Picking Each NBA Team's Best Finisher

Heading into the archives of NBA history the other afternoon, I watched a game on NBA TV between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1984 playoffs. It was remarkable to me the number of shots taken inside the paint, specifically by some guy named Magic.

While the three-point line existed and was integrated occasionally into the offense, more emphasis was put on getting to the basket and the mid-range game.

Oh, how the game has changed.

Three pointers and isolation offense dominates the NBA today, and while those have their place in the success of players and franchises, I can't help but think how the old-school players pump their fist every time uber-athletic guards Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook take the ball to the rack.

In the spirit of a little old-school along with a little new-school, here's each team's best finisher around the basket. It could qualify as the annihilation of the rim on the break, or the craftiness of getting an old-fashioned three-point play.

Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith

Atlanta Hawks fans have always been frustrated with Josh Smith. Poor shot selection and laziness have defined his career in Atlanta so far.

The guy can flat out dunk the ball though.

This video against the Magic in 2010 shows you that if you don't box him out, and he's not hovering at the three-point line, then he's a nightmare in the paint.

If he brought the same kind of intensity and rim-crashing effort each night (which he's getting better at), the Hawks would be better off.

Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo is both blessed and cursed by the size of his hands. They affect his outside shooting and free-throws in a negative way, but his passing and finishing at the basket are both fueled by the fact he can do things with the ball that players with smaller hands can't do.

His quickness off the dribble is remarkable, especially considering defenders back off due to his shooting woes.

He gets to the cup more often that any of his Celtics counterparts, and considering he often uses his penetration to find open shooters, that ability is even more impressive.

Charlotte Bobcats: Corey Maggette

Even though he's currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, Corey Maggette's athleticism and free-throw shooting put him at the top of the list for Bobcats finishers.

If he doesn't throw it down, he's showed an ability to get fouled and capitalize at the charity stripe.

He gets to the line an average of seven times a game for his career, and also shoots the free-throw well at an 82 percent clip.

The Bobcats have missed him in their lineup, specifically as the type of slasher that can create his own shot at the rim and take pressure off of Kemba Walker and D.J. Augustin.

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose

The reigning league MVP is not only the best finisher on his team, he's the best in the entire NBA. Hands down, no questions asked, game over.

Not only does he show the athleticism to rise above the rim and dunk the ball on the break or in traffic, but his ability to take contact, twist his body and still find a way to make tough layups is far and away superior compared to other players.

It's almost a guarantee to get a Rose highlight during the finish of every game, and I'd love for it to stay that way.

He is fun to watch.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

Rookie guard Kyrie Irving is essentially in a two-man race with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio for Rookie of the Year honors.

However, there is no debate who is the better finisher.

Irving is starting to make a believer out of folks in Cleveland and league wide, living up to his number one pick status and slashing through established defenses like a knife through butter.

He made a believer out of the Dallas Mavericks last week, putting the Cavs ahead by three on their final possession by splitting through three defenders, and finishing with a tough right-hander in traffic on the way to a 91-88 win.

Dallas Mavericks: Delonte West

No Vinsanity? Vince Carter still has an argument here, but based on athleticism and quickness: Delonte West takes the cake.

He has given the Mavericks the penetration of the departed J.J. Barea in a cheaper, bigger body.

West makes it look easy when he gets to the rim. His left hand is soft around the basket, and he can still fly up and throw it down if necessary.

Frankly, his offensive production is key to the Mavs success, especially with Jason Kidd sidelined and Rodrigue Beaubois still growing as a point guard.

Denver Nuggets: Ty Lawson

Lawson has officially supplanted Raymond Felton and Andre Miller as the guy in Denver. The results have been fortuitous for the Nuggets, who sit at 15-10, good for 4th in the Western Conference.

The third-year guard from North Carolina teased scouts with his quickness and ball-handling, but his 5'11" frame left something to be desired.

He's put those worries to rest, too, showing all the doubters he can lead the fast break and take guys off the dribble with the best of them.

Lawson is one of the big reasons Denver is first in points and assists per game.

Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey

Stuckey made his mark several seasons ago, before Chauncey Billups was deemed expendable by management on the road to Allen Iverson (hindsight is a funny thing).

He made his mark during those years as an attacker and slasher, and was actually criticized for not having more offensive game than just driving to his right and muscling shots in. 

Only averaging 12.9 points with four assists this season, the Brandon Knight draft pick likely signals his days with the Pistons are few and far between.

But until they part ways, he is the best finisher for Motown.

Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis

Say what you want about selfishness and lack of ball movement, but Monta Ellis is one of the most creative finishers in the game today.

The video shown is just one example. Like Rose, Ellis can give highlights for ESPN's top-10 on a game-to-game basis.

Unlike Rose, he settles for jump shots more often than not, and has possessions where his teammates don't even get a chance to see the ball.

Like his game or not, however, Ellis can finish with the best of them.

