Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 at 2:00 pm  |  412 responses

Top 50: LeBron James, no. 1

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Ben Osborne / @bosborne17

First off, I voted LeBron 1, Kobe 2, KD 3 and DWade 4, and any internal debates I had about that ranking centered around slots 2-4. I think LeBron was easily the best player in the League the last two regular seasons, and while I hated what happened in the Celtics series like everybody else, in retrospect we know he was dealing with some combination of a bad elbow, thinking about his future, brutal rumors about his mother, and, most of all, the fact that the Celtics provLeBron Jamesed in the following weeks that they were a lot better than anyone (other than perhaps die-hard fans such as our own Tzvi Twersky) thought.

Of course, as is noted on every single Top-50 post, these rankings aren’t about last year. They’re about this season. And when I think about LeBron, and this season, I actually bring my mind back to the first time I saw him play in person, a 2002 high school match-up between he and Carmelo (Bron was a junior, Melo a senior). I was at the game with LeBron expert Ryan Jones, who had prepped me for LeBron’s impressive size and scoring ability, but what I hadn’t comprehended before then was his court vision.

I saw a lot more of LeBron when he was a high school senior, and obviously watched the beginning of his NBA career very closely, and my first favorable impressions only grew. The positives were almost endless: incredible build, great leaping ability, good teammate, could score with ease in transition or half-court sets, took big shots…but none of it stuck to me like the passing. No matter his crappy teammates. No matter his obvious mismatches. If a guy is open, LeBron is going to find him. In many ways, even though the hype, the No. 23 on his jersey, the potential to be the “best in the game,” all conjured up thoughts of Michael Jordan, the essence of LeBron’s game — passing — was much closer to Magic Johnson’s.

Unfortunately for LeBron and his fans, by the standards of elite, championship-winning NBA teams, the collection of teammates he had the last few years stunk. Oh, sure, with the help of a solid defensive system and an interchangeable cast of role players who at least played hard, LeBron was able to overcome their deficiencies during the regular season.

Playing the bulk of his minutes when the defensive pressure on he and his teammates was low — blowout wins, regular-season games in general that don’t count for much — LeBron was able to conduct the Cavaliers offense like a maestro. He could play on the ball or off, make quick no-look passes or dribble for half the shotclock, sit on the perimeter or go inside, notch an assist or score almost whenever he needed to. The results? Frankly, remarkable.

Many of you may have forgotten these numbers in the wake of what transpired since, but LeBron averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game last season for a 61-win team that played at one of the slowest paces in the League and whose second-best player was Mo Williams. Read that sentence again. And again. There’s a story on basketball-reference.com that was written July 2 asking how much losing LeBron would hurt the Cavs. The bulk of the story is mathematical jargon, but let me summarize for you: If the Cavs had an average NBA player last year in place of LeBron on the roster, the numbers and analysis crunch out something to the effect of 30 wins.

Understand: LeBron James took a team that, minus him, would win 30 games, and won 61. Much of the above narrative would hold true for the last five Cavs seasons.

Then, every year, the Playoffs started. Does LeBron get nervous? Can he not carry the weight? Critics seem to think so, but how do you explain Pistons Game 5 in ’07? The buzzer-beater against the Magic in ’09? The 35-9-7 average stat line in ’09? Shit, even last year, when he “failed” so badly, LeBron averaged 29-9-8 over the postseason. For his career, his per-game playoff averages are 29-8-7 (with a bunch of blocks and steals thrown in for good measure). Are you fucking kidding me? Does that read like someone who chokes when the games matter more?

I refuse to have Kobe Bryant be a big part of this post, but for comparison’s sake, KB’s career playoff numbers are 26-5-5. The guy some other folks think can take LeBron’s crown, Kevin Durant, has never had a single playoff game as good as LeBron’s average playoff game.

It seems clear to me that the postseason is when the warts of LeBron’s teammates show up the clearest. There’s better pressure on the ball. Shooters get closed out on quicker. Rebounds are chased harder. When the stakes are high and every guy on the floor is playing his hardest, average players can become below-average. And below-average players can become downright useless. And who did LeBron have for teammates in Cleveland? A lot of average and below-average players whose games went down as the intensity went up.

And when LeBron is forced by his teammates’ poor play to not only be by far the best player on the floor (which is always the case), but the only player capable of even being effective (think of Game 6 vs. the Celtics last season), much of his genius is lost to circumstance. You can’t be Magic when your teammates suck. You can be Michael, but LeBron isn’t Michael. At least not in the cold-blooded, no-way-in-hell-are-you-stopping-me-from-scoring sense. (Michael actually didn’t win too much that way either; his greatest successes came when Scottie Pippen had a huge role on the team, too. But you knew Mike could do it if he had to.) Other than that Pistons series in ’07, I can’t think of too many times LeBron showed that ability in the postseason. It’s just not his game. He can score a bunch of buckets, yes, but his game is more complete than that. He is, really, a Magic-Michael hybrid.

