Top 50: LeBron James, no. 1
The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.
by Myles Brown/@mdotbrown
The ballots were cast, counted, and a victor has been decided.
LeBron Raymone James is now the best player in basketball.
There, that was easy. Or was it?
It certainly appears to be a concise and declarative statement. But as with almost all other things regarding the great debate, this too is subject to interpretation.
What exactly is now? Just this very moment, as in right now? These present times and the foreseeable future, as in nowadays? Perhaps something tentative or undefined, as in now and again?
Time is of the essence in this industry. The past was once now and the future soon will be. Those who’ve aren’t willing to wait any longer believe their time is now. Those who aren’t ready to leave believe their time is still now. Problem is, no one knows how long now will last.
It’s no secret that each time we compile one of these lists much ado is made of the criteria. Is it based on last year, next year or an entire career? The answer would seem to lie in another concise and declarative statement: Rankings are based solely on projected 09-10 performance. But it’s not always easy to separate the three. Anything a player is deemed capable of doing in the future is based entirely on what they’ve done in the past. Being the best is not a proclamation, it’s a journey and destination.
And what is it to be the best anyway? Is it the most advantageous player, the most suitable player or the most desirable? We were spoiled for a decade by the unquestionable legacy of Michael Jordan, because he was all three. He was the most advantageous player because he was the most talented and fundamentally sound. Coupling those advantages with a keen intellect and an indomitable will made him the most suitable player to lead a team. The dynasty that ensued made it downright silly to desire anyone else.
Since he’s left us, these titles have been fragmented. But LeBron James could unify them and put all the semantics to rest if he’d just win a championship.
He holds a very special place in both the current and historical hierarchy. He’s the most ready made prep to pro player ever, who somehow managed to exceed the hype in leading his hometown team from the doldrums of irrelevance. He’s an unprecedented package of size, skill and athleticism, as close to a one man team as we’ve ever seen. While Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade have seemingly recaptured the essence of what made Jordan great, LeBron has redirected the collective consciousness to what is possible beyond that lengthy shadow. Triple double averages, Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in scoring and assists, you name it. Nothing is unquestionably beyond his grasp.
Which is why it’s so maddening to see him fall short. He still hasn’t found the consistency with his midrange jumper. He has yet to shoot 80% from the line. His footwork is pedestrian and his post game is underdeveloped. These shouldn’t be the flaws of a seven year vet. Yet in spite of them, there still isn’t a team in the league that can truly stop him. Only four teams would even dare say they can contain him. But those four teams are what stand between him and indisputable greatness.
We’ve been at this for years. The awe, the anticipation, the inevitability of it all. For years he’s accelerated our expectations by exceeding them so easily, but the conversation has shifted from potential to production. He’s shown us he can do all but one thing. Every other year that it didn’t happen was nothing more than an inconvenience. This year if it doesn’t happen, it’s not only failure but possibly one of catastrophic proportions. In putting such pressure on the Cavaliers to build a contender he also put pressure on himself to produce a title. If he can’t achieve that in Cleveland, then he’s put pressure on himself to find somewhere he can.
LeBron Raymone James is the best player in basketball. But he has to win.
Now.
Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ‘09-10 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jake Appleman, Brett Ballantini, Russ Bengtson, Toney Blare, Shannon Booher, Myles Brown, Franklyn Calle, Gregory Dole, Emry DowningHall, Jonathan Evans, Adam Fleischer, Jeff Fox, Sherman Johnson, Aaron Kaplowitz, John Krolik, Holly MacKenzie, Ryne Nelson, Chris O’Leary, Ben Osborne, Alan Paul, Susan Price, Sam Rubenstein, Khalid Salaam, Kye Stephenson, Adam Sweeney, Vincent Thomas, Tzvi Twersky, Justin Walsh, Joey Whelan, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.
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i think Cavs win it all , LeBron mvp again…33, 9 rebs, 8.5 ast, 1.5 steals, 2 blocks, 68 wins.
