While these outlets were generating buzz, I was becoming inspired.
Who really was the best?
Everybody has an opinion, so I've gathered some of the best of them and grouped it with other relevant information. Each player is listed with relevant rankings from various trusted basketball outlets, statistical information for the top 5 categories (pts, reb, ast, FG%, FT%) and an indication if they finished in the top 10 in another category like blocks, 3FG%, or turnovers.
I also looked at advanced statistical measures such as PER, Net Production, and Simple Rating which are relatively explained in the links.
For some players, certain ranking systems do not apply, and are simply not listed.
In all, this was an attempt to be unbiased, to gather and reflect on existing sources, and ultimately form an educated opinion that is at once objective, and also completely my own.
SLAM's list is for "projected production in the upcoming '11/12 season," and this means that steady regular season production is a factor. The good teams have always paced themselves, and Kobe could still go for 30, but he knows he doesn't need to. Plus, you're speculating on fantasy and future.
My list is based on right now. If the lockout were to end, and instead of a season all we got was a Finals. Who would you pick to lead your team? Who could have the most impact in just a series, when all the chips are down?
Please engage me on this, I want to hear your thoughts. No list is permanent, and subject to change.
Wed October 26: 50 - 41
50 - Andrew Bogut
49 - Nené
48 - Marc Gasol
47 - Andrew Bynum
46 - Lamar Odom
45 - John Wall
44 - Tyson Chandler
43 - Carlos Boozer
42 - Al Horford
41 - Gerald Wallace
Thurs October 27: 40 - 31
Fri October 28: 30 - 21
Sat October 29: 20 - 16
Sun October 30: 15 - 11
Mon October 31: 10 - 6
Tues November 1: 5 - 1
40
David West
- ESPN
rank 45 (6.89)
- SLAMonline
rank - 46
- CBS
rank 42 (77.2)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -42.2
- Player
Efficiency Rating #25
- Sports
Illustrated #31
- Eye
on Basketball #42
- 18.9
pts, 7.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 50.8 FG%, 80.7 FT%
I was very tempted to place Mr. West lower on this list, but I see him as one step up from the big men listed last time including Chandler, Bogut and Nené because of his consistent jump shot. He can create offensive opportunities at high percentages, and his PER is much higher than my ranking.
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39
Jason Kidd
- ESPN
rank 49 (6.71)
- CBS
rank 64 (72.84)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -63.2
- Sports
Illustrated #58
- Eye
on Basketball #51
- 360special
All-Time rank - 24
- 7.9
pts, 4.4 reb, 8.2 ast, 36.1 FG%, 87.0 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Steals #7
Kidd is still playing a productive game at 38 years old leading the Mavs to the title. This may have bumped his stock, but capable veterans at the point guard position are hard to come by. An all-around, triple-double threat, he has the basketball IQ to lead any championship team.
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38
Josh Smith
- ESPN
rank 43 (6.95)
- SLAMonline
rank - 29
- CBS
rank 22 (82.73)
- 2k12
rank 19 (84)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -21.9
- Player
Efficiency Rating #35
- Sports
Illustrated #34
- Eye
on Basketball #45
- 16.5
pts, 8.5 reb, 3.3 ast, 47.7 FG%, 72.5 FT%
Based on skill and potential, J-Smoove would rocket up this list. But he's far from having a well-rounded game or a dependable jumpshot and should not be attempting three-pointers. He's still got time in his career to find a successful niche for his abilities.
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37
Stephen Curry
- ESPN
rank 38 (7.18)
- SLAMonline
rank - 31
- CBS
rank 29 (81.31)
- 2k12
rank 36 (80)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -10.9
- Player
Efficiency Rating #32
- Sports
Illustrated #41
- Eye
on Basketball #43
- 18.6
pts, 3.9 reb, 5.8 ast, 48.0 FG%, 93.4 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Total 3’s #10
- 2010/11
Season 3P% - #3
Curry seems destined to have one of the sweetest shots the league has ever seen. His size makes him a point guard, but he's too good not to make him a scorer. Still, Steph dished 5.8 assists per game last year in his rookie season to go along with his long-distance accomplishments.
