Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 12:31 pm  |  226 responses

Top 50: Chris Paul, no. 8

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Quinn Peterson / @QwinFNP

It’s amazing, though understandable, how much Americans get caught up in this binary opposition line of thinking. Someone, something must always be better or be the best. There has to be.

More often than not, however, things are just not that simple. Such is the case when it comes to the “best point guard in the League.” But it’s pretty damn tantalizing, to be honest, to compare them all, especially Chris Paul and Deron Williams, and SLAMonline’s Doobie Okon did so eloquently.

Now, my selection is Chris Paul. But having had this argument with countless different cats for the past four or five years, I realize that trying to convince others of the same may simply be a waste of time.

What I can definitively state is that he’s one of the best in the business, no doubt, and will likely go down as one of the best in history.

What makes this debate so difficult is that it’s not quantitative. Stats are only half the story, if that. The rest is a combination of leadership, decision-making and other immeasurable intangibles. Some pundits recognize this. Others don’t.

And while his numbers are stellar, it’s in those auxiliary departments that Chris Paul really stands out.

About a year ago, Kenny Smith gave some great insight about how to determine the Association’s top floor general. Just who that person is, in many ways, is determined by variables of circumstance and surrounding. Depending on what one may be looking for—a scorer, passer, sidekick, etc.—their PG of choice might differ.

On Paul, he said this: “If I want to attract free agents, a guy who [makes guys say], ‘I wanna play with this point guard,’ because even though he’s the best player on the team, he can get us going…that’s Chris Paul.

Chris Paul can be your number one guy, even at the point guard position, without taking 30 shots. He can do it in 15 shots, get you 15 assists, get you 5 steals, and get you wins in the column, have you 4-0 when you should be 1-4.”

All this being said, last season was a crucial one in the Chris Paul saga. Coming off of an injury-laden ‘09-10 campaign, followed by a rumor-riddled summer, in some ways, it was a make or break year for CP.

DWill went hard the previous season, averaging 18 per (and stepping it up to 24.3 in the Playoffs), while Paul missed 47 games and his Hornets struggled to 37 wins.

And just as quickly as CP darts by bigs when he comes off the ballscreen, many seemed equally as anxious to write him off—as if he wasn’t just the first player to lead the League in assists and steals in consecutive seasons; as if he hadn’t averaged 22.8 and 21.1 in the two years prior.

There was speculation (which he fueled, in part, to be sure) of him trying to get out of NO and get to NY. But instead of complaining about his situation via the media, threatening to hold-out or taking some other kind of extreme action, he bossed up, put his team first, came out the gate winning 11-12 games and played 80 games. While his points per game dropped to 15.9, his effectiveness was as potent as ever.

Paul, considered by many to be the League’s fiercest competitor, was on a mission and his game reflected it. CP3 wasn’t dead! Much to the contrary, in fact, and actions speak louder than words.

To those who know, though, he never died in the first place. Ask most any player in the League—namely the heavies, LeBron, Kobe, etc.—and I’m sure they’d list Chris Paul as the One they’d most love to play with.

As he showed in the ’10-11 postseason, very few—if any—players (let alone PGs) can dominate a game the way he can, not by brute or force, but using only 12-15 shots, strategically controlling tempo, picking his spots and consistently putting teammates in positions to succeed (and overachieve). Such is how he managed to help the seventh-seeded Hornets steal two wins from the second-seeded Lakers (without David West!).

While some have been blessed with one, two, or even three premier scoring options other than themselves, CP hasn’t been so fortunate. Making the most of his situation, however, he’s willed his teams to victories, and made himself, perhaps, the most valuable player to his team in the League (save maybe, Derrick Rose). Who else do you know that can scrap together 46 wins in the Western Conference and avoid getting swept with West (who tore his ACL), Aaron Gray, Emeka Okafor and Carl Landry as the bigs, and no other perimeter who can create a shot for themselves?

In this rapidly evolving game (and position), Paul is a throwback. Small but savage, he’s concerned first and foremost with making others better and keeping people happy, but still possesses the individual strength to shoulder the load himself if need be.

Does that make him the best PG in the League? If you’re asking me, I’m answering with emphatic yes. But it depends on what you’re looking for, I guess. All we know for sure is that he’s a heck of a player. Maybe that’s enough.

SLAMonline Top 50 Players 2011
Rank Player Team Position Pos. Rank
50 Luol Deng Bulls SF 8
49 Andrew Bogut Bucks C 7
48 Ray Allen Celtics SG 9
47 Marc Gasol Grizzlies C 6
46 David West Hornets PF 15
45 Kevin Martin Rockets SG 8
44 Andrew Bynum Lakers C 5
43 Brandon Jennings Bucks PG 11
42 Lamar Odom Lakers PF 14
41 Gerald Wallace Blazers SF 7
40 Brook Lopez Nets C 4
39 Joakim Noah Bulls C 3
38 Carlos Boozer Bulls PF 13
37 Kevin Garnett Celtics PF 12
36 Eric Gordon Clippers SG 7
35 Tony Parker Spurs PG 10
34 Andre Iguodala 76ers SG 6
33 Al Jefferson Jazz PF 11
32 Al Horford Hawks C 2
31 Stephen Curry Warriors PG 9
30 Tim Duncan Spurs PF 10
29 Josh Smith Hawks PF 9
28 Manu Ginobili Spurs SG 5
27 Tyreke Evans Kings PG 8
26 Rudy Gay Grizzlies SF 6
25 John Wall Wizards PG 7
24 Danny Granger Pacers SF 5
23 Monta Ellis Warriors SG 4
22 Joe Johnson Hawks SG 3
21 Paul Pierce Celtics SF 4
20 Steve Nash Suns PG 6
19 Zach Randolph Grizzlies PF 8
18 LaMarcus Aldridge Blazers PF 7
17 Chris Bosh Heat PF 6
16 Kevin Love TWolves PF 5
15 Rajon Rondo Celtics PG 5
14 Blake Griffin Clippers PF 4
13 Pau Gasol Lakers PF 3
12 Russell Westbrook Thunder PG 4
11 Amar’e Stoudemire Knicks PF 2
10 Deron Williams Nets PG 3
9 Carmelo Anthony Knicks SF 3
8 Chris Paul Hornets PG 2

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’11-12 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Maurice Bobb, Shannon Booher, David Cassilo, Bryan Crawford, Sandy Dover, Adam Figman, Jon Jaques, Eldon Khorshidi, Ryne Nelson, Doobie Okon, Ben Osborne, Quinn Peterson, Dave Schnur, Abe Schwadron, Dan Shapiro, Irv Soonachan, Todd Spehr, Tzvi Twersky, Yaron Weitzman, DeMarco Williams and Ben York.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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  • Kadavour Posted: Oct.21 at 12:36 pm
    Rose is a better basketball player than Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Carmelo? REALLY?! i must have misunderstood the criteria for these rankings. is it based on skill, talent, ability? or is it last season’s accomplishments? if it’s accomplishments, i dig that. but otherwise, you can’t tell me that AI-Lite is a better basketball player than 8,9, and 10.

  • lucialanlan Posted: Oct.21 at 12:37 pm
    lol…
    CP3′s indeed better than anyother PG in the LG !

  • rainman10 Posted: Oct.21 at 12:45 pm
    Kadavour: if you can read, the list is based solely on projected 2011-2012 performance. That’s assuming there is a season.

  • Shecky Shabazz Posted: Oct.21 at 12:46 pm
    Um….so D. Rose is higher than Chris Paul, which will then make him the best PG in the L? Okay then…

  • Red Posted: Oct.21 at 12:49 pm
    Yep sounds right, D.Rose is a beast.

  • Kadavour Posted: Oct.21 at 12:50 pm
    good write up. Kenny’s argument about what makes Chris the best PG in the league works for D Will too, and no one else. Those two are in a class of their own. Rose and Westbrook (AI Lite I and II) have no place in this discussion. Imagine how much better Kevin Durant’s quick trigger would serve his team if he could run off screens and COUNT on an on-point pass to be delivered to him at the perfect moment. Neither Westbrook nor Rose could adequately shoulder that burden. JKidd, Nash, CP3, DWill, Rondo and some other lesser names could do it though. Then task that PG with involving guys with great hands and a great midrange game like Boozer or KG or Dirk or LA or David West to work the pick and roll/pop for some easy buckets. Those guys wouldn’t count on Rose or Westbrook to deliver those passes. Then you ask that PG to control the tempo, slow things down, keep the ball moving and eventually feed the big in the post. C’mon man, there are SO many things Rose and Westbrook can’t do that it’s absurd. I cannot understand how they’re ranked so high on the list when they’re so incomplete, ESPECIALLY at their position.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:01 pm
    Oh hell no. Somebody, please destroy this thread.