Working on this piece took me back a couple years to a LENGTHY inteview Justin Walsh did with me over at BallisLife in August of 2008. Justin asked me about LeBron and I had a lot to say. Here’s a part of it:

“I think LeBron is the best player. I’m not saying he’s perfect, but I’d take him over anyone, personally. I like to think of him as a Magic/Michael hybrid, which has never existed and that’s why to me he’s the best. I don’t know what’s going to come after him, and I guess we have to see what type of teammates he gets with and if he stays motivated, but I think that when his career ends, he will be the best player who has ever played. To me it’s because Magic is arguably the best PG of all time, and LeBron has that size….And you’re right, it’s not fair to compare LeBron to Kobe or Michael, but he can score ALMOST as well as them. I may be getting too carried away, but having a Magic Johnson-Michael Jordan hybrid player, how could he not be the greatest of all time when we are talking about two of the five or six best ever and we have a guy combining the two attributes? There’s a lot of backlash with how much coverage this guy gets. He does sell pretty well when he’s on our cover, but we also get a lot of hate directed at him in letters and in the comments and to me that’s ludicrous…I mean he is 23 years old. This guy, he has almost 11,000 points at 23 years old. That is UNBELIEVABLE. This is unprecedented… I get a little worked up because it’s remarkable what he’s doing.”

Remember, I wrote that two-plus years ago. And I’m not embarrassed by it. The Magic and Michael comparisons are hollow in the title department so far, but LeBron is still only 25, and, finally getting back to this season, he now has the two things I noted that he’d need to reach his potential: good teammates and some motivation.

I think the ability to run with a fellow top-5 talent in Wade and a top-15 talent in Chris Bosh should help LeBron let his inner Magic out in ways NBA watchers have never seen. The regular season should be another orgy of stats, with Bron probably capable of a 25-10-10 year if he got the minutes and really paid attention to his stats.

But it’s the postseason when Wade and Bosh should have their true effect on LeBron, because unlike the guys in Cleveland, DWade and CB will still be able to get theirs, so LeBron and the Heat should be able to take their regular-season play right into the Playoffs, as opposed to the way the 60-win Cav teams handed LeBron the ball and shriveled up in the postseason.

I love this quote from LeBron about who will take the last shot for the Heat in SI‘s NBA Preview story about how Miami will play this season: “It’s about who is going to make the right play. I’ve always been a guy, even when I was in Cleveland, who has made the right play. Sometimes we lost the game, and sometimes we won the game, but I always tried to make the right play. It’s not always about scoring or making the game-winner. It’s about putting your teammates in position to succeed.” Well, for the first time in his eight-year NBA career, LeBron has teammates who are likely to succeed.

Motivation-wise, it’s hard to look at the numbers LeBron put up in Cleveland and say he didn’t go hard every time out, but we know he was pretty spoiled there. He was a hometown hero, worshipped by fans, protected by the press, and looked upon as the savior of a city. He had his haters on SLAMonline, sure, but there wasn’t a long list of people LeBron could come out firing at who had talked shit about him.

Now? He’s basically the NBA’s public enemy number one. Whether he earned some of the hate for the horribly executed “Decision” or not, LeBron has had the chance to listen to people at every spectrum of the game — from Hall of Fame players to renowned reporters to everyday fans — talk about him like he’s the worst thing the League has going for it.

And he knows the best way to shut them all up is to win.

In closing, I want to note that much like an American society where people seem to be taking extreme views and sticking to them — the “left” and “right” seemingly getting further and further apart by the day — our beloved comment section seems to be lacking a sense of, “good point, never thought of that.” It’s more like, the Kobe lovers stick to their guy, the LeBron lovers stick to their guy, and there isn’t a chance in hell that some writer or fellow commenter is going to convince a person their view is wrong.

So while I’d love it if my write up changed a few minds or has some fair-minded fan reconsidering their view of LeBron, I know that isn’t likely. Instead, I’ll just sit back and let LeBron convince you this season.

