Top 10 NBA Players

 This is a list of the top ten players after the 2008-09 season, and a few other players that didn't quite make the list.  This list is based on stats and personal opinion so you might not agree with my list 100%.  The list can really be ordered in anyway, the top 3 in particular.  Thanks for visiting and hope you enjoy.

Kobe Bryant averaged 26.9 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.5 SPG during the 2008-09 season. He is the most complete player in the NBA, and is an offensive and defensive force. He earned his nickname "The Black Mamba" due to the fact that he is the deadliest player on the court and can kill you from anywhere. He exhibits excellent shooting, and ball-handling skills. He also has the ablity to drive the lane and score, be efficient from the free throw line, and has developed the one part of his game that most thought he lacked, passing. Bryant was awarded the 2007-08 Most Valuable Player award, led his team to the 2008 NBA Finals as the first seed in the Western Conference, but lost to the Boston Celtics in 6 games. Bryant returned and led the Lakers to the 2009 NBA championship, the teams first since 2002, and was also a member of the 2008 summer Olympics gold medal team.

LeBron James a.k.a. "The King" ended the 2008-09 season second in scoring averaging 28.4 PPG, and also averaged 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG and a 48.9 FG%, very impressive stats which means a case can be made for LeBron as the best player in the world. In my opinion, maybe the best defender in the world with his number of steals and blocks per game. He is just as impressive on the offensive end, but lacks two skills that put Kobe ahead of him. He is an average jump shooter and ball-handler, two things that Kobe have perfected. James has led the Cavs to four consecutive playoff apperences, including the NBA Finals in 2007 for the first time in franchise history. He also led the Cavs to a number one Eastern Conference seed in 2009. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for the 2008-09 season and was also a member of the 2008 gold medal summer Olympics team.

Dwyane Wade a.k.a. "Flash" led the NBA in scoring during the 2008-09 season averaging 30.2 PPG. He also averaged 7..5 APG, and 2.2 SPG.  Wade can also make a case as the best player in the world after posting more impressive stats last season than Bryant or James, and being just as effective on the offensive and defensive end.  The only reason I would put Bryant and James ahead of Wade is he is a little prone to injury, and part of being the best player is being there every game to help your team win.  Wade helped lead the Heat to the 2006 NBA championship, and was named the Finals Most Valuable Player, and was also a member of the 2008 "Redeem Team", the 2008 gold medal Olympics team.  Despite injuries Wade seems to imporve more and more each year, and at this pace its hard to say he wont one day without a doubt be the best player in the world. 

Carmelo Anthony a.k.a. "Melo" member of the Denver Nuggets ended the 2008-09 season averaging 22.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, and a 44.3 FG%.  Anthony joined the NBA during the 2003 NBA draft after leading Syracuse University to a National Championship his freshman year of college, and was named the Most valuable Player of the 2003 NCAA Final Four, and was the unanimous choice as the Big East Freshman of the Year.  Some say Anothony is the best shooter in NBA today showing off amazing averages from all over the floor.  His name is also mentioned among the elites along with Kobe, LeBron, and Dwyane.  Melo led the Nuggets to the Western Conference semi-finals falling short to the champion Lakers in the 2009 playoffs.  Melo was also a key member of the 2008 "Redeem Team". 

Chris Paul a.k.a. "CP3" averaged a very impressive 11.0 APG, to go along with 22.8 PPG, and 2.8 SPG during the 2008-09 season.  There is an constant arguement about who is the best PG in the NBA between Paul, Williams, Nash, Parker, and now even Rondo and Rose are in the mix.  In my opinion CP3 tops this list because of his complete game, he is the best passer in the league, a effective shooter from the perimeter, and came drive the lane and finish with the best of them, and is a "pest" on the defensive end always a threat to steal the ball.  I would consider Paul an all-around floor general, and the most important person to his team in the league.  Paul entered the league in the 2005 NBA draft and went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award, and finished second behind Bryant for the 2008 Most Valuable Player award.  Also a member of the 2008 "Redeem Team".

