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OK Kobe fans troll mode on!
It's not just about rings, which are more team than individual accomplishments. It's also not solely about stats, which can be misleading, or raw talent or versatility or durability or efficiency or intelligence or compe iveness. This ranking tries to take into account everything that goes into being a really good basketball player. Is that subjective? Of course. We're not going to pretend we've come up with a rating formula (like some websites) that produces results any sentient fan knows are flawed. This is just one guy's opinion about who the top 10 players will be this season. -- John Galinsky
Next five: Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Tim Duncan, Derrick Rose and Brandon Roy.
10. Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk's not quite as good as he was in his late 20s, when he was arguably a top-five player in the league. His defense and rebounding, never great to begin with, have slipped. (If Amar'e Stoudemire or Chris Bosh played better defense, they'd deserve this spot.) But he's still a devastating offensive weapon, a 7-footer who shoots a basketball as well as anyone in the world. Coming off his best season as a shooter, Nowitzki still has a lot left in the tank at the age of 32. He can't carry the Mavs to 67 wins or a conference le anymore, but he still makes Dallas dangerous on any given night.
9. Carmelo Anthony
Melo has essentially turned his back on Denver's franchise, meaning it could be an awkward season for both player and team if the Nuggets don't trade him. But no matter where he is, Anthony will score points, lots and lots of points. He boasts arguably the most complete offensive arsenal in the game, from post moves to 3-pointers and everything in between. He's also a decent rebounder, passer and defender ... when he feels like it. Maybe a change of scenery would inspire him to raise the rest of his game.
8. Chris Paul
Of all the players on this list, Paul is in the worst situation. The Hornets, contenders three years ago, will be fortunate to make the playoffs this season. And while we're not holding that against him, Paul's enthusiasm and energy may be hard to maintain if New Orleans stinks and he's looking for a way out of town. Of more concern is the fact CP3 is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he missed 37 games. If he's healthy and happy -- two big ifs -- Paul can be an MVP candidate again.
7. Pau Gasol
The Lakers once traded Elmore Smith (and three others) for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant. But the Gasol swap with the Grizzlies (Pau in exchange for his brother Marc and a bunch of nothing) may eventually belong with those steal-of-a-deals in the annals of L.A. thievery. No way do the Lakers make three straight NBA Finals and win the last two championships without Pau, the league's best offensive big man. His skill set fits perfectly in the triangle offense and his personality meshes nicely with Kobe's. Even if they don't win another le together, it's a safe bet he'll never ask Kobe how his ass tastes.
6. Deron Williams
Williams surpassed Chris Paul as the NBA's best point guard last season, and not only because Paul was hurt. The knock on Williams was that he does everything well but nothing spectacularly. Yet he put the injury-riddled Jazz on his back in the second half of the season and dominated Chauncey Billups in the first round of the playoffs. Is he a dominant player who can carry a team to a le? Maybe not. (Though even dominant players need help to get a ring.) But he has no real holes in his game. How many players can you say that about?
5. Dwight Howard
With a lot more skill and a little more seriousness, Howard would be a truly great player, maybe the best in the NBA. That may come with age and maturity. After all, he's still only 24. But even now, you have to give Howard his due. He keeps himself in phenomenal shape, he plays every game and he dominates on defense like no player in the league. He also benefits from playing in an era of mediocre big men. Howard should be the league's best center for a long time. It's up to him to want more than that.
4. Kevin Durant
Because of his play at the world championships on the heels of his NBA scoring le, Kevin Durant has joined the conversation for best basketball player on the planet. In some ways, that's deserving. He's already an incredible scoring machine, able to shoot over smaller defenders and draw fouls from bigger men. But in other ways it's premature. He still has a long way to go as a passer, rebounder and defender. Having just turned 22, the potential is there for greatness. But for now, the top three players on this list are more finished products and better all-around players. Next year, it may be a different story.
