Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at 1:31 pm  |  294 responses

Top 50: LeBron James, no. 1

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Ben Osborne / @bosborne17

We have our default subhead for the SLAMonline Top 50—the suddenly slightly controversial phrase “definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players”—but if I was left to write my own for this piece, it would be: “The perfect ranking at an imperfect time.”

By “perfect,” I mean, No. 1. You can’t be higher than 1, right? So by this standard, LeBron James has the perfect ranking. And in so many ways, he deserves it. I feel like I elucidated all the reasons LeBron is the best player in the game really well a year ago, and as far as skill set, durability and regular-season mindset, nothing’s changed. LeBron is still a physical freak of nature. He can still score 40 points just about any time out. He still has the vision and unselfishness to drop double-digit assists any time out. He can still hit threes, he can still embarrass opponents with violent dunks.

Sticking with what we saw in last year’s regular season (and pretty much the entire Playoffs until the Finals), LeBron still has swagger and can still be a team leader. I have a hard time believing a single GM in the League, if told they could have any one player on their team for this upcoming season, would take anyone other than LeBron James. Ergo, he got my No. 1 pick for this ranking, and enough other No. 1 votes, to easily finish first. And, if LeBron’s Twitter can be believed, there’s actually reason to expect the King to be even better this season: A legitimate post-up game, which has been the biggest hole in his offensive arsenal.

I frankly think it’s awesome that a 6-8, 250-pound player has spent almost his entire career on the perimeter—that’s what makes him so unique. But all great players need to diversify their games, and LeBron has done way too little of that so far in his career—if, this season, he can reliably go in the post and be a near-lock to either finish at the rim, hit a cutter for a bucket or draw a shooting foul, he will be that much more unstoppable. So there, in concise fashion, I have laid out my reasons for why LeBron deserves the perfect ranking.

Now, even while conceding that LeBron is one of my favorite players in the League and that I absolutely hope he wins multiple rings in his career, I will get to the imperfect portion of this write-up. First and foremost is last season’s NBA Finals. At about 11 p.m. on June 2, LeBron and the Heat were up 88-73 on the Mavericks with little more than seven minutes remaining in Game 2. Miami was on the verge of 2-0 series lead, and honestly, this thing had the makings of a sweep.

I was out watching the game with my man Tzvi, and we were sending tweets about the game looking like a layup line for the Heat. I remind you guys of how the series started so you remember that it wasn’t like it was a failure for LeBron from the jump. Even if Dwyane Wade (who LeBron had largely carried in the EC Finals) was better than Bron through two games or even an entire series and won the MVP award, people would not have had much bad to say about LeBron as a world champion.

Instead, the Mavs gutted out a historic comeback win and changed the entire tenor of the series. Once it changed, and the Heat started to be the ones with their backs to the wall, LeBron shrunk. No two ways about it. As this piece, which was tweeted to me this morning (did the writer know what I was working on today??) points out, over the six-game, 4-2 series loss, LeBron (lack of caps and styling his, not mine):

- was the leading scorer in exactly zero of them.

- scored 107 points, which was the third most on his team, and the fifth most of anyone in the series. but he also played the most minutes of anyone by far (262), a whole quarter and a half more than dirk, and almost two and a half quarters more than Wade. That works out to 19.6 points per 48 minutes. The NBA average this season for all qualifying players was 20.2 points per 48 minutes.

- was fourth on his team in free-throw attempts in the series, behind Wade, Bosh and Mario Chalmers.

- averaged exactly 3 points per game in the fourth quarter.

Honestly, I can’t defend any of that. It was confusing and frustrating. And LeBron certainly hasn’t explained it yet (don’t think I haven’t asked for an interview on SLAM’s behalf!). About the only thing that can be said, in short, is: He had the worst Finals possible for the “best player in the game.” He shrunk from the moment and let his coaches, fans and teammates down. But that doesn’t make his career a failure. As Tom Haberstroh eloquently pointed out last week, LeBron is 26 years old. Twenty-six! He could be the top-ranked player for five, six, maybe seven more seasons. In many ways (such as Playoff wins), he’s had considerably more success than the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan, had at this age.

None of this excuses what a bad 2011 Finals LeBron had (or even the 2010 Playoff flame-out vs Boston), but it should halt those that think the guy’s career epitaph should already be written. LeBron James has a lot of career left.

The other thing that makes this an imperfect time to place LeBron No. 1 is a little out of his hands. Obviously the lockout puts a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, and even if it’s the owners fault in so many ways, the high-profile players earn much of the fans’ scorn. And, considering LeBron’s entirely legal and selfless (if horribly executed) Decision to move from the Cavs to the Heat has been twisted around to show how the owners have been wronged, LeBron seems to be getting an extra brunt of anger about the lockout.

