Thoughts running my head as I try to figure out how to spell Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje...
With nothing else to do this off-season, I sat in my cubicle at work thinking to myself, "Who are the top 15 players in the NBA today? I know, I know, I should have actually been doing work, but I couldn't help but think about it. So I started my own list of the top 15 NBA players, but before I could start, I had to give myself some parameters. I based my decision on a few of these factors:
- Role on the team
- Influence on the team (wins, loses, chemistry)
- Ability to make others better
- Stats
- Leadership ability
- Defense (playing on both ends of the floor)
- Versatility (is he just a scorer, or a scorer AND passer)
- Durability
I basically threw potential out of the window. It's not about how these players will end up, but how
good are they now (which essentially disqualified guys like
Dwight Howard, Ben Gordon, and Emeka Okafor). And
because I'm long winded, I added a little commentary about each player (but really, would it be a column if I
just had a running list with no commentary?)
Anyway, without further ado, here's my list of the top 15 players in the league RIGHT NOW.
1. Tim Duncan (Spurs) – He's won three championships with virtually three different teams. A lot
of people hate on him because he's quiet (often referring to him as soft), but there's nothing quiet or soft
about Duncan's game. He makes his teammates better and is a very good defender/rebounder/shot blocker. The best
basketball player on the planet bar none.
2. Shaquille O'Neal (Heat) – Although his game has declined a bit over the past two years, he's
still good for 50 wins and a chance to win the NBA title. His defense has really declined, but he's still
dominant enough on both ends of the floor to put a scare in the heart of any team.
3. Kevin Garnett (T-Wolves) – A seven foot triple double threat. Need I say more? This guy is
just insanely talented. He can play all 5 positions AND plays defense like every possession could be the last.
He's got a fiery attitude and just lifts those around him.
4. Lebron James (Cavs) – There's never been a player like him when you really think about it. He
has Magic's court vision, Jordan's explosiveness and leaping ability and Bird's leadership (and he's relatively
humble). Loses points for his defense and the fact that despite all of his talents, hasn't been able to lift the
Cavs to the playoffs. There's no doubt, however, that he will be the best player over the next 15 years.
5. Kobe Bryant (Lakers) – Love him or hate him, Kobe just brings it. For me, he placed himself as
a top five player when he single handedly stopped
Tracy McGrady in a game in LA a couple of years ago.
With McGrady on his way to 50 against the Lakers, Kobe took the task of defending McGrady in the second half.
Not only did Kobe shut McGrady down, but he ended up with 40. Simply amazing. He loses points for not being the
easiest player to play with, and for being a black hole whenever his team is down.
6. Allen Iverson (Sixers) – Equipped with a different side kick every season, and a roster of
players that wouldn't even make the NBDL, Iverson gets his teams to the playoffs. He plays extremely hard on
both ends of the floor, and no one has been able to even remotely slow him down. He can go for 50 at a moments
notice, and still get two or three steals to lift his team. A lot of people forget about him and use his short
stature as a negative, but AI is without a doubt, a true baller.
7. Amare Stoudamire (Suns) – The man child has gotten significantly better every season he's been
in the NBA. Last season he took a huge leap and gave Tim Duncan everything he could handle in the Western
Conference finals. He's only just started to learn how to create his own shot opportunities, so right now, he's
a just a hair below the guys above him. This isn't a demotion, but more of a revelation that over the next 15
years, along with Lebron, Stoudamire is going to be one of the NBA's elite.
8. Dirk Nowitzki (Mavs) – Took his game to another level last season. Without a true ball
distributor, Nowitzki took matters into his own hands. His stroke is a thing of beauty, and at 7 feet, is
probably one of the hardest guys in the league to guard on a consistent basis. He loses points for not taking
advantage of his height. Too many times he relies so much on his jump shot instead of posting up and getting
points the easy way. And his defense stinks too, so...
9. Tracy McGrady (Rockets) – Say what you want about this guy (and you have), but this kid balls.
Let's not let one bad season overshadow the fact that this kid is amazing with the basketball. Even with lesser
talent, McGrady was able to elevate his game every season to get his teams to the playoffs. He used to be
higher, but that horrible last season in Orlando is hard to forget, and his inconsistency on defense has always
been a question. Nevertheless, McGrady's a bad, bad man!