  • T-Ray Posted: Oct.21 at 1:02 pm
    I’m sorry I don’t see D Rose being the best PG. I was a big supporter of his last season and I am in no way a Rose hater. BUT to me Paul is the true sense of a PG and creates for others more so than Rose. Sometimes I feel Rose just thinks score first too much but hey this isn’t a bad spot for Paul I guess.

  • Brandon Posted: Oct.21 at 1:03 pm
    First off Kadavour, the slam rankings states “The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.” Everyone was saying the exact same thing last year when Rose was ranked 12 and we all see how that went. It’s not absurd that Rose is ranked higher than Chris Paul based on 2011-2012 projections. Chris Paul is a better point guard, but I believe Derrick Rose is a better basketball player in my humble opinion. He puts fear in a defenders heart, not saying that Chris Paul does not, but he has an explosion that Chris Paul athletically just does not have. All superstar players have certain traits about their games that make them great. They just do it in a variety of ways. Chris Paul is a maestro with the ball in his hands. He handles it like a well ran symphony. Derrick Rose is like a lion in the jungle. He is aggressive and fierce in the way he attacks defenses. I love them both, but lets not try to say its a travesty if one is higher than the other. Its just like which peanut butter do you prefer smooth or creamy. I’m just trying to put this in its proper prospective, but carry on.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 1:04 pm
    i can’t say im surprised, or agree

  • nate Posted: Oct.21 at 1:06 pm
    Reason why d.rose is so high on the list because his impact on the floor at all-time is just crazy he puts fear in people I agree his shot selection is shaky but he does whatever to win and that’s all people should care about is winning . I think chris is the best pg in LG but he’s not a better player than rose #JustSaying

  • Brandon Posted: Oct.21 at 1:08 pm
    I meant to say crunchy or creamy, but you get the point. Also, please stop saying Derrick Rose is AI lite. You are knocking a player that is going into his 4th year against a sure fire hall of famer. He is Derrick Rose and does great things for the Bulls franchise.

  • add Posted: Oct.21 at 1:08 pm
    this a good rank for cp3, the espn rankings are just terrible

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:13 pm
    Ok, let’s look at the players above CP. LeBron, Dwight, Wade, Kobe, Rose, Durant, Dirk. Chris Paul deserves to be above a good number of those guys. Efficiency simply isn’t valued in the league anymore; scoring is far more important to a lot of people. Maybe I’m just an old-school cat but a point guard with almost a 5:1 assist:turnover ratio who also leads the league in steals should have a better projected next season than someone who barely beat a 2:1 assist:turnover ratio. There’s plenty of other arguments, but Chris Paul deserves to be around #4 or 5. Not 8. That’s insulting and just reveals Slam’s bias towards young players.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 1:18 pm
    Chris Paul plays on the worst team in the league. Dwight Howard plays on the 2nd worst team in the league. Both players made those teams look like they are legitimate playoff teams.

  • Harlem_World Posted: Oct.21 at 1:18 pm
    Best PG in the league – if you know what that position really means. CP3 is a Boss. No question.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:22 pm
    Cosign nbk and Harlem_World. Let’s not make this a Rose v Paul debate but CP should at least be ahead of Dirk and Durant. Attack me now if you wish.

  • LA Huey Posted: Oct.21 at 1:25 pm
    Not knocking on Rose because dude is amazing and easily a top 10 player in this league but he is not better than Paul.

  • Rainman Posted: Oct.21 at 1:27 pm
    CP3 is the Best Pg in the League…

  • brad Posted: Oct.21 at 1:36 pm
    so no disrespect to cp3 but this has to be a f**kin joke, best pg in the league?? why what if he was on chicago theyd suck, what if he was on ny instead of melo, they still wouldnt make it out of the first round. Put any value you want on chris paul I dont really care, great stats but it dosent matter hell never win because he does not play the right way. He holds the ball for too long, is too flashy, dosent always make the smart pass and most of all dribbles the hell of out the ball, last time i checked you have to get past the first round to be considered top 10. THe more and more I read you SLAM the more discusted I am with the ***sucking I see you doing toward guys who cant win like CP3. You guys are wanna be political this is the most retarded list ive seen from you guys ever. I need to go read dime because this is a joke, seriously a joke.

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 1:39 pm
    for one there are 2 players in the league that get doubled and tripled team every game all the time. thats d.rose and dwight howard. 2ndly i loveeeeee cp3 but he HAS WON 1 PLAYOFF SERIES. any other superstar player would get killed for that! d.rose 3 years never missed playoffs, 3rd year get mvp and east conf finals. cp3 the truth and i love him, but its d.rose man

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 1:39 pm
    Oh sh*t.
    I thought for sure this year there wouldn’t be much anit-Rose sentiment whenever his post came up.
    But ranking him the best PG in the game would warrant more of the same this year.
    I think he’ll get there, but I think it’s still premature to put him there just yet.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:40 pm
    Brad: You sir, are a moron. Please refrain from commenting on this site. Chris Paul plays point guard the way it was meant to be played. Sorry he doesn’t go out looking to score ever possession. That’s Kevin Martin/Monta Ellis status. Paul orchestrates a team. But go ahead, I’ll bet you think Westbrook is better than Deron too.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:42 pm
    Yeah Enig, I don’t think it’s so much a backlash against Rose, just more that Paul isn’t the best ranked PG in the league. Honestly, don’t you think 8 is too low for him too?

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:43 pm
    Yeah Enig, I don’t think it’s so much a backlash against Rose, just more that Paul isn’t the best ranked PG in the league. Honestly, don’t you think 8 is too low for him as well?

  • LA Huey Posted: Oct.21 at 1:44 pm
    1. People often confuse a lion’s habitat with that of a tiger. Lions hang out on the savannah.
    2. Calling him “AI Lite” is a knock against Rose.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 1:46 pm
    My bad on the double post. Stupid iPhone, if only Slam had an app…

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 1:51 pm
    There’s no way the Hornets are worse than the Raptors or Wolves.
    Even without Chris Paul.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 1:59 pm
    BTW Quinn, props for this piece and the piece on my dude Brandon Young.

  • greg Posted: Oct.21 at 2:00 pm
    yes they are worse than the raptors id take okafor, west, ariza jarrett jack, belinilli, and carl landry over calderon bargnani and derozan and sonny weems any day of the week. the wolves
    pg luke
    sg Johnson, derrick williams>belinilli
    sfb beasly>ariza
    pf love>west
    C okafor> darko u sure about that enig?
    if they had monty williams and chris paul thats a legit team

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 2:04 pm
    Enigmatic, actually they are right there with those teams. Have you seen the hornets when CP’s on the bench or injured?

  • don Posted: Oct.21 at 2:06 pm
    i bet d.rose would rank #4 or #5.

  • greg Posted: Oct.21 at 2:06 pm
    one thing i noticed about the bulls last season. Rose had brewer, korver, and boozer, all guys who played with deron williams, they all played worse with rose than they did with utah, derrick rose lets the bulls put four defensive players on the court, but inefficent offensive playmaker

  • argonaut Posted: Oct.21 at 2:07 pm
    paul’s performance against the lakers last post-season was masterful. his distribution of the rock is godly. i like the spot for him here. could have gone a step or two closer to number one, but content enough.

  • argonaut Posted: Oct.21 at 2:10 pm
    @ greg yeah the bulls play ball the way teams in chicago do things. Like the bears they concentrate on D and then run the ball over and over again (rose in the paint if you will).

  • novamike Posted: Oct.21 at 2:15 pm
    When you get to the really elite players like these few guys, ‘better than’ becomes pretty meaningless because it’s so loaded with personal preference and opinion. If you ask whether Chris Paul is better than Chris Duhon, it becomes an obviously stupid question not even worth answering. If you ask whether Paul is better than Deron Williams or Derek Rose, the answer isn’t that clear cut. All three are great players with different strengths and weaknesses. Comparing Paul to Rose is almost apples and oranges, though. Paul is a pure pg in the classic sense. He’s a floor general. Rose is more a combo guard, a guy who can dish the ball when he has to, but is mainly an awesome scoring threat. Any team in the league would gladly take either, and either would add ten wins to almost any team’s total over the course of a season; they’d just do it in different ways. Personally, I’m a big Rose fan. He’s almost a poor man’s Oscar Robertson, and he is still several years from reaching his peak if he stays healthy. With CP3, what you see now is pretty much what you’ll get from here on. And that is not meant as a slight in any way. I’d love to see him on the Knicks.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 2:20 pm
    greg, you just said they are worse than the Raptors, then went on to say how you’re take the Hornets’ players over the Raptors’.
    Huh?
    Also, Brewer was coming off a hamstring injury, Korver’s and Boozer’s stats were about the same as they were with Utah, so not seeing how they “played worse with Rose”.
    JTaylor – I mean, David West and Emeka Okafor would each instantly become the best player on the Raptors. Ariza would be up there.
    The Wolves I suppose do have talent though.

