NBA Top 50 Rankings: 30 to 21
By Editorial Staff
30. Kevin Garnett– Garnett is in the downside of a Hall Of Fame career. He should have been the 2008 MVP and Finals MVP. This is how I feel. This is what I know: Garnett was the single reason Boston didn’t make it to the Finals in 2009. He clearly went from the #2 to arguably the #4 option on the Celtics. Garnett has mastered the high post jumper and killed Pau Gasol with it when Rondo and Garnett did a pick and roll. He doesn’t have the hops but you could argue he’s Boston emotional and defensive leader. His numbers were solid last season (14-7) but can he do it again? He past the 41,000 minute mark last season.’
29. Rudy Gay- 23 years old, just signed a huge contract. I don’t know to be worried or even excited. On one hand, Gay has improved every season. He logged in a boatload of PT last season (3rd in the NBA last season) and has shown to be dangerous in the 4th quarter. He seem to come into his own as a wing. He averaged 19-5-2 last season.
I’m nervous because of a couple things. He’s still lax from what I seen. Also, if Memphis decided to let go Zach Randolph for him? I think this would be a huge mistake. Also, I like Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo. Some people ( including myself ) believe Mayo could take this team away from Rudy Gay. Is this something I should think a top 30 players want to be? A number 2? I don’t know.
Note: Memphis has 4 players in my top 50. If they don’t make the playoffs…I don’t know what to tell you.
28. Tony Parker- Let me set the mood here: Tony Parker is one of the most OVERRATED players in the NBA today.
Parker is 27, he has a career 5.6 assists average and he’s not a good defender. His defense abilities get swept under the rug because he plays on a strong defensive team. He’s never been a top 5 PG in any season.
BUT WAIT…WASN’T HE A FINALS MVP?
I’m glad you asked. Let’s look at the playoff numbers from the 2006-2007 season when San Antonio won the title and you tell me who should have been MVP.
Tony Parker: 20 ppg, 6 apg, 4 rpg
Tim Duncan: 22 ppg, 11 rpg and 3 apg
Why is he 27? He has the moves to score, everytime Duncan has a bad night or ( over the past 2 years) a couple bad weeks, Parker steps up and provides. I could never say Tony Parker was a good player but when people said he’s better then player #16 on my board? That was crazy.
27. Baron Davis– Is Baron Davis still Boom Dizzle? Is he still the same guy who made AK47 ponder retirement? I don’t know. What I do know is Davis actually showed me something last season: He’s getting it a little bit. He took the fewest FGA over the past two seasons since he was a rookie. He gave Los Angeles a 15-8 last season. I think that was more for Chris Kaman’s rebound season and Eric Gordon stepping up. Both had higher scoring last season.
Note: Baron Davis was in the top 10 in assits and steals last season.
26. Andre Iguodala– Before discussing Mr. Iggy- I want to give a shoutout to a friend.
Jorrye Nixon is the biggest Iguodala fan I know. He’s a great NBA and NCAA mind. Check out the NBA Upside podcast and he’s the guy who makes all the great points on our show.
Good, now that I got that out the way. Iguodala is as underrated as Parker is overrated. Iguodala’s numbers are fantastic (17-6-5 last season) and I believe he’s stuck in the wrong position. Iguodala is a number two who’s stuck as a number one.
The Best thing that would have happened to Iggy? If this summer he were traded to the Clippers. Want to know why? Iguodala is a number two who could help number three options improve and number two options step up. Had you put Iggy with Baron Davis ( who could play like a number one and LOVES the spotlight), Eric Gordon ( Who’s underrated), Blake Griffin ( Who should make the list in the next couple seasons) and Chris Kaman ( #51 on the list)- I would have picked Los Angeles as a potential top 5 seed because they have everything. They have that nut in Davis, the young player with much to prove, the new guy who’s looking to impress, the post player who is overlooked by many, the even younger post player who wants to earn his love (DeAndre Jordan) and Iggy- The potential Joe Johnson to that team.