Houston Rockets: Kyle Lowry

Just two seasons ago, Lowry was a back-up to budding star Aaron Brooks, flashing glimpses of being a very valuable contributor to the Houston Rockets.

Now, with disgruntled Brooks somewhere in China and the starting point guard role all his, Lowry is proving to be a go-to-guy even more than his higher scoring counterpart, Kevin Martin.

He makes big shots in key moments, and like many guys on this list, he uses his stature and quickness to blow by defenders and finish at the rim. His perimeter game is still improving, but Lowry knows how to get to the rack, and will continue to do so as his career progresses.

Indiana Pacers: David West

David West is one of the most underrated players at his position in the game.

His numbers are down across the board, but that's a product of going from a role primarily as the number two scorer under the pick-and-roll offense in New Orleans, to the third or fourth option in Indiana.

He's physical, smart and won't take no for an answer when he gets position deep in the post.

While his finishes aren't flashy, he shoots at a very high percentage (49 for his career) and gets the job done when given the ball with the score close in the final minutes.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Not very much explanation needed here, especially if you're a regular ESPN watcher. But for those of you who aren't, type in "Blake Griffin Dunks" to Google and be graced with the power of flight.

Timofey Mozgov, Kendrick Perkins and the rest of the league can attest that Griffin is a force to be reckoned with on the fast break or the pick-and-roll.

If you don't believe me, tune into a Clippers game in the coming weeks. The opposing jerseys literally part the waters for his arrival to throw down another jam.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

Yes, the Black Mamba is still the best finisher during the dark light hours at Staples Center.

He isn't the athletic dunker or high-flyer that he was when he wore No. 8 and had the "fro," but he can still finish with the best of them.

Kobe will settle for jump shots early in a game to establish some rhythm and let his legs get comfortable to the flow of the game. But make no mistake, Kobe still shows the ability to throw his body around with the big boys and not get lost.

When Kobe wants to finish, he finishes. End of story.

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay punishes the rim when he gets the chance. It's going to be scary to watch the Grizzlies when they get a full compliment of players.

Gay and Zach Randolph haven't played together consistently in nearly a year.

His frame is perfect for creating mismatches with smaller guards and larger forwards, and throw in the fact he is getting a reputation for being clutch in big moments, he can have his choice of a jump shot or a drive to the rim whenever he wants.

Miami Heat: LeBron James

I could write an entire article on the debate between who is the better finisher: LeBron or Wade?

LeBron jumps higher and farther, while Wade has better creativity and basketball IQ.

For the purposes of not turning this article into that debate, I went with LeBron. He's the overall best talent in this league and takes more contact with the finish that everyone with the possible exception of Dwight Howard.

He makes Mario Chalmers and Dwayne Wade's lives easier, and runs the break with such tenacity and force: the likes that have never been seen in this league before him.

Now if he could just control that pesky fourth quarter situation...

Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut

While Greg Oden's injury story keeps getting worse, Bogut's doesn't get any better. He has missed games in all but his rookie season, but when he does play, he's one of the better centers in the Eastern Conference.

He's a career 57 percent shooter from the field, and gets offensive rebound-put-backs at a highly consistent rate.

To that fact he also has a good, young point guard in Brandon Jennings to get him opportunities, along with the skills of a good post game on the low block in traffic.

If Bogut can get healthy after his most recent injury, it will be interesting to see if he can be the force down low that Milwaukee consistently needs.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Michael Beasley

Beasley is another player in the category of Monta Ellis and Josh Smith. Extreme talent, extreme athleticism, and when he puts it all together he can be one of the toughest players to guard in the league.

But he hasn't put it all together in his four seasons after departing Kansas State after his freshman campaign, putting up gaudy numbers on some nights in Miami and Minnesota, but also catching boos when he decides to shoot his team out of the game.

Look out for Beasley on the break, however, because he will out jump and out power those in his way to look good for the camera.

New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams

In my opinion, Williams is the most complete point guard in the NBA.

His size, passing ability and leadership all combine to make him diverse as a player and a point guard.

As such, he can drive to the hoop when he wants. He can take smaller guards down to the block and post up, as well as take bigger guards off the dribble and beat them to the basket.

While Williams' days as the best Nets finisher might be numbered, his days as a star are not.

New Orleans Hornets: Eric Gordon

"EG" hasn't had a chance to shine for the Hornets just yet.

The outgoing centerpiece of the Chris Paul trade has only played two games for New Orleans, averaging 21 points and five rebounds.That shows you his value to a team currently sitting at 4-21 and at the bottom of the Western Conference.

He's the best finisher on a team that doesn't even currently implore his services, so when he does get back from his injury, it will be interesting to see if he can help the Hornets rise from their current funk by attacking the same way he did in Los Angeles his first three seasons.

New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire

He doesn't quite throw it down with the authority he did with Steve Nash when rocking the number 32, but Amar'e can still mix it up with the best of them in the paint.

