[Pinball]

Everyone always talks about the top 5 players in the game but I think there are 6 elite players in the league.

Shaq
Duncan
KG
Kobe
TMac
Kidd

Now when you formulate a top 5 which player do you leave out? You can't leave any of these guys out. That is why I think there should be a top 6. Thoughts?

[toiletscrubber]

I take Dirk Nowitski over Kobe, it's just my own opinion.

[dawicked]

I think today you leave Shaq out but if he gets back to true form you leave Kobe out.

[grizzoistight]

haha yall are nuts
dirk is supposed to be a great 3 pt shooter.. hes barely shooting better than kobe..
kobe has more assits almost as many rebounds as a 7 footer
and more points
dirk scored 20 a game and gives up 25 so..

[Pinball]

Originally posted by <b>toiletscrubber</b>!
I take Dirk Nowitski over Kobe, it's just my own opinion.

I just can't put Dirk in the top 6 just yet. He'll eventually make it when Shaq slows down but I don't think he is right now. When you look up and down that list you see great defenders. Shaq isn't a great individual defender but he changes the complexion of the game with his size. All of the other guys can flat out stick you man to man. Dirk can't and that is why I don't think he makes the list just yet.

[open mike]

kobe and kg are the two best players in the nba.

[rocketeer]

Originally posted by <b>Pinball</b>!
Everyone always talks about the top 5 players in the game but I think there are 6 elite players in the league.

Shaq
Duncan
KG
Kobe
TMac
Kidd

Now when you formulate a top 5 which player do you leave out? You can't leave any of these guys out. That is why I think there should be a top 6. Thoughts?

but you're still leaving out guys like iverson, dirk, payton, and webber. i think that might be the top 10 but then guys like francis and pierce are still getting left out. it's really hard to judge who is really better. i don't think you can just seperate a certain number and be able to make a good judement on who is better.

[c_dog]

Shaq
T-Mac
Kidd
KG
Duncan
Kobe

[H2O]

Originally posted by <b>rocketeer</b>!


but you're still leaving out guys like iverson, dirk, payton, and webber. i think that might be the top 10 but then guys like francis and pierce are still getting left out. it's really hard to judge who is really better. i don't think you can just seperate a certain number and be able to make a good judement on who is better.

I totally agree with whoever started this thread. I'd say those six are the top tier, and then the next 4 you mentioned here are the next level, and then etc...

I think you can say these 6 are the best in the game right now, but I think differentiating who is better is too subjective and ultimately futile.

[SkywalkerAC]

yeah, those are probably my top six. dirk and AI my top 8.

[Conley2385]

Ok i agree this is very hard....but im still gonna try...

1.) Tracey McGrady--I think McGrady is the best overall player, and the one with the most skills. People usually say that T-Mac and Kobe are interchangable, i disagree. i think McGrady could make it much farther with just an OK supporting cast. That still though WILL NOT get him very far. This is a TEAM GAME.

2.) Kevin Garnett--His game has inspired many, and since he blew up on the scene we have heard of many KG Clones. A generation before ours a 7-1 guy like himself would be forced to play under the basket, and his true greatness may never be known (Ralph Sampson is a victim of being ahead of his time) KG has forever revolutionized the SF/PF position. Also has a true passion for the game.

3.) Kobe Bryant--I am 17 years old.....so i never really saw the young, young Jordan. However this guy has to be in that ball park. Kobe is the best scorer in the NBA (save maybe for Iverson). Kobe has soooooo many skills. When he finally realizes that he has teammates (Jordan did) and that he just has to let the game come to him (he has already made strides in my eyes). For those who says he CANNOT do it without Shaq.....you are wrong.....but he still needs more than Rick Fox and Robert Horry if he wants to win one without Shaq.

4.) Shaq--No one is more dominate, WHEN THEY WANT TO BE. I point to the Houston game for Shaq being this low. He didnt start to abuse Ming until OT.....where was he the rest of the night? Of course what he did the rest of the night was good.....but this guy has another gear that i doubt few Centers have ever had. He's agile, moves great, strong, yet has a finesse game. I think he could average 30 some points and 15+ rebounds and around 5 assists a night. The fact that he doesnt puts him this low. People will say that is because Kobe is on his team......i can buy that i guess.....but....Shaq or Phil or whoever is allowing Kobe to be the focal point of the Laker Offense.......

5.) Tim Duncan--The most fundamentally sound Big man in the NBA. Can do a little bit of everything. And if the NBA ever adds a swimming meet to the NBA all-star weekend....this guy should be the favorite. Love his footwork.

6.) Jason Kidd--This guy is just plain fun to watch. Maybe the ONE guy in the NBA who could actually pull in an NBA Title without having another all star caliber guy on his team. (although they might put up all-star numbers) Just because he makes everyone around him better. The only thing missing from his resume might be an NBA title (he got an MVP award last year as far as i am concerned.....he was robbed!....but Duncan is VERY, good.)

7.) Chris Webber--Anyone else think people overlook C-Web? A lot of people would throw Dirk, or AI or Pierce in this spot. To me though C-Web falls into that T-Mac/KG category of those who can do it all. A lot of times i'm a sucka for beautiful passes, and this guy has his share of them.

8.) Paul Pierce--Gotta love this guy. He has a chance to move up this list. Has a very unique body shape/style.......i thikn this makes people find it harder to believe he does the things that he does. Not to mention the fact he came back after nearly being stabbed to depth. I really like this guy.

9.) Allen Iverson--Just because of what he did a couple of years ago i give him the nod over Dirk....this guy for atleast 1 year was simply unstoppable. He has hardly slowed down since then.....he is still the hardest person to contain. He is still the best Scorer in the NBA. I want to see this guy get a Championship ("Practice...we're talking about Practice dawg"--I Love that!!)

10.)Dirk Nowitzski--He plays with 2 other All-Stars, a couple of legit starting Centers (Bradley/LaFrentz) Another explosive scorer in Van Exel. And a ton of other talented players. That said...If Dirk wants to cement his spot in this top 10.....the Mavs better win it all. No team can really key on him defensivley like teams can on the players above, because the Mavs have so many other weapons. But still......HAS UNGODLY ability.

I think THIS is where the talent drops off.......Then the next few guys are all interchangable again.

-Ryan (I do, what i can do, whenever i can do it)

[Arclite]

No way PP or AI are in the top 10 ahead of GP. The Glove is one of the best one on one defenders in the history of the NBA, and right now leads the NBA in assists, as well as being one of the best rebounding guards in the league.

I'd take GP ahead of Dirk in the top 6, for that matter.

[Conley2385]

Well if we are doing Top 10 Careers in the NBA amonf current players, then yes i think GP is right up there. If you are doing that then Jordan, Stockton, Malone , etc also have to be included. But all things considered RIGHT NOW....these 10 i think are the top 10.