SLAMonline TOP 50 PLAYERS OVERALL RANK POSITION RANK
Player Team Position 2010 2009 2010 2009
Ray Allen Celtics SG 50 36 10 9
Gilbert Arenas Wizards SG 49 34 9 8
Lamar Odom Lakers PF 48 33 14 10
John Wall Wizards PG 47 NR 13 NR
OJ Mayo Grizzlies SG 46 46 8 12
Al Horford Hawks C 45 NR 6 NR
Jason Kidd Mavs PG 44 45 12 10
Joakim Noah Bulls C 43 NR 5 NR
LaMarcus Aldridge Blazers PF 42 39 13 12
David West Hornets PF 41 31 12 8
Monta Ellis Warriors SG 40 NR 7 NR
Andrew Bogut Bucks C 39 NR 4 NR
Yao Ming Rockets C 38 NR 3 NR
Brandon Jennings Bucks PG 37 NR 11 NR
Zach Randolph Grizzlies PF 36 NR 11 NR
Stephen Curry Warriors PG 35 NR 10 NR
David Lee Warriors PF 34 NR 10 NR
Brook Lopez Nets C 33 NR 2 NR
Gerald Wallace Bobcats SF 32 NR 7 NR
Manu Ginobili Spurs SG 31 29 6 7
Tony Parker Spurs PG 30 15 9 3
Kevin Garnett Celtics PF 29 13 9 3
Rudy Gay Grizzlies SF 28 44 6 9
Josh Smith Hawks PF 27 40 8 13
Andre Iguodala 76ers SG 26 26 5 6
Al Jefferson Jazz PF 25 23 7 7
Russell Westbrook Thunder PG 24 NR 8 NR
Chauncey Billups Nuggets PG 23 19 7 5
Tyreke Evans Kings PG 22 NR 6 NR
Danny Granger Pacers SF 21 21 5 5
Carlos Boozer Bulls PF 20 32 6 9
Paul Pierce Celtics SF 19 17 4 4
Joe Johnson Hawks SG 18 20 4 4
Rajon Rondo Celtics PG 17 27 5 8
Amar’e Stoudemire Knicks PF 16 16 5 6
Steve Nash Suns PG 15 22 4 6
Tim Duncan Spurs PF 14 6 4 1
Chris Bosh Heat PF 13 13 3 4
Derrick Rose Bulls PG 12 18 3 4
Brandon Roy Blazers SG 11 10 3 3
Pau Gasol Lakers PF 10 14 2 5
Dirk Nowiztki Mavs PF 9 9 1 2
Deron Williams Jazz PG 8 11 2 2
Chris Paul Hornets PG 7 4 1 1
Carmelo Anthony Nuggets SF 6 7 3 2
Dwight Howard Magic C 5 5 1 1
Dwyane Wade Heat SG 4 3 2 2
Kevin Durant Thunder SF 3 8 2 3
Kobe Bryant Lakers SG 2 2 1 1
LeBron James Heat SF 1 1 1 1

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’10-11 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jeremy Bauman, Maurice Bobb, Erildas Budraitis, Sean Ceglinsky, Ben Collins, Bryan Crawford, Sandy Dover, Adam Figman, Manny Maduakolam, Eddie Maisonet, Ryne Nelson, Doobie Okon, Ben Osborne, Charles Peach, Branden Peters, Quinn Peterson, David Schnur, Todd Spehr, Kyle Stack, Adam Sweeney, Dennis Tarwood, Tracy Weissenberg, Lang Whitaker, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , ,

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    maybe read your last comment back to yourself callie

  • Quest-4-18

    That’s the beauty of sports. One can argue his case and stand firmly behind it. Sometimes very passionately. The writer makes some valid points. Kobe supporters have a strong case. However, Kobe was not as accomplished as Lebron at age 25. However, Kobe played on a winning team. A true comparison cannot be determined until Lebron puts in 7more seasons. That’s the scary part. As a Celts fan, I recognize that Lebron is barely entering his prime and he is finally surrounded by strong teammates (although there is not much depth). So all of us Celt and Laker fans got realize this. We better get that rubber match we all covet this season cuz this is the last season in which the Heat will not be the favorite. We will then see the emergence of the Heat-Thunder rivalry.

  • Dre

    Callie, maybe you should learn to speak english before you insult me. I was the one telling people they shouldn’t insult you. You need to pump your breaks son. Like I said, you are the one who keeps talking about Kobe is the best because he has rings. That is a stupid argument when considering the best player is not always on the best team. It is what it is about the SUPPORTING cast. Watch what they do without King James. I also think you mean told the Cavs fans. Your mistakes wouldn’t look as bad if you had enough sense not to use caps. All of those experts stated that the team was good but not built for a playoff run. They stated from the beginning that it would be the Magic and Celtics in the eastern conference finals.

    nbk… once again you hit the nail on the head.

  • Dre

    Quest makes some pretty good points.

