Top 5 players in the league entering the 2009/2010 season

This past year I finally gave Howard the edge. The past 2-3 years, many prematurely tossed Yao off the throne based on Howard's explosive starts to seasons. But he usually tailed off as the season wore on. Right now IMO, Howard is better. Both guys have serious limitations that must be weighed. If you consider durability, it's a no-brainer.

What's sad to me is the way some of Yao's defenders feel the need to belittle Howard. If you haven't been lurking a while, you will see. I'm a fan of both guys.

 

I don't think it is belittling Howard to say that his offensive game is not polished, his defense is all statpadding. Its true. Hes another Patrick Ewing. Its not a bad thing (Ewing was a damn good player), but I don't think he will ever be in the great center tier (nor do I think Yao will ever be, but I think Yao is better).

 

If he's another Patrick Ewing... then what is Yao?

 

In your case I wouldn't quite describe it as belittling. But saying Howard's defense is "all statpadding" is nonsensical.

Yao doesn't alter nearly as many shots as Howard. You said another poster needs to watch more games. What's clear is either you don't watch Howard very often or just refuse to give him proper credit.

Not even close? This is laughable, but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

 

Hm...That is a fair comparison, They both are Top 10 players though correct when healthy? And what makes you want to take Dwight over Yao? I can think of reasons why, but I want to know your specific reasons..

I do agree they both have serious limitations in their games.

 

1) Kobe Freakin Bryant
2) LeBron The Chosen One James
3) I'm D Wade
4) Chris The Magician Paul
5) Hmmmmmmmm........assuming he's healthy Kevin Scary Eyes Garnett

 

Um yeah, of all people you should know that Glen.

 

Tier 1:

Lebron, Wade, Paul

Tier 2:

Howard, Duncan, Bryant

 

LOL @ Kobe as tier 2. What a joker.

 

Howard gives you more flexibility on offense and defense. Last yr, he played with 2 small forwards on the frontline. You can run a lot of combo's out there. If svg wanted to trap,press, or anything else, you can do it because how protects the rim. If you wanted to keep the baseline open and be a pnr team, you can do that too. With yao you can only play 1 style and that limits the personell. Not to mention howard is younger, more durable and has been 1st team all nba 2 yrs in a row and its not ending any time soon.

 

Replace Kobe with any of the tier 1 players and they have an easier time winning the championship. Kobe is seriously one of the most overrated players of all time (not to mention a terrible human being, scum of the earth). If you care to know, I'm a big stats guy...

 

Have you seen Kobe play?

 

Kobe Bryant is a tier 1 player... bar none.. I don't know how anyone could argue that. His numbers these past couple of years don't reflect on him losing has talent because of age or anything, it's him sacrificing his offense because he doesn't need to score as much for the Lakers to win... I mean you can see some games where the Lakers are just stupid.... those games he takes them over.. 40.. 50.. 60...

 

I know we hate Kobe on this board, but come on.

 

I'm not "hating" subjectively. I look at the numbers and this is what I see. You can disagree but I'm not just knocking him down because I don't like him personally. I don't really like Lebron as a person either, he's a bit a tool. Any advanced statistical measure, PER, win shares, EWA, whatever, Kobe comes up short against these guys.

To be fair, perhaps it's not fair to say it's tier 1 and tier 2, more like tier 1A and 1B, I mean these six guys are absolutely above anyone else.

 

You'll notice Kobe had a higher PER in the years when he had to do it by himself. I imagine if he played for the Heat, he would have similar numbers to DWade.

 

Exactly juicystream, the fact that he does have one of the best (probably the best) supporting casts in the game, his PER is not as high as those guys who carry the teams on their backs.

But Kobe is still Kobe. His jumper is automatic, he steps up consistently in the cluth, he is as close to unstoppable as the league has right now (Shane did as amazing of a job as u could do on him last postseason and he was still sensational), his defense is strong when he wants it to be.

 

Ron Artest usually says stupid things... but on this thing right here, he's pretty much right.

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/20...n-to-the-white-house-and-blocked-obamas-shot/

 

Larry Bird already said that, either way Jordan is still on another planet than him. Only an idiot would disagree with what I just said.

 

I agree with you BR but I do also agree with Artest/Bird in the sense that Kobe is the closest thing we got.

Major differences tho: MJ was a fierce defender no matter whom he was facing, Kobe only steps it up when it is against a high caliber player (and even then, it is not on MJs level). MJ was a better playmaker (Kobe isn't bad but he is not capable of averaging 8 apg), MJ had a better post up game (miles and miles and miles ahead of what Kobe can ever have), and while Kobe is accurate especially in the crunch he is not on MJ's level.

But I still think despite all this, he is the best player in the game right now.