BASKETBALL COLUMN TIME!

July 25th, 2004

Top 25 Players in the NBA

To figure out the list, I had to go through certain facts. First is worth to the team. If they took him off their current team, how good would they be. Plus, helping make other players better is a plus too. Secondly is all around play. Great defense and no offense or vice versa will heavily deduct in their standings. Thirdly is winning attitude and love of the game. People who play for the love of the game and do whatever it takes to win get bonus points. And finally, actual winning. Its important to have a winning attitude but if they don't actually win, it could mean they aren't clutch or they just haven't reached the point to know how to win. Of course, some players are dealt horrible teammates so I won't count that against them. But winning is still important.

Here are a couple who missed the list

Shawn Marion

Dwyane Wade

Richard Jefferson

Kenyon Martin

Rasheed Wallace

Carlos Boozer

Chris Webber

So here we go, here's the list.
 

25. Steve Francis

Skillwise, he is amazing. He can do a lot of stuff: defend, pass, score, dunk. But mentally, he still has a way to go. He doesn't really know how to utilize his talent. If he can improve his percentages, he can definitely be one of the top point guards in the league.

24. Vince Carter

Amazing scorer. Amazing Highlight Reel. Mediocre Passion.  He doesn't seem to really want to win that much. But maybe this trade talk is what he needs. He needs to prove he can carry a team to win and do whatever it takes to win as well.

23. Carmelo Anthony

He is a winner, I'll give you that. But he needs to learn to accept roles. The only thing I have against him is not willing to go back into a blow out game. Come on man. You gotta earn respect before demanding it. But he really has helped this Denver team with his scoring and drive to win. But you can't give him all the credit. Camby and Miller did help a tad.

22. Ray Allen

Probably the best pure shooter in the game.  Last year, he added a good passing game. Decent Defender. All he really needs are decent teammates. He had some in Milwaukee with Cassell and Robinson, but too bad they never really clicked.  Only aspect he might need to work on is leadership.

21. Steve Nash

A wonderful shooter and passer. Awesome intensity and a great team leader. He was willing to shoot the last shots in the playoffs last year but just couldn't hit them. His downfall is his defense. If he works on that, he could be one of the best PGs ever.

20. Peja Stojakovic

Peja Stojakovic is one of the best shooters in the league. Put him on the line, its an automatic two points..... except in the playoffs. If he could carry his production into the playoffs, he can be a top 10 player. Plus, he needs to work a little bit on his defensive quickness.

19. Elton Brand

Elton deserves to be higher but he just hasn't won anything. He's a force on offense and on defense. I don't know if its him or the teams he is on but if he doesn't get on a winning team soon, he'll go along the likes of Shareef Abdur Rahim- good stats, but what are they good for?

18. Baron Davis

He sometimes tries to do too much but that is why I like him.  He does whatever it takes to win, unlike his bitter teammate Mashburn. Without him, the Hornets are one of the worst teams in the league. He is a triple double waiting to happen but he really needs to work on that free throw shooting.

17. Stephon Marbury

Marbury has been tossed around the league a lot and has been consistently been bashed as a selfish player.  But I can't doubt his heart and his willingness to win at all cost. He took New York to the brink of the playoffs even though their team was horrible.  No wonder Isiah considers him the only untradeable player on his team. But he still has a lot to prove.

16. Ben Wallace

The most intimidating force on defense outside of Shaq.  Even though he is undersized, he has become an amazing rebounding and blocking machine. Too bad he can't carry that production into the offensive side.  But nobody can deny his heart and his will to win, which was a main reason why the Pistons are the champs.

15.  Mike Bibby

He is the heart and soul of the Kings. He controls the tempo, he gives life to the team when it is needed and he is willing to hit the big shots... which he has.  He needs to work on one on one defense still and needs to lead the Kings to the promised land. Plus, on a team as loaded as the Kings, I don't know how "valuable" he really is.

14. Ron Artest

The past year has been a revelation for Ron Artest. Without him, the Pacers would have had no chance to even compete with the Pistons. In addition, he was hobbled by injuries.  He kept his temper in check, he played up to his Defensive player of the year mystique and improved his offense. All I need to see now is consistency and he could definitely move up.

