Sign up or login to track your favorite teams

Sign Up for Bleacher Report

As a registered user you can subscribe to your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

You must register in order for that functionality to work!







Validating sign up form ...

Bleacher Report articles are written by fans like you

Do you want to cover your favorite sports, teams, and leagues?

Processing writing preferences ...

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. Big 10, LeBron James, USC Football

Selected Tags:

Logging in ...

In the ever competitive arena of ranking players, here is another one to start the debates:20. Gilbert Arenas. Gilbert is an explosive scorer but not a great team player or defender. His scoring has actually dropped three seasons in a row...

NBA Player Rankings

by Divya Parmar (Columnist)

54

1808 reads

Sports

March 11, 2008


In the ever competitive arena of ranking players, here is another one to start the debates:

20. Gilbert Arenas. Gilbert is an explosive scorer but not a great team player or defender. His scoring has actually dropped three seasons in a row. Although, it may not be fair to include this season as it was tragically stopped after only eight games. Regardless, he is still an incredible talent that do anything with the ball at anytime. 

19. Manu Ginobli. Very creative player who can drive to the hoop or shoot the three. It is unclear whether he can carry a team on his back without help (Duncan and Parker). His points, assists, steals, and rebounds are all up this year. Where does the improvement end? How about an end to the flops! But no matter how you feel about his "exaggerations" he is no doubt one of the most exciting players to watch in the game today. 

18. Paul Pierce. Another scorer who can carry a team, but not an all-around great player. How about a drop in points and rebounds? Well, on an incredibly talented Boston Celtic team, it simply shows that Paul Pierce is ready to whatever it takes to win a championship. With his lower production has come a higher FG%, higher 3PT%, and higher FT%. Oh, yeah...plus 51 wins and counting. 

17.  Allen Iverson. Ultra quick tough player. One negative is no effort on defense. He is consistent, though, and with his new best friend, Carmelo Anthony, currently filling the 3rd and 4th spots on the league's scoring list, the Denver Nuggets are primed for a run into the playoffs. But, that is all dependent on that non-existent Denver defense. 

Track this Article on My B/R
Flag This Article
Share This Article

54 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Have you even watched Kobe play for the last 10 years? Kobe can get to the rim OR shoot a jumpshot with 2, 3, 4, 5 people on him...heck, with even 6 or 7 when his own team mate's in his way. Your justification for Lebron just gave away your ignorance for the game of basketball. Do you even know what almost every single coach in the NBA said? That nobody forces them to change their defense constantly and tailor it to a specific player except Kobe. Look at what Avery Johnson said for a most recent example, that they tried every single defensive measure on Kobe but he would just beat it. The only thing Lebron has on Kobe is his size and strength.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Joe Willett about 1 year ago

      in recent bulls games, the bulls have been commended for slowing down lebron in second halves of games because they couldn't stop him with normal defense. but when they "slow down" lebron by playing more physical coverage and bigger players on him, he's scored 13 points in both second halves i believe of recent games against the bulls, they were told good job for holding a player to 13 points for a half.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  2. Heather Stidham about 1 year ago

    Yikes! This list is rough. Are you basing this on your personal preferences or the actually ability of the players. You lost me when I saw T-Mac at 16. Don't get me wrong, I have my favorite players, but this list is pretty slanted.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      I confess it was a rough idea. I just had some thoughts in my head and quickly wrote the article. It wasn't meant to be perfect.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Heather Stidham about 1 year ago

      Understood. It's just that writing a under-thought out article makes you appear iggnorant. (Trust me...I have done it too!) and I"m sure that you aren't. I would try to make sure that what you write is as complimentary to your knowledge as possible. It takes practice...I am still learning too.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  3. Dallin Page about 1 year ago

    This list is kinda ridiculous. You obviously really don't know what you are talking about if you have Carlos Boozer on the list without and ahead of Deron Williams.

    Deron is by far the more superior player than Boozer. Deron's excellent play is the only thing that boosted Boozer's stats and got him into the all-star game. You take Williams off the team, the jazz don't make the playoffs. you take Boozer off however, and they are still in relatively the same position as now. he is too streaky of a player.

    Another thing. What the heck is Gilbert doing on your list?! he hasn't even played half the season, and the team is doing better without him. I don't underastand where arenas came from.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Dallin Page about 1 year ago

    This list is kinda ridiculous. You obviously really don't know what you are talking about if you have Carlos Boozer on the list without and ahead of Deron Williams.

    Deron is by far the more superior player than Boozer. Deron's excellent play is the only thing that boosted Boozer's stats and got him into the all-star game. You take Williams off the team, the jazz don't make the playoffs. you take Boozer off however, and they are still in relatively the same position as now. he is too streaky of a player.

    Another thing. What the heck is Gilbert doing on your list?! he hasn't even played half the season, and the team is doing better without him. I don't underastand where arenas came from.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      Did you ever watch him when he was healthy?