    Teddy all those people saying Lebron would be Robin are obviously Hating idiots. There is no basketball team in the world that he would play on and be Robin.

  • Dre

    Ihaveadream, unless they were to play one on one there would be no other way to compare them. Also, yes that would be the only real true way to compare them since people are always saying a real player makes his teammates better. We all are just giving our opinion with no real “scientific” way to prove it. I was saying in a perfect world that would be the best way to compare. I totally disagree with you about Lebron’s effect on the Lakers and Kobe’s effect on the Cavs. Lebron could play and greatly improve every team he plays on. As far as perimeter players are concerned most teams either need a play-maker or a scorer, some of the bad teams need both. Kobe is only a scorer and Lebron is both. Any team can use a perimeter play-maker and scorer all rolled in one. While most teams love a perimeter player that can score, if they don’t already have a play-maker they more than likely would skip the scorer to go after the playmaker, because you need someone to get scorers the ball and scoring positions. I said all that to say this, any player that can do both would greatly improve any team. IHaveadream, also stated that because Lebron drives and makes more shots closer to the basket it doesn’t make him a better scorer. Hello my friend… it does.. it makes him a better and more efficient scorer, especially because he shoots a higher percentage. The very basic and technical aspects of basketball is to take and make the higher percentage shots when they are available. Lebron does not take the shots the defense gives him on the court. He takes what he wants because no one person can do anything about it. Barring a need for a last second 3 if you ask Kobe if he has a chance to go all the way to the basket and score or shoot a 3 pointer, which is the smarter play? I guarantee you he would say go to the basket.

    AllenP, LOl… u knocked it out of the park.

  • Double A

    For any idiot who defines rings as how good a player is i would like to say this. Brian Scalabrini on the celtics owns a ring does that make him better than kevin durant and lebron james? Basketball is a team sport and you need a cast of players around you to win. Michael had pippen, kobe had shaq(who was the finals mvp 3 times not kobe) and gasol(top 3 center in the league), and the big three in boston. You want to define whose better individually look at the numbers not the rings cuz if you want to use rings to define how good someone is well then scalabrini and well the lakers team masseuse would be ahead of lebron and kevin durant.

  • Josh

    Being a fan of Kobe for 10+ years of course I had hoped, but did not see him getting first on this list. However, I also did not see Lebron getting first either. If this is truly based on this year, I think Kevin Durant will probably have the nicest numbers. He will score more points, average more rebounds, shoot better field goal percentage, three point percentage, free throw percentage and he will do it without two other all-stars. Based on the fact that Lebron joined Bosh and Wade his scoring will go down, his rebounds will most likely go down, his assists will probably stay the same and his percentages will most likely stay the same as well. No matter how much people want to think joining allstars will help get easy buckets, I would argue that it will not. Teams will simply focus on both Wade and Lebron, and since this is the NBA where (almost) every team has some talent, it shouldn’t be a problem.
    Again, if this is based on this season, I think the rankings probably should have placed Durant at 1, Kobe at 2 and Lebron at 3. But, thats just my opinion. Thanks Slam, I enjoyed it.

  • Callie

    Josh, I agree 100% with you! Finally someone that has some sense and seems to know something about real basketball.Since stats and percentages proves the better player it’s Kevin Durrant by a long shot!At least that’s what half of these guys think.GREAT JOB!

  • Callie

    Dre, HERE we GO again…First of all, I don’t need your HELP nor did I ask for it… I can defend myself pretty well, but thank you!I actually didn’t insult you, You insulted yourself!If you would’ve read what I said properly, and understood what I said, you wouldn’t be posting replies that didn’t make sense!#1 I said ”RINGS AANNNNNDDD STATS”, and the reason why I use ”CAPS” is so that you can (SEE ANNNNND READ) it properly. Obviously you haven’t been doing a very good job with that!#2 Obviously you missed it again, when I say Cavs I mean ownership…when I say (fans) I guess that’s self-explanatory!Let me know if I need to explain that too.#3, AT THE BEGINNING???? …What did they say at THE BEGINNING of the play-offs??? Maybe you was watching a different league or something. Or maybe I’m just not speaking ENGLISH again!

  • Dre

    You must be a child and I don’t argue with children believe that. You are speaking english but it’s not very good. No, you didn’t ask me to take up for you and I didn’t really take up for you per se as much as I just thought it was the right thing to do and insults were not necessary However, I understand now… I apologize fellas… I see what you mean. It’s obvious you don’t know what you are talking about and that is glaring. Everyone else understands what I am talking about except you. Look guy I am a coach at a really great hs program I played ball and I am a student of the game, I work with all types of coaches from hs, to college, to the NBA in all types of tourneys and clinics. I am always trying to learn more and get better but there is one thing I personally know… and that is I know what I’m talking about when it comes to basketball. I have no time to argue with a child.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Haha frustrating huh Dre?

