The Top 50 Players in the NBA

I recently made a comment on a B/R article, stating that I didn't think a certain NBA player was a top-50 player in the league.

When I was challenged, I realized that it's probably pretty close. So I decided to come up with my "Top-50 NBA Players" list to settle the question, at least in my own mind.

There is no doubt that this could spur some controversy. Don't hesitate to speak up. Who did I put too high? Who did I put too low? Who did I leave out? Who doesn't belong on the list? Et cetera, et cetera.

The criteria I will use to determine order is, "If I were a general manager in the league, who of the remaining players would I most want on my team?" My goal as a GM, of course, is to win a championship. Who will give me the best chance at that?

I won't take into consideration what players might already be on the team. In other words, this isn't about piecing a team together. Its about looking at each player as an individual.

How will they impact my chance at a championship, regardless of who else is on the team?

1. Kobe Bryant

I am one of the biggest LeBron James fans that there is. But I gotta take Kobe.

At this moment, he is the best basketball player on the planet.

Kobe is a combination of skill, athleticism and killer instinct that is unmatched in the league.

2. LeBron James

LeBron is far and away the most athletic player in the league. Add to that his vision on the court and an improving jump shot and you've got something that's pretty scary.

LeBron is still young and steadily improving. Give him a couple years, and I think he takes over the number one spot.

3. Dwight Howard

I'm a little surprised at myself for putting Dwight this high. But if I'm going to stay true to my criteria, I have to.

Move Dwight around, in your mind, from team to team and watch how he could instantly make most NBA teams a serious contender.

Dwight Howard is a rare breed in today's NBA. He is a powerful force down low that you can't get anywhere else. If anyone is, Dwight is truly a one-of-a-kind talent in this league.

4. Dwayne Wade

The display that Dwayne Wade put on in the 2006 NBA finals really showed how far he can carry a team, when given some talent to play with.

His slippery athleticism, uncanny ability to finish at the rim, and a shooting stroke that can get hot make Dwayne Wade a flat-out scoring machine.

5. Chris Paul

It's not an easy task to put up a high PER rating as a point guard. Last season only two point guards finished in the top 20. Derron Williams at 15, and Chris Paul at number two.

Of course, PER isn't everything, but I think it illustrates what Chris Paul is. An incredibly efficient floor general. He has the ball in his hands a lot, and yet he rarely makes a mistake.

It's impressive that he can average over 20 points and over 10 assists, playing on a team that is not really a high-scoring team.

6. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo has the package and potential to move up even higher on this list.

I've never seen a player with his size with such a silky-smooth jump shot. It's too early to really tell, but so far this season Carmelo is looking like an MVP candidate.

He has all of the tools to score at will. If he can bring more determination on defense, and develop more of a killer instinct, I think he could join the LeBron-Kobe talk.

7. Tim Duncan

This brings me no joy. The guy drives me crazy, with his bug-eyed "did you just call a foul on me?" look, and the way he always seems to beat my teams.

But I have to hand it to the guy, he knows how to win. I can't argue with the rings.

And he's done it with a handful of different rosters, so I've got to give him most of the credit.

Duncan is proof that you don't need the flashy moves and power dunks to win. Mr Fundamental is a four-time NBA Champion.

8. Kevin Garnett

This may seem a bit high, but when I look at the players left to chose from, I want Kevin Garnett on my team.

There are certainly guys out there with better numbers. But Garnett brings so much more than just numbers.

Heart. Passion. Determination. Wins.

9. Chris Bosh

It's easy to be forgotten when you're not in the same country as the rest of the league.

He is a double-double machine with a ton of upside.

10. Dirk Nowitzki

A seven-footer with that kind of range and quickness is pretty ridiculous.

11. Amare Stoudemire

Don't forgot how young this guy is. When he's healthy, he's almost impossible to guard.

12. Paul Pierce

He'll score at will and he'll stop your best player from scoring.

Don't forget who the leader of that championship Celtics team was.

13. Pau Gasol

Very skilled seven-footer.

Not your ideal go-to guy, but probably the best number-two guy in the league.

14. Deron Williams

The complete package for a point guard, still with a lot of room to grow.

15. Brandon Roy

Clutch. Brandon Roy has a tendency to come through when the stakes are high. He will be a perennial All-Star in this league.

16. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is a guy that should be climbing this list fast over the next couple of years. The next couple years could be a big breakout for him.

17. Steve Nash

You don't win multiple MVP awards by accident.

While the run-and-gun style of the Phoenix Suns over the last several years has inflated his numbers a bit, he's proven that he can be consistent with a variety of rosters.

18. Al Jefferson

Last season, no one pulled down double-digit rebounds while compiling a scoring average as high as Al Jefferson.

19. Tony Parker

I forget how young Tony Parker is because he has already won so much.

20. Danny Granger

It's easy to miss what's going on in Indiana. Danny Granger, on a different team, would be more of a household name.

21. Joe Johnson

Not many guys who can shoot like Joe Johnson while averaging over five boards and five assists.

22. Andre Igoudala

The other AI has become the face of the 76ers. Andre Igoudala gives you some of everything. One night he'll drop 30, the next he'll dish out 10, and the next he'll pull down 12 boards and block three shots.

23. Ray Allen

He's taken a new role with the Celtics, but he still has one of the best jump shots in the league.

24. Gilbert Arenas

Only the uncertainty of injury keeps Gilbert this low on the list. His swagger is phenomenal.

25. Allen Iverson

Despite what happened in Detroit, easily one of the top five scorers in the league.

26. Rajon Rondo

Rondo proves that you can be a great point guard without a great shooting stroke.

27. Kevin Martin

If you haven't had the chance to see Kevin Martin play, you need to take the time to do so.

28. Derrick Rose

So far it seems that the Bulls made a good choice.

29. Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is one of the premier forwards in this league, and in my opinion, is often underrated.

30. Shaq

Because he's fallen so far, sports fans seem to be undervaluing Shaq. But there are only a handful of guys that can give you the same kind of presence down low.

31. Rashard Lewis

He turned out to be worth the money for the Magic.

32. Devin Harris

Is there anybody quicker than Devin Harris? He's really come into his own out in New Jersey.

33. Caron Butler

Caron Butler has been quietly putting up brilliant numbers.

34. Hedo Turkoglu

Hedo hit big shot after big shot last season, and really showed that he is a go-to guy at the end of the game.

35. David West

I see David West as a poor man's Tim Duncan. He is not flashy, but he gets the job done.

36. Lamar Odom

Lamar is a versatile forward who was a very integral part of last year's championship.

37. Vince Carter

Half man, half amazing. He may not be quite his old self, but he's pretty darn good.

38. Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd is on his way down this list, but even at his age, is one of the best point guards in the league.

39. Ron Artest

Easily a top-five one-on-one defender in the league.

40. Rudy Gay

This is another example where being in a small market can cause a player to be underrated. Rudy Gay will be rising up this list over the next several years.

41. Antwan Jamison

Would it surprise you to learn that Jamison was in the top 20 for PER rating last season?

42. Manu Ginobili

Probably the best NBA player to come from the bench.

43. Chauncey Billups

Billups is a solid point guard who knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

44. OJ Mayo

OJ Mayo is poised for a breakout.

45. Baron Davis

Baron Davis is a pretty good player that, on certain nights, turns into an outstanding player.

46. Andrew Bynum

In a league where great centers are hard to come by, Andrew Bynum has begun to make a name for himself.

47. LaMarcus Aldridge

48. Josh Howard

49. Mo Williams

50. Josh Smith