View Full Version : NBA Rank
ESPN is ranking the NBA players all the way to 500.
This is how they are coming up with the rankings: We asked 91 experts to rate each player on a 0-to-10 scale, in terms of "the current quality of each player."
They revealed 6-10 today and I was somewhat surprised to see Kobe on there. He's number 7.
Here's a link (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7113666/nba-player-rankings-6) to Durant at #6 and then you can go from there if you like.
6-10 are Durant, Kobe, Rose, Williams, and Griffin. The 5 remaining players are Dirk, James, Wade, Howard, and Paul.
I'm surprised Griffin made it in the top 10 and I think that's undeserved.
I'm glad to see that people are starting to understand that Kobe no longer deserves to be discussed as the best in the league, although I'm of course not happy with the reason why (Lakers losing to the Mavs).
It will be interesting to see the top 5. How much will Dirk rise due to his incredible playoffs? How much, if any will LeBron fall due to his Finals? I'll guess Paul is 5th and Howard will likely be 4th, then I'm not sure how the vote will go from there.
napbow
10-17-2011, 05:41 PM
I'd put Lebron #1 (I am not a fan) and Howard #2. The next three could go in any order.
I'd put Lebron #1 (I am not a fan) and Howard #2. The next three could go in any order.
I mostly agree, but it's hard to figure out how much the playoffs should change things. I can see James' being dropped slightly for the Finals and I can see Dirk getting a nice boost for what he did, heck, you can argue he already has just for being in the top 5. Dirk is roughly around #6 going into the playoffs imo, but he had an epic playoffs and led his team to a championship. That has to do something for you, but how much? Plus, he's an older guy so it's not like the playoffs were much of a sign of achieving a new high level of play.
napbow
10-17-2011, 06:00 PM
His playoff run definitely helped him. The reason being is that when I focused on his defense and rebounding ability, they actually appeared to be average/above average. He was already one of the top 3 offensive weapons in the game but with solid defense, he is easily a top 5 overall player for me. Actually, I would say he is #3. His pick and roll abilities are almost impossible to stop.
However, if I was selecting a player #1, I would pick Lebron everytime. He already does so much on the court and I feel there is a lot of room for improvement which is a scary thought. Howard is #2 because he instantly brings your overall defense up a level or two and can provide an outstanding low post presence. Tyson Chandler showed us how important a defensive minded center can be and Howard (IMHO) is much better. His ability to step out on a pick and roll and still get back in time to make a rebound is incredible.
I really hope the Wiz take a run at him but I doubt Washington is the big market team he is looking for.
Dirk comes in at #5.
Most of the experts say that's too low (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-111018/nba-#nbarank-1-5-debate).
I would have to agree. He should be above Paul and based on the last years playoffs you can even argue him for #1. He was the best last postseason, but not during the season, and I don't expect him to be the best going forward.
Paul at 4 and Wade at 3.
Lets see if certain people care to have an outcry over LeBron likely being #1.
Sports Guy
10-18-2011, 03:16 PM
Paul at 4 and Wade at 3.
Lets see if certain people care to have an outcry over LeBron likely being #1.There is no doubt that he is the best player in the league.
Well LeBron is #1 and Dwight is #2.
Not that I had any respect for Skip Bayless before, but he continues to be absurd. I understand ripping LeBron for the Finals, but Skip put Carmelo Anthony #5, one spot ahead of LeBron. Carmelo Anthony! What a joke. I guess defense doesn't matter at all or passing for that matter. The main knock on LeBron is his lack of rings and how he played in his last series of each of the last two years, well Melo has won 1 playoff series with teams more talented than LeBron had until he joined the Heat.
Pedro Cerrano
10-19-2011, 01:40 PM
I don't have a ton of gripes with the top 10. Like mweb I thought Blake Griffin didn't deserve to be in the top 10. LeBron at #1 and Howard at #2 I am fine with. I think Chris Paul is probably a better overall player than Dwyane Wade but he doesn't have a ring and he's hurt all the time.
I'd still put Kobe over Dirk. Yes Dirk's team obliterated the Lakers last May but, even if you gauge recent success meaning the last 5 years, Kobe has two rings to Dirk's one and 3 conference titles to Dirk's 1. Plus, if memory serves (and it might not) didn't the Lakers eliminate the Mavericks at least once during their run of 3 straight title appearances? Plus, I still believe Kobe to be the better defender than Dirk.
My top 10 would probably look like this:
1. LeBron James
2. Dwight Howard
3. Chris Paul
4. Dwyane Wade
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Dirk Nowitzki
7. Kevin Durant
8. Derrick Rose
9. Pau Gasol (probably some bias there)
10. Russell Westbrook (might be the most underrated player in the league)
I don't have a ton of gripes with the top 10. Like mweb I thought Blake Griffin didn't deserve to be in the top 10. LeBron at #1 and Howard at #2 I am fine with. I think Chris Paul is probably a better overall player than Dwyane Wade but he doesn't have a ring and he's hurt all the time.
I'd still put Kobe over Dirk. Yes Dirk's team obliterated the Lakers last May but, even if you gauge recent success meaning the last 5 years, Kobe has two rings to Dirk's one and 3 conference titles to Dirk's 1. Plus, if memory serves (and it might not) didn't the Lakers eliminate the Mavericks at least once during their run of 3 straight title appearances? Plus, I still believe Kobe to be the better defender than Dirk.
My top 10 would probably look like this:
1. LeBron James
2. Dwight Howard
3. Chris Paul
4. Dwyane Wade
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Dirk Nowitzki
7. Kevin Durant
8. Derrick Rose
9. Pau Gasol (probably some bias there)
10. Russell Westbrook (might be the most underrated player in the league)
Last year was the first time Kobe and Dirk played each other in the playoffs.
My list would actually be quite close to yours:
1. James
2. Howard
3. Wade
4. Dirk
5. Paul
6. Kobe
7. Durant
8. Rose
9. Gasol
10. Westbrook
Pedro Cerrano
10-19-2011, 01:58 PM
Last year was the first time Kobe and Dirk played each other in the playoffs.
My list would actually be quite close to yours:
1. James
2. Howard
3. Wade
4. Dirk
5. Paul
6. Kobe
7. Durant
8. Rose
9. Gasol
10. Westbrook
Well if history repeats itself, let's hope it doesn't happen again. Strange that they've never faced each other before although I guess the elite Dirk teams were around when Kobe was getting eliminated in the first round by Phoenix with Smush Parker at PG.