3. Dwyane Wade
He's now the second-best player on his team. He'll have to defer at times to LeBron James. And his health is a question mark after missing the preseason with a strained hamstring. But none of that should take away from the fact that Wade has been one of the NBA's very best players for six years now. And at 28, health permitting, he should be in his prime. How he meshes with LeBron and Chris Bosh remains to be seen. But after years of doing it all for the Heat , it's likely he'll welcome a somewhat reduced role. What Miami needs from him now, more than ever, is leadership. Any doubt he'll provide it?
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe's legion of fans are adamant that the last two seasons have put him in his rightful place on top of the basketball world. That's true in so far as the best player on the championship team gets the ring and respect he deserves. But didn't those same fans argue that Kobe was the league's best player even when Tim Duncan was winning more les and the Lakers couldn't get out of the first round of the playoffs? Maybe he's been the best all along and the Finals MVPs are mere validation. We'll know that's true if the Lakers meet the Heat in the Finals and he outplays both Wade and LeBron.1. LeBron James
LeBron needs to fire his management team, work on his post game, take fewer 3-pointers and win a damn le or seven. Then we can stop arguing what's been clear for several years. He's the most dominant player in the world, a basketball force of nature like few in league history. His offensive efficiency is off the charts. His D is catching up to his O. When he doesn't thoroughly impose his will on a game, it's a surprise. So much so, apparently, that he gets labelled a quitter or choker if it happens more than once in a playoff series. Even in Miami, it's unclear if his supporting cast can match Kobe's, but he's put himself in a much better position to succeed.
Last edited by Ashy Larry; 10-23-2010 at 12:18 PM.
OK Kobe fans troll mode on!
Kobe sucks ...... he only has 1.3596 rings
Though can ya imagine if Bryant were ringless?
tee, hee.
3-10 i have a problem with....
Lmao? You mean 4-10?
Please I'd love to see how you have a problem with Wade at 3
No problem with the list.
Kobe is not 2 this season, 3 at best.
Gasol is not better than Paul, CP, or Melo.
Lebron is # 1. Wade is # 2 and IMO Kobe is 3rd for this coming season, although that remains to be seen because his knee looks awefully toasted so far, but we've seen him go through a series of slump but he always find a way to be effective and play his absolute best in April and May.
The writer was reaching though, questioning Wade's health because of a hamstring injury in October.
Many times hamstring injuries can linger for months.
hope, hope.
No major problems with the list, Only I would move up Dirk ahead of Gasol and I think the list is fine.
Dirk would have none of it, Kam. He abhors confrontation.
tee, hee.
I have no idea how Gasol is rated so high.
I'd have him and Dirk switch places, if not throw him outta tha mix altogether and bump the next one down.
Dirk insisted.
Gasol is deserving of that spot. The gap between Kobe and Gasol is probably at its closest this year with Gasol still at his prime while Kobe gracefully exits his peak. Gasol has already proven he was the Lakers most efficient player for the last 2 seasons and he is also their unquestionable best glass cleaner and defensive big man. Really, the only thing Kobe has over Gasol is FGA and Points per game.
The entire might of NBA Forum/sans our Lakers Brethren gracefully jamming Bryant toward the light.
I'd rather have a 7-footer that can spread the floor, and let a defensive minded big man crash the offensive glass.
(lol Bonner)
Frankly, I wouldn't hit a dog in ass with Dirk.
He's got a lot of people bamboozled. But, I ain't one of 'em.
Top players of the season, I think this list makes sense.
Come on Giuseppe, you and I know that the only thing Kobe has over Gasol was extreme luck from day one. If Gasol was drafted by the Lakers since his rookie year and Kobe was stuck in Charlotte, you would be talking about Gasol on a different light.
Well, of course. Kobe has buttered my bread thru the years. I don't forget that. Ever.
Ok, so we agree on that. You seem to be a sensible person. Here's anto our meeting in June next year.
Boston will never permit it, LeHeat. And the league won't fix that match. No way. You'll have to earn that. Won't happen.
I guess we'll see. Boston's frontcourt does look intimidating on paper. I like your style Giuseppe, you're cooler than the other side of the pillow.
Yep, & Daddy is gonna come out, full blast, no f'in around.
I'm still in shock at Wallace retiring, leaving that money on the table. He hasn't put his papers in, so, before it's over he still may return.
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