I’m all geeked up after the month-long free agency debates. As I try to calm down and re-enter the blogosphere, let’s go on the record with our estimation and, in some ways, prediction, of the top five players by position.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a comparison of peak performance versus peak performance. Steve Nash was league MVP two years in a row, and during that time, no one could touch him. But these rankings take into consideration the season that just ended and predict the season to come (2010-2011).
1) Chris Paul
The sexiest pick of all – Chris Paul. What I wouldn’t give to have him on my Mavericks. I gotta say, his handles, shot, and oops make him the most dangerous point guard in the league. He may not have Jason-Kidd-O-Vision, but he’s got what it takes to be the all-around best of the NBA.
2) Deron Williams
Have you seen this man play? This man is a beast at the point. No other player in the league can lead a team and post up at the block. He has the muscle, the moves, and will to dominate the game. It’s a real shame he doesn’t have a more solid team around him. Drop him on the OKC Thunder, and you have instant championships popping out like candies.
3) Steve Nash
He may actually be the best point guard in the league, but he’s no longer the sexiest. Nash is still my favorite Mavs player ever, and he deserves special consideration among all-time point guards because of his twice-in-a-row MVP awards. How many point guards can do that? And he hasn’t even won a championship. He was THAT good of a player (on THAT disappointing of a team). My ONLY regret about Steve is that he doesn’t just dominate. He is silent but deadly. He won’t talk back. He will pull up and bury you in threes just when you’re expecting him to keep dishing down to the post. He will be considered an all-time great. But he’s at the age where everyone’s question is: does he have the legs for one more season? Based on what we saw from his backup this year, Steve can cut down his minutes, save his legs, and still bring teh awesome to the floor.
4) Rajon Rondo
The media’s darling of the hour. Rondo is good, no question. But he’s the only east coaster in the group, and he plays for Boston. His second trip to the NBA Finals puts him immediately into the national spotlight for contention among the best. While the supposed Big 3 were shaky and inconsistent at best, Rondo was solid throughout the playoffs. He maybe had two bad games. His leadership, confidence, quickness, and ease are what separate him from the rest.
5) Tony Parker
One of the fastest point guards in the league, Parker can fake the move to the hole, pull up, and find himself with five feet of empty space. You’ll see players falling all over themselves just trying to keep up. But Parker has reached that zenith. It’s plateau time. How long will he remain at the top of his game before he starts to decline? Do the Spurs have enough firepower left in their aging stars to reach the Big Dance one more time? Or will Parker bail as Stoudamire predicted and join up with the Knicks? No matter how old the Spurs may look, Parker’s an anchor for this team. He can win games all by himself.
Who did I miss? Someone you think should’ve cracked the Top 5? If so, don’t forget to tell me who you’d replace (someone has to get pushed down the list if you bring up a contender).
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
What about D-Rose. Not a good list man.
Mike, I know D-Rose just won the MVP and all, so I should throw him into the fray. I think he’s more of a 2 Guard in style, but since he plays the position, he should push Nash down to #4 and bump Tony Parker off the Top 5.