NBA Power Rankings: Chris Paul, Pau Gasol and Top 25 Players into December
The offseason was dominated by talk of the new Miami Thrice, but so far this season they have been woefully disappointing.
Before the season fans would have expected all three Miami Heat superstars to crack the top 25. Alas, they did not.
How many Miami players did make the list? Where does LeBron James rank amongst the league's elite? Which of the young point guards ranks highest? And who is my early season MVP favorite?
Read on to find out.
Players Ranked 25-20
1 of 20
20. Josh Smith
21. Joakim Noah
22. Monta Ellis
23. Kevin Love
24. Al Horford
25. Amar'e Stoudemire
19. Blake Griffin
2 of 20I almost feel bad for Griffin. As a member of the LA Clippers he seems destined to fail. Despite a surplus of young talent, LA's other team holds the league's worst record at 3-15.
As much as I'd love to spend my next few hundred words bashing Donald Sterling, I've got some praising to do.
Blake is the new-age Dominique Wilkins. He is a human highlight film. Every night he does something that makes you drop your jaw to the floor and say, "I've never seen anything like that before."
His dunk over Timothy Mozgov? I was salivating. His spin move and posterization on the fast break? I was literally speechless (unless nondescript grunts count).
Griffin has a soft touch on his jumper (meaning that woeful free-throw percentage will rise), nice moves and a level of athleticism paralleled by only Superman himself. In fact, if it's not too racist, may I suggest "Da White Howard" as Griffin's new moniker?
He jumps like a puma, runs like a cheetah and has the strength of a bear. Only a rookie, Griffin is averaging 20, 11 and 2.5. At 21 years old, the best is yet to come.
18. Kevin Garnett
3 of 20
The former Defensive Player of the Year is finally starting to resemble his old self. After fighting through knee injuries for the past two seasons, Garnett finally looks healthy.
Now obviously at his age, you can't expect the KG of old. He's got some serious mileage on his wheels, but the fact that he can throw down an alley-oop without being embarrassed by the front rim is a welcome sight to Celtics fans.
KG is hitting the boards, playing stifling defense and nailing the mid-range jumper. Now if only he would show off that low-post arsenal, he could maximize his talents.
17. Dwyane Wade
4 of 20
This season has been an utter disappointment for Wade, as he has struggled to coexist with LeBron. Even so, I can't withhold him from the league's top 25 players.
His numbers aren't what they were last year, but I think most coaches would still be ecstatic with 21, 6 and 4.
16. Tim Duncan
5 of 20
I'll admit it—the numbers aren't great. In fact, I would be surprised if Duncan's streak of consecutive all-NBA appearances continues this season.
Still, Duncan remains an elite player in my eyes. Even at his advanced age, Duncan is a terrific defender, amazing passer, tough rebounder and solid post scorer.
He has accepted a lesser role in the offense as athletic wings like Richard Jefferson and Manu Ginobili have become the focal points of San Antonio's offense.
Even so, I couldn't name many players I would rather have on my team than TD.
15. Steve Nash
6 of 20
Given the utter dearth of an interior presence, Suns management has to be happy with the team's 8-9 start.
Still, you have to wonder whether Nash will eventually be dealt. The team isn't rebuilding and they're not competing. The team would be wise to acquire young talent for Nash while they still can, and I'm sure Nash would relish the opportunity to chase a title.
He's not the best defender in the league, but with averages of 19 and 9.5, he could be the perfect player for a borderline contender (Orlando anybody?).
14. Danny Granger
7 of 20
The Pacers are sitting on a 9-8 record and I don't think a soul predicted this. I don't even think Larry Legend had these types of aspirations for his Indiana ball club.
This season, with Darren Collison at the point, Granger has been able to work off the ball more often and has been more selective with his shots. He's still a chucker from downtown, but far more of them are taking place within the flow of the offense.
13. Manu Ginobili
8 of 20
Whenever Manu is healthy, the Spurs are an entirely different team. The 6'6" Argentinean throws his body around like a rag doll, so I don't expect his clean bill of health to continue, but he sure is fun to watch.
Manu is athletic, tough and creative with the ball. He finds ways to score when other players would struggle to get a shot off. He's a smart player and aggressive player with a beautiful jumper.
Even so, it's tough to explain his incredible season.
At age 33, Manu is having the best season of his life: 21.6 points. 3.6 boards. 5.1 assists. 1.8 steals. 2.8 threes. Manu is playing out of his mind and has the Spurs back in the title hunt with a league-best 14-2 record.
12. Rajon Rondo
9 of 20
A triple-double with 24 assists. The most assists through five games in NBA history. Rondo has proven himself to not only deserve mention with the big three, but he has actually passed them all.
Not many Celtic fans would argue against Rondo as the team's best player and for good reason. He may overpass at times, but his unselfish ways fuel the C's offense. Rondo has an unbelievable ability to beat his man, force the double and find an opening where nobody else sees daylight.
He's an elite defender with elite athleticism, and if he ever develops a jump shot, the entire league should tremble.
11. Deron Williams
10 of 20
Carlos Boozer leaves town and Deron Williams simply turns Paul Millsap into the new Boozer. The man doesn't miss a beat.
Williams has seen his scoring rise slightly, and his assists have been maintained at last year's impressive level while his team stays in the thick of things. The Jazz (which should have been renamed years ago) are leading the Northwest division with a 13-5 mark, and the thanks need to go to D-Will.
