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Sean Deveney's Top 50 players: T-Mac at #5 and Yao at #7

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by mirror_image, Oct 26, 2004.

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  1. mirror_image

    mirror_image Member

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    Look like Yao is getting more and more credit, even I love Yao so much, how could he be ranked so high?

    Link:
    http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=topdakidshallleadthem&prov=tsn&type=lgns

    Top 50: Da Kid shall lead them
    By Sean Deveney - SportingNews

    1. Kevin Garnett, PF, Timberwolves
    2. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs

    Speaking with reporters last week, Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders raised a scary notion. Remember the Kevin Garnett you saw last season, the one who averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists, earning himself the MVP award? Well, if Saunders is right, Garnett is going to be better this year. Garnett spent the summer working on his ability to put the ball on the floor, a tough thing for a 6-11 guy to do. But Saunders says that, with NBA refs vowing to whistle defenders for contact during dribble-drives, Garnett should be able to sucker opponents into giving him free trips to the foul line.

    "That's something he wanted to improve upon," Saunders says. "And then he's also worked on his back-to-the-basket game, as far as his jump hook. He amazes me every year because he always comes back better."

    Garnett can't get much better than he already is, which is precisely why he is sitting at the top of the Sporting News' list of the 50 best players in the NBA. Not only is he enormous and strong, he is a potent shooter from 15 feet, an unselfish high-post passer and an intense, imposing defender. Last season, four Timberwolves had arguably the best years of their careers, thanks to playing with Garnett. Perhaps a few more trips to the free throw line are in order, but that seems to be picking nits. Scouts and personnel men across the league agree that Garnett is the NBA's top player.

    "He's the best in the league, no question," says one Western Conference scout. "And I think the gap between him and everyone else is getting bigger."

    "Everyone else" starts with Garnett's biggest rival, Spurs power forward Tim Duncan, who is No. 2 on the list. The one-on-one battles between Garnett and Duncan are epic, and Duncan's intelligence and stoic efficiency on both ends of the floor are remarkable. But overall, Garnett has nudged past Duncan in a few key ways. Duncan is the better post defender, but Garnett is so long and athletic that he can defend the high post and pick-and-rolls better. Garnett also is a more versatile offensive player -- his ability to dribble and drive is a dimension Duncan does not have. And Duncan's foul shooting, which has always been an unknown, was a career-worst 59.9 percent last season.

    Duncan is only 28 and was bothered by ankle and knee injuries last season -- good health could boost him back to MVP form. But for now, Garnett has staked out his status as the league's best player. And who knows? He might get better.

    The next-best things
    3. Shaquille O'Neal, C, Heat
    4. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers
    5. Tracy McGrady, SG, Rockets
    6. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks
    7. Yao Ming, C, Rockets

    Age, free throw shooting and foot injuries have watered down Shaquille O'Neal's dominance, but he still has a lot going for him. He has slimmed down, remains the most powerful guy in the league and has a variety of post moves that the Heat plans to exploit.

    Just below Shaq is a reminder of what could have been -- egos separated O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, who should have won more than the three championships they brought to L.A. The top NBA duo now plays in Houston, where Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming soon should rank as the best at their respective positions. McGrady is behind Bryant at shooting guard for now because he needs to show he can be a clutch player on a winning team, like Bryant has, and because he needs to show that last season's half-hearted effort is behind him. McGrady can address those problems this season. At center, Yao improved defensively last season and expects to be more aggressive offensively this year. He's an excellent passer but has not had much chance to show it with the Rockets. That should change.

    The other player in this grouping, Dirk Nowitzki, lost his favorite running mate, point guard Steve Nash, in the offseason, but the Mavericks still will play the uptempo pace that allows Nowitzki to display his athleticism and scoring ability, which is unmatched among 7-footers. His defense always has held him (and the Mavs) back, but for the first time in his career, he will be playing next to a legitimate two-way center, Erick Dampier.


    Whither (or wither) Jermaine?
    8. Jermaine O'Neal, PF, Pacers
    9. Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Jazz
    10. LeBron James, SG, Cavaliers
    11. Elton Brand, PF, Clippers
    12. Peja Stojakovic, SF, Kings
    13. Ray Allen, SG, SuperSonics
    14. Paul Pierce, SG, Celtics

    Sam vs. the world
    15. Sam Cassell, PG, Timberwolves
    16. Ben Wallace, C, Pistons
    17. Allen Iverson, PG, 76ers
    18. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
    19. Baron Davis, PG, Hornets
    20. Jason Kidd, PG, Nets
    21. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Nuggets
    22. Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
    23. Ron Artest, SF, Pacers
    24. Stephon Marbury, PG, Knicks

    Forward thinking
    25. Pau Gasol, PF, Grizzlies
    26. Richard Jefferson, SF, Nets
    27. Dwyane Wade, PG, Heat
    28. Lamar Odom, SF, Lakers
    29. Carlos Boozer, PF, Jazz
    30. Kenyon Martin, PF, Nuggets
    31. Corey Maggette, SF, Clippers
    32. Shawn Marion, SF, Suns
    33. Zach Randolph, PF, Trail Blazers
    34. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns

    Champs rule
    35. Rasheed Wallace, PF, Pistons
    36. Erick Dampier, C, Mavericks
    37. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, Cavaliers
    38. Chauncey Billups, PG, Pistons
    39. Michael Finley, SF, Mavericks
    40. Richard Hamilton, SG, Pistons

    A King or a joker?
    41. Vince Carter, SG, Raptors
    42. Mike Bibby, PG, Kings
    43. Brad Miller, C, Kings
    44. Andre Miller, PG, Nuggets
    45. Steve Francis, PG, Magic
    46. Chris Webber, PF, Kings

    Coaching challenges
    47. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards
    48. Jason Richardson, SG, Warriors
    49. Rashard Lewis, SF, SuperSonics
    50. Tayshaun Prince, SF, Pistons
     
    #1 mirror_image, Oct 26, 2004
  2. MFW2310

    MFW2310 Member

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    I think when rating Yao, some of these sportswriters have a tendency to use expectations as the yardstick. Having said that though, seeing the rest of the list kinda makes me scratch my head and wonder if Yao really belongs on the #7 spot.
     