13. Yao Ming

He is one of the best centers in the league but he is only just tapping into his potential. Great offensive threat who can shoot inside or out but he still needs to make himself a defensive force. 2 blocks should be a cakewalk for him. He needs to average 3.5 a game at least. But his importance to Houston can't be denied.

12. Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko, or AK-47, is just a huge rising star.  With the disapperance of Malone and Stockton from Salt Lake, people expected Utah to fold. But lo and behold, they were only a game out of making the playoffs. This is a team of players that most people couldn't even name 2 people.  He became an all star, a force on defense and offense and has solidified himself as a top tier player.

11. Paul Pierce

He is Boston right now. And maybe that is too much to ask from him.  Whenever the Celtics needed a hero, he came through for them. But this past year, GM Danny Ainge just didn't give Pierce enough help and it was just a lost cause for him to try to beat the Pacers on his own.  But its still amazing he took this horrible team to the playoffs.

10. Allen Iverson

You could even consider him the heart of the NBA. Even though he disregards practice, there is no player in the league who tries harder than Iverson.  He pretty much single handedly beat the Lakers in 2002 in Game one of the Finals.  People still consider him a selfish player on the court but I disagree. He does whatever it takes to win.

9. Jason Kidd

There is no player in the league who makes players around him better than Kidd.  A former Cal player(thank you very much), he has improved every team he has ever been on.  He doesn't have the greatest shot in the world but he doesn't need it the way he passes the ball. Without him, the Nets would have never come close to winning 2 straight Eastern titles. All he needs now is to get over the hump.

8. Lebron James

His talent is through the roof. Any player younger than me and is able to sustain that kind of expectation is seriously going to be the savior of the league.  Without him, Cleveland is one of the worst teams in the league. Put him on any team, even the Bobcats, see wins increase the next year.  He scores, passes, defends, rebounds and doesn't complain.  This guy is a star.

7. Tracy Mcgrady

This guy has the potential to be the greatest. Lets see if a change in scenario can do him good. His defense needs motivation. His offense is off the charts. He and Kobe are the best one on one players in the league, so you better double him. I just wonder if Van Gundy can get through to him. 

6. Dirk Nowitzki

This guy is gonna be the closest we ever get to another Bird. A tall white man who can shoot inside and out.  Without him, Dallas is a .500 team at best. He still needs to learn some killer instinct though. And too bad he suffers from the old no defense syndrome.  But he's still a one of a kind talent. You'll hardly ever find another 7 footer who can shoot like him.

5. Jermaine O'Neal

After being buried on Portland's bench for over 4 years, he finally has found a home in Indiana. Boy, what playing time can do for a guy. He is now the best player on perhaps the best team in the East. Can play offense or defense with amazing skill.  An MVP candidate for years to come.  He is the key to Indiana's title hopes.

4. Shaquille O'Neal

He IS the most dominant player. There is no way you can stop him inside alone.  He's just too big, too quick and too strong.  There will never be a player like him, but age and injuries have taken its toll.  He's just not as durable as he used to be. But trading 3 of your starters for him just shows how valuable he is.

3. Kevin Garnett

The MVP last year has finally gotten out of the first round because he has teammates that can produce.  But don't let that fool you. Without KG, there is no Timberwolves. He does EVERYTHING for them from rebound to pass to score to block.  He'll sacrifice himself for the benefit of the team. But he still hasn't gotten over the hump and won the whole thing. Once he does, he'll jump straight to #1.

2. Kobe Bryant

First All-NBA team, First All Defensive Team, age 25, 3 Championships. Amazing Passion for the game and so much heart. What more do you want?  How bout a championship by himself. And making his teammates better along the way. But I think people don't give him his due credit. He is as responsible for the 3 titles as Shaq. And at this point, he is a better player.

1. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is the best player in the game. He makes other players better, he scores, he defends, he sacrifices, he doesn't quit, he is a good teammate and he WINS. Two championships and some MVPs is a pretty good resume.  Just give him another decent scorer and the Spurs are the top team again.