These guys might not the best but they're my faves, so there's no point arguing. I'm not really a fan of all those big name superstars, so you won't see all those KG, AI, Kobe, T-Mac, Vince, Kidd, and Shaq here. And these guys in my list neither takes a sucker-punch at a white guy who's just trying to make it to the league (shoutout to KG fans)nor pouts about playing time in the Olympics--where he's not even the best player--a week after the event (shoutout to Melo fans). With that, here's my Top 10 Fave Active NBA Players:

1. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento - He's been me man since he was a rookie at Sac'to. Me pops liked Sarunas Marciulionis in the early '90s, who coincidentally also played for the Kings. I was all about Jordan then; now, I guess Peja is my Marciulionis. It's just amazing how he shoots the ball, how you're somewhat disappointed if he misses.

2. LeBron James, Cleveland - Nobody entered the league with as much hype as LeBron. I'm really an anti-popular kid, but this guy's the truth. With MJ gone, King James is the next best thing. Anyone who thinks 'Melo's better must be a dimwit.

3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio - I really believed that this guy would take over MJ's mantle as the NBA's best player (in terms of impact on the game) after Jordan "retired" in '98. Guess what? He's got 2 MVP trophies and 2 NBA titles to show. Too bad he didn't get an Olympic gold.

4. Mike Dunleavy Jr., Golden State - The coach's son. I liked how his dad used the hack-a-Shaq strategy in 2000. And after seeing him featured as a 6'5" high school point guard in the Inside Stuff, I knew this kid's gonna make me fave list. And I happened to watch his MVP performance in the 2002 NCAA championship game.

5. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit - He popped out in a lot of the NBA card packs I bought during the fad in '95-96. He was a rookie then, picked 4th overall and averaged a decent 10 ppg. The premiere power forwards at the time were Malone, Kemp, Baker, and I didn't like any of 'em; so 'Sheed became me second man at the 4, next to The Worm. Then he dominated the Lakers in the 2000 conference finals--probably the only playoff series that I'll never forget in the post-"running of the Bulls" era.

6. Paul Pierce, Boston - I really like his game. It's not the flair but the substance. Good inside-outside game. After Jordan left, I was looking for the next best shooting guard not named Kobe for me fantasy team for NBA Live, and he happened to average over 20 ppg in those years. The 2002 conference finals against the Nets sealed the deal.

7. Eddy Curry, Chicago - Baby Shaq! He plays outstandingly well every second half of the season, when the Bulls are already out of contention. Since my NBA radar is on mostly during the second half of the season, I just can't miss Eddy. Plus he plays for Chicago. And the moniker "Baby Shaq" really sounds cool, though I dislike Shaq Daddy himself.

8. Brent Barry, San Antonio - Who said white men can't jump? This guy dunked from the free throw line in the 1996 Dunk contest, and he's been one of me favorites ever since. His game has changed considerably since then--less athleticism but more versatility and shooting. I really liked that Seattle dealt Payton 2 years ago, cos I wanted Barry to play the point. He's now with the Spurs, so all the better.

9. Jason Williams, Memphis - Showtime. The Peja-Dirk connection began with J-Will. Me and old telé-'Tavi used to mimick all those behind-the-back-no-just-fakin-you layups, those fancy between-the-eye-of-the-needle passes, and those stop-and-pop trifectas back in 9th grade. Showboating used to be more important to us than productivity back then. J-Will has toned down since he joined Memphis, but he has become more efficient. Nonetheless, I miss all those Top 10 Plays-in-waiting moves.

10. Toni Kukoc, Milwaukee - The only active member of the 3 Bulls championships in 1996-98 I know of (Pip will probably not play next season). Some of me high school friends used to call (tease is the more operative term) me Kukoc cos we were both lefties (I didn't consider it as something good, cos all I/we saw then was that Kukoc didn't pass to MJ enough--though being compared to a member of the Bulls did feel kind of good). He played well in the seasons following the dismantling of the Bulls, and with the influx of all those Euro ballers, I realized that this guy, the Croatian Sensation, was one of the first ones. He's on his waning years now, but I guess his inclusion to my Top 10 Fave Active Players is more than anything else a tribute.

*****

Since everyone's putting up their own versions of the "Dream Team," might as well give my one cent's worth regarding the issue. Keeping the FIBA rules in mind, here's my Dream Team:

PG - Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby

SG - Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, LeBron James

SF - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Mike Dunleavy Jr.*

PF - Tim Duncan, Jermaine O'Neal

C - Shaquille O'Neal, Brad Miller

You could put KG at the 4, but I just like the idea of starting with 3 7-footers. No AI, cos he can't penetrate the zone and he doesn't have a consistent jumper. No T-Mac cos Kobe's a better stopper, Ray and Paul are better shooters, and LeBron's better, period. Bibby over Baron, Sam, Steve, and Steph cos he's got the best jumpshot among PGs and can create shots for himself and his teammates. Wondering why Mike Dunleavy Jr.'s on the team? Well, there's always a 12th man on the roster; it was Christian Laettner in '92, so might as well throw in another white Dukie to the lineup. Plus he can consistently hit the three and play the point at 6'9".