WOW... this is impressive.. Martin is now ranked among the top players in the league! he is ranked above some of the top players in the league including, Duncan, Wade, Iverson, and even nash! way to go kevin... next up... allstar write in??
14-
Kevin Martin
This week a national TV audience has gotten to see what we've known for a while: Martin is an efficient scorer with a creative touch and someone who won't even attempt a shot unless it has a real chance to go in. Not only is the 23-year-old guard leading the Kings in scoring with 24.1 points per game, but he's also doing it on a Sacramento team that is 25th in offensive efficiency and scores just 97 points per game despite its quicker pace. Martin is shooting 52.6 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 93.4 percent from the free throw line
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/kelly_dwyer/11/17/player.rankings/1.html
EDIT:
NBA Player Power Rankings
Rank LW Player
1 5 LeBron James
LeBron James
A big chunk of the credit behind Cleveland's 6-2 opening should flow toward improved play from the likes of Drew Gooden and a stout defense, but that shouldn't take away from LeBron's brilliance so far. The 21-year old wunderkind is averaging 28.6 points, 6.5 assists and 7.4 rebounds, and he's making more of an impact on the defensive end in his fourth season. The Cavs rank third in overall defensive efficiency, up from 14th last season.
2 4 Yao Ming
Yao Ming
It became obvious last season that Yao was the game's best center, and save for his last two iffy outings, he's been the NBA's best player this season. Not only has he dominated during the Rockets' 6-3 start, but he's also doing it with a supporting cast that is still finding its way. Though Yao is averaging 17.6 shots a game, Houston's inability to get the big man the ball down the stretch of its loss to San Antonio on Tuesday was a little unnerving. That said, the Rockets are playing terrific basketball despite the feeling-out stage, and Yao is averaging a monstrous 25.7 points (on 53 percent shooting), 9.8 boards and 1.78 blocks in 35 minutes a game.
3 12 Michael Redd
Michael Redd
Maybe the Milwaukee loss took away from the accomplishment, or perhaps Kobe Bryant's recent 81-point explosion made it seem like child's play. Or, more than likely, the fact that it came on a Saturday night deep in football season, following an afternoon of college football upsets, led to a collective yawn from the sporting fandom at large. In any case, Redd's 57-point performance against Utah was a sight to behold, and the league's leading scorer seems eminently capable of hanging onto his crown for the duration of the season.
4 14 Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Don't look now, but Nowitzki's averages (26 points, 9.3 rebounds, just 2.14 turnovers) are on par with his last two seasons, when he was as good an MVP candidate as anyone. It's early, of course, but he's also on pace to make more than half his shots from the field, 40 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent from the free throw line. Following through on those marks would put him in select NBA company that includes his good friend Steve Nash and Larry Bird.
5 1 Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph
On one hand, it's a bit improbable that Randolph is playing the way he is. He's never been able to keep it together for long -- a pout or poor defensive rotation have always seemed as likely as a 30-and-15 night -- so it's nice to see him contribute so much to Portland's strong first few weeks. That said, Randolph has oozed nothing but talent since high school and he worked his tail off to come back from microfracture knee surgery, so it's probably time to stop with the slack-jawed reactions and start to expect these sort of averages (27 points, 10.2 rebounds) from here on out.
6 15 Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer
Far and away the best player on the NBA's best team thus far, Boozer is piling up the numbers without needing the ball much. He looked pretty impressive working his way around the Clippers' Elton Brand on Tuesday. Boozer scored only 16 points, but he made 7-of-13 shots, pulled in 15 rebounds and dished seven assists. Like Yao, Boozer also plays 35 minutes a game, but he's still managed to average 21.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
7 7 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
It nearly goes without saying that the Timberwolves would have trouble winning one game out of 10 without KG in the lineup. Though his offensive exploits often seem the most spectacular, Garnett is keeping his team in games with his superior defensive impact. Even on a team with subpar defenders like Mark Blount, Mike James, Marko Jaric and Troy Hudson receiving extended minutes, Garnett and fellow defensive stalwart Trenton Hassell have led the Timberwolves to a top-10 showing in overall defensive efficiency.
8 13 Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson
His Hawks have come back to earth, dropping two in a row after winning four of five to start the season, but Johnson continues to shine. He's averaging 28.9 points on a team that is among the slowest in the NBA (Atlanta is averaging about 89 possessions per game). Johnson is getting to the line more (6.6 attempts a game), and his touch in the paint has been spot-on.
9 11 Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce
Pierce is keeping his chin up, which is a lovely thing when you get paid millions of dollars to play a game for a living, but we wouldn't begrudge him a rant or two if things continue to go this poorly for his Celtics. Boston has opened 2-6, but a break or three could have allowed for a reversal of that record, all while Pierce chugs right along. He's leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and minutes ... but seems to have fallen short in blocks, registering just one for the season. Pity. Let's pick it up, Paul.