  • Callie

    I am 33 thank u,but this child seems 2 be on to a good start.The heat looks like another version of the cavs,kobe still look like the best player,durant looks like hes going to take that over shortly.once again the excuse will come.STOP apologizing,and looking for somebody to save u.U started it, now u got no real facts 2 back up your theory.Your not the only hs coach.By saying that coaches r human 2,because u work with collage to the NBA,makes ur opinion right,I dont think so.Have watch the NBA LATELY.I know its early,but so far?

  • Callie

    NBK,still looks like u need a friend

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Your 33 and that is how you present yourself? Haha think of a better lie then that

  • http://www.slamonline.com zog

    kobe 1 durant 2 melo 3 paul 4 lebron 5

  • Double A

    ^lol lebron at 5 go check the the stat sheet and the top 10 list on any site.

  • Dre

    That was a dumb comment about the Heat after one game. That was not the informed comment of any 33 year old I know. They don’t look like the Cavs the way they dismantled the Magic. They beat them like that and they still haven’t gelled yet. Kobe looks mediocre nothing at all to brag about Lebron looks like the second best pg in the league behind Rondo after the Magic game. Yeah coaches are human but what know what to look for in a player, team, and a game. Nbk… yes it is.

  • Dre

    Lebron 5th best? Lol. Now that credibility is totally shot. Everyone knows to ignore everything else to come from him. Lol

  • Juice69

    Man …Kobe fanz are tripping why so upset Kobe has the rings and is one of the best…more over no one is hating Kobe…why can’t any of you haters see that the caliber of teammates that Lebron has compared to Kobe’ is a no brainer…Please tell me you would take Varejo ,Moon,Parker,Jamison,wiliams..and a 37yr old Shaq….over Gasol… Artest..Fischer…Odom..oh and Phil Jackson…Please!…heck the first three titles are because of Shaq…..MVP of all the Finals…yall need to keep it real..give credit where its due ….when Shaq left what did Kobe get..noting but pts ..out the first round in two straight seasons didnt make the playoffs the third season…Kobe is a great player and i appreciate his talent…and i like watching him play…But all factors considered Lebron is the best all-around player in the league…Lebron plays the game differently…and i appreciate his talent…and i am excited about Durants development…there is no need for vulgarity..its a sport..people…if you say the writer is sucking lebrons d-ick…then you are sucking Kobe’s d-ick….and because he has rings we are all supposed to suck Kobe’s d-ick…whatever!…Fastest to 11,000pts at 23…incredible…when it was Kobe it was cool thought right….stop it..thid dude is the real deal!!..i can go on but imma chill….tall the best to all the great players in the NBA…i know i will be watching!

  • Callie

    It may be a dumb comment to you, but I say this in the beginning because unlike some people… When they get knocked out in the first or second round,I can say I told you so. It’s funny when Miami played a credible team, and won you post a comment. Let’s see if your going to keep that up when they separate the MEN from the BOYS in the play-offs. Mediocre Kobe looks better than MOST players at their BEST! For a player coming off knee surgery, and looks that good being mediocre is scary when he gets 100%! But that’s just KOBE! Obviously you don’t know what to look like in a player or team. Because if you are a Lebron James fan you are 0-7, and about to be 0-8… You say you know what to look for in a player, but Lebron doesn’t have the ”IT” factor… Good player, not Great! And please if you want me to i can EXPLAIN to you what the IT factor is!

  • Callie

    My bad, i meant (Look for in a player)

  • http://twitter.com/MikeBreezyLHDC mikeb0389

    that was jus turrible[charles barkley voice] lol..all jokes aside, there is no way you can say the top 50 players and not have kobe #1. do you lebron fans wonder why the only “game winning shot” the show of him is that one 3-pointer on orlando? its because its the only one he has!! dnt give me that crap about the layup vs the wizards, who do u want with the game on the line? game 7, in which kobe had a bad game, he still had a GAME HIGH 23 pts and 15 board, yes more than any celtic. & if bynum was healthy in 08 we woulda already had a three-peat. bottom line, lebron is the best ATHLETE, but not skilled player.HE BARRELS DOWN THE LANE WITH HIS HEAD DOWN LIKE SONIC RUNNING! IF GUYS WERENT SCARED TO TAKE 3-4 CONSECUTIVE CHARGES ON HIM A GAME, HE WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE OFFENSIVELY!!! THINK ABOUT THAT! kobe proved that he is, even with a broken finger.

