Tim Duncan – the top 5 NBA players
October 11, 2007 by James Edwards
Filed under Cleveland Cavaliers, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA Basketball, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Shaq, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan
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Today we will examine the top five players out of a list of the top 50 players currently playing in the NBA.
Tim is number 1
Tim Duncan is rated number 1by Tony Mejia of CBSSports.com.
Last year Tim was rated number 6. He may seem boring, but you do not want to face him in the playoffs.
Kobe Bryant is number 2. Didn’t he have 80 some points in a game last year? And he is only number 2?
Bryant is still without an MVP and hasn’t gotten out of the first round of the playoffs since 2004. He’s feuding with the Lakers, gritting his teeth through all the drama — some of it self-inflicted — and is likely going to waste another season of his prime toiling for mediocre results. source
Number 3 from the state of Ohio is LeBron James. Did you happen to catch LeBron torching my Pistons in the playoffs last year with power drive and slam after power drive and slam?
If you didn’t catch LeBron, don’t feel bad, because neither did the Pistons, leading to the Cavs in the NBA Finals.
Will the Cavs return to the NBA Finals? Well, if the work LeBron did in the off season is any indication, start buying your tickets now!
If the improved jumper he showed off over the summer is any indication of things to come, there won’t be any stopping James this season. He rarely has problems getting to the rim but would become indefensible if teams can’t play off his jumper. When you throw his passing ability into the mix, LBJ might be able to get the Cavs any shot they want, anytime he wants.
Number 4 is Dwayne Wade. He will have to do it all for the Heat, because about all else they have is an aging Shaq. Dwayne had two surgeries this summer and is ready to turn it up!
Number 5 is Steve Nash, the best white North American player (Canadian). You must watch this guy before his career is over, because he can penetrate like no player you have ever seen. Steve has total control of the ball in Phoenix’s high speed high octane offense.
If you want to read about the next 45 then go to Tony’s column right now.
NBA Basketball Fan Question Who is in your top 5?
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You can’t tell me Rasheed Wallace and even Ben Wallace (but especially Rasheed) didn’t make this list.
It’s been Tim Duncan for me all these 10 years. If he’s not anyone’s top 5 (or top 1), then that someone should read more on basketball.
Hey, guys, it wasn’t my list. You know Stephon Marbury would have to be on it. hehehe
Tim Duncan is NOT the #1 player in the NBA.
Since the 2001-2002 season, Duncan’s scoring average has dropped from 25.5 ppg to 21.8, his rebounds per game has dropped from 12.7 to 10.6.
He’s not the same player he once was.
You can’t tell me that if you were starting a franchise right now, that you would take Duncan over LeBron, Wade, Carmelo, or even Kobe.
Duncan is on the downside of his career. Period.
Can he still be productive? Of course…but not like he once was.
Sheed? I love the guy to bits, I can’t really say he’s a top 5 player. He’s in top 10, but how can Sheed edge out Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Nash, and TD?
That’s already five.
As for Starbury, I can’t say he’s even in top 20. Sorry James, that guy can’t lead a team if his life depended on it.
Starbury may give you a 20-7 every night (though his stats declined under Isiah), but notice that the best team he ever had was the Timberwolves.
Stephon had the talent around him in Jersey and Phoenix, but he couldn’t lead and distribute the ball. Sure, he may rack up the points, but Marbury isn’t a marquee NBA player.
hey, was just joking. Marbury put up something like 10 shots from 10 different spots on the court one night against my Pistons. It was an amazing display. have loved watching him ever since, but he plays 0 team ball.
Often wondered what would happen if he went to a Miami, Detroit, San Antone?
Wait a minute, Rich, Carmelo? My grandma took him to the hole using her walker. He guards nobody. It must be in his contract.
Still wish my Pistons had taken Carmelo instead of the beloved Darko.
What about T-mac? Just ’cause Tracy McGrady has yet to throw his first pass… Can we hold that against him?
@Rich
Stats must always be taken with a grain of salt because you have to check its context.
Duncan had to carry the offensive load during the period you mentioned because David Robinson was on the decline. What did the Spurs do? They got Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to add to the team’s offensive punch.
Despite being a marquee player, Duncan deferred to his teammates, and the Spurs got better for it.
Another, that season that you’re referring to is his fourth season. You can’t tell me that’s age because when Duncan rocked the Mavericks (even if the Spurs lost) the other year, and hurt the Suns bad in the last playoffs.
Rich, you should change your definition of productive. The stats isn’t the only thing that makes the player valuable. It’s the win-loss record too. There are intangibles as well. And four championship rings aren’t too shabby either.
Duncan may not outscore Kobe on a good shooting night, but he’s still more valuable than a younger, prolific scoring guard. Duncan may lose the statistical battle to Garnett, but Duncan is certainly more valuable because of his leadership and ability to make teammates better.
Tell me Rich, if you put Lebron in Memphis, how many wins do you expect them to get? If Kobe goes to Charlotte, do you think they’ll make the playoffs?
If you put Duncan in any of those teams, what do you think would happen? By the very least, you can expect a previously-weak team to enter the playoffs if Duncan is in the lineup.
Heck, I’m even willing to bet that team could win 50 in the regular season.
Duncan’s only problem is that at times he is almost too selfless. He can take over any time he wants and often does not exert that influence.
A nice problem to have with your star.
Yeah, we really hate Duncan personally for his selflessness. What a douche.
I agree 100% with this list. I would put Lebron ahead of Kobe though.
Duncan is not as flashy as a Kobe,but he impacts the game more on both ends of the floor without having to score a lot of points.
The Spurs are always in the top 3 defensve teams in the NBA,and he is very efficient. He’s always looking for the high percentage shot for himself or teammates.
LeBron is awesome. Seems to be able to do whatever he wants to do. Needs some teammates.