He is easily top 10. Top 5 he is very close to. 1. Harden 2. Martin 3. Klay 4. Ellis 5. Wade 6. Wes 7. Beal 8. Afflalo 9. Hayward 10. Mayo
I like BGD a lot. He's a good-natured guy and I get a kick out of his crazy threading. But he's way out to lunch on this one saying that Wesley doesn't belong here. I think he is top 5 because I'd rather have him over Wade, given Wade's mileage and iffy health. You just can't over appreciate the effect of a guy like Matthews on a team. His heart and will and undefeatable and I'd bet NBA coaches have him near the top of the list.
I love Wes as much as the next guy but if we could somehow in an alternate universe land Wade for Wes I'd do it. The guy is a 3 time champ and the 3rd best SG of all time (IMO).
Obviously if Wade is healthy he is far superior, but those knees make me nervous. We've seen other elite SG's careers end suddenly such as Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady, or Brandon Roy. Wade was hobbled in much of the playoffs; a lot of SG's could've stood next to LeBron and got a title.
I definitely see where you are coming from but if Wade were in Portland he would be asked to do even less than what he is asked to do in Miami. Besides LeBron, Miami isn't THAT good IMO. If you put Wade next to Lillard in the backcourt along with our frontcourt of Nic, LA, and Lopez AND our bench getting involved we would be the favorites out west. Even if Wade was at 85%. We could run FAR more offensive plays with Wade because of his handling and ability to finish and draw fouls. All of this is a moot point though.
I think once fans realize that the purpose the All-Star game serves for the NBA is hardly what it means to players and fans. It's marketing. The ballots are made before the season is even started, the voting starts in early November, and rookies aren't even eligible unless you write them in. It's all about driving traffic and eyes to ad dollars. This isn't news right? Wes is playing like an All-Star, the only shot he has to get in is a coaches vote, and that's just gonna have to be enough for Blazer fans and Wes. I'm thrilled if it motivates Wes to play more-angrier-est, because all I care about it this team playing an exciting brand of team basketball and racking up wins.
Besides Lebron? So besides the best basketball player on the planet and possibly in the history of the game? Miami is pretty damn good without Wade. Bosh is comparable to LMA, their bench is better than ours, and Lebron is vastly superior to Lillard.
truth! hi from the other board btw (stackfan2005 because as rasheedfan2005 i was banned years ago lol)
This. In our system, and with the current chip on his shoulder, he is a top 10 SG. Value Added (VA): LBJ 105.5 (2nd overall) Bosh 39.7 (47) Wade 35.5 (53) LMA 55.4 (22) Wes 51.3 (27) Lillard 50.5 (29) Who has the best "Big 3" right now? Not Miami - they have the best player in the world and 2 other guys while we have a TEAM. Here's VA by position