So, while I wish that the piece that caps off almost six weeks of passionate writing and commenting could be an outright celebration, circumstances dictate that this one get an asterisk. Perhaps like the title the game’s best player will win this year?

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
7 Dirk Nowitzki Mavs PF 1
6 Dwight Howard Magic C 1
5 Dwyane Wade Heat SG 2
4 Derrick Rose Bulls PG 1
3 Kobe Bryant Lakers SG 1
2 Kevin Durant Thunder SF 2
1 LeBron James Heat SF 1

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.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , ,

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

    I just don’t get this, the definition of player is someone who plays the game. He does not play the game like it should be played; with a team. Yes, his personal achievements are impressive but when it comes to winning, or important moments he is invisible.

  • BBaller

    Personally it think this is a just ranking. Lebron IS the best player in the NBA ATM. I dislike the nickname ” the King”, the “Prince” would be more suitable at this point in his career.The term “King” implies that you are the owner of a province or kingdom. He is still yet to prove that. For affirmation of his legacy and label,he must win a chip to acclaim that title. I still think he is an self opinionated,arrogant,selfish,disloyal,disrespectful,sellout,self indulgent twat but if i was a GM i’d take him as my first pick.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Max

    DukeFromDeep,
    Why would you pick Melo before Lebron?

  • BBaller

    He would do well to take a leaf out out of Tim Duncan’s book

  • http://www.slamonline.com Max

    And why Dirk?
    Give Lebron time till he reaches his age and see if he by than has what it takes to win a chip.

  • BBaller

    @Eboy you were and held the greatest commenter poster (since 04)on this site BEFORE lebron and BOSH came to Miami.

  • BBaller

    I’m out like Lebron in the 4th Quarter.

  • Justin

    Recruiting Steve Nash now? lol Dude just can’t do it without a team of superstars around him huh? What a lazy, weak minded player. Talented as hell but lazy

  • Mike From Spain

    Hating Lebron is satisfying, because you need to hate a great player for it to have any meaning. What would be the point of hating… IDK, Scalabrine? I hate bullies, and Lebron is a bully in the basketball court. I know he’s the best in terms of raw talent and stats, but hell, sports fans need supervillains, and Lebron is a nice supervillain.

  • http://www.sonichurricane.net Guile

    what a shame, the heat got 2 top 5 players, 3 players in the top 18, the 3pt champ, and they still can’t win the whole thing, and this dude is the best in the league right now?for 3 straight years?

    the freak of nature, the so called “king”, with the chosen ONE tattooed on his back, a gifted child (or so he says on his chest tattoo), still have 0 RINGS, despite playing with all-stars and what not….SMH #1?at what?getting basketball stats?check my stats he says…but what else is there but NUMBERS?where’s all the intangibles that can’t be measured with stats?the leadership?the mental toughness?the never say die attitude?

    8 Points in a final game, HEALTHY, IN HIS PHYSICAL PRIME, while playing heavy minutes? inexcusable, something is really lacking between this kids’ ears, even if he win something later on, people will dismiss it as cheap, because he’s piggybacking dwyane wade and bosh in the finals, what’s his career high in the finals again?

  • MIGZ

    yea thats alright because i think it can go either way LeBron or Kobe should be 1 people are just stupid in this rating Chart
    ………slam needs to get it together with thier choosing of Great player

  • blackthougth

    yeah, lebrons the best overall player in the nba – but only for the first three quaters. if the moneys on the line i`d take kobe all day (and MONEY, if he`d be still playing).

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    There is no way in hell I’m trading you Joe Johnson for Carlos Boozer.
    NEVER.
    But, Crawford is available if you’re interested. Make me an offer and you have an immediate starting quality two guard.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I’m slowly getting better and better. It reminds me of every other time I get the game. The first few weeks I spend time being ridiculously frustrated, then I start to understand what I have to do.
    Basically, when the shot clock is winding down, you have to take control of the player on the ball and challenge aggressively. In fact, in time the computer stops their dribble, take over control and get ready to contest.
    I can’t lie though, the computer is AWESOME on their pump fake and step through game. It’s amazing.
    Also, Enigmatic on fast breaks, you have to either give the ball up really early, or really late. In real life the time when you would pass the ball is the time when the computer is going to make a steal every time. Plus, if you have a wing who gets up, go with the Alley if you’re on a break and the defender back is a little. Works pretty much every time.
    I haven’t figured out the rebounding though. That’s killing me. The game punishes you for every little mistake, but they punish you in ridiculously unrealistic ways, which makes me mad.

  • don

    i LIKED and DEFENDED lebron until he left the cavs.. and now i learn that his shoes are going to be $250?? oh no.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Change your coaches settings. If your team isn’t rebounding, make them focus on it. Your playing with Atlanta that’s why your having so much trouble on the defensive glass.

