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Nieuw topic, nieuw onderwerp: Player Rankings
CNNSI.com
http://sportsillustrated.(...).rankings/index.html1 - Dwyane Wade
The Finals MVP gets the early edge in our inaugural list because of his inspired play in last year's postseason. Not only did he find ways to win the big games by himself, driving to the hole while wing counterparts like LeBron and Kobe stayed on the perimeter for their respective teams, he also improved what was a dodgy outside touch -- nailing 14 three-pointers in the playoffs, after hitting just 13 in the regular season.
2 - Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk was unstoppable for stretches of the Mavs' run to the Finals, after a regular season that saw him lead his team to 60 wins while throwing in as good a statistical line as can be expected -- 48 percent from the floor, 41 from the 3-point arc, 90 percent from the line, with averages of 26.6 points, 9 rebounds and just 1.9 turnovers in 38 minutes.
3 - LeBron James
It won't be long before LBJ vaults to the top spot on this list, but not before he learns from Wade's magical playoff run last year, and takes it to the hole late in close contests. Too often in Cleveland's Game 6 and 7 conference semifinal losses last spring, James was seen meandering on the perimeter. Still, regular-season averages of 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists from a 21-year old? Sick.
4 - Kobe Bryant
We're not as hard on Kobe as his toughest detractors, since we prefer to watch the eight-time All-Star shoot over double teams instead of seeing Kwame Brown, Brian Cook or Smush Parker work their magic against single coverage. Still, for Kobe to hit the top spot on this list, he's going to have to be willing to let the triangle offense run through him at the small forward spot.
5 - Kevin Garnett
Quietly, KG had as good a second half as anyone in the NBA last season, finishing the campaign with averages of 21.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and a combined 2.8 blocks and rebounds, while shooting 53 percent from the field for a putrid Timberwolves squad.
6 - Shawn Marion
As good as Steve Nash is, he still needs guys to corral the rebounds for him, get open on the other end, and be ready to nail a three-pointer if the defenders relent. More often than not, Marion excels in all three necessary roles: 21.8 points, 11.8 boards, a combined 3.7 blocks and steals, with just 1.5 turnovers in 40 minutes last year for this underrated star.
7 - Elton Brand
Due to the Clippers' playoff appearance, fair-weather NBA observers got to see what the league's real fans have known for years: Elton is as good as gets in the low post. Brand averaged 25 and 10 in 2005-06, blocking 2.5 shots per game, while a slimmer frame allowed him to improve his already stellar defense and cut down on fouls.
8 - Steve Nash
As surprising as Nash's 2005 MVP run was, his improved play (at age 32) in 2005-06 was the real mind-blower. And as dangerous as Wade, LeBron and Kobe can be on offense, it's Nash who drives teams the battiest. Just a flick of the wrist, and defenders are decimated by a pin-point pass or back-breaking jumper.
9 - Yao Ming
Despite missing 25 games last season due to injury, Yao firmly established himself as the NBA's best pivotman. Though the Rockets continually found inspired ways of keeping the ball from him, he still averaged 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds in just 34 minutes a game.
10 - Tim Duncan
Battling nagging arch injuries all season, Duncan still averaged 18.6 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks per game. All three were career-lows, but Duncan rebounded with a 25.8-point average in the playoffs, where his Spurs were one ill-timed conference semifinal foul away from a likely title defense. Ik kan me best in de ranking vinden zeker hoe Wade vorig jaar bijna in z'n eentje de Heat heeft gered. Op het meest belangrijke moment je beste spel spelen. Vind alleen Ming niet echt in de ranking thuishoren en zou dan eerder Gibert Arenas erin zetten. Tim Duncan overigens wel laag
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Ben geen fan van hem, maar een fitte Duncan is een top 5 speler.