    #2 MFW2310, Oct 26, 2004
  3. PhiSlammaJamma

    PhiSlammaJamma Member

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    Everybody knows it. The only person who can stop Yao is Yao.
     
    #3 PhiSlammaJamma, Oct 26, 2004
  4. meh

    meh Member

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    Based on the article, this looks definitely like a projection than last year's production. In which case, Yao at #7 hardly looks too high. If you go by the expectations of Yao this year on the board, it would be something along the lines of 20/10/2. Put up that stat for a team that wins 50 games(should the Rockets win that many) and #7 looks about right.
     
    #4 meh, Oct 26, 2004
  5. gucci888

    gucci888 Member

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    And he's doing a pretty good job. :D
     
    #5 gucci888, Oct 26, 2004
  6. emjohn

    emjohn Member

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    Interesting list. I like that he's trying to establish tiers. It's always mpossible to create a true objective list though. It might be best to come up with a giant AP poll like in college football. Maybe that's just me.

    In my own, personal take:

    -Elton Brand is too high at 11 (produces consistent numbers but not wins)

    -Cassell is too high at 15 (I'm not sold that he's ever going to be 100% healthy ever again, and is still more of a one dimensional pull up artist than anything else)

    -Iverson is too low at 17 (unlike Brand, he does win games by himself)

    -Redd is too low at 22

    -Marbury (24) should not be lower than the likes of Steve Nash (18).

    -Shawn Marion (32) should not be lower than Jefferson (26) and certainly not below Maggette (31).

    -Brad Miller is too low at 43.

    -Andre Miller is too low at 44.

    -Steve Francis is FAR too low at 45. Is he being punished for JVG's system? In Orlando, he could very well have a 25-6-6 year. This is below Dampier? Richard Hamilton? Wade is good, but he's not a better player than Steve today.

    Evan
     
    #6 emjohn, Oct 26, 2004
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2004
  7. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    All these guys, except Andre Miller, are all too low.

    Carter should be in the teens; Bibby, Francis, and Webber should be in the twenties; and Brad Miller should be in the thirties.
     
    #7 Easy, Oct 26, 2004
  8. emjohn

    emjohn Member

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    VC and Webber are far more name than substance at this point. Webber in particular (still hasn't recovered fully since that knee surgery 15 months ago).
     
    #8 emjohn, Oct 26, 2004
  9. Mr Boo

    Mr Boo Member

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    The rankings do seem to be a little whack...I mean Francis at 45? I would even rank Brad Miller a bit higher too...and sorry all you Dirk fans, but I think Dirk is a bit over-rated...I think he was in a bit of a slump year last year.
     
    #9 Mr Boo, Oct 26, 2004
  10. Bobliu

    Bobliu Member

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    Assuming the score for 1 is 50, 2 is 49, 3 is 48, ... 50 is 1, then we can assign each team a score. For example, for the Rox, the team score is 90 because TMac ranked number 5 (score = 46) and Yao number 7 (score=44) and 44+46=90. Using this scoring system, the top ten teams are:

    team Score rank
    Rockets 90 1
    T'wolves 86 2
    Pistons 76 3
    Heat 72 4
    Mavs 72 5
    Pacers 71 6
    Lakers 70 7
    Suns 69 8
    Jazz 64 9
    Kings 61 10

    The reason the Rox ranked number 1 is because Yao seems being ranked too high.
     
    #10 Bobliu, Oct 26, 2004
  11. KeepKenny

    KeepKenny Member

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    KG is one spot too high, and Duncan is one spot too low. Who gives a crap about a power foward driving or dribbling the ball? Championships are won in the low post, and Duncan is way better down low.
     
    #11 KeepKenny, Oct 26, 2004
  12. swilkins

    swilkins Member

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    I can spell out how much this list means to me.

    B-S

    I wish the season would hurry up and start. These editors have way too much time on their hands.
     
    #12 swilkins, Oct 26, 2004
  13. redgoose

    redgoose Member

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    Where's Boki?;)
     
    #13 redgoose, Oct 26, 2004
  14. ayears

    ayears Member

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    mirror_image,

    I remember you posted a thread titled "Inside_hoops.com:Jeff Van Gundy Interview" on Oct. 23th or 24th (unsure the exact date tho), but I can't find it anymore on the board. Does that mean it's been deleted by moderator or I missed the link...

    I wonder if it's published @ www.***********.com ? Could you post the link in your post of this thread by way of parenthesis? thanks.
     
    #14 ayears, Oct 27, 2004
  15. mirror_image

    mirror_image Member

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    ayears, you are welcome!:D

    Yes, my topic has been deleted by the adminstrator. Here is the link, just delete the underscore between inside and hoops :

    http://www.inside_hoops.com/jvan-gundy-interview-102204.shtml
     
    #15 mirror_image, Oct 27, 2004
  16. ayears

    ayears Member

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    appreciate, mirror_image. :)

    I just posted a thread in ClutchFans.net Feedback, join me there...

    btw, do you live in Hong Kong? I've been travelled to HK for 3 times, love this city!
     
    #16 ayears, Oct 27, 2004
  17. mirror_image

    mirror_image Member

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    ayears, Yes, I live in Hong Kong, nice to know that you love HK. Hope that there will be some NBA games played in here in future.:cool:
     
    #17 mirror_image, Oct 27, 2004
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