The 10 Best Players in the NBA Today

A few things before we get going....

-This is not based on potential. This is right now.
-This is not just an offensive list. Defensive ability, rebounding, assists, turnovers, etc are also considered.
-Feel free to throw in your own top 10, top 5, whatever when you read mine. This is totally subjective.

JUST MISSED THE CUT: Yao Ming, Allen Iverson, Pau Gasol, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Shaquille O'Neal, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Dwight Howard

So, without further adieu.....

ROB'S TOP 10 PLAYERS IN THE NBA

10. Tracy McGrady



An absolutely unstoppable scorer. If it weren't for injuries, he'd be much higher on my list. How are you supposed to guard this guy? Offensively, he has everything: he can drive to the basket with ease, he can pull up from 3, he can back you down, and he can create for others because of his size and vision of the court (despite his fucked up lazy eye). Did I mention he's only 27?

9. Shawn Marion



Probably the most underrated player in the NBA. He can do everything. Let's start with offensively....yeah, his shot looks Godawful, but he shoots a decent percentage (47%), has range out to 3 point land, is an above-80% free throw shooter, and only averages about a turnover and a half a game. Defensively, he's a monster. 6'7, and averages 10 boards a game? Add another 2 steals a game to that, and you have one of the most versatile players in the league.

8. Carmelo Anthony



I hated to do it, but Carmelo is that good. Offensively, he's pretty much unstoppable, and can do what he wants because of his size, strength, quickness, and a smooth jumper. He shoots a low percentage from 3, but as you can see from the video, he's not afraid to take big shots from out there...which leads us to his biggest asset: his ever growing clutchness. This is a guy who you want with the ball when the game is on the line. Oh yeah, he's about a year older than me.

7. Gilbert Arenas



Smooth is how I would describe Gilbert Arenas....smooth in everything he does. He can get to the basket whenever he wants, he can cross you over then pull up for the midrange jumper, or he can burn you from 3....and he's getting better. Add to that 5 dimes a game, 4 boards a game (solid for a guard), and 2 steals a game, and you've got a future superstar in this league.

6. Steve Nash



The two-time reigning MVP. Quite simply, he does the most, on any team, to make everyone around him better. He's easily the best passer in the game....look at the video. Can you imagine anyone else in the NBA making a 3/4 court alley oop pass look so easy? He is the most creative player in the NBA, with his crazy circus layups and sick assists. If I had to choose a point guard to play on my team, it'd be Steve Nash.

5. Dwayne Wade



Dwayne Wade can make you look silly. He's eclipsed Allen Iverson as having the best crossover in the league, and when he gets to the basket, he'll posterize you because of his athleticism and extension. He single-handedly won the championship for the Heat last year, and came up big on the biggest stage he'd ever been on in the Finals. Everyone always wants to tag "he's the next Jordan" onto up-and-coming players....and while D-Wade definitely needs to improve in some areas (too many turnovers, suspect on defense), he could very well be THE player in the NBA in the next 10 years.

4. LeBron James


LeBron James is probably the most hyped player in NBA history. Did anyone expect him to become this good? Upwards of 25 points a game, 6 or 7 boards a game, and an absolutely SCARY stat: 6 dishes a game. Comparisons of Magic Johnson come to mind. He can get to the basket at will, use his insane strength to back you down, or pull up from anywhere on the court. We saw his clutchness emerge in the playoffs last year, and the Cavs (who consisted of essentially LeBron, and a bunch of other role players) nearly took out the uber-awesome Pistons. Oh yeah, he's less than a year older than me.

3. Dirk Nowitzki



The video I put up isn't anything fancy, but it represents the greatness of Dirk Nowitzki. Look up the term "matchup nightmare" in the dictionary, and you'll find a picture of Dirk. 7 feet tall, with scary range, quickness, and ballhandling ability. Who do you get to guard this guy? Put a 2 or 3 on him, and Dirk will easily shoot over the top of you or back you down. Put a 4 or a 5 on him, and he'll drive around you and finish at the rim. Try to play a zone on him, and he'll find the weakness in it and find a way to put the ball in the basket. Think putting him on the line will work? Nah. 85+ percent from the free throw line. 10 rebounds a game. An ever growing toughness and clutchness. A leader on the court. Need I say more?

2. Kevin Garnett



Dirk might be the definitin of "matchup nightmare", but the text also says "also see Kevin Garnett". KG is the most versatile player in the NBA. He has the handle of a 1, post up like a 4 or 5, shoot jumpers like a 2 or 3, dish like a 1, and the intelligence of all positions. KG's defensive ability seems to get overlooked, but he's one of the best defenders in the league. Rebounding? He's the champ, averaging around 14 or so a game. A double-double machine. Da Kid. The Big Ticket. Kevin Garnett.

1. Kobe Bryant



Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. Period. I hate to say it, but it's true. He is truly unstoppable in every aspect of the game. He's one of those guys who, when he shoots, you're surprised when it doesn't go in. Multiply that times 100 when the game is on the line. He's easily the most clutch player in the NBA, and giving MJ a run for his money in that department. He's got 3 rings. Say as much as you want about "without Shaq, he wouldn't have those rings", but without Kobe, Shaq wouldn't have any of those 3 rings either. The Lakers, essentially, are Kobe and a bunch of other players who expect Kobe to win the game for them. 81 points in a game. Think about that for a second. 20 points a game is a great average for an NBA player....Kobe averaged that per quarter for a game. Defensively, he's as solid as they come. He can rebound, create off the drible, dish to his teammates, get steals, etc etc....but his most valuable asset is his passion. Nobody questions that Kobe wants to be the best basketball player on earth....and that's why he is.

I LOVE THIS GAME!