I’m also really happy, because when the list began, the season felt like it was years away from starting. Now that the list is done, that means I’ll be watching games that matter (with real refs!) in 4 days. Awesomeness.
wtf….
his man to man d is WEAK
so what if he gets 2 blocks a game from crusing some 6ft pg’s “open” layup.
kobes a better defender. lebron is just begging it with big blocks like shouting im a good defensive player. proof is in the fucking pudding.
4 puddings
a pudding is a ring.
fml
Well, this was good to see written by somebody involved with creating the list.
You can only see potential if people have done something. The reason why people think Tyrus Thomas has fans is because we have seen him do things that make us say “Well, this kid could be Shawn Kemp if he puts it together.”
The problem is that he never seems to put it together.
Myles is saying we decide what people are capable of based on what they’ve done in the past, which I said nearly two months ago on a certain post that shall not be named. The idea that you can make projections without considering the past is ridiculous.
That said, I do want to compliment Myles on a well-written article that perfectly captured most people’s feelings about Lebron.
Kobe is still a level above LeBron James.
Will LJ be better than Kobe? I can only assume he will be…but not yet.
Not very many.
Was he still clutch as hell in his prime?
Yes he was.
Where did you get that number from?
To be fair, I am saying that he’s the greatest ever.
Kobe’s got great passing skills (the way he gets the ball to the open man is spectacular sometimes) but Kobe’s court vision and peripheral vision are very lacking. There’s a lot of times a man’s totally open and Kobe doesn’t seem him. That’s why Kobe has never played any type of point. Lebron could be moved to the point and play better than 95% of the PGs in the L. This is such a vast and underrated talent that people don’t really get: Lebron’s passing skills helps keep help defenders away and forces people to play in the passing lanes, spreading room for the entire team and more room for Lebron to drive. This is, in my mind the main reason Lebron is such an amazing player.
But ‘passing’ is a skill, and no one will EVER acknowledge that Lebron is anything more than speed and strength. God no. Just dunks and swatting blocks.
And NO ONE is crowning Lebron the best. That’s the thing. No one says Lebron is better than Jordan. Or Magic or Wilt. They just think he should be acknowledged AS one of the best ever, rings or not.
Myles, do you have doubts that if Lebron played on the 80s Lakers or Celtics, he wouldn’t have won a chip with Hakeem/Cooper/Worthy/McHale/Archibald/Parish/DJ?
Un-Rel: I’m not bad mouthing Kobe’s leadership skills. I think he’s a little too mean spirited, not good for a young up-and-coming team, but great for vets who get it. I just think Lebron is a (slightly) better leader. I think Lebron brings more ‘energy’ by hyping guys up while Kobe just comes out and is like “let me do my thing, you do your thing.” Lebron gets the nod for both.
Myles: Hey, I’m not going to try and argue with you if you grew up in Chicago, that’d be downright dumb on my part. Do you agree that ESPN had more or less given him the crown without beating Detroit? Or are we still in disagreement about that?
You’re right, it’s sort of BS he got DPOY and sort of BS he got first-team all defense. But it’s not solely because of highlight reel blocks.
People may have been pissed, and I’m getting the feeling you were too. I read an ancient article on Si OBLITERATING Jordan for his 37 point season because his team wasn’t winning more, so he must be doing something wrong. It’s really stupid, asinine logic.
I still remember the majority thinking Jordan was the best. Methinks you’re downplaying that.
(also, loved your Howard write-up)
That’s the point I’m trying to prove.
Because, you know, I feel that Lebron now is a better play than Kobe and the best player in the L and one of the best ever. I’m not saying he was better than Kobe at the top of Kobe’s game, the same way people would say Jordan in 1988 wasn’t better than vintage Magic.