Man, Iggy should hope for that move.
25. Danny Granger- He’s the most confusing player to me.
Anyone from the midwest is willing to tell me: Danny Granger should get more love! He’s a All Star!
I’m high and low on him. Granger is a scoring number one. I’ve seen games where he could heat up and score in bunches. I’m willing to say: He’s a microwave if I ever seen one on offense.
But the fact for me? He’s just a scorer. Nothing else.
5.5 rebounds? 2.8 assists? 1.5 steals (which is alright) that’s not bringing me to call him a potential #1 guy. To be honest, he’s a more smarter, more controlled J.R. Smith. I don’t think he could ever be a #1 on a title team and so far in his career- He needs more help to get to the playoffs.
But man, can he score.
24. Josh Smith– Oddly enough, Josh Smith had a monster season stat wise. Josh Smith numbers last season?
15.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.6 spg, 2.1 bpg
That’s a amazing statline if I ever saw one. Mine you- He’s only 25, he “got it” this past season and stopped shooting the 3’s and he the number 3 option in Atlanta.
In some sense, Smith is at the point where- He just might explode next season. When I mean explode, I mean he could reach unbelievable numbers. The question for Smith: Is his game as a starting PF good enough for Atlanta to continue to make noise? I would move him to the SF position tomorrow but Atlanta values his rebounding.
Are we watching Shawn Marion 2.0? YES but can they capitalize on the fact Smith plays defense and he’s younger and gotten “it” unlike Phoenix did before they got back Shaq for Marion? No.
Like Andre Iguodala, I think Josh Smith is someone who could benefit from a trade but he’s gotten to the point where he does so much for Atlanta, you’d wouldn’t get back enough to cover all his value.
23. Carlos Boozer- I have never been a Boozer guy. Ever since he’s took advantage of Cleveland when they ripped his contract up- I just don’t like him that much.Not only that, he’s a big injury guy, he never gets small injuries: Just the ones that make him miss 15-20 games a season. That being said, he brings everything to the table as a power forward. In Utah, he was the best fit opposite of Deron Williams. Since 2006, he’s been a double digit rebounder and he’s a playoffs performer. He always steps up in the playoffs.
I’m highly interested to see how he does next season. He’s gotten his money and he’s on a team with another superstar. I truly believe Boozer could make Chicago a top 3 team in the East.
22. Chauncey Billups- Mr. Big shot. Since 2001, Billups has been not only healthy ( no fewer then 12 games missed), a top 2 scorer on his team ( his lowest ppg total- 16.5 in 2004) but he hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2001. Let’s not forget to add: Billups is 6th all time in 3pt field goals made. What makes it even better for Billups? He’s a even better playoff performer as well.
One thing we also must bring up: He made 2 Franchises better but being the lead guard after 4 seasons of playing the one and two positions. Detroit couldn’t win a title without him (even though I argue Richard Hamilton should have been Finals MVP) and helped Denver reach a #2 seed in 2008.
21. Derrick Rose– It’s arguable Rose should be 22 and Billups 21 but I’m willing to say Derrick Rose is ready to be a top 10 player next season. For one, he has complete control of a franchise. Rose has shown he’s a legit franchise player. Two- Rose is a gamer. Rose logged 37.0 mpg as a rookie and 36.8 in year 2. Three- Derrick Rose has the playoff performer gene.
2008- 20-6-6 as a rookie in the playoffs against Rajon Rondo
2009- 27-7-4
Did I mention he’s 21? There are some issues with Rose though. He’s not progressing as a defender as fast as people believed. He’s not a #1 personality like past superstars and the jumper is not there ( even though he’s looking smoother when I saw him play in the Team USA game). All those things should improve.
One thing that I love about Rose and another player on my list: He’s loyal.
Throw in the fact Carlos Boozer has joined him: How can you stop Rose from getting to the basket AND stop Boozer? That’s gonna be a problem.
What do you think about the 30-21? Stay tuned for 20-11 tomorrow!!!