NBA Player Rank - Top 10
10. Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
Most believe he should defer to Durant on a more regular
basis. I don’t. Yes, KD needs to ball a lot, but Westbrook is one of the best
guards in the world. He is a great scorer and also plays tremendous defense. To
get better, I think he needs to settle for less jumpers and get to the rim as
much as possible.
9. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat
While Lebron keeps getting all the media attention, Wade
continues to do his thing and quietly help lead this team. He, not Lebron, just
won his SECOND ring. Wade could lead the league in scoring if he wanted, but
his role will remain playing opposite King James and then score big in the
fourth quarter. Wade’s defense and passing has improved a lot though ever since
James joined him in Miami.
8. Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves
Love is a big man that can do it all. He is the best rebounder
in the NBA, which is amazing considering his size. He can score inside and out
(great 3-point shooter). Plus, he can pass the ball better than a lot of
guards. His defense could get better, but that’s getting picky.
7. Carmelo Anthony – New York Knicks
Anthony has always been a tremendous talent and a great
scorer. His move to New York hasn’t been as great as they have hoped, but this
year will be better. Adjusting to the fact he isn’t the only star is something
he needs to do. Using his teammates more and trusting them is a large key. But
with better team health, more consistency in an offense, and Jason Kidd’s
arrival, things are looking up again for Anthony.
6. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
The key for Rose will be bouncing back from his injury
without any setbacks. But that worries me a little considering his game was
predicated solely on athleticism. But when healthy, that allows him to run,
jump, and finish better than any guard.
5. Dwight Howard – Los Angeles Lakers
The best big man in the league is now on the most famous
team in the league. Dwight’s big personality will glow great in the LA
spotlight. His big game will go even better with the Laker personnel. His
rebounding and defense will be and has been monumental to his success. And I
expect him to recover from his injury without any setbacks.
4. Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers
Paul dominates the game in a lot of ways that sometimes
doesn’t involve his direct scoring. He is the best passer in the league, and
has tremendous quickness that can break down any defense. That same quickness
makes him a great defender as well.
3. Kobe Bryant – Los Angles Lakers
The Black Mamba finally got a co-star in Laker land again.
Actually two. Dwight’s presence will allow him to rest up a bit more and not
have to do as much throughout the regular season. Nash will allow him to play
off the ball a bit more and will give him some easier looks. I believe he will
have a rejuvenated year and prove to everyone that he is still one of the best
players in the game, and maybe one of the best players ever. Especially come
playoffs…
2. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City Thunder
He is the best all around scorer in the league due to his
height, athleticism, intelligence, and shooting ability. To catch Lebron as the
league’s best, he needs to improve in the other areas… rebounding, defense, and
passing.
1. Lebron James – Miami Heat
He is the best basketball player on the planet and has been
for a few years now. He finally has the ring to prove it for those who doubted
him in the playoffs. But to live up to his own legacy, he needs to keep winning
more of them. There are a few reasons he is great. First, he has the best mix
of size and athleticism in the league. Second, he is versatile and can play and
guard multiple positions. Third, he can score and will and set up his teammates
whenever he wants. Fourth, he is possible the best defender in the league and
he rebounds to boot. And fifth, he actually may have the best basketball
intelligence in the game today.
Interesting that you have Dwight Howard and Chris Paul above Derrick Rose. Are these projections, and so his injury is moving him down a bit, or are these based on what they've done? Because it seems he would be above those guys based on carrying a mediocre Bulls team to the top seed two years in a row.
ReplyDeleteMatthew- I actually had Derrick Rose higher than both, but Andrew is biased towards him because he didn't go to IU and he is still bitter so he doesn't really like him.
ReplyDeleteTo Matt and Greg (doubters),
ReplyDeleteThe answer to the Derrick Rose ranking is two fold:
1. His injury is significant. The ranking is based their ability for this year. I believe Rose will be massively hindered by this injury. His game is based on quickness and athleticism, not shooting and brains. So this injury is huge and ranked him 12 on my list (Greg had him 3).
2. Even if healthy, I still have him below Howard and CP3. Howard is the most dominating force in basketball, just like Shaq was. Does he have the basketball "talent" like Rose does, no. But because he is huge and athletic, he controls the game and is the best big in basketball. He plays defense, rebounds, and finishes better than basically anyone else, and his offensive game is improving. Playing in LA will help him with that more.
I would easily take Paul over a healthy Rose too. Paul is nearly as fast and a better defender. He is way better at passing and controlling the game through setting up his teammates and scoring. He is also a better pure shooter, although his range is limited just like Rose. I think CP3 is clearly the best PG in the land.
Soo...what you're saying is that people with ACL/MCL injuries always come back "massively hindered". Exhibit A-Adrian Peterson,RB, Minnesota Vikings. 9 months after he got injured he was back on the field because of his insane work ethic (which is shared by Rose). Not only has he come back, he has come back better and stronger than he was prior to his injury. I believe the same thing will be true of Rose. Also, you say that Rose's shooting range is 'limited'. Where are you getting your information? In the 08-09 season Derrick Rose shot 47.5% while shooting only 22.5% from 3 while posting only 6.3 APG, which means that he drove to the basket a lot and didn't shoot a lot from the outside. In 2010-2011 (when Rose won the MVP) he shot 44.5% overall and 33.5% from 3 and posted 7.7 APG, which is almost 1.5 more per game than his rookie season. He has adjusted his game, and will continue to do so. Chris Paul is also a career 36% 3 point shooter, so between them I'd say their range is far from 'limited', and Rose is going to come back better than he was prior to his injury.
ReplyDeleteYou said it there: Rose range is limited. Stats show he has shot 23 to 33 % from 3-point land. That means he finishes well but his jumper range is limited. Paul is a career 36% shooter which is much better. Paul doesn't finish as well inside but his jumper is more sound. Then take into account all the other areas too, and the fact that there is the injury, no doubt CP3 is my guy.
ReplyDeletePS: When was the last time a team has won an NBA Championship with a scoring point guard? Last team that comes to mind is maybe the Pistons with Isaiah Thomas... I think I'll take a point guard that does everything else better!
Andrew
Howard cannot carry a team, CP3 has not proven that he can, Rose has in the regular season at least... now, not in the playoffs, so you can't put Rose above LeBron or Kobe.
ReplyDeleteNow, I agree that the injury will be significant this year. That's why I was confused what the rankings were based on. With the injury in the picture, Rose is clearly outside of the top 10 players for the upcoming season. If you aren't figuring that in, he's clearly higher than Howard or CP3.
To both of you, Howard and CP3 will both win rings before Rose. Either that or none of them will. I repeat, when was the last time a scoring first point guard led team won the championship? Much better to have a dominant big or facilitator...
ReplyDeleteAlso, Greg you only listen to Chicago radio stations so you are biassed. Matt, you don't watch NBA basketball :)