Dwade got better fundamental skills that Lebron and Wade
is 1up on him. If this, what that who cares he doesn’t aveage 10 assists , so
get off of it, lets let the Prince earn his King ship
from Kobe the right way, beat him in the Finals or win
it. Right now Lebron has stats but thats it, and Lebron
is making people tired of him not media, with his dumb
quotes, about dunking on Bush, his momma probably told
him to say that. I talk to people and they are tired
of him, just plain simple, I just want him to lead
and stop being friends, but when times get bad, show true
colors. Orlando will put them out again and everyone will
say he has no teammates, Shaq is old, whatever.
But hey, Lebron’s number 1, so there isn’t much argument right now. I’m just annoyed at the “F THIS KOBE’S DA BOMB” comments.
Myles: It sounds like you’re bringing back up your frustration as a kid that Jordan couldn’t get over the Detroit Piston hump. That’s fine. It was hurting Jordan’s CAREER LEGACY more than his in-game legacy, y’know? Let me tell you, Lebron’s legacy took a BIG HIT losing to the Magic, even in my mind: I wonder if Lebron will ever be looked up as a top-five all time player after that Magic loss. Maybe not even top ten. But I still think he’s the best in the L, the same way people probably still realized Jordan was the best in the L with Magic still playing.
I don’t know, maybe I’m not making my point clear, or maybe I’m arguing a worthless point here. I just don’t get why it’s impossible to crown Lebron the ‘best right now’ without crowning him ‘best ever.’
Lebron is far off from where he needs to be.. but like, what does a chip matter to crown him the best player right now individually? Why is there a rush? Didn’t it take Mike till like, 27-28 to win his first ring?
Wilt: Won his first ring at 30
Big O: Won his first ring at 32
Jerry West: Won his first ring at 34
Gary Payton: Won his first ring at 37
Lebron James 0 Championships
This is my Top 5
1.DWade
2.Kobe
3.Chris Paul
4.LeBron
5.Dwight Howard
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
KOBE’s the ONE!!!
comment) and then the good student assumes the dirty job of claryfying/explaining to the rest of audience.At the same time it’s funny how you make me feel really old…it seems that nobody here was actually around 20 years ago. Anyway, thanks Jukai (keeping this pace you are going for high distinctions.).
Weird how the best player in the L is one I wouldn’t trust in the final 5 minutes of an everything-on-the-line type of game.
http://euroleague.infrontams.tv/index.php?id=1021
2josh……:you win nothing with Roy as your best player. So the Blazers cant win with a top ten player as there best player? explain the Celtics latest championship then…. never mind I will explain it for you. Great TEAM > Great player.
2)those Celtics had 2 players(3 in my opinion) clearly better than Roy.
@josh……..:1)in reality Roy ain’t even top-15.
2)those Celtics had 2 players(3 in my opinion) clearly better than Roy. Roy was on the second team all nba…. not even top 15 isnt reality it is your dumb@ss opinion. Roy Should have been ranked around 7 or 8. You need to have actually watched a person play before you make an assessment. Obviously you have not seen him play, or you would not make dumb comments like you did. Roy is better Allen, pierce and kg. I dont get how you could actually believe that a team with Roy as the best player cant win.
Look at the man-to-man defense.
Then look at Kobe’s offensive game. The midrange J, the 3 ball, the cuts to the rim, the splits through double/triple teams, the passing out of traps to the open man, the spin move, the crossover, step back, fadeaway,the overall ballhandling, even the POST-UP, etc… He’s just way more polished than LeBron. Now, LeBron will be the best player eventually, but right now Kobe is just simply better.
Shem should not be posting, he’s done with slam.
There are a lot more facets of the game that Lebron is better than Kobe at. Passing, rebounding, driving on the inside, seeing passing lanes, help double-team defense, weakside blocks, commanding leadership, controlling tempo, running the fast break, etc. etc.
The only thing Kobe does better than Lebron is offense. He doesn’t really play man-to-man defense anymore to ‘preserve his body for playoff time’ and this was self admitted. So I don’t really get where all this talk is coming from, once again.