Hopefully Jeremy Lin's emergence as the starting point guard will be able to re-create some of the Nash effect in New York, and if so Amar'e might get back to his pick-and-roll ways around the rim in Madison Square Garden for good.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Westbrook glides down the court with the ball in his hands. He makes it look so easy, cutting and dribbling between and around defenders with the slightest margin for error and still finishes against much bigger men than he.

It's almost as if he jumps higher and runs faster with each game. If you blink when the Thunder have the ball, he might already be at the basket.

While Kevin Durant throws down some monster jams when given the chance, Westbrook is the overall better finisher if you look at the way that he is able to finish amongst defenders off the dribble and still show the tomahawk on the fast break.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Other than Blake Griffin, Howard is the most obvious choice on this list. You wonder if Howard had Chris Paul or Baron Davis throwing him lobs night-to-night, how many more dunks he would have.

No offense to Jameer Nelson or the rest of the three-point crew in Orlando, but Howard has needed a new system for a while, and a point guard to get him the ball in transition and off the pick-and-roll like Griffin and Paul do so well in LA.

The man dunked on a 12 ft. rim, with relative ease in the 2009 All-Star game. He should make Bill Walton's, "Throw it down big man, throw it down" relevant again in the near future, no matter what point guard or team he's playing with.

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

AI might not be the most famous person with that nickname to play in Philadelphia. But he's without a doubt the better finisher of the two.

Iguodala is lethal on the fast break, turning defense into a quick offense, much like the top 10 video segment provided.

But he can also isolate and take his defender to the rim in the flow of Doug Collins' offense, and when he does: look out below.

Phoenix Suns: Shannon Brown

Brown has become somewhat of a forgotten man since his departure from LA. Just two seasons ago, Kobe was campaigning for his spot in the dunk contest, proclaiming him as one of the best in the entire league.

But he disappointed in that showing, and then proceeded to take a job elsewhere when his contract expired, signing with Phoenix this offseason.

With less media exposure and in an offense that incorporates more three-point shooting, we haven't seen Brown fly above the rim like he did in LA.

Most of his finishes come on the break, but when he does finish he still shows that he's got one of the biggest verticals in the NBA.

Portland Trail Blazers: Gerald Wallace

He can't quite throw it down like he did in Sacramento and the early part of his days as the face of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, but like Vince Carter and Kobe, Wallace can still give fans in Portland a poster every now and then.

Since he's transitioned from being the best player on a bad team to a role player on a good one, the necessity to fly above the rim comes less often than it used to.

He can attack the rim playing small or power forward, as well as take the pressure off LaMarcus Aldridge to be the only inside presence in Portland.

Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

There are a lot of similarities between Evans and Derrick Rose.

Both were Memphis point guards who left school early to the tune of a top draft pick, each can finish at the cup with either a dunk or a nifty lay-in and each can close out a game.

But the similarities stop there.

Evans is known as a black hole on offense, still isn't a great shooter and struggles to find the type of consistency that made Rose the MVP last year.

Evans has all the tools, specifically as the best rim-attacker on his team. His next few years will establish his legacy as a stat-stuffer, or a true point guard and a leader in the league.

San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker

San Antonio was never the same when they were introduced to Tony Parker and his floater.

The Frenchman and 3-time World Champion is still showing at age 29 that he is better than ever at taking the ball to the basket.

He is still deadly on the fast break, and in the scope of creativity and shot difficulty, Parker is right up there with Rose and Westbrook.

His ability to take contact and finish is underrated because he doesn't have the same vertical leap that other point guards do, but he's reminding people nightly that you can't ever have your hands down inside the paint if you want to stop him.

Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan is a rising star in this league.

He doesn't get noticed because he plays north of the border with a team struggling to find an identity, but he can hover above the rim with any young talent in the NBA.

After participating in the dunk contest last year, folks began to notice that you can't leave the painted area open for him in half court sets.

He'll continue to gain attention as he grows as a player and a finisher in Toronto.

Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson

I almost went with Gordon Hayward here, because the kid can play. The Jazz are a team without a true "in your face" finisher, and the former Butler Bulldog is starting to show signs of being that guy.

However, Jefferson has a proven track record of going to work down low.

Big Al is one of the craftiest finishers in the game. He throws pump fakes, up-and-unders and high arking leaners to get the job done in the post for the Jazz.

He can play pick-and-roll and also do his thing isolated on the low block, so it's difficult for teams to defend the basket with him and Paul Millsap lurking for position.

Washington Wizards: Nick Young

The Wizards have young track star John Wall and furious big man JaVale McGee, but Young is their most underrated player and finisher.

His athleticism and scoring rival any young guard in the NBA, especially his 360 finish over Lamar Odom in a game against the Lakers last season.

Attitude and work ethic have been an early concern in his career, but with the way the roster is now in Washington, Young is going to have to find his own way to stay motivated and continue to grow.