10. Jermaine O'Neal (Pacers) – Simply put, Jermaine is a LOAD in the paint. He doesn't
necessarily have a wide range of skills in the paint, but he's mastered the skills he does have. He's always a
threat for a huge rebounding/shot blocking night, and is really a great guy off the floor. He needs to show that
he can elevate his game when it matters most. Until then, it's going to be hard to surpass the guys above him.
11. Dwyane Wade (Heat) – No one can take anything from this guy. In his short stint in the NBA,
he's shown that he can get to the playoffs by himself (and a solid cast), AND with a dominant second superstar
(and a good cast). He's a big game player who never takes a night off. Despite his height (6'4"), he's always
willing to defend the other team's best wing player no matter how big or strong they may be. Give it a couple of
seasons, and Wade, James, and Stoudamire will be at the top of this list.
12. Ray Allen (Sonics) – Everyone thought he was just a shooter, but over the past few years,
Allen has really mixed up his game. He's not exactly a defensive liability, but he's no Bruce Bowen either. His
energy is contagious, and he's been a great leader to an otherwise young and roughly inexperienced Sonics team.
13. Manu Ginobili (Spurs) – Manu made a name for himself this past season. He gets major points
for being the ultimate teammate (what all-star would happily agree to come off the bench in a pivotal playoff
game?) His defense is more flopping than in your face, but he's a got a relentless, tireless amount of energy.
His unconventional approach is proven tough to beat, and along with Duncan is probably the most underrated one
two punches in the NBA.
14. Ron Artest (Pacers) – He's nuts, he's crazy, and he has a rap album, but there's no denying
the fact that when Artest is focused on things ON the court, he's one of the best around. Nothing he does looks
pretty, but it's always effective. He plays smothering defense, and has a knack to make baskets. When he's not
jumping into the stands, he's also a pretty good teammate and easy to get along with. He loses points because
he's really an unknown right now. He could go a lot higher in this list or he could go crazy and get kicked out
of the league. I'm ready for anything at this point.
15. Ben Wallace (Pistons) – Loses points for a lack of offense, but has shown lately that when
given the opportunity, he can make baskets. There's no denying his intensity and ability to rebound. He's a
better help defender than a one on one stopper, but he's still good enough to put a fear into anyone thinking
about driving through the lane. He's also a great teammate, and for whatever reason, the Pistons' energy is
dictated on how much energy Wallace has in him on any particular night.
Ah, what the heck, here are the next five:
16. Andrei Kirilenko (Jazz) – You CANNOT forget about this dude. Before going down with injury
last season, Andres was averaging FIVE blocks a game. He's like a skinner, taller, more Russian version of Ron
Artest. He's always in your face on defense, and has quality offense to boot. He's the anchor of an otherwise
awful Utah Jazz team.
17. Steve Nash (Suns) – Best point guard in the league right now, but loses a lot of points for
being a turn-stile on defense.
18. Elton Brand (Clippers) – Brand is the model of consistency, but hasn't really taken on the
role of franchise player and put a team on his back. Just a little too passive to be considered one of the top
15.
19. Vince Carter (Nets) – We all hate him, and he's about as reliable as a condom with a hole in
it, but the man formerly known, "Half Man, Half Amazing" is still one of the best players in the league. When he
wants to play, he's really hard to guard. He has a lift on his jump shot that's Jordan-eque, and he can still
fly with the best of them, despite his knee injuries. Of course he loses major points for being an awful
teammate who'll throw anyone under the bus at a moments notice, but he's still one of the top 15 players.
20. Paul Pierce (Celtics) – I wanted to put Carmelo Anthony here, but Pierce takes his role as
franchise player a lot more seriously. Melo is content right now with just having fun. Pierce, on the other
hand, wants to win and is a load to guard. He can mix it up both inside and out. He plays defense when he wants
to, but has a killer instinct that many in the league don't. He's not the most liked player in the league, even
by his own teammates, and he really took a step back at the beginning of last season. Instead of elevating his
game and being a leader to a young Celtics team, he pouted and feuded with his head coach. It wasn't until
Antoine Walker returned to Boston that Pierce got excited about playing basketball again. Nevertheless, Pierce
is one of the best players in the league.
You've read my list, but what's yours? E-mail me your detailed list of the top 15 NBA players. We'll
compare notes! Send your E-mail's to bigsmooth7@gmail.com.