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 2:24 pm
    for one dwill last game in utah was against who? and what happen? exactly. then he went to the nets and nothing much better happen

  • King David Posted: Oct.21 at 2:25 pm
    CP3!!!!!
    with that being said, Steve Nash is the best PG in the league

  • niQ Posted: Oct.21 at 2:32 pm
    I still think CP3 is currently the best PG in the league. But man, now that the injury is over, he needs to get back to his 20-10 self.

  • spit hot fiyah Posted: Oct.21 at 2:38 pm
    co sign niQ. he needs to show us he can get back to level he was at a couple of years ago

  • GP23 Posted: Oct.21 at 2:49 pm
    Nash and CP3 are the best ‘pure’ point guards in the league…. I love Rose, but I see him more of shooting guard, like Allen Iverson was.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 2:52 pm
    Rose has never, ever played shooting guard in his life.
    Ever.
    There’s a huge difference between a scorint point guard and a shooting guard or combo guard.

  • niQ Posted: Oct.21 at 2:53 pm
    @fiyah. For real! Look at that 2009 rank, CP3 was #4!

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 2:54 pm
    *scoring.
    Bob Cousy was a scoring point guard.
    Averaged 18 field goal attempts per game for his career.
    No one would ever dare call him a shooting guard.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:00 pm
    Yeah cosign those that said Toronto is the least talented team in the league. My fault, overlooked them.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 3:04 pm
    Enigmatic, the Hornets without CP maybe be more talented than the Raps but I doubt those guy would win more than 25gms without CP.

  • Tom Posted: Oct.21 at 3:04 pm
    7. Dwight Howard
    6. Kobe Bryant
    5. Dwyane Wade
    4. Derrick Rose
    3. Dirk Nowitski
    2. Kevin Durant
    1. LeBron James

  • GP23 Posted: Oct.21 at 3:06 pm
    @Enigmatic… well in that case, Rose and CP3 are the two best point guards in a league without question. Steve Nash is just behind them though.

  • Q Posted: Oct.21 at 3:07 pm
    Thanks, Enigmatic. Preciate the support my man!

  • KJackson Posted: Oct.21 at 3:07 pm
    This isnt a best pure point guard rankings!! this is the top 50 overall player rankings. Rose is my guy. Chris Paul is not a better overall player than Derrick Rose. Its as simple as that. does Chris paul set up his teammates better? yes. But dont act like Rose doesnt set up his teammates at all. Give me a break. Chris Paul absolutely can do what Drose does scoring-wise. Its not even close. Hornets and Bulls are basically the same team. Boozer= D.West, L.Deng= Ariza, Noah= Okafor, Bellinelli= bogans/Korver. But Rose led his team to 62 wins. Im Just saying. And Bulls beat the elite teams in the west at least once. Thunder, Lakers, Spurs, Grizzles, Mavs, Etc.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 3:08 pm
    Tom: Why do you have Dirk higher than Wade, Kobe, and Dwight?

  • KJackson Posted: Oct.21 at 3:09 pm
    **Can Not Do what Drose does scoring wise**

  • KJackson Posted: Oct.21 at 3:10 pm
    * Absolutely can NOT do what DROse does scoring-wise

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 3:13 pm
    KJackson: Rose is a better shooter, finisher, and more athletic. Paul is a better ball handler, passer, rebounder, defender, creator, and facilitator. Rose (debatably) may impact a game more, but don’t pretend he’s a better player. And Boozer is better than West, Deng is much better than Ariza, Noah is much much better than Okafor and Bogans is equal to Marco.

  • Tom Posted: Oct.21 at 3:14 pm
    @Caboose I just generally think that Slam will rank Dirk higher because of all the heroics from the playoffs :/

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:14 pm
    The Hornets and Bulls are not basically the same team. That is so absurd.

  • BAWSE Posted: Oct.21 at 3:14 pm
    I love CP3 and agree with all arguments for him BUT i like this position! Rose overall is More forecful of a PLAYER. This isnt who is the best PURE PG but top 50 PLAYERS like @KJackson points out. I agree with this. We cant always debate things. @GP23 you are crazy. Steve Nash isnt behind them. Dwill and Rondo are better RIGHT NOW. Steve Nash cant keep up with them on his best nights now. Just the truth.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Oct.21 at 3:16 pm
    CP3 is the best PURE pg in the league. i can’t argue with the ranking though; It isn’t like DRose isn’t coming off of an MVP season, and he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:16 pm
    Paul is also a much better shooter Caboose. Spaces the floor much better. He also controls the pace better. — Rose is more aggressive, and for a longer period as well, which is the only reason I can understand putting Rose above Paul. Because he is going 100% at your throat for the whole game. But skill wise, he isn’t better then Paul at anything.

  • KJackson Posted: Oct.21 at 3:17 pm
    1. Dwyane Wade
    2. Kobe Bryant
    3. Lebron James
    4. Dwight Howard
    5. Dirk Nowitzki
    6. Kevin Durant
    7. Derrick Rose

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 3:20 pm
    You do know that CP avg. 23ppg on 16 shots not too long ago compared to DRose’s career high of 25ppg on 20 shots. Now, I’m not saying that CP is DRose’s equal when it comes to scoring but the guy has shown the ability to be a 22ppg scorer. He’s a better shooter from 3, mid-range, FT and has one of the best floaters in the L.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Oct.21 at 3:23 pm
    I think nay-sayers of Paul probably haven’t seriously watched him play, or have never really played basketball. I think he’ll get alot more exposure when he comes to NY.

  • Angel of Stern Posted: Oct.21 at 3:25 pm
    oh hell no slam… cp3 is the best point guard in the league.. this is insane… and Kjackson, your either stupid or a hater. If your were neither there would be no reason for you to have lebron 3rd in your rankings.

  • Angel of Stern Posted: Oct.21 at 3:27 pm
    kobe will be 5th i think

  • GP23 Posted: Oct.21 at 3:27 pm
    So because Nash is 36-ish (will have to check that)… that doesn’t mean he can’t keep up with the rest. Rondo can’t shoot to save his life, and he is lucky he has 3 HOFers around him. Steve Nash took the Suns far into the playoffs when Amare was injured. D-Will and Nash? hmmm its a tough one, they both have their own qualities, Nash cant play D to save his life, but amazing on offense. Deron has a good balance of O and D. I would still have Nash, but it is debatable.

  • Angel of Stern Posted: Oct.21 at 3:27 pm
    maybe 6th

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:31 pm
    DWill and Nash is not a tough one. At All.

  • GP23 Posted: Oct.21 at 3:36 pm
    I would have Kobe 2nd… but I doubt he will be ranked there.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:40 pm
    If Slam puts Kevin Durant over Kobe Bryant that will be the biggest fail of this list.

  • Joblo Posted: Oct.21 at 3:47 pm
    Am I the only one who saw d rose destroy every pg in the league last year? No other pg in the league could have carried the bulls the way he did last year, period

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Oct.21 at 3:49 pm
    Yep, he carried Deng, Noah, Boozer, Korver, Gibson etc.

  • Allenp Posted: Oct.21 at 3:50 pm
    I watched when Rose came to New Orleans. He did not “destroy” Chris Paul.
    In the first half, Paul clearly outplayed him. But, in the second half, the Bulls switched up their defense, and gave better help on Paul, and Rose found his scoring groove after his teammates hit some shots.
    Anyway, if people believe Rose is better than Paul, that’s on them. Assuming that other people who do not share this delusion are somehow crazy is going too far though.

  • niQ Posted: Oct.21 at 3:51 pm
    @nbk, would it? I mean, KD technically DID go farther in the playoffs than Kobe. (I’m just playing with you by the way. Don’t take it too seriously)

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 3:55 pm
    Noah, Deng, Gibson, Brewer, Asik, Thomas are all ELITE defenders. New Orleans has (1) “elite” defender, and it’s Emeka Okafor, who would be the 2nd or 3rd best defensive Big on the Bulls. — Add that with the fact that Chicago also has Luol Deng who (despite Slam’s rankings) is the 2nd best player and would be on either team, Chicago also has the better PF, Boozer, who is better then David West, and as I already pointed out, the better Center in Joakim Noah. — Chicago also has better shooters.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 3:57 pm
    Rose did not carry his team last year.
    This wasn’t like AI carrying a team full of scrubs deep into the postseason in his MVP year.
    It was a combination of Rose, a SOLID supporting cast, depth, excellent defense and Thibs.