I don’t really like Kobe, and LeBron is one of my fave players, but come on, LeBron is NOT as good as Kobe. Honestly, LeBron is #3 to me. D-Wade shudda been 2.’ BONG!!!!!!!!!!
Haha man, you gotta understand one thing: PANAGIOTIS says a lot of things that he doesn’t mean. Seriously, his whole thing is hyperbolizing to drive home a point. If you care enough to read his comments, you got to look past the exaggerations because underneath them, he does bring up some good points on basketball. Believe it or not, the guy knows the game pretty well. I used to dismiss him completely because of crazy sh*t he’ll throw out (for ex: Allen Iverson is (one of) the worst basketball player of all time), but you get past it when you realize he doesn’t really believe that. And trust me, he’ll say he stands by that comment but really, I know he doesn’t mean it.
Or you can just not read his comments at all, lol…
There’s a difference between being a really popular teammate, and an actually successful leader. Kobe’s leadership brings out the best in his teammates and it doesn’t matter how well-liked he is. LeBron’s teammates may like him a lot, but as we’ve seen, guys like Mo Williams don’t step up in the playoffs for him.
Kobe is a better leader than LeBron. I’m not saying teammate. I’m saying leader.
———- @ Jukai, there is a chasm of difference between optionally limiting defensive effort and not being able to play D at all. By your self admission, Kobe has better O. If this season was the last of the NBA, and Kobe decided to go full at it, his D would be at LEAST par with Lebrons even he doesnt get anywhere near the amount of highreels LBJ does. And I can already tell your a somewhat bias on such on this whole issue , but lets get some more trustworthy opinions of Kobe’s defensive effort; D-Wade publicly admitted in early 2008 if you wanna play D ‘you learn from Kobe’, and Phil Jackson says Kobe’s D is ’standout’, both of whom are far more valid sources than either yours or mine opinions… you know Kobe is doing something right. He is a 7 times All NBA 1st Team, as recently as last year (although Wade was best SG at D in ‘09 in my opinion) making it four years running. Such teams are voted for by the coches ffs! Both are ranked by professionals, as being the best in their position at D. So…. highly comparable D, even if theres not many similarities in style, whilst Kobe has better O, as you admitted. Kobe is a better leader, and he brings the best out his team (which LBJ certainly doesnt, he can step his game up all other level but he cant induce his teammates to do so). Where’s the remotest bit of logic in your argument that LBJ is better? He gets more media coverage over Kobe and thats most of what hes got over Bryant.
@The D-Train, ‘Brandonis Roypoulos’ is one THE funniest things I have read on slams comments in a good week or two
@Nbk, what a needless diss of Wade… The only disadvantage I see in Wade’s game is that if he keeps throwing himself around the court like that then hes going to be in a wheelchair by the time he’s retired. Otherwise, its his fairly average 3pt shooting, which is much overhyped, or de-hyped. Throwing up 3 treys a game and getting one in isnt so bad, and changing your patterns keeps players on there toes so they dont read you like a book. And give the guy some slack, I don’t think he ever shot more than 100 treys in a season till the one gone by, which barely averages out as one a game. People used to say Jordan had sh!tty outside range, and he did, and look what happened there, worked hard and doubled his %s whilst becoming regarded as one of, if not, the greatest to have played the game… If Wade has any other glaring weaknesses I would genuinely love to hear them, because I don’t even you’ve watched Wade for more than a few games.
Clearly he is not what yall think he is.
