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**HKF** · 06-30-2008, 09:10 AM

Well, I thought about last year's top 50 players (by position) at the beginning of the season and it's time to take a look at how I view the NBA heading into the upcoming season. I also decided to create a group for combo guards. There are simply way too many not to have some listed here.

POINT GUARD
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans (2005)
2. Deron Williams, Utah (2005)
3. Tony Parker, San Antonio (2001)
4. Steve Nash, Phoenix (1996)
5. Baron Davis, Golden State *for now* (1996)
6. Chauncey Billups, Detroit (1997)
7. Jason Kidd, Dallas (1994)
8. Devin Harris, New Jersey (2004)
9. Jose Calderon, Toronto (n/a)
10. Raymond Felton, Charlotte (2005)

COMBO GUARDS
1. Allen Iverson, Denver (1996)
2. Gilbert Arenas, Washington (2001)
3. Monta Ellis, Golden State (2005)
4. Ben Gordon, Chicago *for now* (2004)
5. Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix (2003)

SHOOTING GUARD
1. Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers (1996)
2. Dwyane Wade, Miami (2003)
3. Brandon Roy, Portland (2006)
4. Joe Johnson, Atlanta (2001)
5. Vince Carter, New Jersey (1998)
6. Ray Allen, Boston (1996)
7. Rip Hamilton, Detroit (1999)
8. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio (1999)
9. Michael Redd, Milwaukee (2000)
10. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia (2004)

SMALL FORWARD
1. Lebron James, Cleveland (2003)
2. Paul Pierce, Boston (1998)
3. Tracy McGrady,Houston (1998)
4. Carmelo Anthony, Denver (2003)
5. Caron Butler, Washington (2002)
6. Shawn Marion, Miami (1999)
7. Josh Smith, Atlanta *for now* (2004)
8. Rudy Gay, Memphis (2006)
9. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando (2000)
10. Richard Jefferson, Milwaukee (2001)

POWER FORWARD
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio (1997)
2. Kevin Garnett, Boston (1995)
3. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix (2002)
4. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (1998)
5. Carlos Boozer, Utah (2002)
6. Chris Bosh, Toronto (2003)
7. David West, New Orleans (2003)
8. Elton Brand, LA Clippers (1999)
9. Al Jefferson, Minnesota (2004)
10. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland (2006)

CENTER
1. Yao Ming, Houston (2002)
2. Dwight Howard, Orlando (2004)
3. Pau Gasol, LA Lakers (2001)
4. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans (2001)
5. Mehmet Okur, Utah (1999)
6. Chris Kaman, LA Clippers (2003)
7. Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix (1992)
8. Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Cleveland (1996)
9. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit (1995)
10. Marcus Camby, Denver (1996)

I was trying to use a combination of where guys currently are in their careers as well as what I saw on the court. Z and Shaq are pretty close, I think based on what he brings to a team, Brandon Roy is clearly the 3rd best shooting guard in the league. Not the 3rd best wing player, but shooting guard. For the most part though, the old guard in the league is still hanging on when it comes to every position excluding the point guard, where Deron and Paul are starting to lap the field.

Should be an exciting year next year.

**croco** · 06-30-2008, 02:58 PM

I agree with pretty much everything, great list. Oddly enough I think you still have Kidd too high, Calderon should be ahead of him because he can actually make a shot and is a lot more effective. What Kidd always had was the ability to inspire confidence in his teammates and this is gone now because he is nowhere near the best player on the team anymore. Add to it that he can't defend any quick point guard and it's a recipe for disaster for the Mavs unless they trade his expiring midway through the season. Personally I think that Andre Miller and also TJ Ford had better seasons than him and it's only going to get worse.

Btw, did you forget Carmelo Anthony or not include him at all intentionally ?

**HKF** · 06-30-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croco

I agree with pretty much everything, great list. Oddly enough I think you still have Kidd too high, Calderon should be ahead of him because he can actually make a shot and is a lot more effective. What Kidd always had was the ability to inspire confidence in his teammates and this is gone now because he is nowhere near the best player on the team anymore. Add to it that he can't defend any quick point guard and it's a recipe for disaster for the Mavs unless they trade his expiring midway through the season. Personally I think that Andre Miller and also TJ Ford had better seasons than him and it's only going to get worse.

Btw, did you forget Carmelo Anthony or not include him at all intentionally ?

You bring up a good point with Melo. Let me edit him in. I can't include Miller because these next two years are (this one upcoming is included) is a contract year and Ford because of injury history. Melo was an oversight. Say goodbye to Rashard Lewis. I also had Antwan Jamison really close to making it, but after looking at the top 10 power forwards, I would never trade one of them for him. His playoff performances leave a lot to be desired.

**bball2223** · 06-30-2008, 04:12 PM

Great lists HKF! Can you explain your decision to rank Rip over Manu? Coming from a Pistons fan there is no way I see Rip being better than Manu at this point. Honestly though this is probably one of the more accurate lists I have seen well done!

**Blazer Freak** · 06-30-2008, 04:19 PM

Where do you think Oden will rank on your Centers list by the end of the season, according to your expectations of him?

**HKF** · 06-30-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bball2223

Great lists HKF! Can you explain your decision to rank Rip over Manu? Coming from a Pistons fan there is no way I see Rip being better than Manu at this point. Honestly though this is probably one of the more accurate lists I have seen well done!

You know, people can say what they want about Rip, but he is consistent. He has improved his playmaking ability and he tends to come up big in the playoffs, year after year. Also, dude is not injury prone and Manu is beginning to break down. I just see Manu coming to the downside of his career, while I am not sure if Hamilton doesn't begin what could be another 10 years playing NBA basketball.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer Freak

Where do you think Oden will rank on your Centers list by the end of the season, according to your expectations of him?

If Oden comes in averaging a double-double, I will immediately rank him 3rd, with Gasol moving back to the PF spot on my lists. All Oden needs to do is give 15/10 and he will be right where he needs to be as far as his ascent to the top of the league as a force. If he doesn't do those numbers, then I expect him to be 6-7 perhaps. I expect Bynum to be on this list next year, as well as Bogut and possibly Hibbert.

**bball2223** · 06-30-2008, 04:29 PM

Anything new with Jamont Gordon? I still can't believe that kid wasn't drafted.

**Blazer Freak** · 06-30-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKF

If Oden comes in averaging a double-double, I will immediately rank him 3rd, with Gasol moving back to the PF spot on my lists. All Oden needs to do is give 15/10 and he will be right where he needs to be as far as his ascent to the top of the league as a force. If he doesn't do those numbers, then I expect him to be 6-7 perhaps. I expect Bynum to be on this list next year, as well as Bogut and possibly Hibbert.

Yeah, definitely seems fair to me. Really at the 5, for me it's Yao, Dwight and Tyson are the top tier, and after that it's pretty inconsistent on the production you're going to get.

**HKF** · 06-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bball2223

Anything new with Jamont Gordon? I still can't believe that kid wasn't drafted.

Well, he will have options, but I expect him to be playing in summer league. Someone is going to grab him. Remember the Hornets and Hawks didn't have a pick in the draft if I am not mistaken. They both could be looking to grab a versatile guard like him.

He will do a lot better than guys who were drafted, I tell you that.

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