The Top Ten Players of the 2008/2009 season till 27/3

10. Steve Nash- The reason that Nash is on this list even though he is averaging career lows in all categories is that he wasnt suited to the defensive minded Terry Porter. Since the firing of Terry Porter, Nash is back to his best and the Suns are currently riding a 6 game win streak. One could imagine what would have happened if they had fired Porter earlier on in the year...

9. Kevin Durant- A year in which most people thought Oklahoma would be cellar dweller's once more has seen the brand new franchise slowly move up the tables. A playoff birth next year is not out of the question, and neither will the scoring title be for Durant who has increased his scoring by 6 points up from his rookie of the year campaign. If he increases his rebounding, which at 6'10 he definately should, he will be one of the most unstoppable forces in the game.

8. Shaquille O'neal- While other suns(Nash, Stoudemire) are under performing, Shaq has been rejuvinated back to his former self. Averaging his best stats since his title with Miami, Shaq is the main reason the 7-seconds-or-Shaq Suns are still in the running for a playoff birth. His newfound energy and enthusiasm also saw him become the co-allstar game MVP whilst playing just 11 minutes. Suck on that Kobe.

7. Brandon Roy- Roy has elevated his game status from Allstar to Superstar. He is averaging 23ppg in the slowest paced offense(but 2nd in efficiency) in the NBA. Which brings some to think that in the Suns system he would average north of 30. He has been the leader, and the clutch player of a young team getting ready for a new era of glory.

6. Tim Duncan- The most consistent player in the NBA has carried his team to second in the West, during a year of which Manu and Parker have missed considerable amounts of time. Duncan has been his usual 20/10 self, as the Spurs gear up to make a serious assault on the playoffs... It is an odd year after all.

5. Chris Paul- Having set the bar so high last year, even career highs in just about every category cant get Paul any MVP love. His underperforming team has nothing to do with him however, as he leads the league in assists and steals.

4. Dwight Howard- The Magic are on pace to win more games than they ever did with thier other well known franchise center(The Big Deisel) and its all due to the play of superman. Not only in consideration for MVP, Dwight is the favourite to win defensive player of the year leading the league in blocks and rebounds.

3. Kobe Bryant- Kobe is'nt having a fantastic year statistically(by his own standards) but his Western-leading Lakers have the second best record in the NBA. This is all without the starting center, Bynum, who has been out for the last month. If Kobe can secure the best record in the NBA, he will have a serious shot of getting back-to-back MVP's.

2. Dwyane Wade- The reason Wade is higher than Kobe even though his team is only a few games over .500 and the Lakers are top of the east is the simple fact that he is doing it all with less. What has he got to work with? Two rookies in the starting lineup. An over the hill injured center. Wade leads the league in scoring, along with being second in steals and putting up nearly 8 assists. Along with his many clutch performances, Wade is capable of carrying the heat in a 7 game playoff series.

1. LeBron James- The Cavaliers have the best record, on track to win 64 games, and the King is the reason why. His averages are lower than last seaon but he is doing more per 48mins. He has brought a mediocre team to become the benchmark of the NBA and deserves his first MVP award.

The Top Ten Dunkers in the NBA

10. Baron Davis
Boom Dizzle could not, not be included after his AK47 slam. An equal measure of power and grace. But to show his versatility, i included a dunk from his rookie season, over reigning defensive player of the year Kevin Garnett, who if you watch, pusses out big time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn3vkaTDbaM
9. Josh Smith
I can't decide whether he is better at blocking shots or throwing them down. But i do know he is exceptional at both. My Fav: His playoff beauty against the Celt's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1KSMFNjWc
8. Andre Iguodala
Got jipped in the 06' dunk comp against Nate. Even though Nate is a better dunker, Andre put on a better show on the night. My Fav: His near impossible dunk off the back of the backboard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6z9-l4hnMM
7. Nate Robinson
Little 5'9" fella with mad hops. previous dunk comp winner. My Fav: his gem over spud webb.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYCGky8Aqjk
6. Kobe Bryant
Kobe is not just a scorer, defender, passer. his is also a dunker. He added an MVP to his dunk crown from 1997 last year. My Fav: old kobe doin the young kobe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38
5. Shaquille O'neal
Broken two backboards? check. Dunked on numerous opponents? check. Most dominant ever? you better believe it. My Fav: Shaq dunking on everyone in Portland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38
4. Gerald Green
A shit baller, but 3 consecutive trips to the dunk comp proves he can jam with the best. My Fav: His alley oop to pump up the boston crowd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxeHYBppmY8
3. LeBron James
The King. Not as flashy or creative as some of the others, but he is one of the most powerful players in the NBA, and never backs down. My Fav: his monster on defensive ace Tim Duncan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRhcUnrUEiA
2. Dwight Howard
Dwight may be the biggest guy on this list, but that doesnt mean he doesnt have mad hops. The reigning dunk contest winner knows how to get it done around the rim. My fav: number 1, where he pulls the alley-oop from just out of the reaches of a boston player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmlDqPtHV-E
1. Vince Carter
No one else has the creativity, daring and vertical leap to even attempt to pull off some of the dunks in Vince's history. My favourite- His insanely high windmill featured in number 8 in the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf4H3OR-7IE