LBJ has no rings and Wade has one but fools like Steve think
he will reach MJ ok. First get Wade and to be honest his
game is lacking, Lebron dribbling and jumper will always be suspect, that’s
why he trys to barrel people over or jump into them. Watch when he plays a real
defender he brings the ball up and lead with his shoulder to dribble, and his jumper is
built on hope it goes in. I think he is behind KObe and truly behind Wade in overall skills,
but thats just my opinino. Wade is the real gem, get him and Bosh for 10 and forget
about Lebron. People will see his game for what it is and to be some great athelticly
were is all of his highlight dunks, WHERE are they, I am tired of his one hand dunk and
his hype has driven alot of people over board on him. Lets like the King they say, win
a ring. The old NBA made dudes prove themself, now people make excuses for who you do or do not play with
a la Steve Nash-2 time MVP. Lebron has gotten the hype, but STATS are great, build them
up, but if he never wins a ring or just one, wouldn’t his career be a failure. Lets wait and see
because like I said before. Orland is not going anywhere and Howard has a vendetta against
a dude who can’t shake his hand. Here is LBJ career, ONe playoff highlight shot-still lost series,
25 point outburst against Detroit, got swept in Finals, Crazy stats for the last 4 to 5 years-no rings.
Will get more MVP’s because he is the new Steve Nash, these dumb sports writers, might give
him a Defensive Player of the year for blocks from behind. but can’t guard straight up, but he
is seen as number one NBA player. WADE will have a better career than him and just like Kobe in his 35 ppg year he
should have got MVP, really WADE played with less a la Steve Nash and should have gotten MVP, Wade numbers was great
even if it was a scrub team, still made playoff. Remember its MVP, not best team /best player MVP. Kobe will just have to
settle for the MVP trophy of the FINALS again.
Basketball is about wins being a competition and all. Check who has more wins overall season+playoffs since 2003/04. And everyone who puts wade above LeBron OR Kobe has an immediately irrelovent opinion. The disadvantages inherent in wades game absent from lebron and kobes are obvious to anyone who watches more then 10 games a season Wow, what are you ten? Games must come on during your bedtime or your on that dust juice, Ball is a team game, Wade played some burgers last year and got to the playoffs, D. Wade is so much more complete than Bron is all size and power. Wade has actual skill beyond his phsyical gift, would we really be talkin bout Bron if he was 6′4, idk, he would prolly be just another dude in the league. When I watch Bron he has to work hard for every bucket(like dribbling 100 times at the top of the key). Arent the Great one supposed to make this game look easy. Bron doesnt Wade does it with less effort. Since wanna bring up winning, BoyBoy got a chip under his belt. Dont pull shaq out ya ass either, He singlehandly killed the Mavs, I know there the Mavs but a Chip is a Chip. I dont care if you won 30 games during the season, if you win the chip you still go down as a Champ. Young ass prolly don’t spit about Basketball talkin bout people opinions are irrelevant. P.S. Regular season wins dont mean spit except for standing purpose, How many 50 and 60 win teams didnt win the chip that current year? Oops, Bron was just on one! Out.
Stop hating on Lebron & Kobe they r both phenomenal players
Stop with all the HATE
I think right now, Lebron is way more popular… But from a skills stand point, Lebron has a lot of catching up to do. (Not his fault because he is young) We know Lebron is putting in the work, but there are other guys outside of Kobe, that have better skills then LBJ.
I think this is based on upside, which yes… LBJ has it on lock until Durant gains weight. But once KD puts the weight on, he will be in the top. KD is 2 inches taller then LBJ, and his over skills are way better the Lebron with only 3 years in.
We cant put KD in the TOP 1 or 2, but I used him to show the value of Kobe… Kobe skills are on another level then anyone who has ever played the game… MJ too!!
Sorry I know those are tough words, but even Mike lacked all of the skills Kobe has. MJ had an iron heart matched by nobody, and that got him to greatness… Along with a pair of Billion dollar bear claw sized hands.
A real basketball player = No2 / A hyped athletic freak = No1 -> Thats whats wrong with the league!………. And I repeat: How can somebody be considered the best in the game, if he has no fundamentals like a J?! hmm… BONG!
I wonder where he will go?
0! none!
d-wade has one and kobe has 4!
Top players
1. KObe
2. WAde
3. LEbron
4. MElo
5. Bosh
6. CP3
7. Duncan
8. Joe Johnson
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