  • Spaceship Jay Posted: Oct.21 at 3:59 pm
    ^^Just like SP Jay sarcastically stated @ 3:49pm.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:00 pm
    Kobe is still the better defender. He’s clearly the better playmaker. And he’s smarter. The gap isn’t huge between him and Durant, but it’s premature to say Durant is better then Bryant just because of some playoff success. Also, every player in the league says Bryant is the second best or even best player in the league right now. So they can’t be that far off – (and I’m not talking about like 1 or 2 guys, a lot of them have weighed in that Bryant not being in ESPN’s top 5 is absolutely ridiculous, yada yada)

  • brad Posted: Oct.21 at 4:04 pm
    caboose you sir are a cp3 D*ck rider, lol meant to be played why cuz he gets alot of assists, westbrook is clearly not as good as paul, let me ask you something caboose? did your mom have ne kids that lived besides you? cp3 is not better than d williams or d rose in any situation ever, I kno you think you kno a lot about basketball because his stats look soo damn good but all you have to do is look in the W-L to see that Chris Paul is mostly about the numbers, ya hes a great passer and offensive player but to say he could ever lead a team to a championship like a drose, magic johnson or isiah thomas, NO WAY you sir need to learn something baout baseketball I think it is fair to assume that you didnt get off the bench of your hs team

  • Bruno Posted: Oct.21 at 4:05 pm
    tell ‘em nbk …

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:08 pm
    brad “you sir” are ignorant, and it’s safe to assume your just typed with your *sshole

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 4:08 pm
    My top 10 1. LbJ
    2. KB
    3. D-Wade
    4. Howard
    5. Durant
    6. Rose
    7. Dirddk
    8. Cp3
    9. D-Will
    10. Melo Cp3 is a better PG. The best PG actually. Cp3 can get any team into the right play quickly and run a team perfectly. Rose however will drag your team to a win rather than put everyone in the right place to win. Matters of preference and team personnel. I can’t in good conscience choose one over the other without first knowing what team I have.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 4:09 pm
    Did I miss something?
    When did Rose lead a team to a championship?

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:09 pm
    you* — sorry, don’t want to cause a wedgie

  • stayweird38 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:11 pm
    Personally I’d put Melo before Chris Paul.. but yeah Chris is good but come on look what drose did last year by himself… pretty much Boozer blows Deng and Noah helped but yeah isn’t Chris Paul in the same situation like isn’t his team like the Bulls 1 All Star and a bunch of role players….. if chris was as good as drose he would of gone to the west finals or would of won something by now he’s been in the league what ? 3 or 2 more years than derrick rose?? This is Drose 2nd year fools!!! And he’s only getting better! Suck it haters it is what it is… go coach Tibbs!!! And the Bulls!

  • Ivo.L Posted: Oct.21 at 4:12 pm
    this is hard Rose or CP3… well let’s see Paul is a pure point guard, better all around player than Rose he can steal defend and shoots better too… but Rose is a Scoring PG, played pretty well in the playoffs, is a better finisher and a clutch performer… Steve Nash in my opinion is the best PG shooting and passing no defense, but in my opinion i prefer Nash… well for me the best defensive PG in the league is Rondo and my man J-Kidd

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:13 pm
    nbk, you do know that “every player” in the L doesn’t have the time to watch every game, right? I’m not saying that KD’s better than Kobe but those guys on ESPN at least had the right idea placing Kobe 7th based on his age and recent playoff performance. This is not some kind of lifetime achievement award, it’s about who are the best players at this very moment.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:15 pm
    smh

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:21 pm
    Well did I say I think Kobe is the best or 2nd best player in the League? I was just pointing out what the whole league thinks, Kevin Durant himself does’t think he’s top 5, infact he spent all of 2 days ago arguing with some dude about how Kobe is underrated on ESPN. you can click my name and look at his twitter

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:22 pm
    Kevin Durant doesn’t think he, himself is top 5. He thinks Kobe is top 3 I believe is what he said.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:22 pm
    That’s it. That’s your reply; smh. Good, just remind me the next time we are having an argument to respond with a simple WTF!

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.21 at 4:22 pm
    Thanks for the support nbk. Brad is just funny. Cause he thinks that I prefer Paul because his “stats are pretty” when Paul’s stats are actually less than Rose and DWill. Dare I even argue with someone who probably struggles to keep his internal organs functioning?

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:23 pm
    WTF!

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 4:24 pm
    As a Bulls fan, I take offense to these Rose fans saying Rose did this and did that all by himself, and then turn around and call themselves Bulls fans.
    Y’all obviously don’t know sh*t about the Bulls so please just say you’re a Rose fan and stop calling yourself a Bulls fan.
    I love Rose, but no f*cking way he willed them to 62 wins last year all by his lonesome.

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 4:24 pm
    Taylor, I know i’m a slurper and a stan and should just shut up and die and all that good stuff, but i’m curious, if Kobe scored 25+ put up 5 and 5 again, and hit a few game winners and the Lakers are rolling next season then how high would Kobe be on your top players list? Would he still be on the outside of the top 8 for you?

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:25 pm
    @JaredDudley619: I’m surprised that most of you think Kobe’s ranking is fair!!! Kobe 100% is a top 3 NBA player. Yes he’s getting older but also wiser.
    Wed Oct 19 04:58:49 via Echofon
    __________________________________________________________________ @waldorfsfinest: U feel like u top5 tho right? Jus checkin. @KDTrey5: nah

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 4:26 pm
    SMFH!!

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:27 pm
    JTaylor the smh comment was not directed at you, Slam, as you should know, does not do a very good job of getting comments up right away, I was replying to StayWeird, but anyway, we were having an argument? What side were we each on, and what was the conflict over?

  • MLK4Life Posted: Oct.21 at 4:40 pm
    Great article on CP3. We don’t need to compare. It’s really useless to have these discussions because they’re all based on taste and opinion. Being a NC native, I’ve been watching Chris since his senior year in HS. I’d take him before any other PG in the league. If he ends up in New York and Chauncey leaves, he will get that team to play defense. Amare and Melo are great players, but Chris is a different beast. Whether D’Antoni is still coaching or not, Chris will get that team to where they need to be. At that point, we will get to see he and Derrick go head to head more than once or twice a year, hopefully see them in a playoff series. For my money, I’d take Chris before any other player in the league period because of his skills and his competitiveness. My top ten is this:
    1. Wade (Great on both sides of the ball, plays all out for the duration of his time on the floor, never backs down from the moment, finishes games)
    2. Kobe (Still the most skilled offensive player in the game, above average defender, competitiveness is second to none, also never backs down when his team needs him the most)
    3. Durant (Great offensive player, second behind Kobe in that regard, needs to become a better defender/rebounder, great leader)
    4. LeBron (Most talented all around player, still relies on athleticism more than anything else, notoriously shrank when his team needed him in the Finals especially in the fourth quarter)
    5. Chris (In my opinion best PG, best leader of a team, does everything you need him to do to win regardless of who’s on the floor with him, will be better than Isiah Thomas when he’s done with his career whether he has rings or not)
    6. Dwight (Best defender in the league, improving as an offensive player, can’t shoot free throws, whines about fouls too much)
    7. Dirk (Defeated Kobe, Durant and the Big 3 on his way to a Championship, most unique superstar in the league, doesn’t play defense but doesn’t really need to with Tyson Chandler behind him)
    8. Melo (Diverse scorer, not really a leader, doesn’t play defense)
    9. Deron (Second best PG in the league, great leader much in the same mold as Chris, strong, powerful, quicker than most people give him credit for)
    10. Amar’e (Good offensive player, second most athletic big in the league, not a great defender, needs to rebound more)
    Peace Brothers. Let this be a positive debate. This is just a game. These guys are just basketball players. Nothing is set in concrete, all based on how you feel.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:41 pm
    Oooooooooooops, my fault nbk. I was just pointing out that it’s hard to take what NBA players are saying over Kobe’s ranking seriously because I doubt those guys had the time to watch every Laker, Heat, OKC, Dal, NO and ORL game to truly judge who the best players really are. Where do you have Kobe on your list?
    Lakeshow, it all depends on well the Lakers perform in the postseason compared to the Mavs, Thunder, Magic, and Heat because I have the best players on this teams above Kobe. Oh, and CP also.

  • MLK4Life Posted: Oct.21 at 4:43 pm
    *Substitute D-Rose for Amar’e at 10 (Third best PG in the league, only 23, scary offensively, strong, fast, quick, jumps out of the gym, great leader, will get better defensively)

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 4:43 pm
    WTFIGO!!!

