Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:43 pm
Who are the best players in the NBA? Here is my CLEAR top 3, in order.
Before I even begin, let me be completely honest. I am bias to player who WIN. If your favorite or your best players aren't on my list, it's probably because they haven't done anything in the post season, or their team doesn't win consistently. Winning is why they play the game. You can have AMAZING numbers, but if your team never wins ... are you really a good player? Or a huge ball-hog with decent talent? (*coughstephanmarburycough*)
1. Tim Duncan
The most consistent and dominate forward in the last 10 years, and by nature of the game, a dominant forward/center is better than a dominant guard, because guards take lower pecentage shots than forwards, and guards can only affect one person on the team defensively, maybe two if he crowds a passing lane. A forward can change the entire aspect of the floor, and has a chance to alter almost all lay-ups or driving scoring opportunities by nature of his position. No player has done it better at the forward position better than Tim Duncan. Since draft day, he has never been on a team who has NOT been on the play-offs. Always on the NBA-First Team and NBA-First All defensive team. Career numbers of over 20 points a game, over 10 rebounds a game and 2 blocks a game. Defensive and offensive juggernaut. Clutch player. Former MVP, and has two championships. There is no better player in the game.
2. Kobe Bryant
The best player in the game when it comes to 1-on-1 basketball and skill. In my opinion, a better player than Micheal Jordan himself (in terms of skill, not accomplishments. Kobe's range is FAR superior). No player has been more explosive and complete at the 2-guard position in the past 10 years for the exception of Allen Iverson, who, being undersized and lacking championships, I must put below Kobe. The youngest to become an All-star, and with COUNTLESS clutch playoff shots and memories which have earned him three NBA championships in consecutive years, Kobe Bryant is hands down the best guard in the game. With stats over 27 ppg, 4 assists, and 1.7 steals a game in years he started in the league. You can't get much better...
PS. Please don't give me the whole "Shaq earned him those rings" You think Micheal Jordan did it by himself? No? Scottie Pippen last time I checked was one of the NBA's top 50 of all time? I don't think Rodman was too shabby as a leader of the NBA in rebounds and a consecutive defensive player of the year winner also. Kobe earned a FULL share of those rings. Sorry Kobe-haters...
3. Steve Nash
I could not have said this during his days in Dallas. But now, I can. Steve Nash is a top 5 point guard of ALL TIME, maybe even top 3 if you wanna push it. Averaging over 10 assist per game in the past 4 years. Over 11 assists in the past 3. There is no player in the NBA with better vision, court savvy, or passing ability than Steve Nash. Not to mention the man just WINS. ALL. THE. TIME. He hasn't been on a losing team where he led the 1-guard position since...what? His EARLY phoenix days? He's been in the play-offs since his early Dallas days back in '99. Arguably one of the best shooters in the NBA. Always at the top of the league in Free Throw and 3-point percentage, these arguments are sound. Clearly the best shooter at the 1-guard. Never turns the ball over. By the way, he holds TWO MVPS. Can you name the last point guard MVP? Didn't think so. Kidd came close, but that doesn't matter. On this way to his third MVP, and average over 17 points per game and 11 assists on a team who is SCORCHING the NBA with the 2nd best record in the league. Ladies and Gentlemen .. Steve Nash, 3rd best player in the NBA.
Honorable Mention:
Allen Iverson - Best Scorer in the NBA, hands down. Great assist mant. Can't be stopped defensively. Former MVP. Turns the ball over alot, however, horrid FG%, and doesn't win. Maybe thats about to change in Denver.
Lebron James - AMAZING talent, can become the best player of all time if he works hard enough. As of right now, he simply just hasn't DONE anything. Time will tell.
Dirk Nowitzki - MY person favorite player. A RARE combination of height, agility, and the best shooting touch in the NBA next to Ray Allen and Micheal Redd. Not to mention, he always wins.
