Giraldo

Every year there is moisture inducing talk about certain players who will be/are the best at their position. Posters start threads with one hand on their keyboard and the other down their pants as they talk up the flavor of the week. Players like Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Steve Francis made people fall head over heals for them when the fan/star relationship was in its infancy, only to be lambasted by the lonely hearts club of posters when novelty has worn off and the players flaws are revealed.

My question? Who are the current players that people are getting all hot and bothered about that will never claim there position as a superstar/top five talent?

I submit:

Carmelo- I think he will be a force in the league. Good enough to lead a team to a NBA championship with solid teammates, but not on the highest level of a true superstar.

Wade- I think he'll be an all-star, just an all-star (thats not bad).

Amare- All-star, dominating force inside. I just think he has neither the versatility of a Duncan/Garnett nor the shear physical might of Shaq.

All are very talented players, but my definition (I repeat MY definition) of a superstar, is a player who is the best at his position, or a accepted top five talent. Possibly extending down to a top 7 or 8, depending on the depth of talent in the highest echelon of players.

Thoughts?

lakegz

Vince is the best???
simply, no!

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Locke

- Dwyane Wade

- Carmelo Anthony, (<--- although he can become the best offensive SF in the league.)

- Andrei Kirilenko

Giraldo

The thread title was meant to be an ironic complement to the content of the post.

cryptic

Vince could've been the one of the best if it wasn't for injuries

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mysterio

open mike

LOL man, great thread with a great title/idea but now your probably just gonna get most people replying to you with arguements like "VINCE IS THE BEST" or "ARE YOU JOKING VINCE IS CRAP"...

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JuniorNoboa

Good to see you actually read the first post.

martin bolima

First, Vince Carter ain't the best at his position. He's probably outside the top 5 based on his last two years. But then again, it's unfair to give Carter the bad raps because injuries had a lot to do with the decline of his game.

Carmelo Anthony is gonna be a superstar in the league in due time. Offensively, he already has the abilities and skills to dominate and defensively, he can always improve. If he can work hard and continue to have an overwhelming passion to improve, then he'll be top 5 at the small forward position.

Shawn Marion has probably hit the ceiling as a player. All-star is probably the highest level that the Matrix can fly into.

JazzMan

It's a shame that the most popular players are those whose games are based predominantly on "athleticism". Steve Francis and Vince Carter are adored by fans, but neither have done much to show that they are successful leaders or superstars.

My daring submission - Yao Ming

Being voted as a starter in his rookie year was a bit of a joke. He had done better than most expected, but was not at all-star level. People are still expecting an awful lot from Yao. If doesn't get at least 3 championships some people are going to be disappointed with him.

There is little doubt that he will improve further, and become an excellent player, but by your definition of superstar will only become one when Shaq retires. I don't see Yao being top 5 in his career, unless you factor position in (like in the All NBA teams)

He is still a poor rebounder and shotblocker for his size. He averaged 20 rb in the chinese league, sos there's still pplenty of room for improvement.

Some people would take him first in a fantasy draft. I don't think I would.