My Top Ten Individual Performances in NBA History

Because this list is 'moments', depending on how i classify a moment i didnt add kobe's 81 point game.

10. Dwight Hoard=Superman!
The 2008 dunk contest was a landslide with Dwight Howard scoring consecutive 50's, then won the vote in the final with 85% of the votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO3c8EaxsxQ
9. Baron Davis sticks AK47
Boom Dizzle throwing down a monster jam on Andrei kirilenko. Everyone was jumping on the Golden State band wagon in the 2007 playoffs after they upset the no.1 seeded Dallas in the first round. in the second round, they eventually lost to the Jazz, but before that, Davis's dunk on AK47 was the epitomy of the GSW fever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VO6Pw_-fXU&feature=related
8. Reggie Miller's 3 point blitz
Reggie scores consecutive 3's to tie the game in the EC finals game 1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtPaMgyz4ec
7. The Magical skyhook.
Magic Johnsons self proclaimed "Junior, junior, junior skyhook" puts the lakers up by 1 with 2 seconds remaining in the *5' finals. During the game magic plays all five positons spending considerable time at center, which has never happened to a point guard till then or since. He ended up with something like 40 points, 15 boards and 8 assists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6DTj8y9uUI
6. Allen Iverson the rookie vs Michael Jordan the MVP
Allen Iverson had previously bragged to his coach about taking MJ the first time they meet. And this is him getting that chance...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJMi5lvQqq8
5. Larry Bird Rebound up and under.
Larry Legend anticipates the rebound from his own shot and flips in a circus up and under. No one else could ever do this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN5Gf4O9OiY
4. Derek Fisher's 0.4 Shot.
Kobe Bryant hits the supposed game winner with 5 seconds left. Then Tim Duncan replies with what seems to be the real gamewinner to leave the clock at 0.4....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AIlzdB_OGw
3. Tracy Mcgrady's 13 in 35.
The rockets thought it was all over when they were down by 8 with 35 seconds to go. Then Tracy Mcgrady pulled of the single best 35 seconds in NBA history to win the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceLlz7dOOvY&feature=related
2. Vince Carter in the 2000 dunk competiton.
Vince Carter, the greatest dunker of all time demonstrates why he is what i previously stated. Carter pulls out the most original, and insane dunks to prove the nicknames Vinsanity, Air Canada etc are no misnomer. My two favourite: his tomahawk elbow hanger and what i like to call "the tin soldier dunk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVC3yBHjNvo
1. LeBron James going solo
In game 5 of the EC finals LeBron James scores his teams last 25 points and 29 of the last 30 to win the game and send the Cav's through to the finals. This dunk on the whole pistons team shows that LeBron was on a completely different level that fateful night. He goes around under then over to get to the rim. This and1 on Rasheed puts the Cav's up by 2 in the fourth quarter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFl-66WrF_o&feature=related

The Top Ten PG's right now

10. Baron Davis (A shocking team has him fading into irrelevancy)
9. Rajon Rondo (Could be anywhere from 5th to 20th on a different team. But he is the perfect fit for Boston right now)
8. Jose Calderon (A poor team is the reason for his low ranking)
7. Jason Kidd (Lost a step or two, and has become a defensive liability)
6. Derrick Rose (A star in the making, will make the transition to Superstar very shortly)
5. Devin Harrris (The no.1 scoring option on a team with Vince Carter, and 6th in the league)
4. Tony Parker (Possibly the best player on a team with Ginobili and Duncan)
3. Deron Williams (Injuries has limited thus far but is now locked in to be top 5 for the next decade)
2. Steve Nash (Still the best passer in the game, with a dynamite outside shot)
1. Chris Paul (No one comes close. Surpassed Steve Nash last year)

Top Ten Nicknames of the NBA (Former players)

10. Julius Erving- Dr J
9. Oscar Robertson- The Big O
8. Pete Maravich- Pistol Pete
7. Hakeem Olajuwon- The Dream
6. Karl Malone- The Mailman
5. Larry Bird- Larry Legend
4. Michael Jordan- GOAT, His Airness, or Air Jordan
3. George Gervin- Iceman
2. Jason Williams- White Chocolate
1. Earvin Johnson- Magic