10 17 Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Carter is having a career year thus far, but we're not seeing the usual contract-year clichés come to the fore. For one, his Nets started the season on a defensive tear, with Carter doing yeoman's work in the paint as coach Lawrence Frank went to a smaller lineup. Secondly, though Carter is shooting the ball a bit more often (especially with Richard Jefferson on the shelf), his shooting percentages are way up across the board. Still, the Nets need all the production they can get, even with Jefferson in the lineup, though Jason Kidd's resurgence is a welcome sight.
11 3 Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas
Arenas hasn't exactly been feast or famine, but he has been inconsistent at times. It's hard to find fault in his game outside of the odd 5-of-19 shooting nights, and his assists (6.9 a game) and long-range shooting (38.3 percent) have improved.
12 6 Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh
Growing before our very eyes, Bosh is holding the fort for a Raptors team that is still trying to develop on the fly. His scoring average, shooting percentages and block totals are right in line with last season's pace, but he's made an astonishing leap in the rebounding department. Bosh is averaging nearly five more rebounds per game this season than he did in 2005-06 (from 9.2 to 13.9) while playing two fewer minutes per game. He's grabbing 20.4 percent of all rebounds available while he's playing, a mark good for seventh in the NBA.
13 10 Chris Paul
Chris Paul
Paul was impressive in his head-to-head duel with Detroit's Chauncey Billups on Wednesday night. Though Paul (20 points on just 14 shots, 13 assists to zero turnovers) didn't exactly shut down Billups (29 points on 17 shots, nine assists to one turnover), he did old his own. And holding your own against Billups, as a second-year guard, is quite the accomplishment. Leading your Hornets over the Pistons in Detroit is yet another.
14 - Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin
This week a national TV audience has gotten to see what we've known for a while: Martin is an efficient scorer with a creative touch and someone who won't even attempt a shot unless it has a real chance to go in. Not only is the 23-year-old guard leading the Kings in scoring with 24.1 points per game, but he's also doing it on a Sacramento team that is 25th in offensive efficiency and scores just 97 points per game despite its quicker pace. Martin is shooting 52.6 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 93.4 percent from the free throw line.
15 16 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan
Duncan's superb defense and attention to detail are allowing his Spurs to play just well enough to win in a 6-2 start. The perimeter looks aren't falling as much for San Antonio, and though Duncan should take some of the blame for this mini-swoon, he's still offering some sound statistics: 21.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks.
16 18 Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade
As predicted, Wade is carrying this veteran group of underachievers. The defending champs have won just three of seven, and Shaquille O'Neal has played miserably when healthy (he's shown up for four games thus far). Wade is leading the Heat in points (26.9), assists (7.1) and steals (1.6). Miami's schedule isn't getting any easier; it plays four of its next six on the road, though only one game (against San Antonio on Nov. 22) comes against a 2005-06 playoff team.
17 8 Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Nash's statistics have leveled off since last week's Rankings, merely to around his averages during his MVP season of 2005-06. His Suns have won only two of seven games to start the season, but good news awaits: Phoenix enjoyed five days off after its win over the Grizzlies last Saturday, and seven of its next eight opponents missed the playoffs last season.
18 2 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
He's shot 12-of-42 (29 percent) in his last two games, but this hasn't gotten in the way of his ability to get to the line and keep the scoring average in place. Iverson made 23-of-25 free throws against Denver and Seattle.
19 - Tony Parker
Tony Parker
His defense is suspect and his shot selection can be called into question, but Parker's efficiency and scoring touch have improved in his sixth season. The 24-year old is averaging 22.3 points for the Southwest Division-leading Spurs, his turnovers are down (just 2.4 in 35 minutes a night) and he continues to make more than half his shots from the floor. Also, you can tell he enjoys playing with the NBA's new official ball, which has a funny way of clinging to the rim on floaters in the lane.
20 - Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony
Anthony's Nuggets may look a disappointment on paper thanks to a 3-4 start, but this is about a .500 team, with or without the injured Kenyon Martin. Some of Anthony's statistics are a disappointment, especially his 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 turnovers, but his 30.6-point scoring average in only 35 minutes a game is an impressive clip.
