Sporting News names NBA's top 25 Associated Press ST. LOUIS - Quick, versatile players are all the rage in the NBA, but Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal heads the list of the league's top 25 players as compiled by The Sporting News. The St. Louis-based publication polled general managers for its top-25 list, highlighted in the March 3 edition on newsstands Thursday. "As long as Shaq is in the league (he's signed through 2006, folks), the evolution of the pro game will be on hold," TSN's Sean Deveney wrote. "No matter how much speed, skill and athleticism a team has collected, O'Neal still is the 350-pound road block to a championship." O'Neal's teammate, Kobe Bryant, is No. 2 on the list. One general manager said Bryant is the closest the NBA has to Michael Jordan in his prime. Bryant's streak of nine straight games of 40 or more points ended Tuesday night, when he scored 32 in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Rounding out the top 10 were, in order, San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Orlando's Tracy McGrady, Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, New Jersey's Jason Kidd, Sacramento's Chris Webber, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Boston's Paul Pierce and Philadelphia's Allen Iverson. Those ranked 11-25 were, in order, Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana; Gary Payton, Milwaukee; Steve Francis, Houston; Vince Carter, Toronto; Steve Nash, Dallas; Jordan, Washington; Rasheed Wallace, Portland; Ray Allen, Seattle; Stephon Marbury, Phoenix; Karl Malone, Utah; Shawn Marion, Phoenix; Baron Davis, New Orleans; Yao Ming, Houston; John Stockton, Utah; and Michael Finley, Dallas.
I think Ray Allen is too high. I ranked him below Alan Houston and he's not even on that list. Shawn Marion is too high also. Mashburn is a better shooter and more all-around game than him.
I think carter being there is just fine... if it wasn't for his injuries... no doubt he would be in the top 10... even right now.. he's not 100%, but is still having a huge impact to his team...
I think Paul Pierce is ranked too high. I mean he's good and all but I'd take Iverson, Francis, J O'neal, Rasheed Wallace and a bummed Carter over him any day.
Mashburn better than Marion? No way, mash may be a better scorer but marion's defense and rebounding are way better than mashburn's, and his assists, steals, blocks, and shooting %'s aren't shabby either.
bibby has to be the most overrated player in the nba right now. hes had one good playoff series. nothing more. i think the kings really screwed themselves giving him the max.
If anyone is screwed...it's the Rockets. They are winning. Bibby can play the point much better than Francis. Francis can score and rebound better than Bibby, and maybe shoot 3's better, but that's it.
where's ben wallace? my top 10: 1. shaq 2. duncan 3. mcgrady 4. kobe 5. kidd 6. pierce 7. nowitzki 8. iverson 9. yao 10. ben wallace
How can Kevin Garnett not be there? And you don't really think that Yao has more of an impact than Franchise do you?
Yay! Congrats to them!!!! Well.....Francis is better than Bibby. Bibby can shoot better. But Francis shoots 3's better. And Francis can dribble and drive better. And can jump higher. And can score more. But....Bibby passes more.
