Point guard rankings as well...

My ranks:

1. AI
2. Nash
3. Kidd (he was the best)
4. Billups
5. A. Miller
6. Francis
7. Davis
8. Parker
9. Marbury
10. Bibby

Extra: Arenas

 

You cannot compare AI to Nash in saying that AI would not have been able to have gotten the Suns as far as Nash did last year. That is simply unfair. You have so many different aspects such as coaching style, teammates, and style of play. A lot of people are quick to give Nash props which he deserves but AI averaged 8 assists a game last year on a team where your 2nd best player is a diminishing Chris Webber and your 3rd best is a young promising rookie in Igoudala. And the occasional Super Padgett (Korver) to kick out to for the 3. In addition to the 8 dimes, he poured in 31 points a game? Thats simply incredible.

If you put AI on a D'antoni run and gun team with teamates like Q-rich, Joe Johnson, Marion and Stoudamire I gaurantee he takes the Suns atleast as far as a Nash led Suns team. Nash had 1 super year opposed to AI who has great to superb years year after year. This is the same AI who takes a beating night in and night out that led the Sixers to the Finals against a supposed dynasty Lakers in 01 and actually one a game and shined.

Easy- I fully agree with your assessment that if Nash was put on the Sixers he would suffer due to lack of options to distribute the ball but I disagree with AI causing chemistry problems. The young AI that first entered the league or even a few years ago might be a different story but the Iverson today IMHO is a lot different from the one that first entered. When C-Webb was traded to the Sixers AI seemed like a boy on Christmas morning (smile the size of patrick Ewing/ eyes gleaming) . C webb struggled and AI went out of his way to try and make things work out and stood up for Webber. Bottom line: AI> Nash

 

The thing that gets me about the Nash vs. AI argument is, when I think about it, I can see AI adjusting his game a bit when put with talented teammates and going out and averaging 10-11 assists a game while racking up wins in a run 'n gun system.

Under no circumstances can I envision Nash going out, scoring 30 a game, carrying his team to wins every night, and managing to get 2-3 steals a game on top of that (remember guys, there's a defensive component to basketball too).

IMO, this makes AI clearly better.

 

miller is a younger eric snow - he has no business being in the top ten.

1) nash
2) kidd
3) iverson
4) marbury
5) davis
6) bibby
7) arenas
8) hinrich
9) billups
10 francis

 

This is not a ranking of who is the better player. They are ranking who is the better point guard. AI reminds of Marbury with his assists in that he only passes when he has to and racks up high assists because he dominates the ball so much. If I was the only person that got to dribble the ball around and than passed it late in the shot clock I would rack up high assists too. Someone stated AI is a leader because he plays his heart out? If he was a good leader he would practice just as hard as he plays.

come on AI takes 24 shots a game, 8 assists / 4.6 TO dude doesnt pass the ball.

If JKidd was healthy he would easily top the #1 spot.. as for the question about AI on the Suns would they be better? of course not. No one else would get the ball and I think everyone would be unhappy. (chemistry)

My list from last year.

SNash
JKidd (played pretty good towards the end of the year)
MBibby
AI
Billups

J

 

I don't think any NBA player practices as hard as they play in a real game, well make that any NBA superstar anyway. Unless you're a young guy trying to prove yourself or earn minutes from a demanding coach, i would bet that most guys turn it down a few levels during practice. Now this doesnt mean that I dont think practice is important or that i dont think any superstars practice hard, they just dont practice as hard as they play in a meaningful game. I highly doubt it would be possible for AI to hustle and throw himself around and practice as hard as he plays, and still stay healthy for 82 games. That hustle during the game is the thing that takes his talent to another level.


And before anyone asks, no, I have never been to an NBA practice.

 

No way AI is #1 in PG list.......that is absurd. Clearly Nash was the best PG in the league last year no AI.

But the real question looms........."Why isn't Bobby Sura in the top ten?"

 

AI is a pg??

 

true no superstar practices as hard but at least they go to practice. Then try to be productive and work hard maybe not go all out. But plenty of stars practice hard Yao / Tmac/ KG / TDuncan / JKidd / Kobe they make their teams practice hard or have a coach whose emphasis is practice.

I just think AI is an overrated ballhog I cant think of anyone who has played on the same team as him and didnt say anything bad about him later.

J