Dwyane Wade – This may shock a lot of people, but I don’t know of a player that possesses every quality that a star should have like D-Wade. He can handle like a point guard, play in the post better than any guard in the league, and his quickness and defense is the best in the league at his position. Wade gets to the basket and scores better than anyone in the game. His ball moves are better than any point guard in the league today, and some of the best of all time. (Iverson-esque) If you look back through the career of Wade, you’ll find that he is as clutch as anyone when it matters most. He’s willing to take the final shot and has delivered in game-changing conditions.
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Derrick Rose –This was a tough decision. There were a handful of guys that one can argue would be second of the board, but for me, nobody is more deserving than D-Rose. In only his third season, the former Memphis Tiger has just won his first MVP award and I believe we haven’t seen anything yet. His quickness up court and to the basket is the best at his position. He’s un-guardable at times and at only 22 years old, will be a headache for opposing coaches for many years to come. Oh, and he seems to be getting better and better each game.
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LeBron James – I actually had Durant penciled in here but changed my mind at the last second. LeBron hasn’t yet proven to be able to deliver a championship but his talent and ability is undeniable. He can score from anywhere on the court and his motivation to become a multiple champion is something teams are looking for now a days. He is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and that wasn’t always the case. He creates for teammates and makes everyone on the court better, which I don’t think Durant has as big an effect on his teammates.
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Kevin Durant – The youngest player ever to win back-to-back scoring titles is only starting to figure things out. He’s a matchup nightmare and he is the best jump shooter in the league other than Dirk Nowitzki in my opinion. He is starting to develop in terms of toughness and leadership but still has room for improvement in those areas. He is also a likable guy, which helps get his teammates to follow him and to get him the ball. He’ll win an NBA Championship before it’s all said and done.
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Chris Paul – The best pure point guard in the league, and all I can say about his performance against the Lakers is… WOW. The guy has nobody else in New Orleans and he just simply plays the game the right way, He makes it seem effortless and is one of the toughest guys in the league to cover. If he had a scorer to deliver the ball to, he would be a top three player. I love his personality and the leadership he has displayed even without an efficient supporting cast.
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- Blake Griffin – “The Human Highlight Reel” has taken the NBA by storm and his age and freakish athleticism make him a lock to be the first big man off the board. The scary part about Griffin is that he’s just learning how to play the game at the NBA level. Give it a year or two, and he’ll be the most dominating force in the league, as long as he stays healthy. I think he makes everyone around him want to play better as was evident when he revived the career of Baron Davis and made Eric Gordon one of the top two-guards in the league.
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- Dwight Howard – If I could drop him any lower I would, but his physical gifts are undeniable. He played great this year in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough to get his Magic out of the first round. My biggest issue with “Superman” is that at his size, he should be the most unstoppable force in the game, and he just simply is not. He doesn’t strike fear into anyone and unlike Shaq in his day, he doesn’t dominate a game like a man of his size and athletic ability should.
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Dirk Nowitzki – This was a tough call but I think Dirk still deserves to be this high. He hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down and he’ll only be 31 years old this year. His game shouldn’t digress too much as he gets older and his jump shot is lethal. He brings playoff experience and is a serious matchup problem for opposing teams.
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- Amar’e Stoudemire – The most explosive big man around the basket in the half court, STAT is in his prime and is an offensive juggernaut. His defense is always the part of his game that his critics highlight, but he has improved it since arriving in New York. The way he led the Knicks before the arrival of ‘Melo proves his worth and his ability to be a franchise man.
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- Kobe Bryant – I think he’s got enough left in the tank to continue wreaking havoc on opposing defenders for the next five or six seasons if he stays healthy. There’s not another guy in the league that can deliver the dagger like “The Black Mamba” and his will to win is second to none.
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Carmelo Anthony – I feel like ‘Melo is the least attractive player out of the upper echelon group of superstars. He isn’t a leader in my eyes and he doesn’t really make his teammates better. If anything, his presence made Amar’e less effective in New York after the mid-season trade. With that said, his talent is undeniable. He is one of the best scorers in the league and some of his big point performances in his career have been sensational. I just think when it comes to the superstars of the league; he’s picked last because of his lack of passing ability and vocal leadership prowess.
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- Kevin Love – The best rebounder in the NBA had a breakout season this year and he is still developing. I watched him about 10 times this season and every time I left with a dropped jaw at his consistent ability to be in position and to locate the basketball. His jump shot is no joke either and as the years go by, his offensive game will continue to flourish, making him one of the best players in the NBA.
