The Sporting News created a panel of experts (107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts) to determine the Top 50 players in the game.
Here's the top 5:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. LeBron James
3. Dwyane Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Tim Duncan
2. LeBron James
3. Dwyane Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Tim Duncan
Four Celtics players made the list: Kevin Garnett (7), Paul Pierce (10), Ray Allen (27) and Rajon Rondo (38).
My reactions:
-I can accept Kobe Bryant as the top player, but he had nearly twice as many first place votes as LBJ. That's surprising.
-How can a guy without a polished offensive game be the 4th best player in the league?
-Right now, Paul Pierce is a better all-around player than Kevin Garnett.
-Shaq is ranked 16th. That's insane and only acceptable if this were 2006. Same with Jason Kidd (23).
-Tony Parker (13) ahead of Chris Bosh (18), Kevin Durant (21) and Joe Johnson (25) is laughable.