It's too early to tell, but he's showing signs of being one of the handful of truly elite players. Right now, I'd put him on the "nearly elite" list. Truly Elite: Shaq, Duncan, Kobe, Iverson, McGrady Nearly Elite: Garnett, Kidd, Francis, Payton, Pierce, Carter, Webber. Maybe in that order. Thoughts?
Sorry, but Iverson couldn't hit the water if he fell out of a boat. Got to drop him to the "nearly elite" category...
I think if you are putting up an Elite and Nearly Elite players on the list I think it should be: Elite: Shaq,Duncan,Payton,Kidd,Iverson,Webber,Garnett,Pierce Nearly Elite: Francis,Carter,Mcgrady,Kobe,Rasheed,
Yeah, I debated that one but included him in truly elite because the guy can and frequently does take over games single handedly.
If we were to label the elite players by position alone it would go IMO (according to their play this season): PG: Kidd, Francis, Payton SG: Bryant, McGrady, Iverson, Pierce SF: Nowitzki (when he plays SF), Marion PF: Duncan, Garnett, Webber C: There hasn't been a dominant center b/c Shaq has been injured. Truly elite players are those that consistently outplay their opponents, no matter who they play against. Shaq, Kobe, and T-Mac, and Iverson are definitely in that category, with Francis, Payton, Kidd, Pierce, Garnett, and Webber, just a step behind. But that is not to say they ren't truly elite. In my mind all of the players you have listed are indeed "superstars" in the NBA, and I WOULD want any single one of them playing on my team!
I think this is a HIGHLY subjective category. How do you define elite status? By championships? Stats? Personally, whatever way you define it, it has to include the ability to make your teamates better. Steve does not do this ......yet. So IMO, Steve doesnt belong there right now. Hopefully by seasons end, well have a better grasp of where he ranks among the games current players.
truly elite players can carry the team BY THEMSELVES at least to the playoffs. paul pierce is not truly elite....tommy heinsen even admits as much. kobe is not truly elite...the lakers are a lottery team w/o shaq. chris webber is not truly elite...he doesn't even want the ball in the crunch.
Yeah, it's rather subjective. I think you're right, it's a combination of most "dominant" and most able to elevate teammates. Shaq and 4 girl scouts could win 40 games a year. Dominant and make your team better. Not so much Kobe, but still, dominant. McGrady, makes his teammates better. Duncan . . . see shaq, to a lesser degree. Kidd, Payton are both able to make teammates better, but not as dominant to be elite.
heres a toughy..... Stockton and Malone?? they have shown consistancy and dominant. but they havent had much props lately... do yall think Stockton and Malone are Elite right now? oh yea and sorry for all the Jazz haters about bringing up the two players, i just wanted to know what yall think lol.
Name one player in the NBA that could take the Lakers to the playoffs without Shaq Could McGrady lead Slava and Horry to the playoffs in the West? Nope! how about Garnett?? Maybe... but I doubt it The Lakers are built around Shaq, without him, they have NO frontcourt in the Western Conference
I think you have it down. By your definition, these are the truly elite players: Duncan Shaq Iverson (iffy) Payton That looks about right to me.
I wouldn't put them on either list right now. In their prime, they were nearly elite. They would not be on the Jordan, Olajuwon or Barkley levels.
I think Shaq and maybe Duncan are the only truly elite players in the game today, the rest are nearly elite, including Dirk.
Ya really think so? I never though of him that way. Dont get me wrong, Dirk is unbeleivably talented and hes one of those players that you just cant stop. However, I also think Dirk is somewhat a product of the system up in Dallas. Would he look as good in a grind it out offense or even a triangle offense? Interesting. Also, Ive watched Dirk play alot. To me, he doesnt make his teamates better in the same way that a Shaq, Payton or Duncan does.
I think Grant Hill could have been an Elite awhile back but the injury seemed to changed his game to me.