  • Dre

    Dude, there u go again everyone with a brain knows Lebron had a worse team. Kobe would have maybe gotten the Cavs to the 7th spot in the playoffs. Lebron has the “IT” factor… like everyone said last year. If Lebron has a bad game or doesn’t play the Lakers still have enough talent to win… example when he sat out last year. If Lebron sat out the Cavs stand no chance because he did so much for that team. That team can’t sniff the playoffs without Lebron… so yes he has the “IT” factor big time. Also, contrary to what most believe Lebron lead the league in clutch performances last year. See they are not kids and they are smart enough to know that hitting a last second shot is not all that makes a player clutch. As you might have already seen they use the player that takes over with in the last 5 mins of a game with his team being between down by 5 or up by 5 in that time span. See they like me are not giddy little kids and they understand everything that makes a player clutch.

    http://www.82games.com/0910/CSORT11.HTM

    “IT” Factor

  • Dre

    mikeb0839… just beause he is bigger and stronger than everyone and has more and1 plays then any player don’t hate. Unless a 3 is needed u always go for the higher percentage shot. If they can’t stop u from getting to the basket… why shoot a jumper? Even though his jumper has gotten much better. See… above post on clutch and don’t get all giddy and kiddy about buzzer beater. A real clutch player doesn’t put his team in that many last second shots. All though the supporting cast has everything to do with that.

  • Callie

    OMG u just dont get it.The it factor is a player,who does anything in his power 2 WIN,his shot might be off,he plays defense,rebound the ball,anything that would impact the win.Jordan had it,Kobe has it,Lebron, nope sorry.Even if u lose the game,u know u left it on the court.The will to WIN.Its not my elbow(excuse),my teammates (excuse),I need super stars (excuse),stats doesn’t shows this,when the moment arrives,these players(JORDAN,KOBE)excepts and delivers more than not.Your lost up creek a without a paddle.Do u actually read what write,hitting the last shot isnt all that makes u clutch? huh? define clutch in Basketball terms,o let me guess because Lebron cant do it,thats why u said that. REGARDLESS of what excuses u try 2 come up with,(NOT FACTS)hes not (CLUTCH),doesnt have the (IT FACTOR)and the last time i checked he chocked in the play offs,a king with out jewelry is not a king,self proclaim,premature thats what that is.HAVE U SEEN MEDIOCRE KOBE.THE BEST HUH,I KNOW!!

  • Dre

    Hey u don’t get it kid… I just refuse to believe that anyone 33 years old acts and talks like this. I never said Kobe didn’t have the “IT” factor. Kobe is great and he definitely does have that factor. My point is this, he is not the best anymore. I am smart enough to know that the best player is not always on the best team. My last point is this… Lebron is the best player in the world… PERIOD!

  • Dre

    U r truly simple… all I have given u r facts. Yeah.. this is a kid on the computer. Get back to class man before u get in trouble.

  • Dre

    He is the King of basketball son period. The thing is when u live in a kingdom even the property u own is owned by the King. Once again being smart enough to know that the best player is not on the best team. Many considered Kobe the best when Shaq left and they were getting booted out of the playoffs after Shaq left. Like I stated it is because he didn’t have a good team… it didn’t stop him from being the best. If you say it’s because he had 3 rings… Shaq was the MVP and the man of all 3. I had not argument with Kobe being the best at that time because he was. He was until about 2 years ago… the things Lebron can do on the court can’t be duplicated… I saw the light and had to be honest with myself. That whole will to win thing is a big factor but you can have the biggest will to win in the world and I bet you, you will not win every game. So it only counts to a certain degree if you don’t have the right team. I also believe that being clutch has everything to do with the will to win. That’s why Lebron was considered to by the NBA to be the #1 clutch player. Lebron is the best… sorry.

  • Dre

    Oh… I’m sorry you asked me to define clutch. Since you believe that hitting a last second shot is all that makes you clutch let me tell you what clutch is. It is just like the NBA defined it. Being clutch is knowing when your team needs to step up and take over the game. It is when you are down leading your team from behind to take the victory. It is when you are up in the latter stages of the game, doing what ever it takes to seal the victory for your team. It is using your game not to let your team lose. It is trying to keep your team from needing a last second shot to win. Last but not least, it is also knocking the last second shot down when it is necessary over finding the right player to knock it down. See I put your last second shot thing in there. LOL! Kids these days.

