<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">1. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas: To be fair, this is his moment, having finally vanquished the Spurs last May and leading his team to its first NBA Finals appearance. At 28, he's in his prime, likely to contend for league MVP for the next few seasons while his team competes perennially for championships. He has changed the game, dominating from the perimeter in a way no 7-footer ever has. As for his defense, he's no longer "Irk" (no D). He's also become more of a leader, though he's still in the feeling-out process with that. There's not enough on his r?sum? to top either Garnett or Duncan as far as careers are concerned, but he is currently enjoying the better time of it. Kevin Garnett 2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota: I can only defend placing Garnett anywhere but first on this list with the standard "his excellence hasn't delivered a Finals" response. The Timberwolves are likely to be mediocre again this coming year, though K.G. will have more help. It's a shame his career is shaping up this way, because his legacy deserves better. Garnett has consistently excelled defensively as well as offensively throughout his career, but he has only a few years left at his peak. Tim Duncan, Spurs 3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio: Last year's playoff run showed he can still bring it at a tremendous level, but that can't altogether overshadow his injury-related slippage. Duncan nursed a nasty case of plantar fasciitis, so it's a testament to his greatness that he averaged 18.6 points and 11.0 rebounds. If I was certain his well-rested foot will be healthy all season, he'd still be at the top of this list. He has proven he's the best of the best by collecting three rings. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict a clean bill of health. Because Duncan is the type who would start thinking about walking away if he can't perform to the best of his abilities, this season will be a big one for him. Hopefully, he tips off his 30s with a resurgence. 4. Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers: He crossed over to elite status last season by elevating his team to an unprecedented level. His MVP-caliber year could be the start of a renaissance for the hapless Clippers organization, which used his sturdy 25-point, 10-rebound averages as the backbone of their improvement. I'll say it here first: If he leads the Clips to the Pacific Division title, give him the MVP. 5. Chris Bosh, Toronto: Don't be surprised if he benefits greatly from his stint on the U.S. national team. After a rocky start, he worked hard and really contributed defense and rebounding. Expect him to be more well-rounded in his fourth NBA season, now that he has grown comfortable with being the franchise player. Playing with buddy T.J. Ford, a pass-first point guard, won't hurt, either. Remember, Bosh is just 22 years old. </div> Full Story
These are pretty accurate rankings right here, Dirk Nowitzki is gonna be on the top power forward for a while. Also, I think Chris Bosh and Elton Brand will move in to the top 3 by the next two years. They've been improving, have most of the abilities as KG and Tim and showing enough promise to top Duncan and Garnett.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting amador08:</div><div class="quote_post">I would take Dirk anyday over KG just because hes better all around it seems.</div> Nah, KG is still the best all around player in the NBA and one of the best all time
Don't know if they viewed Howard as a center, but I consider him a PF and I'm surprised he's missing from that list. I would have put him above Bosh at this point.
The thing i didn't get about KG last season was why he didn't raise his scoring average, when his team could have used it? look at nash even though he's a pg he increased his scoring to help his team through the loss of amare. Kg's scoring went down, i find it hard that someone as talented and versatile as kg can't average at least 25 ppg to help out his team?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Junoon:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't know if they viewed Howard as a center, but I consider him a PF and I'm surprised he's missing from that list. I would have put him above Bosh at this point.</div> Howard's definitely a Center. He's only a Center by label, and he'll be interchanging at the posistion this season with Darko. It's pretty hard to rank the top 3, factoring in the lack of team sucess for KG and injuries for Duncan. Nonetheless, Dirk has earned the #1 spot. I'll still take Duncan over both of them right now if he were guranteed to play atleast 75 games or so a year with limited injuries. KG has the most skill, but Dirk is up there as well, as he carried the Mavs last year 'til the Finals.
Howard was listed as a center on this list. Dirk definitly should be number one and the rest MUST bow to his feet.
I'll still take a healthy Duncan over Dirk anyday of the week....better defender, better post presence, etc.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting amador08:</div><div class="quote_post">I would take Dirk anyday over KG just because hes better all around it seems.</div> How so? when it comes to the "all around" game KG is far greater then dirk. he's better defensively, he's a better rebounder, he has a better low post game, and he has better handle. Dirk is better offensivly then KG, but id say in every other aspect of the game KG is better. KG also seems like a more likeable guy lol
I would say KG, but I've seen Dirk step it up in the post season a lil more than Garnett.....that's why I put dirk above him.
KG stepped up hugge in his one real chance, dirk used to get abused after the fisrt few rounds despite being the favorites, while kg was never really the favorite.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'll still take a healthy Duncan over Dirk anyday of the week....better defender, better post presence, etc.</div> Agreed, same reason I'd put Dirk 4th behind Duncan, KG, and Brand. All those guys are very good defenders, shot blockers, rebounders, and inside players. Dirk is very good but no where near as good as those guys at man defense, shot blocking or rebounding and I'd much rather have a PF that plays inside than one that plays a perimeter game (just look at how Dirk got shaken so easily in the finals).
D-HO is a top 10, not a top 5. Dirk's dribbles are pretty close to KG's. But KG has the edge in all defensive aspects. I'd rather have Dirk over Duncan though..
