10. Dwyane Wade, SG, Miami Heat
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Dwyane Wade is one of the leagues premiere scoring threats. Wade possesses a solid enough mid-range jumper to force defenders to stay close and a lethal enough first step to blow by them when they do. Wade is beginning to show signs of age as he has become more injury prone and may have lost a step but he still possesses incredible explosiveness when going to the basket.
9. Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Blake Griffin number nine in the league? Ahead of Wade? What has Blake ever done? He is so young! How? You're crazy! I know I know I know but Blake is the present and future of the league at power forward. He is a dominant scorer and can throw down some monster slams. It doesn't hurt that he is playing with arguably the best point guard in the game but we'll get to that later. If Blake continues to work and perfects his post game and rebounding and perhaps adds a mid-range game, wooooh, look out NBA! Not to mention if he could ever knock down a few of those always difficult free throws...Look Blake needs some work but he is spectacular and will continue to be for a long time.
8. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Why so low? Kobe Bryant is near the end of his NBA playing career and it is starting to show. Injuries have begun to pile up and his most recent injury will certainly not help him out. Never the less Kobe continues to be the most dominant 2 guard in the game today. He has an absolutely lethal jump shot and can still finish at the rack as good as ever. Oh and did I mention he is still the most clutch player in the league! They don't call him the Black Mamba for nothing.
7. Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Why in the world is Timmy ranked ahead of Kobe? Simple, Tim Duncan is still playing as well as he always has while Kobe is dropping off and breaking down. Duncan remains injury free and continues to dominate the paint with authoritative blocks, huge rebounds, and powerful jams. He has a stellar mid-range game and he isn't afraid to bang down low. The man has not lost a step since he first got into the league in 1997. Plus he is playing for his Kobe matching fifth NBA title this season against a much younger big 3 in Miami. Duncan is an iron man and a true ambassador of the game. He is soft spoken but as good as it gets at whatever position you want to say he plays. The four or the five no one has a clue what to list him as but the man is great and that is all that matters.
6. Carmelo Anthony, SF, New York Knicks
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Carmelo Anthony took home the scoring title this past season and is one of the league's best pure scorers. Melo has a sweet shooting stroke and can also take it inside when it suits him. Melo has some drawbacks though as he seems to always have to have the ball in his hands which sometimes brings down his teammates around him (i.e. Amar'e Stoudemire). Never the less, there aren't a whole lot of players in the league who can match Melo shot for shot and for that Melo earns the 6th spot on my list. Melo still has a bright future in the league and perhaps some championship gold. Maybe a trip to South Beach would produce a quick ring? No? Alright then.
5. Dwight Howard, C, Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Dwight is the most dominant big man in the game today. He is an absolute monster on the boards and can finish with authority. Dwight has huge upside as he is still a bright young star but he is already the best center the league has seen since Shaq. Superman has wowed crowds with his powerful dunks but has drawn criticism for his work ethic and focus. In the right system Dwight can certainly rise to the same status as some of the all time greats. Maybe if he could hit some free throws he would be higher on this list, but I digress. Dwight is spectacular and that is all that counts.
4. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
This will come as a shock to some people out there and it likely will not be the last surprise on this list. Derrick Rose takes my fourth spot despite missing all of the 2012-2013 season due to an ACL injury. Derrick Rose is without a doubt the best athlete at the point guard position. I don't think there is a player in the game with a quicker first step. He is as fast as they come and can finish at the cup as well as any of the bigger guys. He has improved his jumper in the last year or so and it is said that he has added a solid three ball to his game during his rehab stint. Rose has the potential to return the Bulls franchise to greatness not seen since the end of the Jordan era. Oh and by the way that Bulls team he is on, turned in a phenomenal season even without their captain. The league is on notice when Rose returns, the Bulls are coming.
3. Chris Paul, PG, Los Angeles Clippers
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
This may come as a surprise to some but not to others. Chris Paul is as dominant of a player as they come. Chris Paul is an excellent defender with a spectacular floater and a great jumper. Paul can easily produce points and is clearly the best point guard in the NBA. Now getting to what Paul does best, facilitate. Chris Paul is without a doubt the best passer and court general in the league. Paul runs the offense to perfection and excels at hitting open targets for easy buckets. Chris Paul is still a young player and at the end of the day will go down as one of the top five point guards to ever play the game.
2. Kevin Durant, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Kevin Durant is easily the best pure scorer in the game of basketball. There is simply no stopping the Durantula from nailing buckets. The man is a machine from outside and can even take it to the rack. Durant is a match up nightmare standing near 6'10" at a position that is typically no bigger than 6'8". Put a bigger man on KD and he will simply wear them out with his sheer speed. Put a smaller quicker man on him and he will simply rain buckets over the top. Kevin Durant is an unstoppable force and will continue to be for a very long time. Don't forget this kid is only 24. NBA you have been warned.
1. LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat
(Photo Courtesy of: nba.com)
Talk about a no-brainer. LeBron James is undoubtedly the best player in the NBA. He is also the most gifted athlete and most prolific scorer the league has seen since Michael Jordan. The King certainly warrants any and all comparisons to His Airness. LeBron is without a doubt the league's best finisher and he has refined his jump shot of late as well. He has become a triple threat on offense as he can now drive, dish, and shoot. As if he already wasn't giving defenses headaches. How exactly do you stop a 6'8" 260 pound monstrosity from destroying you? Simple. You can't. Go big and he will shoot and pass all over you. Go small and he will run right through you. Furthermore he has become quite the closer now. LeBron has ditched the not clutch criticism and has begun to take over late in close games. It is easy to say that when all is said and done LeBron will be regarded as one of the two greatest players to play the game. All that is left to determine is the order in which people will list these two greats.
Honorable Mentions
Look, I know some people will be clamoring for some names that didn't make the cut but here are a few guys who arguably could have taken some of the top spots but didn't.
Tony Parker, PG, San Antonio Spurs
Kevin Love, PF, Minnesota Timberwolves
Russell Westbrook, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden, SG, Houston Rockets
Deron Williams, PG, New Jersey Nets
Paul Pierce, SF, Boston Celtics
Kevin Garnett, PF/C, Boston Celtics
Amongst others! There are so many great players to acknowledge but so little time to do so! Comment with your favorite that didn't make the cut! Keep on reading, more to come soon (Top ten young stars and more sports analysis).
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