  • Dre

    Oh yeah… kid the thing about excuses if you are smart enough to know is… an excuse can be the truth. If your silly @$$ breaks down on the highway on you way to work (yeah right)and you are 5 minutes late. Your excuse is that you broke down… would that not be true? The thing is.. what you do to overcome it the next time it crops up or to keep it from croping up again.

  • Callie

    Here we go u just dont get it,u dont,u have blinders on,do u even look at the games?I dont know if i can put this any simpler for u to understand.Last year in the regular season he was the best player,only because kobe was (HURT).The regular season is for pacing yourself for the play off.(THE PLAY OFF IS WHATS ITS ABOUT).U cant win there,or at lease repeat what u did in the regular season?What does that tell u??? The play off is where your weaknesses are reveal,and if it is big enough,you get (EXPOSE).Just like he got 2 years and counting.Doesn’t have a consistent jump shot,Doesnt have a good enough low post game,(CANT PLAY WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET).Cant hit the shot when it realy counts,(THATS WHY HE PASSES IT UP,BECAUSE HE DOESNT WANT THE BLAME,BUT HE WANTS THE GLORY THOUGH).Cant play off the ball well(NEEDS THE BALL IN HIS HANDS TO BE EFFECTIVE). Cant hit the free throw at critical times in the game. I could on and on but,people like u have blinkers on and will make (EXCUSES)for why he cant do these things,maybe his teammates cant space the floor good enough,or the players aren’t good enough around him,(YOUR FAVORITE ONE),or he needs super stars,not one but two.Its funny when he doesnt win this year what would be your (EXCUSE)then,let me guess its there first year,O I got a better one they dont have a super star center.Lame, but your smart enough to know,that.I can only hope that u know that the(EXCUSE) u posted has nothing to do with basketball terms,(broken finger,bad knee,sprain ankle),KOBE,JUST WIN,BABY WIN.5 and counting,no (EXCUSE)here.I feel sorry for people like u, cant real talent and skills if it jumped up and bit u!!

  • Dre

    Pitiful… quite pitiful. Well we all know the saying about arguing with a fool, so I will leave this kid to the computer and his delusions cause he is just too young or too young minded to understand. Poor guy.

  • Dre

    Pitiful… quite pitiful. Well we all know the saying about arguing with a fool, so I will leave this kid to the computer and his delusions cause he is just too young or too young minded to understand. Poor guy.

    LMAO! I just refuse to believe his is 33 nbk. I would have to see him to believe it. LOL!!

  • Callie

    It’s funny when people claim that they are so called ”SMART PEOPLE” -But have no facts as to what their even talking about! It’s like they talk to hear themselves talk, and don’t even recognize how dumb they sound! Anyway score 1 for me, and score 0 for you! One more thing, why do you keep pleading for help?? Can’t stand on your own two feet? Maybe he can put your pants on for you! I guess we know who wears the pants in that family… I’m debating with a person who doesn’t even have a clue as to what he is talking about! You must be a really good coach

  • Dre

    He is not 33… maybe 13… this dumb kid thinks I need help for him. He thinks he won. LMAO!!! There are Kobe fans up here who think Lebron is the best player. If he wasn’t so pathetic he would be funny. Poor little guy. I feel so sorry for him… he just doesn’t know any better…. almost enough to bring me to tears (almost). Here is some advise son… go to bed you got school tomorrow. Also, stay out of grown folks conversation when they are talking.

  • Jay Reyes

    What’s the basis again for this TOP 50? Lolz!

  • Callie

    just like I figure,(NO FACTS),A lot of nothing.The question is whos the child? Have u read your post lately? Sounds more like a baby crying to me.Sounds more like a person beaten, and his last effect,is 2 insult the person,because he has nothing really to answer back with.But u ran into the right one.I guess I hit him to hard with all those (FACTS).LOL

  • Dre

    He really can’t bet that simple. Ok… the joke is over guys… which one of you is Callie for real. I mean guys for real… you got me going for a while but no one is this stupid. Especially since I have done nothing but provide this kid with facts. OK, who is it really? Is it nbk, Ryan? Ryan if this is you… I’m going to kill you bro. Ha, ha, y’all got me. That is just wrong… to have me on the computer trying to have a real discussion with an idiot that one of you made up. I guess… it’s like talking to a ventriloquist doll or something. Well… u guys let “Callie” ;) know that for me not to know anything about basketball that I got 3 college coaching job offers in the past 2 months. I’m going to get either one of you that did this. LOL!!!

  • Dre

    I would have never figured it out if it wasn’t for two reason. First, you had “Callie” to say that he was 33. Secondly, the conversation he was presenting was so emotion driven and a severe lacking of logic, forethought or comprehension. Those 2 things combined let me know that this was a bad joke. LOL! Good one!