Kevin Garnett - A monster. Point Blank. Has trouble winning, though...
Before I even begin, let me be completely honest. I am bias to player who WIN. If your favorite or your best players aren't on my list, it's probably because they haven't done anything in the post season, or their team doesn't win consistently. Winning is why they play the game. You can have AMAZING numbers, but if your team never wins ... are you really a good player? Or a huge ball-hog with decent talent? (*coughstephanmarburycough*)
1. Tim Duncan
The most consistent and dominate forward in the last 10 years, and by nature of the game, a dominant forward/center is better than a dominant guard, because guards take lower pecentage shots than forwards, and guards can only affect one person on the team defensively, maybe two if he crowds a passing lane. A forward can change the entire aspect of the floor, and has a chance to alter almost all lay-ups or driving scoring opportunities by nature of his position. No player has done it better at the forward position better than Tim Duncan. Since draft day, he has never been on a team who has NOT been on the play-offs. Always on the NBA-First Team and NBA-First All defensive team. Career numbers of over 20 points a game, over 10 rebounds a game and 2 blocks a game. Defensive and offensive juggernaut. Clutch player. Former MVP, and has two championships. There is no better player in the game.
2. Kobe Bryant
The best player in the game when it comes to 1-on-1 basketball and skill. In my opinion, a better player than Micheal Jordan himself (in terms of skill, not accomplishments. Kobe's range is FAR superior). No player has been more explosive and complete at the 2-guard position in the past 10 years for the exception of Allen Iverson, who, being undersized and lacking championships, I must put below Kobe. The youngest to become an All-star, and with COUNTLESS clutch playoff shots and memories which have earned him three NBA championships in consecutive years, Kobe Bryant is hands down the best guard in the game. With stats over 27 ppg, 4 assists, and 1.7 steals a game in years he started in the league. You can't get much better...
PS. Please don't give me the whole "Shaq earned him those rings" You think Micheal Jordan did it by himself? No? Scottie Pippen last time I checked was one of the NBA's top 50 of all time? I don't think Rodman was too shabby as a leader of the NBA in rebounds and a consecutive defensive player of the year winner also. Kobe earned a FULL share of those rings. Sorry Kobe-haters...
3. Steve Nash
I could not have said this during his days in Dallas. But now, I can. Steve Nash is a top 5 point guard of ALL TIME, maybe even top 3 if you wanna push it. Averaging over 10 assist per game in the past 4 years. Over 11 assists in the past 3. There is no player in the NBA with better vision, court savvy, or passing ability than Steve Nash. Not to mention the man just WINS. ALL. THE. TIME. He hasn't been on a losing team where he led the 1-guard position since...what? His EARLY phoenix days? He's been in the play-offs since his early Dallas days back in '99. Arguably one of the best shooters in the NBA. Always at the top of the league in Free Throw and 3-point percentage, these arguments are sound. Clearly the best shooter at the 1-guard. Never turns the ball over. By the way, he holds TWO MVPS. Can you name the last point guard MVP? Didn't think so. Kidd came close, but that doesn't matter. On this way to his third MVP, and average over 17 points per game and 11 assists on a team who is SCORCHING the NBA with the 2nd best record in the league. Ladies and Gentlemen .. Steve Nash, 3rd best player in the NBA.
Honorable Mention:
Allen Iverson - Best Scorer in the NBA, hands down. Great assist mant. Can't be stopped defensively. Former MVP. Turns the ball over alot, however, horrid FG%, and doesn't win. Maybe thats about to change in Denver.
Lebron James - AMAZING talent, can become the best player of all time if he works hard enough. As of right now, he simply just hasn't DONE anything. Time will tell.
Dirk Nowitzki - MY person favorite player. A RARE combination of height, agility, and the best shooting touch in the NBA next to Ray Allen and Micheal Redd. Not to mention, he always wins.
Kevin Garnett - A monster. Point Blank. Has trouble winning, though...