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:44 pm
    My list is as follows, 1)LeBron, 2)Howard 3)Wade 4)Bryant 5)Paul 6B)Rose 7A)Durant (Rose & Durant are even IMO), 8)Dirk, 9)DWill, 10)Gasol. (I think I had Melo infront of Gasol on another list, but I would rather have a team built around Pau, so he gets the slight nod)

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:47 pm
    I’m with you on not taking what NBA players say for 100% fact, I just think their opinion should be taken into account when comparing guys that are so close to each other overall (Bryant & Durant) – I also value confidence heavily, and Bryant will probably tell you he’s the best basketball player since the sport was invented, while Durant won’t even say he thinks he’s good enough to be in the top 5.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 4:48 pm
    Soop, I’m with you 100% on Rose/KD, I’m having a hell of a time trying to decide who I would rank above who.

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 4:48 pm
    enig stop the nonsense. i watched nealy every bulls game last year. it was d.rose and MORE d.rose. PGS shouldnt be getting doubled and tripled teamed like that, AND HE STILL BEATS them. deng had a good year. no other player on that team can say they had a good year

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:48 pm
    I like how in some peoples opinions Wade “finishes games” while LeBron “shrinks” — If the Heat lost in the conference finals, but everyone still performed exactly like they had to that point, wtf would all you idiots say then?

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 4:51 pm
    Matic, that has to be the hardest differential in the league to pin point doesn’t it? Last summer (imo) it was Rondo & Nash, now it’s Rose and Durant, but they are both like 22 years old and on a similar upward trajectory. idk if we’ll ever get a definitive answer

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 5:00 pm
    yada – so the likes of Taj, Omer, Thomas, Brewer, Korver and even Bogans didn’t do their thing?
    So Noah and Boozer* didn’t contribute when healthy?
    So it was Rose that had the Bulls either leading or near the top of the league in opponents points per, rebounds, offensive rebounds, and blocks per?
    So it was Rose that changed the whole culture of the team by telling Thibs how to run the team and what system to implement?
    Damn, Rose is good!
    Bet he could end the lockout too all by his damn self!
    _______________________________________________________________________
    *and when not in the playoffs

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 5:03 pm
    I’m with you on confidence being a huge factor. Don’t know why but I think that a lack of self confidence in his shot was the biggest reason why Bron struggled during the Finals. He showed throughout the year and in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that he’s a superb mid-range shooter but he lost confidence in his shot during the Finals after missing a couple of shots. He became less aggressive and stopped looking for his shot which explains why he never took more than 19 shots vs DAL and avg. 15fga.
    I don’t think it was him “being scared of the moment” like the media and fans like to claim but a lose of confidence in his shot at the absolute worst moment.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 5:04 pm
    And yes, Rose was a MAJOR factor the Bulls were so great last year.
    But not the ONLY factor.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 5:04 pm
    *loss*

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 5:09 pm
    CoSign JTaylor, Bron is an above average shooter now for sure. He just lacks confidence some times. When he looks confident he is so much more scary of a player.

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 5:13 pm
    did any of them have a good year??? noah and boozer didnt play half the year. noah was still injured even tho he was playing and wasnt himself. boozer was well, boozer. he’d have a good game and the next 3 be so-so.deng was the only other player that was consistent last year. when the bench came in yes they played good D, but if they scored TWICE you’d be happy!! like i said, it was d.rose and MORE d.rose.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 5:14 pm
    I think LeBron’s confidence took a huge hit at some point in game 2. He shot terribly from deep in that game, had a bunch of turnovers, and a couple failed post-up attempts against Jason Kidd which I really think messed with his head. Unless Jason Terry’s comments are really what got him flustered. — But that’s what we were saying during the Finals, it looked like LeBron had lost his mojo for lack of a better phrase

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 5:14 pm
    not to mention ROSE IS THE ONLY BALLHANDLER on the team. nobody else can make a play!!

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 5:19 pm
    I think someone lacks basic reading skills. Yes, DRose was the bulls offense but the fact remains that the reason why the Bulls were so good last year had mainly to do with their defense (best in the L), rebounding (best in the L), bench (one of the best in the L), coach (best new coach) and supreme home-court advantage (best in the L). Rose won the MVP last season and deservedly so but he wasn’t not the only reason for the Bulls success.

  • EJ Posted: Oct.21 at 5:22 pm
    This is way too low. It’s crazy how Pau’s poor playoff performance affected his spot so much, yet CP3 is this low after a great showing in the playoffs. CP is top 5 easy, Lebron is the only guy who’s definitelly better.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 5:23 pm
    The Bulls offensively were not even in the top half of the league last season. (16th to be exact, if i’m not mistaken) So it’s safe to say Rose did not “carry the team” or would not have carried the team to anything more then a .500 record.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 5:25 pm
    JTaylor laid it out well.
    Though I co-sign your 5:14 comment, yada, the Bulls could really use someone else that can creat for themselves and others.

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 5:28 pm
    “I’ve got to get my mojo back man! Yehh!” (Austin Powers accent)

  • Joblo Posted: Oct.21 at 5:36 pm
    Rose wasn’t the only reason for the bulls success last year, but he was the biggest reason. yeah he may not be the purest pg but he’s something new that the nba has never seen before. And please with the AI comparisons, they aren’t even close to being the same player. On a side note dwyane wade is the best player in the league and also the most overlooked player.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 5:36 pm
    This is how I view the “top 5″ vs “the next 5 (6-10)” – “The next 5″ make decent teams good, or good teams, really good. “The top 5″ make All Teams Good, and good teams, title contenders. I didn’t see the Thunder or Bulls as legitimate title contenders last season, unlike LA, & Mia – That’s not to say “the next 5″ can’t be the best players on championship teams because that is clearly not true (Dirk), the team just has to be more well rounded, and exceptional at (1) thing. For Dallas it was shooting, Boston was Defense & Experience, Detroit before them it was well rounded everything and exceptional team defense

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 5:38 pm
    Name? Austin Danger Powers. Sex? Yes please!

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 5:39 pm
    “Ivannahhumpallot”

  • Megatron Posted: Oct.21 at 5:44 pm
    cosign nbk at 4:48. Its kinda like people forget the first three rounds of the playoffs (mainly chicago series) where Bron carried the Heat and wade struggled mightily.

  • Megatron Posted: Oct.21 at 5:45 pm
    I didnt mean wade stuggled throughout the whole playoffs, I meant he just struggled in the chicago series but lebron played well for all of the first 3 series

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 5:50 pm
    “Robin Swallows. Nickame’s ‘spits’”
    “Well, which one is it baby, spits or swallows?”

  • brock Posted: Oct.21 at 5:53 pm
    I’d take Paul right now, but Rose going forward. The only thing that will prevent wall from reaching Rose’s level is the Wizards horrible management not surrounding wall with quality players that are also high on character. I believe the losses will eventually start to mount for the wizards and affect his attitude, if it hasn’t already.

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 5:55 pm
    “Allow myself to introduce……….. myself.”

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 6:05 pm
    Name: Loc Dog
    Age: 19
    Height: 6 Duece, baby
    Father’s name: I don’t know
    Sex: hell yeah, n*gga
    Salary desired: $3,000,000 *cash*

  • house Posted: Oct.21 at 6:07 pm
    Well DRose is not your prototypical pg, whereas Paul, in my own opinion is. However DRose’s circumstance requires him to do so much more within his team whereas Paul’s role is more traditional, i.e., a pass first type pg. Anyways this list seems to be, at best, contradictory and I don’t agree with a lot of these rankings.

  • yada Posted: Oct.21 at 6:07 pm
    if anybody on this msg board was a GM and traded rose for paul you’d be fired

  • Allenp Posted: Oct.21 at 6:08 pm
    Durant is gangsta on Twitter. Clearly people have been projecting a certain mindset on to him that is not in tune with reality.

  • brock Posted: Oct.21 at 6:10 pm
    Too many people are trying to support their guy by saying how different the two players are, but Rose and Cp3 share similar characteristics in the fact that their will to win would bring them success wherever they played. Great players find ways to adapt to their personnel. When Rose had Salmons, Kirk and BG he shared the rock and allowed them to do their thing, the same with Paul when 2 yrs ago he shouldered more of the scoring load due to a lack of scorer on the team. They both have their faults with Paul at times becoming too passive and not forcing the issue and Rose at times being too aggressive and trying to win the game on his own but at the end of the day that’s what separates them from any other pg’s today, its all about winning

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 6:12 pm
    ha!
    “She got more kids than the Wayans”
    “DAMN!”

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 6:24 pm
    “And that’s what God expects from his sheep, here at the Greater Ebenezer New Revival Tree of Life Institutional Double Rock on the Side of the Road to Jericho Missionary Baptist Church of Zion! and I said Mount Cavalry! Y’all gonna help me!”

