10.LaMarcus Aldridge
Aldridge, like anyone in the western conference, plays in the shadow of the East coast media bias and probably doesn't get the full credit he deserves. Aldridge is really the last of a dying breed in that his game is mainly based off of post play and jump shooting. Its extremely interesting how portland has slowly built the offense around him in a variety of ways(jump shooting, pick and roll, post game). The variety of ways that the Trail Blazers throw Aldridge at you is to tough to guard for some teams.
The common theme of this list( foreshadowing) is versatility and being good in a variety of ways, I think Aldridge makes the list based on how complete of an offensive player he is. One underrated factor is free throw shooting, always nice to have a big guy that can shoot free throws, and Aldridge is certainly doing that shooting 76.6% from the line so far this year.
Aldridge is still growing as a player and I think his ceiling is somewhere around 25 PPG and 10 RPG, I guess we will just have to wait and see, but as of now, hes already a top 10 player.
9. Deron Williams
When you first watch Williams it tough to quickly pick out what makes him such a great player, once you start watching a little close, it becomes extremely obvious how subtly good he is at everything. Like Love, Williams has played in two low key media outlets so far(New Jersey, Utah) , Which makes the notoriety he gets even more impressive.
The most impressive part of William's game is probably the strength he brings as a point guard. You dont see any PGs drive to the basket with the power and Muscle williams does(other than Derrick Rose). Williams driving ability makes it possible for him to drop 30 points any given game, which again, is very rare for a PG.
Williams is also so fundamentally sound that he has no real weakness to his game. If you watch the highlight, you'll notice how absolutely devastating his crossover at the top of the key is. His passing is also right up there with Chris Paul.
Williams is the definition of a complete player and hopefully he will be able to play for a contender within the next few years.
8. Kevin Love
I dont think anyone knows exactly how Kevin Love is so good, but at this point, can anyone really deny it? Kevin is following up his 52 double double 2011 season so far with a 25 PPG 13.5 RPG 2012 campaign. I think everyone questions (at least a little bit) the talent of an un-athletic, white man playing down low, at least at first... not many questions left to answer for Kevin Love. Starting to really love the young nucleus up there in Minnesota, they could surprise in the next year or so.
7.Derrick Rose
Does anyone Play with a more violent style than Rose? Kid plays for every last point and has the mental makeup of a true champion. Rose had a truly amazing 2011 run and although hes been banged up so far this year, I dont see these injuries slowing him down long term.
Team Leader, Elite driving ability, extremely creative, great, team oriented passer. These are the thing that come to mind when I think of Rose.
The one knock on Rose is his still developing jumper. I really have no doubt it will get there eventually, I just can't move him higher than 7 until he gets it to at least above average status.
My favorite part of his game is the way he breaks people down off the dribble, Brings back memories of Steve Nash in his prime. Just because he beats you off the dribble does not mean he is done with you, he then puts his butt into you and shields you from the play, dribbling in front of you all while keeping the rest of the defense directly concentrated on him, he then either passes for an easy lay up, takes a short jumper because no one came to help , drives in for a lay up or kicks it out for a wide open three ... Pick your poison.
One more thought , has there ever been a more explosive pick and roll combo than Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, highlight city....I mean Lob city.
5.Dwayne Wade
Well, not much to say about wade that hasn't already been said, kid is a gamer and is willing to do anything to be a champion. A great mid range game, great post up game, explosive finisher and great defender. Thats what embodies a top 5 player in the league right there. One thing Wade has also done this year that I like, Stopped shooting 3s. I know they are temping, but bringing his game in and being more disciplined will instantly make his offensive game ten times harder to stop. I can imagine the relief a player feels when Wade decides to pull up for a three rather than drive in. He has everything you look for in a scoring shooting guard and is one of the most outwardly exciting players to watch in the game today.
4.Kevin Durant
Durant is unstoppable on offense. I watched him in the playoffs last year and he did get shut down by the trailblazers, I would attribute that to him being young. His game is still developing and that is a scary thought. He is already a prolific scorer and if he can continue to develop as a defensive player, the sky, and many championships, is the limit.
3.Dwight Howard
WHAT. AN. ANIMAL. This is the most imposing force in the game and definitely the best inside presence of this generation. Howard is essentially un-guardable down low and even with double teams, you can only hope for a miss. The Rebounding, the Shot blocking, the defensive Presence, Just howard being on the floor in general is imposing. If Dwight can get on a team with solid pieces, I see him also winning a ring. Its unfortunate that the magic are wasting him this year, hes putting up a great season so far.
2.Lebron James
This is a soar subject for me considering I'm a heat fan. The fact that leBron James is not #1 on this list itself is a laughable situation, the fact that LeBron did not with a championship last year is laughable, the fact that LeBron James is not trying to break down the wall Michael Jordan Built as best player ever...is laughable. James has absolutely everything you look for in a basketball player and athlete in general. He has the mid range game, hes shown to have found a post up game this year, probably the best defensive player in the league, the most explosive player in the league, best all around player in the league, he even stopped shooting threes this year and is shooting an absolutely remarkable 56% from the floor so far this year.
So what is holding leBron back from winning the next 7 championships? Confidence. He is afraid of losing, and it is the most upsetting thing I've been apart of in sports. I'm not mad at LeBron, nor do I have the right to be. The way he plays the game on a regular basis is so impressive to me, I dont know what to even say. I saw this coming last year in the finals, but in game 3, the game they won. I was fuming after that game because I saw LeBron slide to the side and out of the limelight because he couldn't handle the thought of failure. He sat in the corner and had his teammates bail him out, even though they didn't need to in the first place.
Gotta have confidence LeBron...ya gotta, for me! please!
I realize to most he comes off as an arrogant jerk, but it was plain as day last year in the finals that all this dude lacks is confidence in himself.
1. Kobe Bryant
Well, top ten player of all-time... Mustering up one last ridiculous season? yup. Kobe has put the Lakers on his back and carried them so far this year. All while playing with a torn ligament in his wrist. That is incredible. I dont know that hes the most imposing force in the league anymore, to be honest, I'm not even sure hes top 5, but the gritty veteran knows the game better than anyone else, his mid range game is second to none and the drive and will to win is unmatched. I've watched quite a few lakers games so far this year, Bryant is putting on an unbelievable show. You almost forget the age factor when watching him this year, its like hes in his late 20s again. Makes you wonder how much longer he can keep this up. I can promise you one thing... I sure as hell ain't betting against him.
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