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- Russell Westbrook – Maybe the fastest player in the NBA, Westbrook is another guy that’s had a breakout year this season. There are concerns about his shot selection and his youth sometimes is evident when he starts playing with frustration, but that will subside as he continues to develop and understand how to play the game. He is so energetic and really plays the game with a lot of passion and he will only get better.
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- Zach Randolph – If you didn’t see this guy coming you either need glasses or you didn’t watch the Grizzlies play this season. “Z-bo” was third in the league in rebounding and this season and has been an absolute dynamo in the postseason. He’s not a youngster, but he plays the game with passion and seems to have a renewed outlook on life and basketball. He is a fit on the offensive end and can score in a variety of creative ways.
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- Deron Williams – I think he’s become the forgotten man in the NBA, but D-Will is a talented player. He can score, pass, defend, and has been a clutch player in his six-year career. When healthy and at only 26 years old, Williams is the third best point guard in the NBA and a franchise player.
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LaMarcus Aldridge – One of the best young power forwards in the game, Aldridge is really starting to come into his own. His jumper is consistent and he can make it from almost any spot on the floor. I think he needs to develop more of a killer instinct and demand the ball a bit more, but he has gotten better every year in the league.
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- Monta Ellis – One of the most talented young scorers in the league, Monta could be great in the right situation. I’m still amazed at how effective he is and the things he’s able to do on the basketball floor when I watch him. His size is somewhat of a disadvantage because bigger two’s tend to give him trouble, but his upside is through the roof if paired with a talented big.
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- Andrew Bogut – This guy is just figuring out how good he is and at only 26 years old, he’s still going to improve. Bogut led the league in blocked shots this season and was sixth in rebounding. If he can stay healthy, he’s the second best center in a league that puts a premium on the position.
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- Rajon Rondo – Not my favorite player, but he is certainly a commodity. It would be interested to see how good he could be without the assistance of three future Hall of Famers. His combination of speed and decision-making makes him unstoppable at times and he makes everyone around him better.
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Joe Johnson – I think Johnson is finally starting to become the player everyone thought he was going to be. He’s a great regular season player but he is now starting to shine under the playoff lights. He’s turning 30 this summer but he still has enough left to interest teams.
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- Chris Bosh – He probably could’ve gone a little higher but his reputation for playing soft forced me to drop him a bit. His offensive skills are solid and he has developed into a reliable defensive player. His jumper is pretty consistent and can score around the bucket.
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- Danny Granger – I think Granger is one of the best second-tier superstars in the league. Like Aldridge though, he still needs to be tougher mentally and demand the ball more. He’s just coming into his prime and his abilities on both ends of the floor really separate him from the rest.
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- Josh Smith – Probably the most athletic player in the NBA, Smith is a force on the boards and on the defensive end. He’s taken great strides offensively over the course of his career and he’s still only 25 years old and has a ton of upside.
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- Tyreke Evans – He only played in 57 games this season but the rookie season Evans turned in is enough to place him here. He is a great offensive player and at only 21 years old, he’s going to be really good sooner rather than later.
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- Pau Gasol – He’s not getting any younger, but Pau Gasol is still an elite big man in this league. When he’s feeling offensively, nobody can guard him. His rebounding is solid but I think he’s benefitted from playing alongside Andrew Bynum a bit.
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- Kevin Martin – Not a huge fan of Martin because I think he’s one-dimensional, but he has a ton of talent. He is a lights out shooter but I haven’t really watched him enough to comment on his defensive ability.
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Brandon Roy – The only reason he’s this far down on the list is because of the injury concerns, but Brandon Roy seemed to dispel concerns over his two injury prone knees with his performance in this years playoffs. He’s still only 26 years old and his size creates a matchup nightmare.
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- Eric Gordon – When healthy, Gordon is a tough cover. His offensive game is top notch and he is able to catch fire often. He’s still young and developing and he’ll continue to get better.
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- Rudy Gay – This guy is super talented. He can score, defend, and has a great feel for the game. He has to develop as a leader and he could be a better defender.
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- Andrew Bynum –I could have gone a bunch of directions here but I feel like Bynum’s age and potential are too much to pass on. He’s been a pro for six years and he’s still only 23 years old. The injury issues are concerning but he’s so talented. He will continue to grow and he’ll continue to be a matchup problem for opposing big men.
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- Nene
- Al Jefferson
- Danilo Gallinari
- DeMarcus Cousins
- Andrea Bargnani
- John Wall
- Stephen Curry
- Joaqim Noah
- Darren Collison
- Serge Ibaka
- OJ Mayo
- Jameer Nelson
- Paul Pierce
- Manu Ginobili
- Stephen Jackson
- Carlos Boozer
- Brandon Jennings
- Brook Lopez
- Lamar Odom
- Andre Iguodala
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The Spectrum: Sports Blog 