To continue the series, here's what Kelly Dwyer thought last August: Dwyer's top SFs Dwyer had Deng as #8. Unlike the PF list, I don't see a major shake-up needed to Dwyer's 2010 list. In fact, unless I want to penalize Gay for his injury, I could easily go with the same top-10. Since the rankings are based in the present, age only plays a factor in terms of how the aging process (or development process) will affect the coming season's performance. For this reason, while Deng at age 26 is more valuable than Pierce at 34 (by the start of next season), I'd still rank Pierce ahead of Deng on my list. Deng at #8 still looks right to me.
Rudy Gay may have missed significant PT, but he's easily ahead of Deng on my list. He's a much more skilled player and athlete. Realize he played SG his rookie season. You also have to consider guys like Joe Johnson who play SG as well as SF. As a SF, he's easily ahead of Deng as well. Stephen Jackson also fits that model, as do others.
You know, I'd rather have him the Paul Pierce, Gerald Wallace and Andre Iguodala. I don't mind the list because all those players are really in the same strata. I'd just lean in a different direction.
It depends on time frame. This year or next? Pierce. Two years from now? Deng. As K4E would say, "win now or win later."
I see the small forward rankings like this: Lebron KD Melo A bunch of guys who are borderline all-stars Deng's firmly in the third group, so I can't really complain about those rankings. At the end of the day, I think guys 4-10 are pretty interchangeable, and I'd pick one over the other based on team need. I'd put Rudy Gay higher though.
I was speaking in terms of this past season. Their numbers are very similar. Pierce averages a point and a half more a game. Deng a half rebound more; Pierce a half assist more. Pierce shoots a little bit better from the field, but I would trade the offensive efficiency for Deng's defense. That's just me though.
I think you also have to consider their style of play on offense. Pierce dominates the ball way more than Deng does. In his prime that wasn't much of a problem, but now that he's lost a few steps I think I'd prefer Deng's low-key offensive game, even if Pierce is a little more skilled.