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 6:36 pm
    Blasphemous. Rose over Paul. For the sake of Slam credibility, don’t put him in the top 5.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 6:36 pm
    Shut up, MUBWAR.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 6:40 pm
    “don’t ask how come huh or why come the pastor have to have him a nice house, huh! or why come huh pastor gotta have a nice car, huh! Don’t ask, I said don’t ask, I said don’t asssssk no questions, just give the money”

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 6:45 pm
    enigmatic 80% of the commentators on this page agree with me, so why don’t you shut up

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 6:48 pm
    Yep, seems about right to me. Derrick Rose is a better player than Cp3 and had a better season than him last year and will do so again this year. Like I mentioned before, CP# is overrated, see how all these guys are talking about but what has he done that Rose has never done? nothing. He has been out the playoffs just as much as he has been in them. Dont give me the team excuse because if he is truly a top five player he would win more. the guy has never even got to the WCF, deron williams did and D.Rose got to the ECF last season. people give this dude way too much credit for nothing. he gets the lebron treatment from me, until he wins he is overated and Like I said dont bring up the weak team excuse, at least lebron got to the finals with one of the weakest teams ever and concistently got past the first round.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 6:50 pm
    Cp3 can kepp his best pg in league title while Rose is on the verge of winning titles. I should be a poet.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 6:51 pm
    Cp3 can keep his best PG in the league title, while Rose is on the verge of winning titles.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 6:52 pm
    About CP3 being better than Derrick Rose?
    Yeah, I’m in that 80%.
    About Derrick Rose being overrated and sucking and all that sh*t you seriously believe?
    No, I doubt 10% of them agree with you on that.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 6:59 pm
    I agree with pretty much nothing Mubwar or Slick Ric ever say. for the record

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 7:05 pm
    Do we really have to go through this again @NBK,really. Saying his offense was only 16th is not a good argument if you ask me when you consider the fact boozer missed about thirty games and he played next to a 2-guard in bogans who was essentially a liability on offense that no team respected, so they rarely guarded him basically leaving two men on Rose most of the time.Rose was just as critical to the bulls success as any other factor. I see what is going on though, we’re going to give cp3 all this credit and say he carried a mediocre but Rose didnt, it was all the defense, lol and people are going to call me bias. I dont know if you people know this but new orleans were one of the best defensive teams in the league, so the same can be said in regards to cp3.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 7:06 pm
    I feel the same way nbk, in regard to the foolishness you spew.

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 7:07 pm
    let me take a couple more puffs of this gr8 stuff and see if I care

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:08 pm
    Yo, you are not worth arguin with Ric. You don’t watch enough basketball to have this conversation. Your ignorance only frustrates me. Have a good weekend.

  • airs Posted: Oct.21 at 7:08 pm
    Why so much Rose hate?? Rose is a beast!!

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 7:12 pm
    nbk = no basketball knowledge

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 7:13 pm
    If I dont watch it, you dont understand it, what is the purpose of watching something if you dont comprehend it? Rose had a better season than cp3 last season and will do so again. Rose outplayed cp3 all last season, but cp3 had a overrated performance against a team that got demolished in the second round because they didnt play with any heart or defense through the playoffs but I dont watch basketball, gtfoh.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:14 pm
    MUBWAR’s a trip, though.
    Dude LOVES to rip on Rose but has never really explained why, and he loves trying to clown Bulls fans but uhh…dude said himself he was a “lifelong Raptors fan” who jumped ship when Bosh did and is now a “diehard Heatles fan”.
    Nice.
    But I don’t go in too hard on dude cause I’m sure he’s a youngin’ who only started watching NBA in 2003.
    It’s all good, you go head and do you little homie.
    airs, whattup yo?!

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:16 pm
    Damn, Soop!
    He got you there!
    Kid’s only like the 38th commenter to call you that. lol

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:17 pm
    Exhibit A: “he played next to a 2-guard in bogans who was essentially a liability on offense that no team respected, so they rarely guarded him basically leaving two men on Rose most of the time” – Bogans may not be an individual threat, but he hit a 3 a game at 38% shooting from deep. Which is way to good of a % for teams to leave him “unguarded” which you would know, actually you wouldn’t have said most of that comment if you actually knew what you were talking about. This all without sayin, you have to be completely ignorant to even assume an NBA team would double team a PG on the perimeter, any PG. Which you are

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:20 pm
    Haha I’m cryin matic, so distraught I’m gonna have to “leave him alone” lol

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:21 pm
    Teams trapped Rose a lot, but he didn’t get double-teamed

  • BigMvp Posted: Oct.21 at 7:21 pm
    If SLAM doesnt have dwight 2nd on this list something is seriously wrong

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 7:24 pm
    1st im 24(is it still considered a youngin?) still a die hard raptors fan. started watching ball in ’98 not 2003. Support the heat cause I love dynasties, my fav being the showtime Lakers. and finally, im not a rose hater, just don’t understand all the hype around. A great player but not a top 8 players in my book. Anything else Alaska boy?

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:28 pm
    Trapping is wholly different, the whole team is rotating, and the object is to make someone else make a play off the dribble. Not to leave 1 player open to focus on someone more dangerous. It’s not like Rose was being trapped at the top of the key, just in corners/sidelines and off of picks – plus with Korver and Deng Rose got to play 1 on 1 with no help (other then at the rim) a lot.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 7:29 pm
    So im ignorant for saying teams deliberately left bogans open despite the fact he shot 38% from 3. now I know YOU dont watch games because any bulls fan can attest to this. Most teams left that guy wide open for him to shoot the ball because they were more concerned with limiting Roses penetration to the basket.bogans does not have a reputation as a knock down shooter so no team fear letting bogans get as many shots as he wanted, even if he did shoot 38%. yeah, that sounds very ignorant.It is not a double team team, more like a soft double, the guy usaully didnt commit all the way but he was in rose area leaving bogans with enough time to jack up as many shots as he wanted.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:29 pm
    Dynasties?
    They gotta win a few chips to be a dynasty, son!
    You started watching in ’98?
    No wonder you think LeBron is so amazing, you completely missed the Jordan era.
    And you burned me with “Alaska boy”.
    Damn.
    How am I gonna recover from that one?
    Yo, I’ve lived in Mexico, Illinois, Cali, North Calorina, Virginia, Japan AND Alaska so you can go ahead and call me “Worldwide boy”, thank you very much.
    Thinking bout checking out Arizona next…NAHHHHH

  • brock Posted: Oct.21 at 7:31 pm
    @nbk bogans was left open quite often and that hole has to be addressed before the bulls can even think of winning a chip. 38% is a mediocre percentage for someone that gets the looks and limited touches that bogans has.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:32 pm
    You’re both right, in a way.
    Bogans does have a reputation as an outside shooter, actually, but Rose’s penetration often left Bogans wide open to shoot the 3.
    Teams absolutley respected Bogan’s shot, but a Rose layup/dunk is a much higher percentage shot than a Bogans 3.

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 7:34 pm
    i didn’t miss the jordan era, i got them all on tape thanks to my pops.

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 7:35 pm
    now can we stop this foolish back and forth, YOU’RE KILLING MY BUZZ

  • brad Posted: Oct.21 at 7:36 pm
    ya caboose im really having a hard time, tell me why is chris paul the best because he hangs out with lebron and carmelo in the summers, because he plays on a bad team (whos afraid of NO really? what has he ever won, ever? one first round series?? please tell me, a f**kin skills challenge?, What happend with chris paul’s mystery injury when they played the bulls the march? also who won both those games and who had a better games? give me a valid argument other than pure pg and he can dish the rock. U can say d-will got booz n them to play better in Utah, but this is Rose’s first year with those guys and they went to the Eastern Finals. Btw what do you do for a job caboose?

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:37 pm
    Bogans was open once rose got in the paint. R
    That has absolutely nothing to do with being double teamed. Rose is better then every player in the league at getting in the key, and he is pretty good at finding the open man, but he was not being double teamed, he’s a PG who shoots under 45%, he’s not f*ckin Shaq

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 7:40 pm
    No problem, Mubby.
    Props to your pops for passing knowledge, BTW.
    Soop – yeah, that’s the part I left out, that it had nothing to do with being double-teamed.
    Holy sh*t, basketball has a lot of words that could be miscontrused as innuendo.
    Balls, penetration, double-teamed….

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 7:41 pm
    Every wing in the league who plays next to a PG that gets in te paint a lot, is left open a lot. The whole concept of drive & kick (the offense Rose played in in college) is for that too happen.

  • LakeShow Posted: Oct.21 at 7:55 pm
    Enig, seriously when i’m playing 2k it is like i’m listening to the commentors do a play by play of a snuff film.