  • whooo!

    it’s amusing that all i can think about the #1 ranking now is, “who is less flawed” rather than “who is best”. Kobe getting old and selfish; Durant/Melo no defense to save their lives; Dwight still inconsistent as scorer though progress is good; Lebron a major choker who shrinks at the biggest stages… hell, i almost wanna have a Wade/Rose/Cp3 higher rankings just cuz at least their games have no weaknesses, but yet Lebron’s superior talent also comes through.

    long story short, the league right now has no clear #1. or even a clear #1vs#2 debate. it’s more like a 5-way tie for first, depending on what you want out of your main guy, because allt these cats got issues.

  • http://slam blinda

    Miami is not a slam dunk to win multiple titles in the next couple seasons. If the entire Boston squad wasn’t hurt they had a shot. The Lakers are going to bounce back I hope, at least go out fighting this time around. Dallas will be dangersous, along with OKC and Chicago. Miami relies so much on its big three that something is bound to go wrong, especially with all of Wade’s injuries and reckless play.

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Soop, I play as the Bulls, shouldn’t THEY be focused on defense and rebounding???

  • http://theurbangriot.com The Nupe

    @whooo!: You make a good point and in many ways I agree with you. Then I think about NEXT season and who I expect to be the best. And that answer seems simple too me – it’s LBJ. The main reason is that when I consider his ‘flaws’, I expect him to ‘get over’ them and perform in the 4thQ. I don’t expect Durant/Melo to play better defense, I don’t see Kobe being less selfish and certainly not any younger. Dwight will improve on offense – but I don’t think to the degree LBJ will improve in the 4th. Wade/CP3, I think they are as good as they’ll get – which isn’t as good as LBJ. Then Rose is a wildcard. I think he MAY improve, and could possibly move up a couple of spots, but part of me also thinks we may have seen his best season already. If I had to build a team for the entire season, LBJ is the best IMO. However, if I have to pick a player for the most critical game/series, then I’d go with Wade (maybe even Dirk), not Kobe next year only because of age, but for a single healthy quarter then Kobe would be my clear #1. So how it all comes down to me, is LBJ is the best and most likely to work on his flaws more than anyone else in consideration. Dwight/Rose could take that #1 spot after next season – but I doubt it.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Theoretically yes. Actually? idk, don’t the wings look to run for Chicago on D? Carlos Boozer is good on the boards in real life, but he’s 6’9 with limited athleticism in a video game, so when your not simming he’s going to get taken advantage of. Atleast that’s how my experience with guys like that go. For instance I traded for Kevin Love in my own association, he averaged 12 boards a game, but once I actually controlled the team he wasn’t grabbing more then 6 or 7. idk, it’s definitely a 2k issue, but changing your coaching settings make a difference, check what the teams fastbreak tendency is under the coach settings, if it above 50ish then you have only 2 players focusing on rebounding. Below is 3, like 25 is 4, and 0 is your 5 guys trying to rebound.

  • http://bulls.com airs

    thats a good point, nbk.
    i put both rebounding and fastbreak up but i guess that really wouldnt work.
    i still hate that you lose the ball if you bump into your teammate though

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    The “crash boards” tendency only applies to offensive rebounding I’m pretty sure.

  • Danny_W_UK

    If I was a GM drafting the whole league for a new start I’d draft KD first, if I was drafting to win a Chip this year, I’d take Kobe. It’s all about winning a Championship and selling tickets, and I don’t know if I could trust LeBron as to whether he’d disappear in his 3rd NBA Finals, and/or have a total Public relations meltdown, from the decision, to Dirk’s Finals MVP Award.

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    airs, last I checked you hadn’t declined that Carlos Boozer and John Lucas for Kevin Durant and Robert Vaden trade, which means you must still be thinking about it! Sweet!

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I’d start a team with LeBron or Dwight, you know, because I like having the best chance of actually getting to the finals (since 2007 the Finals have included the Celtics Twice, The Magic Once, and LeBron Twice) As opposed to picking a questionably healthy Kobe Bryant who got extremely worn out towards the end of last season despite playing the least minutes since his 2nd season.

  • NickR

    Great stuff Ben. I’ve never been a LeBron guy myself, but yea, there’s no question he’s the best in the world right now. Well done.

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    I’s start a team with DeMar DeRozan.

  • bike

    LeBron is one of the few that really did live up to the hype. Ever since ‘The Chosen One’ article in SI, the guy met or exceeded all expectations. If there is heir to the current G.O.A.T., it’s Lebron James.

  • http://bulls.com airs

    haha, matic.
    you know i was trying to respond to it but it wouldnt let me for some reason.
    maybe 2k just already knows how ludicrous it is and wont even let me consider it haha

  • truthteller

    It’s amazing how things change. ONce upon a time, Kobe was the most hated and Lebron was loved, especially on this site. Now it looks like things have changed and LeBron is the most hated. Amazing!Well Lebron fans, enjoy the hate the same way kobe fans enjoyed the hate!

