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Top 10 NBA Players

Suite101 asks: Who are the top 10 NBA players right now?

© Mark Barnes

Dec 13, 2006
With a new season 20 games old, top NBA players have changed. You may be surprised at some of the NBA players on our Top 10 list.

Our pre-season Top 10 NBA players included mainstays like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. With a new season well underway, we have removed some NBA players and added others. Here is Suite101’s current Top 10 NBA Players.

  1. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns PG – Many were shocked when two-time defending NBA MVP Steve Nash was omitted from our pre-season Top 10 NBA Players list. Now, Nash climbs all the way to the top spot. Admittedly, we felt Nash’s success was due to being surrounded by remarkable NBA players. We now see that Nash is the real player. His stats tell the story: 20 points, 12 assists, 1 steal and 48% shooting from 3-point range. Plus, Nash has helped his Suns win 11 straight games.
  2. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets SF – Many NBA experts have knocked Carmelo Anthony’s lack of all-around game. ‘Melo is facing his critics head-on with a super season on a less-than-stacked Nuggets team. Anthony is second among NBA players in scoring with 30.7 points per night. On a team that doesn’t ask him for rebounding, he grabs 5.4 boards per game and he hands out better than 4 assists per game. Plus, Anthony shoots 50% from the field and 81% from the line. Carmelo Anthony is now a go-to guy every night and one of the top NBA players.
  3. Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat G – LeBron James vs. Dwayne Wade has been a trendy argument, when considering NBA players. Sorry, Cavaliers fans, but Wade is now winning this debate. Without star center Shaquille O’Neal, Wade has flourished, scoring 28 points per night. Asked to be more of a playmaker, Wade has responded with better than 8 assists per game, and he also hauls in 5 rebounds -- not bad for a guy who plays both guard spots. With 1.5 steals and 1 blocked shot per game, Dwayne Wade is the total package and easily one of the top 10 NBA players.
  4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic FC – In just his third season in the league, Dwight Howard is clearly one of the top NBA players. He has improved every season, and he leads the NBA in rebounding this year. Howard also scores 17.5 points per game, shoots 60% from the field, and blocks 2 shots. Straight out of high school, Howard is just reaching his potential, which is absolutely frightening.
  5. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets PG – Few NBA experts would place Jason Kidd, a guy who averages just 13 points per game in the fifth spot on a Top NBA Player list. We’re big fans of Kidd’s all-around game, though, and believe he brings more every night than most other players. Jason Kidd is close to averaging a triple-double (9.6 assists and 8.7 rebounds). Kidd may not be the flashy player he used to be, but he’s still one of the top 10 NBA players.
  6. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers SF – My, how the mighty have fallen. LeBron James’ stats are down in virtually every category, though, and other NBA players on his level have improved. Still, LeBron can dismantle an NBA defense on any given night, and his 26.6 points 7 rebounds and 7 assists still make our eyes bulge.
  7. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves F – We had Kevin Garnett in the two spot in our pre-season NBA Players Top 10 list, and his position here doesn’t mean we like him any less. Garnett, like LeBron James, may be the victim of bad coaching strategy and other player improvement. His numbers are still gaudy: 21.6 points, 12 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2 blocks per night.
  8. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards G – At 28 points and 6 assists per game, Gilbert Arenas would make the top 10 in any NBA poll. More impressive is his ridiculous 42% shooting from the 3-point arc. Arenas shoots the 3 better than many players shoot free throws. Plus, at 2 steals per game, he’s a leading NBA defender, too.
  9. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers G – We’re blown away by the fact that Kobe Bryant is taking far fewer shots than a year ago (18.5 to 27.2) and leading his Lakers team to a much better season. Kobe is averaging better than 26 points per night and shooting 48% from the field. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is winning the Pacific Division.
  10. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers G – It’s easy to write off Allen Iverson as a gunner and a malcontent, but it’s impossible to discount his production on the basketball court and his place among NBA players. Iverson leads the NBA in scoring and is handing out 7.3 assists per game. Plus, he’s among the NBA leaders in steals. Allen Iverson may not be with the 76ers much longer, but he’ll likely be one of the top 10 NBA players, no matter where he plays.

The copyright of the article Top 10 NBA Players in Basketball is owned by Mark Barnes. Permission to republish Top 10 NBA Players in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.




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Comments
Dec 13, 2006 11:27 AM
Mark Barnes :
Which NBA players are ranked who should not be?

Who is not ranked who deserves to be on the list?
Dec 13, 2006 6:24 PM
Ryan Ward :
I would pretty much agree with most of these guys on the list, but the ranking is a little off. Kobe Bryant has the best team out of all the players and the most improvement compared to last season(except for Howard's Magic), so I would say he should be ranked higher.

There are a few players that have to be put into consideration as well, Chris Paul(18.8 ppg, 9 apg), Dirk(24.6 ppg, 40% 3p%), Carlos Boozer(22.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg), Michael Redd(28.9 ppg), Vince Carter(27.5 ppg, 47% fg%)and Yao Ming(25.5 ppg, 52% fg%).
Dec 14, 2006 9:06 AM
Mark Barnes :
Hey Ryno, you are very astute, and I agree with most of what you say about the top 10 NBA players.

I considered every guy you mention. When considering all-around stats, most of them are lacking in an area that my current top 10 NBA players are not.

Yao's rebounds are down; Redd doesn't offer much but scoring; Boozer needs one or two more PPG, and he'll bump someone.

Paul, Nowitzki and Carter are all very nice players. There's only room for 10 NBA players, though. Keep checking in, as I'm sure this list will change weekly.

Thanks for your input.
Dec 14, 2006 6:50 PM
Ryan Ward :
Good point with the players you mentioned! I look forward to more of these discussions!!

I have a question for you, is there a way I can email you?
Dec 16, 2006 3:40 PM
Mark Barnes :
Ryno, I can be reached at markbarnes@adelphia.net.

Check in for our latest NBA power rankings on Sunday and a new discussion on the topic.
Dec 11, 2008 1:46 PM
Guest :
1. T-Mac
2. Kobe
3. LeBron
4. Amare
5. C. Paul
6. Garnett
7. Howard
8. P. Pierce
9. Wade
10. Allen
Dec 15, 2008 9:48 AM
Guest :
paul pierce should be in that list!
lebron should be first
kevin garnett should be 2nd
kobe should be 3rd
ETC
Dec 15, 2008 3:12 PM
Guest :
Yo who ever pickin these players u most be white and raises and u got no skillz of basketball and cant judge basketball players. Steve Nash first yo Im sorry. how u put lebron JAMES 6 and Kobe 9 this here is not right and Dwanye wade 3 then you must be out of your lead. IM not goin in into Allen Iverson 10 okay. These are the players u should take of Jason Kidd Dwight Howard cant even shoot Carmelo Anthony is just not supposto be there and Steve Nash Please.
Dec 15, 2008 3:52 PM
Mark Barnes :
This article was written in 2006. Things have changed since then. Of course, I'd put LeBron first now with Dwayne Wade a close second.
Feb 6, 2009 8:40 AM
Guest :
hell man carmelo is th best player in the nba and should be at the top. even though is a really good freaking player
10 Comments
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