There are three teams in Texas (Mavs, Spurs and Rockets) and four teams in California (Lakers, King, Clippers and Warriors). I am just wondering, overall, which state has the best stars and can be called the State of Basketball. Here I'll do a comparison of top three players of each position from each state, and see who are better overall, and please give some feedbacks. Remember, this is not a to form two teams (it's impossible for them to match as teams, since if they do, some of the teammates absolutely hate each other and will never play like a team). Point Guard: Nash/Francis/Van Exel VS Bibby/B. Jackson/A. Miller This is very hard to compare, Bibby and Jackson would have slight edge over Nash/Van Exel, we saw the former two outplayed the later two in last years playoff games. Before the Mavs and Kings play again this year, I will stick with the results from last year. However, Francis and Miller are two different types of point guards. I liked Miller better because of his unselfishness. However, he hasn't proved himself to be a winner. He played for the Cavs, and they were horrible. In the summer, his team USA stunk the whole world. Now he's playing for the Clippers, who hasn't won much either. Francis hasn't won much more either, but he's an all-star after all, and his team is doing well (thanks to Yao Ming too). I'll take him before Miller. But overall, California won at point guard. Shooting Guard: Finley/Mobley/Smith VS Kobe/Christie/J. Rich With Kobe's presence in this contest, I don't think there is a question that California wins this one. Small Forward: Dirk/Bowen/Rice VS Peja/Jamison/Odom Dirk is a MVP contender, and his presence in Texas is a little overwhelming for the Californians. People might argue he's a power forward, but I think he plays more like a small forward. However, the drop of talent from Dirk to Bowen(defensive force) and Rice(decent role player) is too big to make up, since Peja(last year all star), Jamison(scoring machine), and Odom(a great all around player) all have all-star qualities. Californians won it again. Power Forward: Duncan/LaFrentz/K. Thomas VS Webber/Brand/Murphy Although Duncan is somehow struggling this year, I still think he is a better player than Webber. Then, Brand is an all star and would be too much for LaFrentz to handle, althogh LaFrentz is a solid player as well. Murphy and Thomas would be a close call. Murphy plays on a bad team. but is a much better rebounder. I'd give it to Murphy here. Overall, Californians won it AGAIN. Center: Yao Ming/D. Robinson/Bradley VS Shaq, Kandi, Divac Well, the toe daddy is here. Too bad for the Texans, Yao Ming is amazing, has great potential and all, but now, Shaq is too much for anyone to handle. Not to mention Kandi and Divac have an edge on Robinson and Bradley too. Californians snatch this one. Though painful to us Texans, overall, Californians won the contest in all five positions(I originally though we could at least won at PF with Duncan, but I found I out-argued myself in my analysis). Our state has some top caliber players (Dirk, Duncan...), but we are not deep enough to beat the Californians in the three men-per-position contest. Finally, I have to admit my opinion might be far from the truth, and this is why I need your feedbacks, if you have patience to finish reading this. Thank you!
