A list of NBA players needed to be the first Top Five because it was the inspiration for this blog. After listening to numerous NBA game announcers and commentators making the pronouncement that a particular player is a top five, top 10 or top 20 player, I used a series of formulas to come to the mathematical conclusion that there could not be 15 top five players in the NBA. Further analyzing the data lead to the conclusion that according to these experts every all-star is a top 10 player and an NBA starter is a top 20 player.
If only the experts would take the time to write out a list of the actual top players in the NBA they may realize that it to be considered a top five player you have to be, well, one of the best five. Therefore, I thought about my list and the idea for this blog was born.
To qualify my top five NBA players, I selected the players in order that I would want to have on my team for the 2011-2012 season. Sort of a Fantasy NBA draft, but not as tied to the stats. This means past accomplishments and age are less important than how good the player is currently. With that in mind, I present you with the true Top Five Players in the NBA:
1) LeBron James
He might also be the most hated now, but no one else in the NBA can impact the game in as many ways as he does. Scoring, passing, rebounding and defense - he does it all at an elite level. Before his Finals performance this spot wasn't really up for debate, but based on those results I can now see an argument for moving him down. But for me, six games does not erase how good he was the rest of the playoffs and regular season and the potential for him next year.
2) Dirk Nowitzki
He really helped put himself over the top with his playoff performance. Before, he was probably a top 6 or 7 player on my list, but this season he really showed he could be "the man" and carry a team. Offensively he is unstoppable. He is aging, but this year was one of his best performances yet. I would expect a similar performance next season.
He really helped put himself over the top with his playoff performance. Before, he was probably a top 6 or 7 player on my list, but this season he really showed he could be "the man" and carry a team. Offensively he is unstoppable. He is aging, but this year was one of his best performances yet. I would expect a similar performance next season.
3) Kobe Bryant
He's not the same player he was just a few years ago, but he still put up great statistics while leading his team to the playoffs. However, getting swept by Dallas showed his game may not quite be where it once was.
He's not the same player he was just a few years ago, but he still put up great statistics while leading his team to the playoffs. However, getting swept by Dallas showed his game may not quite be where it once was.
4) Dwyane Wade
After his own teammate, LeBron, Wade probably has the most ability to impact a game in a variety of ways. It will be interesting to see how his physical style will affect him as he starts to age.
After his own teammate, LeBron, Wade probably has the most ability to impact a game in a variety of ways. It will be interesting to see how his physical style will affect him as he starts to age.
5) Dwight Howard
Somehow the Magic have deteriorated around him, and he is basically carrying them by himself. The situation seems similar to Lebron in Cleveland. Although I would prefer to have the four players on this list above him, Howard is perhaps the most unique as there is no one else in the league even close to as good as him at his position.
Somehow the Magic have deteriorated around him, and he is basically carrying them by himself. The situation seems similar to Lebron in Cleveland. Although I would prefer to have the four players on this list above him, Howard is perhaps the most unique as there is no one else in the league even close to as good as him at his position.
For me, it is a pretty clear cut Top Five. I can see you moving them within their rankings up and down, but can't see taking one of them out unless I see something new from someone else or one of these five starts to falter.
For any NBA announcers who might be reading, I would like to point out some of those who did not make the Top Five - the league MVP (Derrick Rose), Rookie of the Year (Blake Griffin), scoring champion (Kevin Durant), and most talked about trade piece (Carmelo Anthony). Please note this as you start to think about throwing out the Top Five title to these or any other player who makes a nice dunk. They all might be great players, perhaps even top 10, but they're not good enough to be...Top Five.
For any NBA announcers who might be reading, I would like to point out some of those who did not make the Top Five - the league MVP (Derrick Rose), Rookie of the Year (Blake Griffin), scoring champion (Kevin Durant), and most talked about trade piece (Carmelo Anthony). Please note this as you start to think about throwing out the Top Five title to these or any other player who makes a nice dunk. They all might be great players, perhaps even top 10, but they're not good enough to be...Top Five.
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