      He was pretty damn good.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Dallin Page about 1 year ago

      Well I'm pretty sure what signifies being the best is doing amazing when you actually play. Not having everyone know that you can tear it up, but not being able to show it to us cuz you're hurt

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  5. Dallin Page about 1 year ago

    This list is kinda ridiculous. You obviously really don't know what you are talking about if you have Carlos Boozer on the list without and ahead of Deron Williams.

    Deron is by far the more superior player than Boozer. Deron's excellent play is the only thing that boosted Boozer's stats and got him into the all-star game. You take Williams off the team, the jazz don't make the playoffs. you take Boozer off however, and they are still in relatively the same position as now. he is too streaky of a player.

    Another thing. What the heck is Gilbert doing on your list?! he hasn't even played half the season, and the team is doing better without him. I don't underastand where arenas came from.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      I have to admit I haven't watched much Jazz basketball. But I think that big men are very important in that they control the middle of the court on both offensive and defense.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Dallin Page about 1 year ago

      They are, that's true, but Booz isn't a defensive presence at all. And Deron just pads his stats cuz he is so good. Other than that and arenas though, I think your rankings are pretty good

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      Thanks for the compliment.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  6. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Paul Pierce is one of the best all-around players in the league. He's one of the best rebounders at his position. This season, he has proven that he can player defense. He gets his fair share of assists. Obviously, you don't know what you're talking about.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. BigReg about 1 year ago

    In a list of top 20 you have to include at least one of big 3 for the Pistons. So here you go.

    4 1/2 Rasheed Wallace --- One of the most domanant big men in the game for the past 10 years.

    8 1/2 Chauncy Billips --- One of the top floor generals in the game. His assist to turnover ratio has been tops for the past 3 years. And he is CLUCH

    18 1/2 Richard Hamilton --- He can take over a game anytime he steps on the court, plus he is a great defender.

    There now your list is complete

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      I was actually thinking about that. I ended up with opinion that they are more of a team, not individual great players.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  8. Lisa Jackson about 1 year ago

    Agent Zero? He hasn't even played this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  9. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Lebron is an overrated ballhog, stat whore who pads his numbers by holding on to the ball for 90% of the time. He's all brute and muscle without the beautiful skills of basketball. I wouldn't be surprised if he's on Steroids. He is not the best basketball player, he is the best powerhouse player...huge difference.

    He needs to involve his teammates more, and get his FG attempts to 5 less per game, at least. His assists are a natural result of holding the ball the entire time, and gets them by default. It's not a system offense. It's a run through LBJ ball-hog system. it's boring. And his defense is all passing lane gambles, and weakside blocks. His man to man defense is less than average STILL, and his lateral movement is worse now than his first season.

    LBJ is NOT your MVP, nor the best player.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    divya is a 16 year old moron. it's obvious he has no fucking idea what the hell he's talking about. all he knows is loving lebron for no fucking reason, i mean take a look at his other article. these stupid teens (like this guy http://bleacherreport.com/users/4105-Joe_Willett) on bleacher report have got to stop writing a bunch of crap and get back to school to learn something before talking about a sport they don't know jack shit about

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      *sarcasm* Thanks a lot!

      That aside, why don't you show some guts and register, then post your own rankings. Any coward can be Anonymous and say "You suck" to everyone else.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      What does school have to do with sports. Are there any NBA 101 classes at your high school? Any Quarterback classes?

      Are you kidding me? Are you freakin' kidding me?

      By the way, I am pretty smart. Look at my grades and my classes. IF you actually knew who I was, and not making mindless comments.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Joe Willett about 1 year ago

      i made it into a comment =) i guess #3 nba writer doesn't mean shit huh?

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

    • Joe Willett about 1 year ago

      fuck it, i give up, kobe over lebron, i've seen plenty of hard evidence, go ahead you have converted me you anonymous people

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  11. Mike Owens about 1 year ago

    You're justification for Kobe being #2 looks more like justifying him to be #1. He's a better shooter than LeBron, more creative, a MUCH better defensive player, can get to the rim just as easily, and he's on the best team in the NBA. You also neglect to recognize that Kobe is still the best closer in the NBA and the only reason he's behind LeBron in 4th quarter points is because he hs been sitting out a lot in the 4th, whereas LeBron plays plenty of garbage minutes.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      LeBron is stronger, bigger, faster. He can jump higher. All around, LeBron is a much better athlete. He may be slightly less polished, but his physical traits set him apart.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  12. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    lol divya does my comment annoy you? its obvious you have nothing to say cuz it's true. you know, i know, and everyone else who read your article knows what you write is shit and that i said the truth. any moron can be a writer on bleacher report and say "lebron should be mvp". loser

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    yep you're right lebron is bigger and stronger (they're almost the same speed and lebron definitely does NOT jump higher than kobe). but that's it man lebron's all size with no talent and kobe is all skill without size

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  14. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    hahahahahaha divya is way too funny. "oooooooo my grade's good" "oooooooo i do well in school so i must know something about basketball" "oooooo i'm a moron"

    the fact that you can't even pick up that what i said is an insult but think that "school" has anything to do with the discussion here shows how moronic you are and that you need some maturing. what a lame kid

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  15. Mark Marino about 1 year ago

    Chris Bosh at 7?! Paul Pierce not an all-around great player?! HAHA!!!
    I think you should put Greg Oden up there as 20A. He's played as many games this year as Arenas has.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  1. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Lebron - athleticism is through the roof, extremely fast, strong, and agile...
    - these characteristics is just like wilt, shaq, dwight in their position.

