The Cream Of The Crop: Projected Top 5 NBA Players for the 2010-11 Season & Why
As much as basketball is considered a team game, it is also one of the few sports where one man can outscore an entire team (see Kobe Bryant's 62 over three quarters against the entire Mavervicks team's 61). This makes having a superstar/go-to player that much more important to a franchise.
With that said, after a tumultuous off-season full of change, here are the five NBA players that I think will attain/maintain the rank of superstar and be the best for the 2010-11 season.
Number Five: Dirk Nowitzki
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Number Five: Dirk Nowitzki
This might be a surprise to some of you, but I feel that Dirk has consistently been one of the more underrated superstars in the league. He is incredibly consistent and efficient, with his feathery soft jumper and face-up game, leading the Mavericks to ten consecutive 50+ win seasons. Ten. Over those ten years, Dirk's Mavs have posted a whopping win-percentage of 67%. Insane.
And if team accolades don't do it for you, how about his individual stats?
Dirk has consistently averaged around 25 points, grabbed 8-9 rebounds, and chips in 2-3 dimes per game-- all while shooting stellar percentages: Around 90% on FTs, 38-40% on 3s (insane, considering he's a big man), and 48-50% on normal field goals. Those are numbers that tell a story of quiet efficiency and complete deadliness, both MVP worthy numbers. However, he is often left out of the conversation due to his low marketability and lack of playoff success.
Overall, Dirk is definitely a top five talent in this league and will continue to “do work” next season. He possesses both the team accolades (omit playoffs) and individual stats, that a top five talent in the league should have, as well as the ability to change up the opposing team's game plan, and open up his teammates' games.
Number Four: Kobe Bryant
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Number Four: Kobe Bryant
Before we get started, let me just say that I am a huge Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan. Kobe was the reason I got into basketball; the first game I've ever watched wasthe Christmas Day showdown Kobe and Yao Ming. Time was running out, and a guy named Bryan grabbed the ball and shot a fadeaway three pointer while falling out of bounds.
Swish. Nothing but net.
Wow.
That is now in the past, although, I feel that he got cheated out of a few MVP awards (Steve Nash back to back? Really?). Kobe is no longer the best player in the NBA. That doesn't mean he can't be downright dominant at times. Everyone still knows that Kobe can easily turn a loss into a win.
However, Kobe is entering the downward slope of his career now. His astonishing individual accolades behind him. He's already got the stats, the 81 point game, the 60 point games, the consecutive 50 point games, the 35 ppg average etc. Now, he is chasing championships. Sadly, for the fans, a better supporting cast means less Kobe time, but more winning. Although his highlights and top plays might suffer a bit (nothing pained me more than seeing him lay it in on a fastbreak, or dunk weakly last season), that simply means that Kobe will continue to win and dominate a little less in the regular season, on order to dominate more in the playoffs.
Kobe's age, mileage, and body breakdown cannot be easily mitigated by incredible basketball IQ and footwork. At the end of the day, the NBA is still a league of athletes and when your athleticism begins to drop, your production often begins to suffer.
Overall, Kobe will continue to post stellar numbers and fight through any pain he might feel. I hope that he will prove me wrong, but otherwise, I feel that the 2010-11 season will be the beginning of the end of Kobe's prime.
Number Three: LeBron James
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Number Three:LeBron James
I hate LeBron James. Perhaps it is how he was portrayed as the anti-Kobe or the Kobe-rival, perhaps its how he carries himself, but I just can't stand the guy.
But is he talented?
Incredibly.
Is he also a douchebag?
Undoubtedly.
His “Decision” was a terrible move for his image. But that is a topic for another day.
Today, its all about his talent.
I find it laughable to read about how people think, that all of a sudden, LeBron is just going to drop off the face of the Earth and suck. How can the best player in the league, last year, suddenly become a nobody?
LeBron has oodles and oodles of talent—so much so that if he put the same amount of work Kobe does into his game, he would be unstoppable. Even with LeBron chucking half-hearted 22 footers, he can rack up the individual accolades. He has a 27.8 career average with 7 rebounds and 7 assists —as a small forward. And he's only 25. Wow.
But the main knock on him is his lack of effort (see Cleveland playoff games), and his willingness to join up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. People say that playing with superstars will limit his game and hurt his numbers.
While to a certain degree that is true, LeBron will not be the second fiddle to Dwayne Wade's conductor. I think that, in time, Miami will slowly become LeBron's team-- the superior talent always wins. With a better supporting cast, LeBron's scoring average might dip, but he will be able to focus on other aspects of his game, raising his assist, rebound, and defensive numbers.
A drop in overall production decreases him a few ranks, but his talent itself merits a top three rank.
Number Two: Chris Paul
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Number Two: Chris Paul
Chris Paul was injured last season, but if you look at his 2008-09 season stats, you'll see an incredible player.
He averaged nearly 23/11/6 and 3 steals per game, on a sub-par Hornets team, that was severely lacking weapons.
Oh no biggie, Chris Paul will only drop 20 you every game, dish out 11 assists, grab 6 rebounds. Oh, and pick three people's pockets. Wow.
As a dynamic point guard (best in the league), Paul is lightning quick, and can easily change the tempo of the game. He is an underrated defender and creative passer, with athleticism.. Provided he makes a full recovery from his injuries, he will have an even greater 2010-11 season with a team full of new weapons.
Number One: Kevin Durant
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Number One: Kevin Durant
So how about this guy, huh? Won his first scoring title last year, led the Thunder to 50 wins and a playoff berth, became an All-Star, and was selected to the All NBA first team. Oh yeah, and then he leads Team USA to a gold at the World Championships. How about that?
Humble and hardworking, Kevin Durant is slightly boring as a public persona, but a monster on the court. He's like LeBron, without the cocky attitude and aversion to work. I firmly believe all the KD hype this summer has merit. He is going to have a great season, building off of his 30ppg/8rebs/3assist/2 combined block+steals performance last season. Going into next season, Durant will be a young 23 and the possibilities for him are endless. There is a reason experts and GMs alike, have him penned down as the MVP next season—he's the real deal. Just imagine what he will do in his prime? Insane.
It's very likely this will become his league in the future, but for now, he'll probably just dominate the 2010-11 season.
Honorable Mention:
Dwayne Wade (I feel his game will be more affected by the arrival of LeBron than LeBron's will)
Dwight Howard (FT touch and lack of a refined post game knocks him down. He has been working with Olajuwon this summer-- results might push him into the conversation)
Deron Williams (Very underrated but yet to put together a convincing campaign... first Boozer-less season; let'ssee how he does)
