4/5 slot?
+1
props to timmy, after all the years and good/hard times he is still one of the(if not the best) big men alive.
Let's also consider how Timmy makes his teamates better, kobe still does'nt do that enough. wade does lebron does, But thats about it. I want Timmy on cruise control till the playoffs let the team gel and let the young guys get theirs. Then down the strech let Tim do his thing and we could have another odd numbered year ring!
Yup he's alive allright. Saw him only yesterday.
Don't know what to think of this article. Howard, Amare, Garnett..TD is still the best big in the league.
Tim is the most dominant big man in the NBA. And not dominant in terms of dunking in peoples faces or blocking 5 shots a game. He makes the team better and posses the best moves for a big man in the NBA.
If they ever considered defense as much as offense, TD would easily be #1 this year
homer.
Tim Duncan
God
Malik Rose.
aren't they?
I don't agree with LeBron being #2. Maybe #5, but #2.
1. Lebron
2. Howard
3. Paul
4. Bryant
5. Duncan
Howard is only a freak rebounding machine who needs to be assisted to get a basket.
Lebron James
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Garnett
Dwight Howard
Chauncey Billups
I can name the best player on the teams with the best record too...that takes alot of evaluative skills, no?
Darrin? Chauncey and KG? Are you serious?
Yep. Billups is 20-7, his teams 11-14 without him. The offense moves smoother with him, and he can shoot it from anywhere on the court. That's the definition of good at his position. Paul has shown some of his age early on. Wade isn't as efficient as people may think.
KG's the best defender in the league right now.
Last edited by Darrin; 12-23-2008 at 02:54 PM.
60-22--did that have anything to do with TD in 2003?
C'mon? TD is top five all time not just now. You cannot deny that.
No, you're in denial about that. I'd put him over everyone not named Kobe or Lebron. Wade and Paul come close, but no cigar.
Denial about what?
no, because according to them kobe is a great defender
Why does everybody that puts Duncan on a list seem like they're apologetic as they're doing it?
Among those babies, I'll go with LBJ, KB, TD ... the rest aren't in the same level
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