    Kobe - can score by going to the rim, shooting the three, or anything in between. Can defend like no other. Competitiveness and desire to win are unmatched by any other player.

    - "can defend like no other"...Competitiveness and desire to win are "unmatched" ...hmmm..reminds me of the best player ever to play the game..so if ure not a hater how come kobe is not your #1 having these characteristics?..while im quite sure if MJ is still playing he would be your #1.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  2. Mike Owens about 1 year ago

    Who cares if LeBron is bigger, stronger and faster. Athleticism doesn't make you "the best". If it did, then we wouldn't be considering Steve Nash as one of the leagues best PGs and John Stockton wouldn't even be mentioned as one of the all time greats. It's the fact that Kobe has a better game right now. His jump shot is better, his defense is better, his freaking team is better and play in a much better conference. Kobe might not be the athlete LeBron is, but he is the better PLAYER right now. Maybe not in 3 or 4 years, but RIGHT NOW, Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. If the only thing that LeBron can say he's better at is his god given athletic abilities, then he's not the better player, he's the better athlete.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  3. Michael Venning about 1 year ago

    C'mon Anonymouses. If you're going to say something negative do it with style, not brash insults that anybody can throw around. And how about you get a real name and profile and write something of your own?

    Divya - Keep writing. It's the only way to get better.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  4. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    it's no use. divya doesn't know anything about basketball, just don't listen to what he says.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      Rip my opinion all you want, but these posts are absurd. Everyone makes mistakes, and is not always right. I may make mistakes, but to say I know nothing is wrong.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  5. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    my mistake divya. im sure you know that the round thing the people use on the court is called a ball, and that they're trying to throw it into what is called a hoop. so yea, you do know something about basketball

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Andrew Kneeland about 1 year ago

      Just lay off, okay? If you're not going to offer constructive criticism, just don't say anything.

      If you want to rip Divya, back up your arguments.

      Divya: from one high schooler to another, keep doing what you're doing, and ignore the pointless comments from the anonymous people.

      Good work!

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  6. Silas Beyman about 1 year ago

    I'm hoping number 21 on this list was Andre Iguodala. While playing for a semi-awful Philly team, he is averaging 19.6 PPG, 5.6 REB, and 4.6 APG, all while being asked to step up as the new leader in the wake of AI, at the tender age of 24.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  7. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    who said wilt and shaq weren't good? we're talking about SKILLS. are you telling me wilt and shaq were better than jordan? dream on. shaq had NO talent for basketball at all, just his huge body, but it didn't matter cuz he got the job done. the point we're talking about is who has better talent, and here jordan and kobe would own wilt and shaq and lebron in terms of skills, not who was "good" or "not good". you can be good with or without talent.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

    • Divya Parmar about 1 year ago

      Size matters (in more areas than this.....).

      If you are tall and score very easily with less technique, that doesn't take away from technique.

      Edit Comment Cancel

      Reply
      Great Comment (
      0
      )

  8. Brandon Heshee about 1 year ago

    Great article, man. But what does Kobe wanting to be traded have to do with his ability as a basketball player?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  9. Ralph isaac about 1 year ago

    Kobe is 2? tim Duncan is 6? Chris Bosh over Amare and Nash?? Manu ginobli not in top 15?? are u kidding me?? wow, your article is just lost a lot of points. Today is Wednesday, and every Wednesday morning they come to pick it up, i guess they should do the same with this article.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  10. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    "Size matters (in more areas than this.....).

    If you are tall and score very easily with less technique, that doesn't take away from technique."

    HOW STUPID ARE YOU DIVYA?

    do you know how to read?

    i fucking said it doesn't take it away from the player and i fucking said it gets the job done and i fucking said you can be good with or WITHOUT talent...and I FUCKING SAID THE POINT IS WHO IS MORE SKILLED

    what the hell is all that school good for if you can't even learn how to read?

    dumbass

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  11. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    u guys are terrible

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  12. Yama Hazheer about 1 year ago

    No love for Vince?

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

  13. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT ABOUT CHRIS BOSH! TORONTO IS AWESOME FOR HIM.. HE HAS GREAT TEAMATES.. ADN ES... HE IS THE STAR... BUT DONT U DARE SAY HESHOULD BE ON THE KNICKS!!!!ewww... knicks.. lol... -.- still! :-$ shut up.

    Edit Comment Cancel

    Reply
    Great Comment (
    0
    )

Leave a Comment

  • You must register to post a comment.

    • Want to write for Bleacher Report

    We are a community of fans who write about sports. And we're growing.

    Learn More and Sign Up »

    Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
    Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.