I don't hate the Grizzlies at all, I to be quite honest I don't give an F about them. However IMHO they're one of the most poorly run franchises in the L, and I think a lot of their players are overpaid and overrated (specifically Gay and Conley). Their owner is terribly inconsistent and one of the greatest clowns of the earth, and you don't know whether the GM is Mr. Magoo or Tsun Zu since his moves were terrible at the time but somehow become decent. Regarding this thread though I think Gay and Conley JR were too highly ranked, and I don't think you'll really find a lot of people who'll say Gay is top 5 SF in the L right now.
Maybe I'm just biased, I've followed Barg since he was drafted (live in Toronto), and I've hated that pick ever since 2006 (should've drafted LA....FUUUUUCK). The problem is he's not even a center and he doesn't play like one either. If you rank him as #21 pf it is way way way too low, but he isn't. His incompetence at the center position is one the main reasons Raptors don't win games. He does have his moments on offense because he can stretch the floor and is hard to guard when hot, but he's really inconsistent there too. Those 21 points don't mean much if you fail at almost everything else a center is suppose to do.
Then why not keep him at PF? Fixed. Blake Griffin, as a rookie, was getting to the FT line almost as much as Kevin Martin does. Yes, if he can become a mid-high 70s FT shooter, he will be unstoppable. Right now he's only 64%. Aldridge just started showing some post game this year and is definitely a better mid-range shooter -- but give me Blake any day of the week. Nobody can stop him from getting to the rim, even if they play off him. He's either getting fouled or dunking on you. This is an argument better settled at the conclusion of next year, when I feel Griffin will be considered the top PF in the league.
You didn't answer my question by I get it: you don't like him. And for the record, I'm not defending his playing style or shortcomings. Just trying to be fair -- 21 PPG is nothing to shake a stick at. He deserved to be ranked wayyy higher on that list than 21st at center.
* Ty Lawson should be in top 10. * Andrew Bynum should be in top 6, at least for centers. * Kendrick Perkins is kind of low for 18. Nene is a little too high, top 4 to 7. * Kurt Thomas is high, but that I'd imagine he might be in top 30 right now for centers, lol * Josh Smith at small forward, hmmm, , I live in Atlanta, but I'll bite. * Beyond Josh Smith, the small forward list is almost perfect. Shepard already knows what screws this list up. Something looks funky with that top 9. * Scola is a little high, but not that high that's about the range most analysts and (reasonable) fans would have him in the (10-14) range). * Kevin Love is good, but he isn't that much high above Scola, I wouldn't take him over any of those eight other players, except Duncan that's mainly because of age. (Amare, Griffin, Gasol, Dirk, Aldridge, Randolph, Bosh, Duncan) That's hard 8 to crack. * Jason Thompson, Samuel Dalembert made the list, but where's DeMarcus Cousins at. * Chuck Hayes, Andrea Bargnani, and DeAndre Jordan should've been on that list.
Trevor Ariza is the small forward equivalent of an overpaid big man that is barely capable. The only reason that Ariza is in the league is because of length and athleticism.
Well, Well. What a coincidence. Two guards who have prominently been in trade talks/speculation with the Bulls are low on Sam Smith's list, and behind a at least a couple, or three players they shouldn't be. Didn't see that one coming.
Point Guards 1. Derrick Rose 2. Chris Paul 3. Deron Williams 4. Russell Westbrook 5. Tony Parker 6. Rajon Rondo 7. Steve Nash Shooting Guards 1. Kobe Bryant 2. Dwyane Wade Small Forward: 1. LeBron James 2. Kevin Durant 3. Carmelo Anthony Power Forward: 1. Dirk Nowitzki 2. Blake Griffin 3. Amar'e Stoudemire 4. Pau Gasol 5. LaMarcus Aldridge 6. Zach Randolph 7. Chris Bosh Center: 1. Dwight Howard -->Basically, 12-16 franchise players (MAYBE stretch that out to 20) for 30 franchises. This alone should settle the argument - salary cap or no, there won't ever be true parity in the NBA.
It's just not built for parity, like MLB and the NFL. There's only so many talented players that can go around, unlike MLB or NFL where they are immensely talented players who are 2nd stringers or could come in be quality to even all-star level players. In reality, I only think there are truly only 5 to 9 uber superstars. Uber = a player who could win or at least make the playoffs with any given team, and bonafide first ballot hall of famer. Kobe, LeBron, Dwight Howard, Dirk, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Amare, Wade, and Steve Nash. Not sure about Chris Bosh. Rondo and Parker. I'm not sure I would put them in there. Griffin is too young to tell. But he could certainly leap into the group. Randolph is a little older, but he actually I think might make that group, Memphis keeps doing well. Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams, both are phenomenal, I'm not sure they win with a team like New Jersey or Indiana. Pau Gasol is a good complimentary star, so is Aldridge.
