Top 5 Players at ... In the NBA

+ Improving

= In his prime

- On the way down

? Is he for real

Point Guards:

1) Jason Kidd Suns: Mr. Everything, sooner or later everyone in the league will realize that he deserves a lot of MVP votes. When you can get 7 RPG at PG, you are greatly improving the position by almost doubling everyone else's production at the position. =

2) Gary Payton Supersonics: While many picked the Supersonics to be a lot better than some of the other teams who are beating the in the West, it seems Patrick Ewing hasn't been quite enough. Payton is a much better scorer and defender than Kidd, but the rebounds that Kidd will get you and his increased assist total make Kidd the better player. Payton can no doubt take over games for long stretches, however Kidd controls the game every minute he's on the floor. =

3) Steve Francis Rockets: Stevie Franchise is mainly on the list for what he could become. He is the Houston Rockets. Even though Olajuwon is still the emotional leader of the team there is no denying that he is the team's future as well as their present. He can score like Payton, but isn't up the playmaking levels of either of the men above. He is also a good rebounder for someone at the point. Eventually he could get up to Kidd type stats minus a few assists and plus a lot of points. +

4) Stephon Marbury Nets: While his stats are very comparable to Payton's he doesn't bring his defense or his leadership. He has a tendency to be a whiner. I'm not sure he can run a winning team. To him, priority #1 seems to be Stephon Marbury. When he's on, he's on. However, Kenny Anderson looked good on a bad Nets team, and where is he now. But unlike Kenny, who could never hit the outside jumper with much consistency, Stephon has quite the stroke. +

5) Steve Nash Mavericks: Steve Nash on a top 5 PG list??? However absurd this sounds, Nash could definately be the reason for the big improvement in Dallas this season. He's putting up number that are comparable to Francis'. Plus he's on the team I like to call mini-Portland. Dallas is deep team just think about it.

PG: Nash, Eisley, Buckner SG: Finley, Eisley, Alexander, Buckner SF: Nowitzki, Najera PF: Trent, Thomas, Harvey C: Bradley.

Najera played well  in the preseason, Alexander could end up being the best player in the draft this past year, in what a terrible draft class. Though Finley is the better player, Nash is the team's MVP. ? +

Possibilities: Brandon =, Cassell =, Stoudamire +, Van Exel =.

NCAA: Jamaal Tinsley, Iowa State.

Shooting Guards: The best thing about the NBA's 2-Guards is that the best are all young and getting better.

1) Kobe Bryant Lakers: Yes, that's right Kobe is better than Vince, for now. The main reason for this, is his D. Kobe was an all league defender last year, Vince, isn't even an all Raptor defender. Kobe has taken his game to the next level this season. He seems to score 30 a night at will. He's got great handles and in L.A. he at times is asked to run the offence. The total package. +

2) Vince Carter Raptors: Vince is just as dominant offensively as Kobe, and his exciting slams excites the crowd at home and is a huge momentum shifter. Vince has also extended his game to behind the arc. When he first was drafted people said he was an athlete who could be an all-star with time, and a left hand. That summer he spent the whole off-season he spent it developing his left. Then the next year they said he couldn't be a threat from behind the arc. Last year he was one of the better 3-point shooters in the league. Then, they said that he couldn't survive without T-Mac, and now he is. Now, they say his defense is his only weakness, next year...+

3) Allen Iverson 76'ers: Wow can he score. Teams seem to forget he used to play point, he passes well out of the double team which makes him even more dangerous. The most interesting thing is that when he was needed to tone down his scoring for the good of the team, he did. He could probably be battling Kobe, Vince, and Jerry for the league lead in scoring, but instead he's got the best team (Argubably). +

4) Ray Allen Bucks: Allen is a great defender, he's got a great stroke, and he has stepped ahead of the 3 header monster that is the Bucks. One of the lesser known 2-guards in the NBA. The reason is that he scores without anyone noticing, he scores in the normal flow of an offense. He doesn't need to break down his player off the dribble to score, but he can. When he scores 40 it looks like he scored 25. Not a highlight reel player, still a star. +

5) Michael Finley Mavericks: Does everything. He rebounds well, probably because he is a true SF. Passes well, and scores very well. Like Allen is an unknown commidity, but will not be this summer when he's a free agent. Will probably be the 2nd best player (Webber) on the market, the Bulls want him and he's from the Chicago area. But would you leave what Dallas could possibly become? Finley would proably shoot up the list with the Bulls as he would be the franchise. +

Possibilities: Jones =, Miller -, Stackhouse +, Pierce +.

NCAA: Tamar Slay, Marshall.

Small Forwards: Hill is #1 if healthy.