  • Feez22 Posted: Oct.21 at 7:58 pm
    I guess I need to put my 2 cents in. Chris Paul in my opinion is the better basketball player than rose. Not only the better PG but the better Player offensively and defensively. HOWEVER this is ranked off of last year. Now many of you guys including enigmatic know my preference of Paul over rose. But let’s be real. Paul was spotty last season. ESPECIALLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF GAMES. His efficiency was on point but I must have counted 10-12 games where Chris just disappeared in the second half. Amazingly they won 46 games because I watched maybe 65-70 of em (online and on tv) and literally In the middle of the season you could see Paul losing steam. You guys can go back and look at the box scores but from what I saw Paul just ran out of gas In the second half of Many games. If Paul were 100% this hornet team would have easily won 50-52 games but Pauls efficiency just led em to 46. The difference between Paul and other guys is that when Paul struggles he can mask it with his fundamentals. He has the versatilty to be the primary scorer or primary facilitator while being a playmaker defensively. He did just enough with west to win 46. If Paul can get that meniscus back via experimental surgery Europe style I think he can go bonkers like 08 but y’all have to admit… Last season was not upto his standards. Now his playoff run was amazing but game 6 was not an anomaly. That happened a number of times in season which is why Chris is only #8 here. If we were talking about all around skill I dont know of a player in basketball today including lebron James with more of it. Chris is an above avg shooter from all ranges, above avg passer, above average courtvision, above average defensive playmaking ability, can rebound good for his size and can score with the best of PG’S when healthy not to mention his clutch factor.His performance last yr was just lacking. I have lacked objectivity on these posts but I have to keep it real here. Chris would tell you his season especially the middle portion was lacking. Kinda scary since his efficiency was as high as ever but #8 to me is fair and understandable from last years perspective.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 8:02 pm
    LOL @ LakeShow.
    Feez22 makes a lot of sense.

  • BlackPhantom Posted: Oct.21 at 8:04 pm
    My Top 10
    10)Carmelo Anthony
    9)Deron Williams
    8)Chris Paul
    7)Derrick Rose
    6)Kevin Durant
    5)Kobe Bryant
    4)Dirk Nowitzki
    3)Dwayne Wade
    2)Dwight Howard
    1)LeBron James

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 8:13 pm
    Nice list, BlackPhantom.
    My top ten: 1. Dylan
    2. Dylan
    3. Dylan
    4. Dylan
    5. Dylan
    6. Dylan
    7. Dylan
    8. Dylan
    9. Dylan
    10.Dylan Cause he spit hot fiyah!

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 8:16 pm
    Matic must be bored.

  • MUBWAR Posted: Oct.21 at 8:19 pm
    loooool best season of that diddy show. ahhh the memories.

  • BlackPhantom Posted: Oct.21 at 8:23 pm
    LMAO! Dylan is the realest

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 9:02 pm
    F*ck David Stern and the Owners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 10:23 pm
    yeah whatever NBK, now you just talking bs, D.rose never really had to drive and kick to bogans, because in lament terms: HE WAS WIDE OPEN MOST OF THE TIME DUDE, SO HE DIDNT HAVE TO DRAW A DEFENDER FROM BOGANS.

  • robb Posted: Oct.21 at 10:31 pm
    “Rose is a better basketball player than Chris Paul”.- Kadavour . hahahahahahahahaha. Wrong.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 10:54 pm
    Regardless you ignorant fool, Bogans played 17.8 minutes per game, Was 54th in 3pt % and in no way held Rose back. We all realize the team has a hole at the 2 spot, we all know the team probably won’t win until they fill it, but we also know that it is NOT because Keith Bogans is so terrible that he is left alone on offense. The problem is that the bulls don’t have a guy who can give Rose a rest while he is still on the court, by creating off of te dribble or setting up an offense. If that was your complaint about Bogans then that would have made sense. You could complain about the 22 minutes a game that Brewer plays without having a legitimate jumper, but I’d just point out he only plays 22 minutes and moves very well without the ball, great for a guy off the bench, but for the most part the Bulls have 2 decent to good shooters plain with Rose, Luol Deng, Kyle Korver, and Keith “whether you like it or not” Bogans, who spaced the court well enough last season for Derrick Rose to become the youngest MVP in league history. Your argument doesn’t have a point, you have said things that are blatantly not true, and you just plainly don’t really know what your talking about. If you have a real argument, just try and make sure it makes sense, that’s all Anyone asks.

  • datkid Posted: Oct.21 at 10:56 pm
    in no way shape or form is d.rose better than cp3… and even if rose does add a post game that won’t change next year although fezz22 makes some good points

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.21 at 11:05 pm
    So…..any of y’all interested in starting an online association on 2k12 on PS3???

  • Dr. DL Posted: Oct.21 at 11:12 pm
    The thing is Chris Paul is the only player who, when I watch him play, I genuinely believe that he is able to do whatever he wants on the basketball court at any time. It’s like he is a puppeteer holding strings tied to all nine other guys out there. Unreal. Other PG’s may be better players in the most quantifiable of ways. Rose is a more potent scorer. DWill and even Wall’s measurable athletic virtues would put them above CP3. But Paul is the only one who gives me that feeling I just described, like he has this intangible control over (or maybe just awareness of) everything happening on the floor, and the skills to do whatever he wants anout it. I have no problem with Rose being ranked over Paul on this list. Not sure I agree, but I won’t complain. I will say though that watching Paul play is a uniquely sublime experience.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.21 at 11:25 pm
    STFU NBK, I would slap the hell outta you right now if you was in my presence, you imbecile. All these excuses for cp3 about the hand he was dealt, but Rose played with nothing but spades huh? im done, F you and keep your opinion to yourself about that no winning, overrated, best pg in league guy. ^ this fool talking about watching cp3 is a completely sublime experience, get your corny a** out of here.

  • mugiwara Posted: Oct.21 at 11:33 pm
    all those jazz players that now play for the bulls did play better for the jazz. yes it is partially due to deron williams passing ability, I remember watching the jazz and they always had one of the most fluid offensive team games under coach sloan. however it was frustrating watching boozer roll off screens into perfect space and rose take it at three dudes, he needs to learn to pass better not for the team efficiency but more for his longevity as rose is clearly capable.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.21 at 11:34 pm
    Enigmatic, hells yeah!

  • nbk Posted: Oct.21 at 11:37 pm
    Lol thats what I call a mature non-emotional response.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.22 at 12:23 am
    So far just me and JTaylor?

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.22 at 12:24 am
    @mugiwara – and Jerry Sloan had nothing to do with the Jazz having “one of the most fluid offenses”, I bet?

  • Mackdaddy Posted: Oct.22 at 12:28 am
    @Enigmatic, totally agree about the Bulls (Bulls fans gotta stick together!) being more of a team effort than D.Rose willing them to win every game, that’s why they were so good, they were like a family. Honestly, that’s why the Mavs beat the Heat too. Rose is one of the best leaders in the NBA, in that he can always step up (and always did) when the team needs him. He’s like a f*cking superhero. That’s why he’s higher than CP3. P.S. I ryhme and I rip, I rip and I ryhme!!!

  • nbk Posted: Oct.22 at 12:38 am
    I would but I’m on 360

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.22 at 12:39 am
    This lame, stuck in 2008. get over it, he had his turn.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.22 at 12:53 am
    You can’t even read. 3:16PM should shut u up on that argument. Illiteracy is a mother f*cker

  • Bball fan Posted: Oct.22 at 12:55 am
    Boozer was clearly affected by the missed games. The same left hand that had him regarded as an allstar caliber player failed him in the bulls uni. I remember rose hitting a rolling to the hole boozer early and often only to have him blow the layup in traffic. Rose is a fierce competitor. I don’t blame rose for giving up on boozer’s bum *ss and trying to get it done himself.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.22 at 2:24 am
    Brad: Because Paul is a much better defender, passer, creator, facilitator, shooter. You say yourself nobody is scared of NO. You’re right. Look at the cast around CP3. Nothing. Yet he still gets double digit assists a game. And what has Rose won that Paul hasn’t? I see no rings on either’s fingers. Tell me what Rose is better at than Paul aside from finishing and scoring inside. And a job? It’s no business of yours, but I’m a pre-medical student at the University of California, Berkeley. I hope you know, Brad, not even the biggest Bulls fan here (Enig) agrees with you. And he knows more than you do.

  • Caboose Posted: Oct.22 at 2:26 am
    And Enig, I’d love to, but 360 man. You and JT will have an awesome league though, I’ll bet.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.22 at 2:39 am
    This fool says I cant read, lol. I didnt see your wack a** comment chump. Being a b**ch is a motherF**ker too, right? You should know. This imbecile is irrelevant.