Kevin Garnett a.k.a. "The Big Ticket" is the most dominating big man in the NBA today.  Garnett averaged 15.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 2.5 APG and a 53.1 FG% for the 2008-09 season.  He is an unstoppable force in the paint and shoots extremely well from distance for a big man, and is also one of the best defenders on the planet.  KG entered the league in the 1995 NBA draft, directly out of high school , the first player to do so in 20 years.  Garnett was an immediate star in the NBA leading the Tiberwolves eight consecutive playoff appearances, including the Western Conference Finals in 2004, and received the Most Valuable Player honors for the 2003-04 season.  He also won a gold medal as a member of the 2000 summer Olympics team.  Since his second season in the league KG has been named to every All-Star game, even winning the All-Star MVP award in 2003, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year for 2007-08 seaon.  Kevin Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics before the 2007-08 season and became a member of "The Big 3" along with Pierce and Allen and helped lead the team a championship that season.

Deron Williams a.k.a. "D-Will" averaged 19.4 PPG, 10.7 APG, and 1.1 SPG during the 2008-09 season with the Utah Jazz.  Williams entered the league in the 2005 NBA draft, the same year as Chris Paul, with whom he is often compared as the best PG in the NBA along with a few more names.  Williams is as good as they come, a smooth shot from the perimeter, and stron drive to the rim and is a wonderful passer.  Chris Paul gets the nod in this catagory due to the fact that his numbers are a little better, and lets face it, a little more fun to watch, but Williams is just as effective and just as big a threat on the court, and also seems to usually dominate Paul in head-to-head competition.  Williams was also a member of the "Redeem Team". 

Paul Pierce a.k.a. "The Truth" avereaged 20.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 45.7% from the field during the 2008-09 season. Pierce is one of the most complete players in the league, a outstanding shooter, and drive the lane and score, and get the the charity stripe, and is also a lock down defender. Pierce has started every season of his career since being drafted by the Celtics in the 1998 NBA draft. Pierce is an eight-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA team selection. Pierce was also part of "The Big 3" which led the Celtics to the 2007-08 NBA championship and was named Finals MVP that year.

Steve Nash averaged 15.7 PPG, 9.7 APG, and 0.7 SPG during the 2008-09 season. Nash is also in the discussion for the best PG in the league along with Paul and Wiliams. While Nash isnt the best defender by far, his offensive skills are well polished. He seems to score at will at times with off-balance long range shots, tricky finishes in the hole, and passes that usually require a double take. Nash is a two time Most Valuable Player, winning the honor in both the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. He is also ranked as one of the top players in league history for free-throw shooting, three-point shooting, total assists and assists per game. Nash was also named the ninth greatest point guard of all time by ESPN in 2006. He has also been named to the All-Star game six times.

Dirk Nowitzki averaged 25.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, and was 47.9% from the field during the 2008-09 season as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.  Nowitzki is an eight-time All-Star and a nine-time member of the All-NBA teams.  He led the German national basketball team to a bronze medal in the 2002 FIBA World Championship and the silver in the Eurobasket 2005, was leading scorer and Most Valuable Player in both tournaments.  He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the 2006-07 season.

This is a short list of players that didnt quite make the top ten list, while each of them can make a case to be on the list there are also reasons they didnt, all of these players are still young and have long careers ahead of them and plenty of time to make their way to the list. They are in no specific order.

 Derrick Rose averaged 16.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, and 0.8 SPG and was named the 2008-09 Rookie of the Year.

 Kevin Durant averaged 25.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, and shot 47.6% from the floor during the 2008-09 NBA season. Durant was named the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year.

Dwight Howard averaged 20.6 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 2.9 BPG, and was 57.2% from the field. Howard is a unstoppable force and could have easily been in the top ten list, but has work to do on his post moves and scoring as well as free throw shooting which are the reasons i left him out. Dwight led the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals during the 2008-09 season, but fell short to the champion Lakers. Howard is a three-time All-Star and the 2008-09 Defensive Player of the Year and was also a member of the "Redeem Team"

Amare Stoudemire averaged 21.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, and was 53.9% from the floor.  Amare was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003, and won a bronze medal with the 2004 USA Olympic basketball team. 

 Danny Granger averaged 25.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.7 APG, and was 44.7% from the floor during the 2008-09 season.

 Brandon Roy averaged 22.6 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG during the 2008-09 season.  Roy was name 2006-07 NBA rookie of the Year.

 Chris Bosh averaged 22.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, and shot 48.7& from the floor.  Bosh was also a member of the 2008 "Redeem Team:

Rajon Rondo averaged 11.9 PPG, 8.2 APG, and 1.9 SPG during the 2008-09 season and was a member of the 2007-08 NBA champion Boston Celtics.