10. Carmelo Anthony
11 of 20
Carmelo may want a trade, but he's certainly not dogging it. With Kenyon Martin out, Anthony has been playing big and hitting the boards.
One critique? 'Melo seems to be settling for too many jumpers. Attack the rack.
9. Russell Westbrook
12 of 20
Similar to Derrick Rose, Westbrook's experience playing for Team USA seems to have done wonders. Westbrook has been more aggressive yet, at the same time, smarter about his shot selection.
He's attacking the hoop unlike he's ever done before (9.4 free-throw attempts per game), but more importantly, he's nailing his freebies (88.8 percent from the stripe). It used to be Kevin Durant and then Westbrook. Now it's Durant and Westbrook.
Westbrook's a lockdown defender and an exceptional rebounder for his height. He's mostly unknown as Nash, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Rondo, Rose and Williams all steal his headlines. His 24, 5 and 8 stat line? Probably deserves more attention.
8. Derrick Rose
13 of 20
While I should be venting about Rose's irritating Adidas commercial that has ruined the comedic stylings of Ken Jeong, I simply can't. Rose's on-court production has been so impressive that I'd hate to speak ill of him or his incessant advertisement.
Everybody knows D-Rose is a world-class athlete with an explosive first step. However, he finally has the confidence to be aggressive and knows that no defender in the league can stop him if he attacks the rack.
Rose is shooting more. Scoring more. And, oh yeah, dropping even more dimes.
Rose has improved across the board and deserves to start at the point for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game.
7. LeBron James
14 of 20
The Heat's 9-8 start comes as a shock to almost everybody. Even if you didn't think Miami was a title contender, you had to imagine they'd be ahead of the lowly Pacers.
Still, even in a down year, you can't overlook the King. James has seen his field-goal percentage drop as his scoring has waned, but the final product is still respectable: 24, 6 and 8? I'll take those numbers any day.
And for those of you who believe the Heat will continue at this .500 pace, allow me to quote Steven Tyler: Dream On.
6. Dirk Nowitzki
15 of 20
He may not be the best defender, but Dirk is an absolutely impossible defensive assignment. Put a big man on him and Dirk blows right past. Quicker forward? Dirk launches his shot right over him.
Dallas is off to another hot start with a 12-4 record, and once again it is Dirk who deserves the credit. At 32 years old, Dirk's numbers are somehow up from last season's with averages of 26 and 8 on 54-percent shooting.
5. Dwight Howard
16 of 20
As a 6'2" center, I'm always undersized in rec leagues and competitive pickup games. Maybe a summer of training with Hakeem Olajuwon would help me dominate the competition. After all, it seems to be working for Superman.
For years, I've watched Howard and been frustrated by his offensive arsenal. A dinky hook shot across the lane was the only way Dwight could score other than dunking. This year? Dwight looks to be evolving. I've seen the big fellow bank a 15-foot jumper a la Tim Duncan.
I've seen a nice drop step. The up and under. This new bag of tricks has allowed Howard to become a legitimate offensive threat, and the numbers attest to that, as his scoring is up more than four points per game.
4. Pau Gasol
17 of 20
It's a good thing Marc Gasol ended up having some game or Grizzlies fans the world over would be finding tall buildings to jump off.
After posting an incredible 2009-2010 season, Pau is emulating a fine wine—continually getting better with age.
Gasol's scoring (21.5), rebounding (11.9), assists (4.1) and blocks (1.9) are all up from last year. The only stat that hasn't risen? That would be turnovers.
He's the perfect center for the triangle offense and he may be the smartest big man in the game.
3. Kobe Bryant
18 of 20
Allow me to offer another list for you: Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Hakeem, Magic, Wilt, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant. Those are my top 10 players of all-time.
With five titles, the No. 12 spot amongst all-time leading scorers, 12 All-NBA teams and 10 all-defensive teams, I can't praise Kobe enough. This season has been no different than any other: 26.5 points. 5.8 boards. 4.7 assists.
By the way, he's playing five minutes per game fewer than last season.
LeBron may be the most talented player in the NBA, but Kobe is still the best.
2. Kevin Durant
19 of 20
Durantula (half Durant, half tarantula) is off to yet another fabulous start. The 22-year-old forward is yet again leading the league in scoring (27.4 ppg), although his peripherals have dropped across the board.
The smooth 6'9" scoring champ has missed some action with a sprained ankle and he has not played up to his full ability.
If Durant can improve on last year's tremendous season (or even just stay at that level) and the Thunder can land home-court advantage (currently the No. 6 seed), Durant could be in line for the first of many MVPs.
1. Chris Paul
20 of 20
Last season CP3 missed half the season and the team trudged forward to a lowly 37-45 record.
With a healthy Paul reinserted in the lineup, the Hornets have been the league's biggest surprise. Their 12-4 record has New Orleans two games back of the Spurs for first place, and all the credit goes to Paul.
The former Demon Deacon's numbers are nothing new (16.5, 5 and 10), but it's the little things Paul does that earn him the top spot. He is the premier defensive point guard in the league (sorry Rondo) and he is proving it with his league-leading 2.8 steals per game.
Paul has taken an otherwise mediocre cast and turned them into a potential NBA Finals contender. For that, my early MVP vote goes to Paul.