  • quicklikeaf0x Posted: Oct.22 at 2:40 am
    If you truly believe that Rose is a better PG or even basketball player than CP or DWILL… Their is too much emphasis on “scoring” in this league no way Rose deserved MVP or even to be ranked ahead of those 2. You say because the guy has won only 1 playoff series that he is an “inferior” player… Have you seen the franchise and team that he plays for. He literally carries that team, they’ve never been near as good defensively or talented as the top west or east teams and the ONLY reason they’ve ever been where they are is because of CP. Whether or not you think it’s a slight to Rose it isn’t, he’s a phenomenal talent that heavily relies on his athleticism.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.22 at 2:44 am
    ^ lol – relevant? This is a comment section. None of us are relevant, champ.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.22 at 2:48 am
    ….

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.22 at 2:51 am
    All I can say is, glad to see people know their worth.

  • nbk Posted: Oct.22 at 3:07 am
    Ignorance is bliss baby girl.

  • Slick Ric Posted: Oct.22 at 3:24 am
    U would know sissy.

  • Drig Posted: Oct.22 at 3:59 am
    Damn!……..CP3 at 8??? Wait a sec……..is this based on last year’s performance or next year’s? Cause ain’t no way in hell that CP3 gonna perform any less better than KB or Wade. Just hope Dwight comes in at 2. If Dwight’s next, there’s gonna be a mutiny here. If DRose is in top 5, there will be a massacre everywhere lol………no offence to DRose though.

  • Truth Posted: Oct.22 at 8:55 am
    Enigmatic is underrating Rose to prop up the Bulls. Noah missed 35 games and Boozer about 25. D.Rose played with Keith Bogans in the backcourt and 40 year old Kurt Thomas starting a bunch of games. Rose was the Bulls only shot creator. Even Marco Bellineli would be an upgrade as a secondary ball handler as scary as that sounds. People get so caught up in this pure pg vs. Combo stuff. It’s not like Rose is puttin up meager assist numbers he’s still at 8 a game. The crazy thing is Chris Paul averages 11 assist at home yet 9 on the road….a little homecooking? Don’t get me wrong he is a great player especially before the meniscal tear. He’s an overrated on ball defender he gets bullied by the bigger guards and at times he’s to passive see Game 6 vs lakers. Rose has his faults as well but people give Paul so many excuses for a guy who has never really done anything but put up pretty numbers.

  • KJ Posted: Oct.22 at 9:55 am
    Im calling it, Kobe’s gonna be #7.

  • JTaylor21 Posted: Oct.22 at 11:30 am
    It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about pure PGs, dirty PGs or filthy PGs, CP is still the better PG. Rose is a better scorer and finisher but that’s where the buck stops, CP is better everywhere else.

  • indonesia Posted: Oct.22 at 11:48 am
    1. Lebron
    2. Dwight
    3. Wade
    4. Dirk
    5. Kobe
    6. Drose
    7. Durant bet 100 bucks for that

  • Tae Posted: Oct.22 at 11:51 am
    In my book Kobe is still number 1. His drive is unmatched n his skill is still number 1. Y is everyone talkin about Kobe like he’s 40? He aint nothin but 33 n if anything his injuries are holding him back from being 100% not his age. I know he wont be no. 1 on this list but to me he’s no. 1 n that Lebron Kobe debate needs to stop

  • Bball fan Posted: Oct.22 at 11:54 am
    Boozer was clearly affected by the missed games. The same left hand that had him regarded as an allstar caliber player failed him in the bulls uni. I remember rose hitting a rolling to the hole boozer early and often only to have him blow the layup in traffic. Rose is a fierce competitor. I don’t blame rose for giving up on boozer’s bum *ss and trying to get it done himself.

  • Kadavour Posted: Oct.22 at 12:30 pm
    robb: read the whole sentence. and the one after that.

  • Doobie Posted: Oct.22 at 1:21 pm
    good ish quinn. thanks for the shoutout. my pick would be deron, but i would never tell a CP3 guy theyre wrong. hes amazing, and he made me weak in the knees in that lakers series. but i dont know, theres just something about deron. maybe its the fact that hes a linebacker, or he just seems like such a solid leader who could probably turn around any team. i honestly dont know. either way…ive always loved this debate more than lefraud-kobe

  • greg Posted: Oct.22 at 3:23 pm
    doobie you are right this is the most debatable comparison of”whos better?”

  • Cooliodaflykid Posted: Oct.22 at 7:23 pm
    k so look if people are gonna try and put lebron in front of dirk nowitzki at all you are some really HARD drugs. the top 5 are honestly 5. Lebron
    4. Wade
    3. Dirk
    2. Rose
    1. Kobe as much as i hate Lebron he is #5 because he is one of the best players in the world, but still has a lot to learn about completely finishing a season, Wade is #4 because he has all the pieces of a champion caliber player still and has a few years left in his peak performance. Dirk is #3 because he took everyone to school, showed Lebron how to finish of a season the right way. Derrick is a close #2 because he is honestly the most dangerous player in the NBA right now, a combo guard in all reality but hands down virtually un-guardable. Kobe is still the best player in the world, no question has 5 rings under his belt has the killer instinct to continuously keep pressure on every team that comes up against him and his Lakers, he is still the only player that kills people with injuries occurred…this is all my opinion ps. KD should be #7, and Deron Williams should be higher in the rankings then CP3

  • mugiwara Posted: Oct.22 at 9:43 pm
    @enig ‘I remember watching the jazz and they always had one of the most fluid offensive team games under coach sloan.’
    so yes i did think jerry sloan had something to do with it. Bball you are right, rose did initially give it to boozer he had the space but just couldnt get to the hoop. very uncharacteristic of booz imo, i think he will bounce back next season.

  • Feez22 Posted: Oct.22 at 11:39 pm
    btw even though i agree that cp should be #8 on this list doesn’t mean i think he is the 8th best player in the nba. I think he is better than that on a historical scale but last yr was just not up to standards. & to the people who really think the hornets weren’t mediocre well… you are lying to yourselves. As i said, i watched at least 65-70 hornets games this year and i can tell you whole heartedly that this team would have won 23-26 games without paul. & that might be an understatement. Without paul, this team does not go on the early season 10 game winning streak with most those games vs. good teams. Paul was on fire to start the season which helped the team to that 10 game winning streak. Without paul… that streak might switch to a 2-8 record. the team at the beginning of the season also had no jarrett jack (acquired from raptors) and no landry (acq. for the hornets leading scorer at the wing marcus thornton). If you look at who chris was playing with at the end of the season… he had bellinelli and ariza at the wings and west/okafor at the post. Now look at the bulls… i would seriously take bogans/deng over bellinelli/ariza (with bogans/bellinelli they are both some of the worst starting SG’s in the nba however id take bogans’ advantage defensively over belinelli’s advantage offensively… i mean for christ sakes bellinelli’s defense is some of the worst SG defense you can see in a starting NBA SG right now). Not to mention bellinelli is one of the more streakier shooters in the nba. he isn’t reliable. at least bogans is certain to shut some guys down a bit (his job vs. wade in the ECF sticks to mind). now to the big guys… i’d take west over boozer for obvious reasons. I’d take noah over okafor because noah was a better rebounder & more consistent defender than okafor was last season. & the benches? id take the bulls bench in a heartbeat. there is no comparison between the hornets team and the bulls team. The hornets without paul would have been horrid.

  • Luiyo Posted: Oct.23 at 2:26 pm
    Paul IS the best PG of the NBA! No way Rose is better!

  • Mars Posted: Oct.23 at 8:03 pm
    Where’s Allen Iverson? He’s the best. Ever. PG. True Story. CP3 at No. 8 IS COOL. Top 3 Are gonna change anyway (Kobe, LBJ, DWADE, DURANT). The top 10 is pretty legit tho. Rose is better on his team, but swap him and CP3. Whoa, who is Derrick Rose again. Funny how that works. Hornets or da’ Bulls.

  • Enigmatic Posted: Oct.23 at 11:27 pm
    AI the best ever “PG”?
    ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

  • Jono Posted: Oct.25 at 8:43 am
    Everyone stop riding DRose’s junk! Yes his is humble and can dunk like Blake, but give it a rest already. CP3 the perfect point guard and the better player. Rose had an MVP season as last year was a LeBron hate-fest. DRose has absolutely no chance of being a top 5 player next season and this ranking is a joke.

  • NBAman Posted: Apr.4 at 3:53 pm
    CP3 is better than anyone else in the league, drose is a good payer but CP3 is a better PG

  • Richard Posted: Apr.4 at 8:36 pm
    CP3 is 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 times better then D Rose.

  • Richard Posted: Apr.4 at 8:37 pm
    p3 owns everyone he has the best move eva

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