  • http://yahoo.com P love

    No NO NO not yet! Got to be Dirk!

  • http://theurbangriot.com The Nupe

    truthteller: Both Kobe and LeBron have done a lot on the court to ‘earn’ the love they’ve received for their game. Both on and off the court they’ve also ‘earned’ a lot of hate. I’m not sure if anything has changed about that, other than LeBron earning more hate.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    bike, ……. ugh, nevermind.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    what is wrong with what Bike said?

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Well, he hasn’t met or exceeded ALL expectations because people expected him to win a title by now.
    That being said, I mean…how many of us thought it would take him 3 or 4 years to really make his mark on the NBA like it took Kobe and T-Mac?
    I know I did.
    But 20, 6 and 5 in year one and 27, 7 and 7 by year two?
    DAMN!!!

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I didn’t personally expect him to win a title by now. Basically he is exactly where I expected him to be. Except I didn’t think he’d have 2 MVP’s this early. He isn’t even 27 yet

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Well, you know, general consensus was he’d win one by now.
    Hey, I’m on your side! I think he’s done an awesome job

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    “If there is heir to the current G.O.A.T., it’s Lebron James.” He just compared LbJ to MJ. You take huge exception to a guy who has won 5 rings, is clutch, and plays the most like MJ being compared to Jordan, but LBJ? No problem. Common man, your starting to show your colors a little to much for someone who is “not biased.”

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    At the same age LeBron has accomplished more then MJ at 26. The comparison at the same age makes perfect sense.

  • Maniac

    Agree with LakeShow & Enigmatic. I can say that I don’t have a problem with what Bike meant, but LeBron has not exceeded (and have barely met, if he has), the expectations. There’s no reason the Heat should have not won this year… except LeBron’s mental collapses. I have no problem with people comparing LeBron to Mike (though they are two TOTALLY different type of players). LeBron needs to start winning and his confidence (as Z properly explained yesterday) needs to improve to be elevated to GOAT status. On a scale of how great a player can be, if Jordan is a 10, Kobe is between 9.5 & 10. It is absolutely possible that LeBron can exceed both of them in the future, but dude has some work to put in.

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    That will no longer be true if LeBron fails to win a title next year.
    MJ won his first title at 27 and had two MVPs by then as well.

  • Maniac

    @nbk – Age is not a good measurement at all. LeBron & Kobe came out of high school and Jordan played 3 years in college. At 26, Jordan had 6 seasons under his belt, LeBron has 8, and Kobe had 9. LeBron has 3000 minutes on Kobe and 8500 on Jordan at 26. Their situations all have been completely different seeing as how Kobe had 4500 accumulated playoff minutes at 26, LeBron has 4000, and Jordan only had 2200. Kobe had 3 rings while neither had/has any. What LeBron has accomplished thus far is irrelevant to what Kobe & Jordan have now.

  • Mo
  • Maniac

    And even if I were forced into the argument, it is not that clear that LeBron at 26 > Jordan and/or Kobe at 26 for that matter (it’s a little tough to argue for Kobe at that age thus far, but legit claims can be proven). I can definitely say that he is on par though. No question.

  • Mo

    Cowherd was right. Take the emotion out of it.

  • Maniac

    LOL @ Colin Cowherd’s opinion even counting ^^

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    If LeBron and Wade win 6 straight (just and example I don’t at all think this will happen) LeBron will have 6 Titles, ?(< 2) MVP's – and be 33 years old. His total career accomplishments at the current pace will dwarf anything Michael Jordan ever accomplished (in totals). He will surpass Kareem at what 34-35? If he averages 25? So he will have as many titles as Jordan, comparable career averages and higher career totals. Just because they came in the league sooner doesn't change what they can Accomplish. if 2006 Kobe lasted to today, wouldn't he have a legitimate argument with Jordan (assuming he won the last 3 titles – & won a couple of MVP's) – what Jordan did was keep winning until he was in his mid 30's. You can't give him extra credit cause he retired (although we probably know a Jordan v Hakeem finals 2 years in a row would have been absolutely crazy if it happened) – he accomplished what he did, and he didn't put anything out of reach (except that 30PPG career average is gonna last a long long time). Unless Kobe's knee surgery really did get rid of his arthritis and gave him his old legs back he isn't going to catch Jordan's overall accomplishments. But LBJ is 26 – fresh off of a finals defeat his 2nd – while Jordan was coming down from another loss to the Pistons. And Matic, if The Heat win the Title and LeBron gets the MVP then it's 3 & 1 too 2 & 1.

  • Rainman

    “until the Finals” the finals is what counts.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Yeah tell that too the other 419 guys who didnt get that far.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Advertisement