Top Ten Nicknames in the NBA (Current Players)

10. Tim Duncan- The Big Fundamental
9. Kobe Bryant- Black Mumba
8. Vince Carter- Air Canada or Vinsanity
7. Dwyane Wade- The Flash
6. Tony Parker- Sacre Le Blur
5. Dwight Howard- Superman
4. Kevin Garnett- The Big Ticket
3. Allen Iverson- The Answer
2. Shaquille O'neal- either Deisel, Shaq or The Big Aristotle
1. LeBron James- King James

The Top Ten 1st overall NBA draft picks(of the last 10 years)

10. Kwame Brown (1st overall 2001)
9. Andrea Bargnani (2006)
8. Kenyon Martin (2000)
7. Andrew Bogut (2005)
6. Greg Oden (2007)
5. Derrick Rose (2008)
4. Yao Ming (2002)
3. Elton Brand (1999)
2. Dwight Howard (2004)
1. LeBron James (2003)

Top Ten NBA rookies at this point

10. Jason Thompson (Great player on a bad team. Good rebounder and scorer)
9. Jerryd Bayless (Has seen limited minutes but averaged 29ppg in the summer league)
8. Brook Lopez (Great offence, but lacks the energy and D that his brother posseses)
7. Kevin Love (Nice all round game, but is hidden behind Al Jefferson)
6. Mario Chalmers (9 steals in a game! As a rookie! Scores and dishes too)
5. Marc Gasol (Rebounder and Defender had a 27pt, 11reb game the other day)
4. Rudy Fernandez (Rookie of the year/6th man candidate)
3. OJ Mayo (Big time scorer, bad FG%)
2. Michael Beasley (Living up to his lofty expectations)
1. Derrick Rose (He was meant to have potential, but was never expected to be this good this soon)

Top Ten Basketball comparisons for our team

This is a list of our team and thier NBA comparisons, relative to thier playing style, but ignoring thier race.
In No Particular Order:

10. Alex Trombetta- Deron Williams (Big time scorer and an awesome passer, quick, and has a developing post up game, and can get to the ring with apparent ease. Rebounds good for height)
9. Kelly Duthie- Chris Kaman (Great defence, rebounding, and is an underrated scorer. Not unlike Kaman's ADD, Duthie suffers from white line fever)
8. Jarryd Kelly- Kyle Korver (Lights out shooter, who can drive through the lane when he wants. A liability on defense)
7. Lachlan Cudmore- Kobe Bryant (An all round scorer, can play either guard positions, is quick and incredibly skillful)
6. Sean Mcmulkin- Allen Iverson (Quick first step, and not afraid to put up a ton of, sometimes ill advised, shots. Has a great crossover too)
5. Tom Mcmulkin- Brandon Roy (More of a 2 guard but can play the 1. Is a great shooter from deep, and can drive through the lane and get to the line)
4. Calum Mcmulkin- Andrei Kirilenko (Can get rebounds for his height, a few blocks, racks up steals and can score/pass. A nightly 5 by 5 threat)
3. Paul- Chauncy Billups (A veteran guard that has a dynamite shot, and can post up similar heighted defenders and use a wide arsenal of post up moves)
2. Brock Monck- Mehmet Okur (A centre that loves to range out to make a few threes, shoots well mid distance, and is a good rebounder)
1. Tony Page- A young Dwight Howard (Tall, has lots of potential, but all athletic ability and not much game at this point)

The Top Ten NBA Players of this Decade

10. LeBron James- A top ten MVP finish every year he has played
9. Paul Pierce- 1 Championship, 1 Finals MVP
8. Dirk Nowitzki- 1 MVP
7. Jason Kidd- Triple Double Master
6. Allen Iverson- 1 MVP
5. Kevin Garnett- 1 Championship, 1 MVP
4. Steve Nash- 2 MVP's
3. Kobe Bryant- 3 Championships, 1 MVP
2. Shaquille O'neal- 4 Championships, 1 MVP, 3 Finals MVP's
1. Tim Duncan- 4 championships, 2 MVP's, 3 finals MVP's

Just Missed Out- Ben Wallace, Dwayne Wade, Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen, Tracy Mcgrady

The Top Ten Players in the NBA

10. Chris Bosh
9. Dirk Nowitzki
8. Amare Stoudemire
7. Tim Duncan
6. Steve Nash
5. Dwayne Wade
4. Dwight Howard
3. Chris Paul
2. Kobe Bryant
1. LeBron James

as of 31/10/08