NBA Player Rankings: 5 Most Egregious Snubs on ESPN's NBA Rank List

The ESPN "NBArank" list has evoked some controversial reactions from fans and NBA players alike. 

This list, likely created because of the NBA lockout, ranked NBA players from 1-500. According to ESPN, a bunch of experts rated each player on a scale from 0-10 based off the quality of the player at this current time. 

The list was inevitably going to cause an uproar, both by players and fans, especially when the NBA players have likely nothing better to do with the lockout still in effect. For the most part, the list was fair up until the top 20 was revealed.

With that, here are five players that I felt were misplaced on this list. 

Carmelo Anthony

ESPN Ranking: 12

Carmelo Anthony was ranked the 12th best player in the NBA. If this list was done maybe a year or two years back, 'Melo would be a top-10 player, no questions asked. After the Knicks' disappointing loss to the Celtics in last year's playoffs, the supposed experts felt Carmelo Anthony couldn't will his team to victory. 

Continued

New Ranking: Top 10

The supposed experts who voted on this list must have forgotten that Carmelo Anthony is the most dangerous scorer in the league. His defense is subpar, but so are a few of the other players listed in the top 10. 

'Melo can kill in you so many ways on offense. He has a dangerous mid-range shot, ability to post up (out on the perimeter and in the paint) and could smoothly take it to the rack. Also, he's CLUTCH. 'Melo'= has shown time after time that only ice runs through his veins during crunch time. 

Pau Gasol

ESPN Ranking: 11

Some would say Gasol should be ranked lower. His subpar (at best) performance played a huge role in the Lakers' defeat to the eventual champions, Dallas Mavericks, in the 2011 playoffs. Some would even say his younger brother, Marc Gasol, has surpassed the Lakers star. 

Gasol still can't shake off the "soft" label that has plagued his career over the years, even dating back to his days with the Grizzlies. 

Pau Gasol Continued

New Ranking: Top 10

The experts ranked Blake Griffin over Paul Gasol. That is a travesty. While Griffin is definitely an up in coming superstar, he in no way impacts a single game the way Gasol can. 

Behind Howard, Gasol is the best big man in the game. Gasol can play you in both the high and low post. With Bynum in the lineup, Gasol is usually out around the high post, where he's able to face the opposition and either find passing lanes or hit the midrange. He can finish with either hand, and at times, can play phenomenal defense. 

Blake Griffin is almost one-dimensional. His athleticism is off the charts, but you can win games against the Clippers with Griffin having a big game. Griffin doesn't impact the game on the defensive end and maybe never will unless motivated. Once the Clipper start winning games, then we can talk about Blake Griffin as a top 10 player. 

Zach Randolph

ESPN Ranking: 20

Zach Randolph would have never been ranked this high a year ago. This list really proves that the NBA is a "what could you do for me now" league. I'm not bashing Randolph; in actuality, I think the forward should be ranked higher. 

Zach Randolph Continued

New Ranking: Top 12

Zach Randolph is ranked ahead of Tim Duncan. Some might think I'm being hypocritical, since I just said Griffin shouldn't be ranked higher than Gasol. The difference is that Randolph has led the Grizzlies to not only wins but playoff success. 

Randolph has always had the stats of a star, but his teams almost never win. Last year proved otherwise, as Randolph led the seventh seeded Grizzlies to the second round of the 2011 playoffs after having defeated Tim Duncan and the first seeded San Antonio Spurs. After the improbable defeat, Randolph and the Grizzlies didn't stop there, as they took a much more talented OKC team to seven games in the second round. 

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol could surpass the big man tandem in LA if this keeps up. 

LeBron James

ESPN Ranking: 1

There will always be a debate whether Lebron James should be considered the best player in the world. James has the skill-set to justify his ESPN ranking despite the hoopla about his playoff performances in the 2011 NBA finals. 

If James works on his post game, he could really take not only his career, but the Miami Heat to new heights. 

LeBron James Continued

New Ranking: 4

The experts decided to just erase the 2010 finals from their memory and based this list off regular season merits. Either that, or the supposed experts don't consider winning a major element in what determines the quality of a player. 

LeBron James' antics in the clutch last season were embarrassing for a player of his status, and yet, ESPN continues to celebrate the guy despite being ringless heading into his ninth year in the league. Instead of thanking ESPN, James should release a statement stating he hasn't earned such a ranking as of yet. He would gain respect from his peers and fans alike. 

Kobe Bryant

ESPN Ranking: 7

After the Lakers' playoff defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, fans and media alike have bashed the Lakers for being too old. Kobe Bryant has received the brunt of that criticism. He's 33 years old and entering his 16th season with a lot of miles on those knees. 

Kobe's athleticism has diminished somewhat, and some believe he doesn't have enough gas in the tank to lead the Lakers to another title. 

Kobe Bryant Continued

New Ranking: 1

I lost all respect for this list when I saw Kobe Bryant ranked seventh. Kobe's achievements speak for themselves, and while my new ranking is definitely up to debate, the experts gave No. 24 even more motivation for the upcoming season (whenever it starts).