M.D. Wright
10.30.09
There are varying measures by which people affix the label "Best Player", but from someone who has played (25), coached (4) and refereed (3) the game for 25 years, I know it's not about who one's teammates are, or what their physical stature is, but rather Basketball IQ, ability to score in a variety of ways, dexterity used to make pivot moves and overall getting the most out of their ability and not just getting by on sheer raw talent. With that, here is the Top 5 List for 2009-2010:
***Oh, one more thing, the list is not going to change, so the pointless LeBron >>> Kobe debates will be ignored.
1. KOBE BRYANT.
Bryant is the most complete player in the league. At 6'6", 210, he gets the most out of his physical abilities. Still in the prime of his career, Bryant gets it done without having to drive 1 on 4 as he was known to do for years. Michael Jordan did the same for the first 7 years of his career. Bryant has changed. He's more cerebral now and has a superb basketball IQ. The perfectionist in him causes him to cover every detail of the game with precision. It is what sets him apart from the other four on this list who are either more physically gifted, score with even greater ease, have more explosive ability and are otherwise not "beneath" him in any other way.
2. CARMELO ANTHONY.
Some may hate me for suggesting this, but I've been watching this guy since his senior year at Oak Hill (VA) Academy. He can score so easily it's maddening. The only person who makes scoring look more effortless is Ben Gordon -- who I'm SURE doesn't have a pulse rate of above 40 himself. He scores on a variety of moves, and every possible way: posting up, nice array of pivot moves, step-back jumpers, a mid-range game, a superb free-throw shooter, a better-than-advertised rebounder (especially when he is into it), can stroke it from deep (pause), and even plays defense when motivated. He's going to win the MVP this year. Kobe's eyes are on titles and the Cavs will slip a bit with O'Neal clogging up their team, thereby disqualifying James from winning it. Carmelo Anthony is the best SCORER in the NBA -- and it's NOT CLOSE. Real NBA fans know this.
3. LEBRON JAMES.
Could easily be the best player ever... someday. He's not yet, as much as the Kool-Aid drinkers like/liked (before he had even played a game in the NBA) to profess. He has all the ability in the world at 6'8" 268 lbs. He has developed a relatively consistent jumpshot and is one of the fastest players in the league end to end. He isn't polished on defense, and although he has the ability to shut anyone down, he doesn't have the guile to be in position so he doesn't have to work as hard. Some look more at his trailing/blocking layups, which are great, but on ball defense or even using shrewd ability to hide on defense to help over in critical junctures are precisely why the Cavaliers did not make it the NBA Finals last year. His teammates were overmatched and while that may happen with Bryant in LA, he uses guile and smarts, rather than overwhelming physical prowess to be in the right place to make plays. It will come, for James. He doesn't have the killer instinct to put opponents away; and it is not something that can be contrived. He's easily the most completely talented player from a physical standpoint, but his game IQ and ability to score in the ways that Bryant and Anthony do (consistently) warrant his placement 3rd, instead of 1st or 2nd.
4. DWYANE WADE.
Dwyane Wade is a G. He is explosive, plays both ends of the court with infectious fervor. He blocks shots at a rate expected from a 6'11" guy, not a guy who stands 6'4". He does it all for his team, led the NBA in scoring, was one of the league leaders in assists and rebounds at a rate that would make most coaches smile from ear to ear. He gets his (let's face it, they're mostly scrubs, has-beens, never-will-bes and a crop of potentially good young guys) teammates involved and barring injury, could lead them to a 50-55 win season this year. Easily could have been the MVP last year and will definitely be in the running this year.
5. DWIGHT HOWARD.
The best big man in the NBA. Hands. Tim Duncan is slowing down, Yao Ming is hurt (again) and with all those injuries, and will be 30 when he is healthy again -- he won't overtake Howard, who is still on the rise. Shaquille O'Neal is washed up and should retire and everyone else 6'10" and above is masquerading as a shooting guard or is named Erick Dampier. Howard is a physical specimen. He's 6'11" 265 and can leap out of the gym. He lives to block shots and rebound ferociously. He showed flashes of developing more moves offensively, which is going to make him a nightmare to guard for every team in the league. Once he learns to shoot free throws consistently, it's a wrap. But just by sheer force alone, he belongs here. He can easily average 25 and 15 this year if he wanted.
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