1) Shareef Abdur-Rahim Grizzlies: There is no doubt he is the best SF in the league. With Garnett, Carter and Finley at new positions, and Hill injured, he's the best. The fact he's available could change the entire league, if any .500 team acquires him for picks and prospects, chances are they will be instant upper echelon. The Hawks turn into a much better team in a Mutombo-Abdur-Rahim switch. Lorenzen can do his job inside. Here's the million dollar question, why are the Grizz so bad. Answer, youth, keep the team together 2 more years, and they are a playoff team. But the owners want to move to the US, so don't expect to try to build a winner just yet. +

2) Tracy McGrady, Magic: Who would've thought he'd be this good, this quick. If he was this good and still in T.O. how good would the Rap's be? Dominant, he's not as good as Rahim, but he can take over games in bursts. He does everything, some of the other Mr. Everythings are really Mr. Almost Everything but he isn't. He plays good D, he blocks shots, he passes, he boards, he scores, he can drive, shoot, dribble. He does every single aspect of the game very well. Expect for possibly 1, clutch. +

3) Shawn Marion Suns: Another questionable choice, but the way he's been playing this season, is it really that big a surprise? He averages a double-double as a true SF. Not like Garnett who was a pseudo SF. He proably be this good on the Jazz, but his up tempo game is exactly what Kidd needed. They are a great combo, the only reason he is #3 and not #10 is Kidd. Now that is what MVP's do. + ?

4) Latrell Sprewell, Knicks: Latrell's stats are a lie, he could score more but the defensive Knicks won't allow him. Houston has to get his touches, as does Rice. And then you have to establish the inside game. But he is instant energy. With Ward out, and possibly having to retire, he has even run the point at times this year. And he can D up his man. Real talent. =

5) Predrag Stojakovic, Kings: Much like Nash, his drastic improvements have contributed to instant team improvement. He's showed he can score with his jumper, and he's proved his driving ability. His defense is a little suspect but he's got real talent. +

Possibilities: Odom +, Van Horn =, Rose =.

NCAA: Eddie Griffin, Seton Hall.

Power Forwards: Along with 2-Guard, the deepest positions.

1) Tim Duncan, Spurs: Struggled a bit this year, but still is great. Reason he still beats out Garnett is because he will probably go back to his normal level by the All-Star break. He brings back old-school memories with his constant use of the boards, and his gentlemanly play. +

2) Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves: Yet another one of those franchise players. The main reason he's here is Joe Smith. Who the T-Wolves seemed to believe was the franchise player. He becomes even more important because of the T-Wolves lack of their next 3 1st round picks. He'll have to carry the Wolves for a long time, the funny thing about it, is that he probably can. +

3) Chris Webber, Kings: Mr. Free Agent. Is playing like he's in his final year of his contract. Is probably the League MVP this year. Sorry Mr. Kidd, and Mr. Bryant. So if he's the MVP, why is he the #3 PF, because he's playing so well, probably because he wants to be wanted. Webber is no doubt quite the player, but not the same level as the above two. However it could be said he's the best true PF, since Garnett is a SF/PF, and Duncan is a C/PF. =

4) Karl Malone, Jazz: Mr. Consistent. Though he's on his way down still a dominant scorer. He is quite the physical specimen, and no doubt a Hall of Famer. I only hope he doesn't try to hold on too long. He isn't quite there yet, but he is getting close. Still scores, but isn't as productive a rebounder as he used to be. All the guys above him average double-doubles. He no longer does. -

5) Rasheed Wallace, Trailblazers: On a different team, he probably does average double-doubles, but with Kemp on the bench, he can't here. His high amount of technicals, does hinder him since he can eliminate himself from any game. A great player, who plays with lots of emotion. I don't think he would be the same player if he calmed down. Has an outside game as PF, as does everyone above but Duncan, but him and Garnett are the best from long range. +

Possibilities: Brand +, McDyess =, Walker +.

NCAA: Troy Murphy, Notre Dame.

Centers: The shallowest pond, by far. Alonzo is #2 when healthy.

1) Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers: Is there a doubt? While Kobe is dominating in the regular season, I expect Shaq the regain control in the playoffs. He is also a impact player on the defensive end. He's huge, physically imposing, and one of the greatest 50 players of all time. However, he must come of the floor late, in clutch situations. He should just shoot Rick Barry style so the Lakers could really destroy the rest of the NBA. If he was a 65% free throw shooter... =

2) David Robinson, Spurs: He's being pushed out by Duncan, but is the ultimate leader. Him and Duncan and the Blazers are the only chance the NBA has of dethroning the Lakers and Shaq. He brought his game back up to the pre-Duncan era. After him there's a big dropoff in talent. -

3) Dikembe Mutombo, Hawks: Mr. Defense. Will probably be elsewhere soon enough, he'll never add a great offensive game, but it's already at the level of pretty much else except for Mourning, O'Neal, or Robinson. He blocks shots like an animal. Him and Shaq are the two most dominate interior defensive players in the league. -

4) Vlade Divac, Kings: Remember when he was just an average center? He really still is, but in the water thin NBA he's on this list. He's a better than average passer at C, and that's pretty much it. -

5) Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers: The Pacers must be laughing like crazy since he's already as good as Dale Davis, if not better. Plus he's 10 years younger. What a steal. Something people have noticed is that at times he trys to hard to score, and that's when he struggles. He could really be the only possible future C star that is already making quite the impact already. Look out for J-O'Neal. +

Possibilities: A. Davis =, D. Davis -, Ratcliff =, M. Jackson +.

NCAA: Loren Woods, Arizona. High School: Eddy Curry.

Coach: Randy Wittman, Cavaliers. If they make the playoffs.

ROY: C Marc Jackson, Warriors.

MIP: PG Steve Nash, Mavericks /SF Shawn Marion, Suns /C Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers. Can't decide.

6th: SG Cuttino Mobley, Rockets. Landslide.

MVP: PF Chris Webber, Kings.