I love Hollinger as much as the next basketball fan, but come buddy, Yao is not the best player in the NBA. Forget PER, this is the TUP top 50 NBA player rankings. I plan on checking back on these at the All-star break and after the season, but I'll probably forget, so try to remind me.

1.    Kobe Bryant, Lakers- Easily the best the world, no one is close.
2.    Tim Duncan, Spurs- You can't argue against all those rings
3.    Dwayne Wade, Heat- Has faced some pretty serious injury problems so early in his career. It's too bad because only Kobe is better on the perimeter.
4.    Kevin Garnett, Celtics- Nothing he can't do.
5.    Steve Nash, Suns- An angrier Nash was as good as ever last season.
6.    LeBron James, Cavs- Will be at the top of this list soon enough
7.    Amare Stoudemire, Suns- Imagine where he'd be without the knee injury
8.    Tracy McGrady, Rockets- Was spectacular last season.
9.    Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs- Playoff disaster tarnishes him a little.
10.    Chris Paul, Hornets- The best young point in the NBA.
11.    Chris Bosh, Raptors- Toronto's unheralded superstar.
12.    Dwight Howard, Magic- Should be even better this year with Shard.
13.    Yao Ming, Rockets- Just has to stay healthy.
14.    Shawn Marion, Suns- Does everything well.
15.    Jason Kidd, Nets- One of the best point guards ever.
16.    Gilbert Arenas, Wizards- The favorite son of North Blogmerica.
17.    Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets- One of the league's most versatile scorers.
18.    Allen Iverson, Nuggets- Numbers won't be as great playing with Melo all year.
19.    Joe Johnson, Hawks- Could the Hawks make a playoff push?
20.    Carlos Boozer, Jazz- Big Papa Booz has to prove he's more than a one year wonder.
21.    Elton Brand, Clippers- Nothing boring about 20/10.
22.    Tony Parker, Spurs- No point guard is faster
23.    Paul Pierce, Celtics- Expect a huge year from Pierce.
24.    Rashard Lewis, Magic- If only he rebounded better.
25.    Deron Willams, Jazz- Has a great rivalry with CP.
26.    Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers- Indiana's lone star.
27.    Gerald Wallace, Bobcats- Super athletic, super defender, super bargain.
28.    Andre Igoudala, 76ers- Has the chance to prove he's worthy of this spot.
29.    Vince Carter, Nets- I hate to put him this high.
30.    Pau Gasol, Memphis- The ever-so-coveted low post scorer.
31.    Manu Ginobili, Spurs- How is he already 30 years old?
32.    Shaq O'Neal, Heat- Hardest player to rank.
33.    Ray Allen, Celtics- If he can stay healthy, he may be the league's best shooter.
34.    Michael Redd, Bucks- Pretty good second round pick, huh?
35.    Luol Deng, Bulls- Does everything well.
36.    Ron Artest, Kings- Almost as good as he is crazy.
37.    Josh Smith, Hawks- He jumps high.
38.    Baron Davis, Warriors- I'm sure others would have him higher after last season.
39.    Marcus Camby, Nuggets- Great defender and underrated scorer.
40.    Chauncey Billips, Pistons- Regressed a little last year.
41.    Rasheed Wallace, Pistons- Dominated the Bulls in the playoffs.
42.    Josh Howard, Mavs- Centerpiece to a Kobe deal?
43.    Tayshaun Prince, Pistons- Super defender, underrated scorer.
44.    Al Jefferson, T-Wolves- A step below Hondo and Amare.
45.    Jason Richardson, Bobcats- Look for career season out of J-Rich.
46.    Caron Butler, Wizards- How's that Kwame Brown trade looking now?
47.    Emeka Okafor, Bobcats- Has to stay healthy.
48.    TJ Ford, Raptors- Watch out for Toronto.
49.    Stephon Marbuy, Knicks- Expect a big year.
50.    Kevin Durant, Sonics- Has a top-10 future.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

---

Also on the Network: √ In Mo We Trust [Depressed Fan] √ Yankees Fizzle Out On The Fourth [Green Pinstripes] √ Road Trip Part One [Beantown West] √ Beckett Beats Rasner [Depressed Fan] √ Memories of Shea Stadium: The 1964 World's Fair [Loge 13] √ Lester Lays the Hammer on Yanks [Green Pinstripes] √ Not Quite The Start I Was Looking For [Depressed Fan] √ Either way, this Brett Favre business will likely end gloriously [Tremendous Upside Potential]

---

Comments

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

Please only click "Post" once. It may take a few moments to process.