  • KB24-BlackMambaIsNumber1

    Lebronze at Number 1? Hahaha. What a joke.

  • Callie

    Hey Lebron fans have you been watching the games lately? Best player what a joke ! Maybe he needs a super star center. See if some people who claim they know alot about basketball would have been seen this coming, but like i said I told you soo ! Still to early for an educated guess huh? Stay tuned !

  • L4k3RS

    I would disagree with the writer that LeBJ is the best player in the NBA right now. Stat lines look great in the regular season. But right now LeBJ is with serious star power and they are floating above .500. We are starting to hear quotes from this self-appointed king about how the game is not fun right now. The only good news is that we get to watch him crash and burn. He has no excuses now that he took his talents to South Beach.

    And as for the argument that his stats are monsterous, but that he had no help from his former team you gotta think…well that would tend to inflate your numbers if you are the centerpiece of your offense and things like Rebounds happen a lot easier for LeBJ when he bricks those outside shots.

    As for game winners and the couple that LeBJ has…Kobe got more in one season than most players will ever see. Being clutch, having Basketball IQ, winning rings even when your shot is not falling but hustling on every play to get 15 rebounds is what makes a great player. A true MVP. Stats are hollow when you consistantly get booted from the playoffs.

  • Callie

    What a pitiful case ! First, he didnt have the team to win it all, then he didn’t have the players, now it’s the coach and his offence with two other supestars ? Lmao what a joke, Is this real ? The blame goes everywhere but on him. Duhh it’s your fault, your just not good enough. He’s not a Jordan, not a Kobe , he’s not the best player; and never will be as long as Kobe is in the Leaque. All he is, is a Over Hype Money Marketing Machine. Stay Tuned ! Told you so !

  • jijiji

    Media Hype = no1

  • David

    lebron who?
    …

    4 – 0
    nba finals.. i think i remember who he is…

    Manu Ginobili #1

  • mack daddy

    russ westbrook @ 8th best PG? come on man. Behind Reke & Chauncey?! BE. FOR. REAL.

    Dude’s puttin up numbers like Durant is. Gotta get Russ higher than 8. 5??? Behind Rondo, DWill, DRose & CP3? Yes, in that order too.

  • Nitzski

    This list is bad on so many levels…you can make the argument about Lebron-Kobe being 1-2 either way…but to have Amar’e Stoudemire as 16th behind guys like Chris Bosh,Brandon Roy?!?!?!, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, and Carmelo…Amare is top 10 without a doubt and probably higher than that.

    To have Westbrook as the 8th best PG is laughable and basically ruined any credibility this list may have had. How the hell is Kevin Love not even on the list? Oh and Dwayne Wade isn’t the 4th best player in the league by any means…

    There are so many terrible rankings, i’d be here for hours going through them all. I usually respect you Slam but try again. This list just got rejected…

  • J

    Postseason Averages LeBron’s: 29.3 ppg 8.4 rpg 7.3 apg 1.6 spg 1.0 bpg. 0 rings 1 trip Kobe’s: 25.5 ppg 5.2 rpg 4.8 apg 1.4 spg .7 bpg 5 rings 7 trips Durant’s: 25.0 ppg 7.7 rpg 2.3 apg .5 spg 1.3 bpg 0 rings 0 trips Wade’s: 26.3 ppg 5.3 rpg 6.0 apg 1.6 spg 1.0 bpg 1 ring 1 trip Howard’s: 19.0 ppg 14.2 rpg 1.5 apg .8 spg 2.9 bpg 0 rings 1 trip

  • Tab Brown

    How on this list can you not put Kevin Love? He’s averaging 18 rbs this year alone and is the second person in Nba history to pull a 30-30.I understand his team sucks but give this man some props. Here’s most improved player of the year right here. Also get off of James nuts Kobe has been the better player and still is today.

  • Ignarus

    “…but you knew Mike could do it if he had to.)”

    That was the magic of the MJ hype machine and his bravado. But he DIDN’T do it and he DID have to, at least in his mind, from what we know of him as a ruthless competitor. Maybe you’re trying to sidestep the mindless MJ nostalgics, but MJ put up a record 63 points against a Celtics team that won the game. There’s no way of arguing, Shaq-like, that he made ‘em when they counted. GOAT? Absolutely. But Jordan never won it all without Scottie, who led the bulls to 50+ wins in MJ’s absence.

    GM’s and put together championship teams. No superstar wins a ring by himself. MJ’s claim to fame was that we won without a dominant BIG MAN (which was in comparison to Magic and Bird), not that he won it all by himself.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Advertisement