Last night on Matt and Adam's sparring session they were asked to name their top 5 players in the NBA, regardless of position. I might be off on a couple but I believe Adam said T-Mac, Wade, Lebron, AI, and Kobe, Matt said Shaq, Wade, Lebron, KG, and Nash. I thought both of their selections were crazy in different ways, first off neither said Tim Duncan, second Adam didn't name any big guys, and third Matt named Shaq on what seemed to be past achievements more than what he is currently doing. My top 3 are Duncan, T-Mac, and Dirk, I can't decide on the 4th and 5th between Nash, Lebron, Kobe, KG, AI, Kidd, and Shaq, for now I'll say Kobe and Nash. Who are your top 5 players in the NBA regardless of position? Just for fun... Top 5 MVP canidates are Dirk, Nash, Billups, Duncan, and Wade. Top 5 PGs are Nash, Billups, Cassell, Kidd, and Paul. Top 5 swingmen are T-Mac, Kobe, Carter, Lebron, and Pierce. Top 5 big men are Duncan, Dirk, Yao, Shaq, and KG. Top 5 underrated; Dirk, Pau, Cassell, Yao, and Pierce, can't forget guys like the Wallaces, Carmelo, Marion, Diaw, Kirilenko, Kaman, Battier, Okur, etc. Top 5 overrated; Wade, Parker, KG, Camby, and Lebron. Top 5 for the future; Dwight, Paul, Livingston, Josh Howard, and Chuck Hayes .
duncan, kobe, a.i., lebron, carter all based on this season alone. carter isn't scoring a lot of points but he doesn't have to on his team, but the dude is playing effecient ball. Mine is in no particular order but I could sub nash for a.i. edit: forgot about wade.
Top 5 MVP canidates are Nash, Iverson, Lebron, Duncan, and KG. Top 5 PGs are Nash, Iverson, Baron Davis, Kidd, and Wade. Top 5 swingmen are T-Mac, Kobe, Carter, Lebron, and Ray Allen. Top 5 big men are Duncan, KG, Brand, Shaq, and Dirk. Top 5 underrated: Gerald Wallace, Shawn Marion, AK 47, Gilbert Arenas, and Brand Top 5 overrated: Parker, Kidd, Redd, Peja, and Carmelo Top 10 for the future: Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Gerald Wallace, Lebron, Melo, Josh Howard, Wade, Bosh, and Gilbert Arenas (only 24)
A big Dirk fan, eh? Adam's was the closest to mine. Shaq's a little high on Matt's, though if you're talking one game, everything on the line, I wouldn't mind having Shaq on there. Even in decline he's getting you almost 20 and 10, I think. Nowitski shouldn't be near the top '5', IMO. Tmac, Duncan, Kobe, Lebron, KG, AI, Nash...those are probably my top overall, not in any particular order.
Yeah, the Heat are going to finish with a great record, their MVP is Wade, but I don't think he's better than T-Mac, Kobe, Lebron, Pierce, Carter, Nash, and AI like some do, he's the best out of the class Billups, Hamilton, Richardson, Anthony, Arenas, Francis, Bibby, Davis, Paul, Manu, Marbury, Parker, etc. are in.
Best all-around players? LeBron, Kobe, KG, Duncan...then the 5th is tough. T-Mac, A.I., Nash, Wade are in the running. Dirk isn't until he guards somebody and Wade isn't until he improves him J beyond the 18 ft. range. 10% from 3 doesn't cut it.
Well, the Mavericks are playing good defense, Dirk has to be helping in some way, shape or form, and that's part of my beef with Wade, he's a bad shooter, although he can hit them if he's wide open. In perception, but not in reality, just look at the best teams in the league, San Antonio, Dallas, Detroit, and Miami, they all have great big men, if Amare comes back healthy the Suns will be elite once again, with Yao playing well the Rockets become a great team, same with Z and the Cavs, Pau is Memphis' MVP, and on and on.
So is Wade in the running or not? In his defense, the guy averages less than 20 shots per game and still gets 27 points each night. That's ~1.4 points per shot. Combine that with his nearly 50% shooting from the field and you'd be hard pressed to find a single guard in the league with remotely similar offensive efficiency and overall output.
yeah, I think the criticism of wade's three pointing shooting is a bit much. look at it this way, at least he knows his limitations.
as far as "top players" is concerned... Duncan, Kidd, Garnett, McGrady, Billups, Wade (I know that's six, but I they all deserve to be there) All are very dangerous scorers, yet they're all unselfish and all are excellent in involving the rest of their team and making the team better. There are other players, like Kobe, who are great scorers, but he's so lacking in other areas, he doesn't even come close to making my list of top players.
My Top 5 This Year Duncan - is still the foundation of that team KG - can't do it alone but no one else can either Kobe - hate the guy but as a player he is unbelievable (toughest to admit) Lebron - he can do it all but needs to work on his defense lately the announcers seem to be calling him out that he looks clueless on defense. Im stuck on the last spot between Nash Wade (my best guess would be Wade) Tmac (too many injuries this year) Dirk SMarion AI Billups J
Lebron James Kevin Garnett Tracy Mcrady Tim Duncan Kobe Bryant The definitive all around players in the NBA. These guys bring it every night.They also do what there team needs. Scoring, Rebounding, Passing, and playing good defence when they have to.
Duncan, KG, Lebron, AI, Wade (based on this year's performance) Duncan, KG, Lebron, TMac, Shaq (based on overall talent that impact the game) I intentionally leave out Kobe, just for the sake of it. Yeah, I'm a hater.
Bang on the money, no particular order for me though. Next 5 for me are Wade, Truth, AI, Dirk(regretfully),Brand. Best Perimeter Defenders: Artest,Bowen,Prince,Kobe,Tmac(when he applies himself), Iggy Best Interior Defenders: Wallace and Wallace Best Scorers: AI,Gilbert, Kobe, Tmac, Lebron Best In game Dunker: Vinsanity Best Passer: Kidd, Nash God help you if he gets hot: Tmac, Kobe, Iverson
