NBA Power Rankings: Kobe Bryant and the Top 20 Perimeter Scorers in the League

Everyone knows Kobe Bryant (well, hopefully everyone knows Kobe Bryant).

Most of you either love him (that would be all those of you from the Los Angeles area) or hate him (that would be the rest of you).

Whichever side of that debate you're on, there's no denying that Kobe is one of those players that is a threat from anywhere on the court. But where he really works his magic is on the perimeter. On the outside, Kobe is golden.

Let's not go giving so much credit to Kobe, though. He's not the only big time perimeter threat out there.

Who are the others you ask?

Well, I'm glad you asked, because I just so happen to have this list sitting around of the top 20 perimeter scoring threats in the NBA right now.

Now, where did I put that...

....

Right, here it is. Let's get started.

No. 16-20

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DENVER - DECEMBER 28: Ty Lawson #3 of the Denver Nuggets takes a shot between Wesley Matthews #2 and Dante Cunningham #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center on December 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Blazers 95-77. NOTE

16. Jason Richardson

17. Dirk Nowitzki

18. Marco Belinelli

19. Chauncey Billups

20. Daniel Gibson

No. 11-15

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MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 01: Tayshaun Prince #22 of the Detroit Pistons shoots over Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on December 1, 2010 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

11. Manu Genobli

12. Ray Allen

13. Kevin Martin

14. Tony Parker

15. Tayshaun Prince

10. Paul Pierce

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 07: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot as Jose Calderon #8 of the Toronto Raptors defends on January 7, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Since Rajon Rondo can't shoot, someone has to pick up the slack, and Paul Pierce has been the perfect guy to do that.

Shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from outside the arc, Pierce is a danger all over the court, but is at his best on the outside.

9. Monta Ellis

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 12: Monta Ellis #8 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena on January 12, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Since the Golden State Warriors have no defense, they need to rely on good young shooters. While most people look to Stephen Curry, you can't forget Monta Ellis.

Ellis is killing it this year, shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from outside the arc. He's averaging 25.6 points per game and is a big reason why the Warriors have such a potent offensive attack.

8. Hedo Turkoglu

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic moves the ball as Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes for the steal in the third quarter of Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NO

Now that Hedo Turkoglu is back with the Magic, order has been restored in the universe.

Kidding.

In all seriousness though, Turkoglu is a very good perimeter scorer, despite the fact that his numbers don't quite show it.

He's shooting above 40 percent from inside and outside the arc, which is good, but you and I both know that he's better than his numbers.

7. Chris Paul

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets moves the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

With 39 games under his belt so far this season, Chris Paul has continued his dominance on the court.

Shooting over 45 percent both inside and outside the arc, Paul is still a dangerous shooting threat, using shiftiness and an ability to elevate to beat perimeter defenders.

6. Stephen Curry

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the New York Knicks at Oracle Arena on November 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

Stephen Curry is one of the best pure three point shooters in the League, but he's struggling a bit with the transition to point guard.

Either way though, you can't deny how good he is, and how important he is as a scoring threat for the Golden State Warriors.

5. LeBron James

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PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 09: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat shoots a free throw against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game on January 9, 2011 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

LeBron James is averaging over 25 points a game. That should say it all.

Stopping LeBron James has become a bit of a problem for a lot of people, and that's understandable, because the man can shoot it from anywhere, covered or not. I've seen him take great shots from the outside on a simple catch and shoot, but I've also seen him take fadeaway shots from the perimeter and sink them on more than one occasion.

Much like the No. 1 of this list, LeBron James is a guy who you either love (I'm looking at you Miami) or hate (that'd be most of you). Either way though, you can't deny his skills.

4. Mike Bibby

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 26: Mike Bibby #10 of the Atlanta Hawks calls a play during the game against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Hornets defeated the Hawks 93-86. NOTE TO USER:

Mike Bibby deserves a lot of respect right now as a three point threat: Through 40 games, Bibby is running at 48.5 percent from outside the arc.

That puts him a full 10 percent below the leader (Shawne Williams), but Bibby has played 19 more games than Williams has, so mad props to Mike Bibby for consistency.

In all seriousness though, anyone sinking half of their three point shots through 40 games deserves to be high up on this list, and there you have it.

3. Dwyane Wade

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 04: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat shoots during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on January 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or usi

Before there was LeBron James (in Miami at least), there was Dwyane Wade.

With the Big Three now in South Beach, Wade has fallen a bit out of the spotlight in the wake of all of the media attention that LeBron gets on a regular basis.

Wade is still a fantastic perimeter threat, though. Averaging over 25 points per game and shooting 49.5 percent from inside the arc and 30.8 percent from outside, Wade always has the ability to change games when he is out on the court.

2. Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 09: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the New York Knicks at Staples Center on January 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 109-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Whether you love him or hate him, there's simply no denying that Kobe Bryant is magic on the court.

Plain and simple, he can do it all. That's why he is one of the best basketball players ever, and he continues to build his legacy every year.

Don't deny it, you know Kobe should be here.

1. Kevin Durant

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 10: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks the ball over D.J. Mbenga #28 of the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on December 10, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Thunder defeated the Hornets 97-92.

A lot of people say that it is impossible to pass judgment on Kevin Durant right now, if only because he is so young.

As far as I'm concerned, that's all lies.

Kevin Durant is a monster athlete, a deadly shooter, the heart and soul of the Oklahoma City Thunder and probably the best young player in the League (Yes, I'm ignoring Blake Griffin right now, sorry).

Durant keeps the Thunder relevant, and he is clearly the best perimeter threat in the NBA. He really does deserve the No. 1 slot.