NBA Playoffs 2011: Power Ranking the Top Five at Each Position so Far
So far, this has been one of the most exillerating and closely contested playoffs in recent memory. There are so many players who have played at the high level we have come to expect from the best of the NBA.
So, close to the end of round one, who has showed the most brilliance at each position?
You may love some pics, you may hate others, but there is no denying the names on these slides represent some of the best of one of the greatest sports.
Enjoy.
Point Guards
1 of 6
1. Chris Paul, Hornets (25.5 points, 11.5 assists, 7 rebounds, 57% shooting)
2. Rajon Rondo, Celtics (19 points, 12 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 50% shooting)
3. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (26.3 points, 6.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 43% shooting)
4. Derrick Rose, Bulls (28.3 points, 6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 35.2% shooting)
5. Mike Conley, Grizzlies (14.3 points, 7.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 38.5% shooting)
Chris Paul has played lights out in every aspect of the game. He has set up his players beautifully, played tenacious defense, and lit up the scoreboard with a scorching 57% shooting rate. I have never seen a point gaurd play as well as he has over the first few games of the series versus the Lakers. It has been nearly magical.
Rajon Rondo is a far away second, but that is no desrespect to him. He has regained top form, and if he continues to play at this high level (after all, it was just the defensless Knicks) the east will need to watch out for Boston. Russell Westbrook has been outstanding as well, playing at such a quick pace his opponents look like they are standing still.
Now this brings me to Derrick Rose, and I will catch heat for having him so low. Here is why... 35% shooting. I have watched him play in every game, and for every wow moment he has, he has a moment where he throws up a turkey. I can't stand that... he has definately carried the Bulls through this series... but he isn't playing better than the top three point guards at this junction. Better season? Yes! Better playoff? Not yet.
Shooting Guards
2 of 6
1. Dwayne Wade, Heat (21.3 points, 45.3% shooting, 7.8 rebounds, 4.8 assist)
2. Ray Allen, Celtics (22 points, 57.4% shooting, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists)
3. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (23 points, 41.9% shooting, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists)
4. Joe Johnson, Hawks (20 points, 43.5% shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists)
5. Jamaal Crawford, Hawks (24 points, 47.1% shooting, 2 rebounds, 4 assists)
Like the Heat or not, no one can deny how good Dwayne Wade truly is. It is absolutely rare to see a shooting guard haul down as many boards and assists as Wade does on a yearly basis. He has been stellar thus far in the post season. Ray Allen is a close second, as his shooting has been off the charts. He just doesn't do quite as much as Wade in the other aspects of the game.
Kobe Bryant has not had his usual playoff outing, but he is still one of the best. 41.9% shooting isn't great, and his nagging injuries have caused a bit of a decline in his defensive work.
Now we have a pair of Hawks to close out the shooting guards. We all know what Joe Johnson is capable of, and he has been playing at a very high level. But who would have thought his backuip, Jamaal Crawford, would be lighting up the series the way his has? He plays 30 fantastic minutes a night, almost outplaying the starter!
Small Forwards
3 of 6
1. LeBron James, Heat (26 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 48% shooting)
2. Kevin Durant, Thunder (30.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 45.5% shooting)
3. Danny Granger, Pacers (22 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 48.9% shooting)
4. Carmello Anthony, Knicks (26 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 37.5% shooting)
5. Paul Pierce, Celtics (22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 46.5% shooting)
LeBron is the best small forward in the playoffs right now. Kevin Durant is a close second, but he can't match up to LeBron on both ends of the court, even though Durant is a better scorer at this point.
I am assuming I will catch some heat for Carmello Anthony being at four, even though he averages a double double. I can't warrant someone who is shooting 37.5 percent any more love than number four. Danny Granger has been super reliable, and has hit almost everything.
Paul Pierce is having a nice postseason, and definitely deserves a spot in the top five.
Power Forwards
4 of 6
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers (20.2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.6 assists, 46.7% shooting)
2. Kevin Garnett, Celtics (15.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 3.5 assists, 45.5% shooting)
3. Zach Randolph, Grizzlies (18 points, 8.3 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, 3 assists, 45.6% shooting)
4. Chris Bosh, Heat (19.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1 assists, 49.2% shooting)
5. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (26.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, 2.8 assists, 41.8% shooting)
I can't help but love how hard LaMarcus Aldridge has played in this series. His stat line just doesn't do his intense play justice, and his stat line isn't too shabby. He has been all over the court at both ends.
Can we give it up for Kevin Garnett as well, who comes in a close second? Old man Garnett is averaging a double double, and has been a defensive nightmare for opponents. Zach Randolph has been phenominal in the current pastings of the San Antonio Spurs.
Chris Bosh could be higher, if it wasn't for an awful game 5 for him. If he played at a much higher level, the Heat would have looking at an easy sweep... now, they won't get as much rest because of it. Still, Bosh is having a really nice post season, and if he continues, the Heat will be very hard to beat.
Dirk Nowitzki is the leading power forward scorer, but his erratic shooting and shaky defense cause him to fall to five.
Centers
5 of 6
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando (32.3 points, 17.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 0.3 assists)
2. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies (15.5 points, 11 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 2.8 assists)
3. Nene Hilario, Nuggets (15.8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, 2 assists)
4. Andrew Bynum, Lakers (13.8 points, 10 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 0.3 assists)
5. Roy Hibbert, Pacers (10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 0.8 assists)
Is there any question who the number one performer is at the center position? Dwight Howard has put on one of the most dominant post season performances in recent history... for a losing team. He is virtually unstoppable, but the rest of his team is playing so poorly his great post season run will most likely come to an end by the hands of the hawks.
Marc Gasol has played absolutely lights out, and has been one of the biggest reasons for the Grizzlies amazing series against the Spurs. I would almost take him over his more famous Laker brother right now. Nene and Andrew Bynum are always good, and Bynum is reminding everyone why the Lakers need him.
Hibbert has put together a nice postseason, with 2.3 blocks per game and double digit scoring.
Overall Best Performer (Regardless of Position)
6 of 6
1. Chris Paul, Hornets (25.5 points, 11.5 assists, 7 rebounds, 57% shooting)
2. Dwight Howard, Orlando (32.3 points, 17.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 0.3 assists)
3. LeBron James, Heat (26 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 48% shooting)
4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics (19 points, 12 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 50% shooting)
5. Kevin Durant, Thunder (30.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 45.5% shooting)
Chris Paul is having a legendary performance at this point. If he can lead the Hornets to an upset series win over the Lakers, they should make a movie out of it. At this point, he has nothing but some great stats and epic moments, and I am sure he would rather have a series win.
Dwight Howard and LeBron James have been as dominant as usual, and Rajon Rondo and Kevin Durant are key cogs on potential championship teams playing at a high level.
