NBA: Top 10 Players in the League

What prompted me to write this was seeing Jalen Rose's review of the top five players still in the NBA playoffs.

Needless to say, I thought Rose's evaluation was incredibly off-base with Kevin Durant at No. 5 and Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade above him.

From the overhyped to the under-appreciated, here is my view of the top 10 players in the NBA today.

10. Chris Paul (CP3)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets and the Western Conference moves the ball in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

This one is a complete toss-up as to who rounds out the top 10 of the NBA.

The drop from the ninth spot to 10th is a huge one, and numerous other players could fit here.

For argument's sake, I’ll go with CP3.

9. Amare Stoudemire.

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks and the Eastern Conference goes up for a shot in the lane in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expres

As mentioned in the previous slide, there is a big drop in talent from the No. 9 to No. 10.

In his time with the Knicks, Stoudemire has been a terror for teams to face. Stoudemire averaged 25.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.92 BLKPG.

This guy will be a dominant big man in the NBA for years to come.

8. Carmelo Anthony

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets and the Western Conference reacts in the second half of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

While Anthony can’t play defense to save his life, he is one of the best offensive players in the NBA.

With New York and Denver in 2010-2011, Anthony averaged 25.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 2.9 APG.

If Anthony can develop a defensive game and improve his passing, he can be a top-five player.

7. Dirk Nowitzki

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NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 16: Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks warms up for the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, part of 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend at the New Orleans Arena on February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

I think Nowitzki is the most underrated player in the NBA, and possibly the most difficult player to defend.

This 7’0” German has been almost unstoppable in the playoffs, single-handedly ending the hopes of the Blazers and Lakers.

When Dirk is hot and hitting his fadeaway jumper—which is most of the time—good luck defending him.

6. Dwyane Wade

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 07: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat scrambles to keep the ball but is called for traveling in the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2011 at the

Another underrated player, if that’s possible.

Even with having to share points and shots with two other superstars, D-Wade still managed to average an astounding 25.5 PPG, 4.6 APG and 1.46 STPG.

Wade is on the way to a hall-of-fame career and multiple NBA championships.

5. Derrick Rose

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after scoring a basket against the Atlanta Hawks in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 12, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO U

The MVP.

While Rose is often criticized for being a streaky player, there is no denying that he has one of the brightest looking careers of any player in the NBA right now.

In the 2010-2011 season, D-Rose averaged 25.0 PPG, and 7.7 APG en route to an unbelievable season. 

4. Dwight Howard

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic sits on the bench during a timeout before the final seconds against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on Apri

I really wish I could put Howard higher on this list.

In the 2010-2011 season, Howard averaged 22.9 PPG, 14.1 RPG and 2.38 BLKPG.

And his numbers were even better in the playoffs, but unfortunately the Hawks bounced the Magic in the first round.

If Howard is a free agent in the next offseason, he will be a very looked at prospect by a lot of teams—particularly one in Southern California that wants to get a younger lineup.

3. Kobe Bryant

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks during a news conference at the Lakers training facility on May 11, 2011 in El Segundo, California. The Lakers were swept out of their best of seven series with the Dallas Maverick

I hate Kobe as much as the next fan, but not putting him in the top five is just a joke.

All the haters who say that Kobe is old and no longer a star, the guy is only 33, not 80.

He once again made First Team All-NBA, and is still one of the top players in all of basketball.

His numbers are beginning to decline, but there is no reason to think he won’t continue to dominate in the NBA.

2. Kevin Durant

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MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 13: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts after missing a three-point basket in the final minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on Ma

I don’t think there is any one player in the NBA that means as much to his team as Durant means for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant led the league in scoring at 27.7 PPG, and had a career high in blocks per game and reduced his number of turnovers per game as well.

Durant will only continue to get better as he builds something special in Oklahoma City.

1. LeBron James

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 09: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat licks his fingers against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Miami Heat defea

Was there ever any doubt?

LeBron James, for all that he is disliked, is one of the best athletes ever to play the game of basketball.

At 6’8” and 250 lbs, James is a massive player who can get down the court about as fast as anyone in the NBA.

If he played in the NFL, he would shine there.

He’s that athletically gifted.

And while the argument of best player ever is a debate for another day, I won’t crown the King until I see a ring on his finger.