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36
Joachim Noah
- ESPN
rank 29 (7.47)
- SLAMonline
rank - 39
- CBS
rank 206 (51.97)
- 2k12
rank 29 (82)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -43
- Player
Efficiency Rating #41
- Sports
Illustrated #43
- Eye
on Basketball #29
- 11.7
pts, 10.4 reb, 2.2 ast, 52.5 FG%, 73.9 FT%
- 48
games played 10/11
Joachim "Le Coq Sportif" Noah has surprised me since entering the League, and if I were the Bulls I would have balked at trading him for Melo as well. The heart, hustle, energy, length, presence and passion make him an invaluable member of any team.
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35
Eric Gordon
- ESPN
rank 39 (7.08)
- SLAMonline
rank - 36
- CBS
rank 115 (65.3)
- 2k12
rank 29 (82)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -27.3
- Player
Efficiency Rating #45
- Sports
Illustrated #29
- Eye
on Basketball #36
- 22.3
pts, 2.9 reb, 4.4 ast, 45.0 FG%, 82.5 FT%
Gordon is still kind of an unknown despite averaging 22.3 points, thirteenth in the league last year. As a young running mate of Blake Griffin, he's sure to get more national exposure soon.
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34
Kevin Garnett
- ESPN
rank 22 (8.01)
- SLAMonline
rank - 37
- CBS
rank 59 (74.27)
- 2k12
rank 23 (83)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -41.9
- Player
Efficiency Rating #24
- Sports
Illustrated #17
- Eye
on Basketball #21
- 360special
All-Time rank – 13
- On-Court
Team Production #1 (+11.9)
- Simple
Rating – 11.5 (4th)
- 14.9
pts, 8.9 reb, 2.4 ast, 52.8 FG%, 86.2 FT%
Speaking of heart & soul, the presence of Kevin Garnett on the floor boosts any teams confidence. Yes, anything is possible when your floor leader takes each game with such pride and intensity. Though declining athletically, Garnett affects the game defensively and mentally like few others.
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33
Tim Duncan
- ESPN
rank 19 (8.16)
- SLAMonline
rank - 30
- CBS
rank 54 (74.76)
- 2k12
rank 19 (84)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -57.8
- Player
Efficiency Rating #14
- Sports
Illustrated #23
- Eye
on Basketball #17
- 360special
All-Time rank – 12
- On-Court
Team Production #4 (+10.2)
- 13.4
pts, 8.9 reb, 2.7 ast, 50.0 FG%, 71.6 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Blocks #8
Tim Duncan just ousts Kevin Garnett in both my All-Time ranking (12/13), and my current player rankings (33/34). Though both are in the twilight of their careers, Duncan's game was never patterned on athleticism, jumpshots, or fadeaways. His PER is still high, he was 8th in the league in blocks, and fourth in on-court team production. Duncan hasn't fallen off just yet, and can still lead a team.
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32
Tony Parker
- ESPN
rank 28 (7.47)
- SLAMonline
rank - 35
- CBS
rank 32 (79.79)
- 2k12
rank 36 (80)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -73.1
- Player
Efficiency Rating #27
- Sports
Illustrated #26
- Eye
on Basketball #28
- 17.5
pts, 3.1 reb, 6.6 ast, 51.9 FG%, 76.9 FT%
The three-time champ and once Finals-MVP will have to settle for a spot out of the top 30 like his bigger Spurs teammate. With so many talented, young point guards entering the league, TP has largely been forgotten, but he's still on the younger side of 30 and could accomplish more in his career.
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31
Al Jefferson
- ESPN
rank 52 (6.67)
- SLAMonline
rank - 33
- CBS
rank 17 (84.9)
- 2k12
rank 33 (81)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -13.6
- Player
Efficiency Rating #28
- Sports
Illustrated #53
- Eye
on Basketball #60
- 18.6
pts, 9.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 49.6 FG%, 76.1 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Blocks #9
While PF/C mainstays Duncan and Garnett have declined, Al Jefferson continues his rise. Though he still didn't block at many shots as Duncan, and wasn't as efficient as either, his career is on the upswing as a major building block in Utah. His point and rebound totals scream 20-10 threat every night, and the dude works hard.
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