Didn't see this posted anywhere. Pretty funny read. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/050701&num=1
for the most part, I like simmons' sense of humor, my problem with him was this: 8. Yao Ming – I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt because of the whole "He's been playing constantly for three straight years and never had even two weeks to wind down and let his body recover" angle, if only because he did look worn down this spring. At the same time, you need a killer instinct to produce beyond a certain level … and I'm just not sure he has it. He's too nice of a guy. It's not in him. Still … I don't know HOW anyone is still questioning yao's killer instinct after last year, particularly in the playoffs. I can think of many instances where he just took over games...phoenix...seattle... it just seems like he doesn't actually watch games before jumping to ignorant conclusions. that's what pisses me off about simmons, and no it's not just that yao line that bothered me. it's the one that stands out the most as a rockets' fan however.
really? i was pleasantly surprised to see that Yao was still rated that high (#8). This time last summer, most of these fun little value lists had him at #2 or #3, but after seemingly regressing this past season, i didn't epect Simmons to have him in the top 15. however, those early high rankings were based on the potential that with a little more experience he would become a history altering big man. this past season made it clear that while he will have a very nice career as a very good player, he probably won't be an all-time great. i have to take huge issue with a list that ranks wade over lebron (see: The Shaq Effect).
Yao is a great marketing tool and Centers are so rare in this league today that it is hard to imagine trading a big time center. Lebron should have been number one and he would have been if he played in a bigger market. The only reason he would stay with Cleveland is that he is from the area. Funny how Shaq and Francis were considered on this list last year, but they were both traded and Francis will probably move again before his career is over. I hate to admit it, but his career is resembling Stephon Marbury's.
I could see how someone could come to that conclusion about Yao, to be honest. His dominating of some games, then putting up absolute stinkers in the very next one could easily be interpreted that way. Besides: 1) Simmons is funny; 2) He was the only person even remotely connected to sports that I read admit he was completely and totally wrong about Yao Ming vs Jay Williams. Honestly, people get things wrong all the time - and only Houston fans would probably remember what he said - and he still owned up to blowing that one.
26. Ben Wallace More important, does anyone else keep waiting for Wallace to look into the camera, tilt his head, unleash one of those Eddie Murphy smiles and sing, "Unce … tice … fee times … a mady … " _________ Gold.
I can't believe he ranked Amare #2 based on "upside". He should be ranking on actual achievement and talent. Amare is just the beneficiary of the great passes of Nash. Amare is a good/great player, but definitely shouldn't be in the top 3. He should be somewhere between 5-15. I also agree wade should NOT be ranked higher than Lebron.
What's odd is that he uses the Jason Kidd arguement describing how he drove the markets up for Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, et al. Yet ignores the simple fact that Amare plays with Nash. I mean .. everyone on the Suns had a career year. Even Stephen Hunted looked competant this year. If I told you at the beginning of the season that Joe Johnson was going to get a near max contract type deal you would have asked me for what I was smoking. Whenever you mention Amare's name, Nash's name better be followed closely. Amare w.o Nash had pedestrian games, while Duncan, Garnett, even Nowitski are all capable of putting up numbers w.o their point guards. My 2 cents atleast
At first I thought putting Amare up there was too high, but then I thought, who else deserves the #2 spot more? Wade? No..that's just too high for him. I think it should be Lebron at#3 and Wade at #4 just because Dwyane has #32 in his shadows while LeBron has...well...lets move on LeBron? It would make sense since he's inevitably going to be the best player in the league but that still doesn't excuse him from not leading his team to the playoffs. Granted he has almost NOTHING around him, but still...an 8th seed is not much to ask for..ESPECIALLY when cleveland were at the 4th or 5th slot at the All Star break Shaq? The big fellas time is winding down like Simmons said. Years past, you know that Shaq had at least one monster game in him in a playoff series. This past year, I never felt like he could even put up 25/12 twice. Tmac? We would love to see him there but he still got that 1st round monkey on his back. I am pretty sure when yao and tracy puts us into the 2nd round and beyond next year (knock on wood), he'll vault into the top 5 for damn sure. So that leaves Amare...the man that played consistently good against the Mavs and took advantage of the Spurs' generosity and made himself known. And he's easily a top 5 PF and could be argued as a top 3 PF (Duncan, KG, him, and Dirk...take your pick). And the dude is what...22 years old? He has the 2nd highest ceiling (behind LeBron) of potential out of all the players right now I think. If he can rebound more and put even more moves on his resume...he'll be a monster. I did love the whole paragraph on Dirk and I hope every Mav fan read that--because that's what all of them are thinking but are just too afraid to admit it and/or say it.
Lots of people question that, and it's a valid concern. Anyone who watches the games can see that he gets passive all too frequently. Clearly, though, the potential is there. It is good, however, to see Yao getting more props. Like cabbage said, these very same kinds of lists would have had him a little farther down the line throughout the year (and last preseason).