14-
Kevin Martin
This week a national TV audience has gotten to see what we've known for a while: Martin is an efficient scorer with a creative touch and someone who won't even attempt a shot unless it has a real chance to go in. Not only is the 23-year-old guard leading the Kings in scoring with 24.1 points per game, but he's also doing it on a Sacramento team that is 25th in offensive efficiency and scores just 97 points per game despite its quicker pace. Martin is shooting 52.6 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 93.4 percent from the free throw line
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/kelly_dwyer/11/17/player.rankings/1.html
EDIT:
NBA Player Power Rankings
Rank LW Player
1 5 LeBron James
LeBron James
A big chunk of the credit behind Cleveland's 6-2 opening should flow toward improved play from the likes of Drew Gooden and a stout defense, but that shouldn't take away from LeBron's brilliance so far. The 21-year old wunderkind is averaging 28.6 points, 6.5 assists and 7.4 rebounds, and he's making more of an impact on the defensive end in his fourth season. The Cavs rank third in overall defensive efficiency, up from 14th last season.
2 4 Yao Ming
Yao Ming
It became obvious last season that Yao was the game's best center, and save for his last two iffy outings, he's been the NBA's best player this season. Not only has he dominated during the Rockets' 6-3 start, but he's also doing it with a supporting cast that is still finding its way. Though Yao is averaging 17.6 shots a game, Houston's inability to get the big man the ball down the stretch of its loss to San Antonio on Tuesday was a little unnerving. That said, the Rockets are playing terrific basketball despite the feeling-out stage, and Yao is averaging a monstrous 25.7 points (on 53 percent shooting), 9.8 boards and 1.78 blocks in 35 minutes a game.
3 12 Michael Redd
Michael Redd
Maybe the Milwaukee loss took away from the accomplishment, or perhaps Kobe Bryant's recent 81-point explosion made it seem like child's play. Or, more than likely, the fact that it came on a Saturday night deep in football season, following an afternoon of college football upsets, led to a collective yawn from the sporting fandom at large. In any case, Redd's 57-point performance against Utah was a sight to behold, and the league's leading scorer seems eminently capable of hanging onto his crown for the duration of the season.
4 14 Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Don't look now, but Nowitzki's averages (26 points, 9.3 rebounds, just 2.14 turnovers) are on par with his last two seasons, when he was as good an MVP candidate as anyone. It's early, of course, but he's also on pace to make more than half his shots from the field, 40 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent from the free throw line. Following through on those marks would put him in select NBA company that includes his good friend Steve Nash and Larry Bird.
5 1 Zach Randolph
Zach Randolph
On one hand, it's a bit improbable that Randolph is playing the way he is. He's never been able to keep it together for long -- a pout or poor defensive rotation have always seemed as likely as a 30-and-15 night -- so it's nice to see him contribute so much to Portland's strong first few weeks. That said, Randolph has oozed nothing but talent since high school and he worked his tail off to come back from microfracture knee surgery, so it's probably time to stop with the slack-jawed reactions and start to expect these sort of averages (27 points, 10.2 rebounds) from here on out.
6 15 Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer
Far and away the best player on the NBA's best team thus far, Boozer is piling up the numbers without needing the ball much. He looked pretty impressive working his way around the Clippers' Elton Brand on Tuesday. Boozer scored only 16 points, but he made 7-of-13 shots, pulled in 15 rebounds and dished seven assists. Like Yao, Boozer also plays 35 minutes a game, but he's still managed to average 21.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
7 7 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett
It nearly goes without saying that the Timberwolves would have trouble winning one game out of 10 without KG in the lineup. Though his offensive exploits often seem the most spectacular, Garnett is keeping his team in games with his superior defensive impact. Even on a team with subpar defenders like Mark Blount, Mike James, Marko Jaric and Troy Hudson receiving extended minutes, Garnett and fellow defensive stalwart Trenton Hassell have led the Timberwolves to a top-10 showing in overall defensive efficiency.
8 13 Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson
His Hawks have come back to earth, dropping two in a row after winning four of five to start the season, but Johnson continues to shine. He's averaging 28.9 points on a team that is among the slowest in the NBA (Atlanta is averaging about 89 possessions per game). Johnson is getting to the line more (6.6 attempts a game), and his touch in the paint has been spot-on.
9 11 Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce
Pierce is keeping his chin up, which is a lovely thing when you get paid millions of dollars to play a game for a living, but we wouldn't begrudge him a rant or two if things continue to go this poorly for his Celtics. Boston has opened 2-6, but a break or three could have allowed for a reversal of that record, all while Pierce chugs right along. He's leading the team in points, rebounds, steals and minutes ... but seems to have fallen short in blocks, registering just one for the season. Pity. Let's pick it up, Paul.
10 17 Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Carter is having a career year thus far, but we're not seeing the usual contract-year clichés come to the fore. For one, his Nets started the season on a defensive tear, with Carter doing yeoman's work in the paint as coach Lawrence Frank went to a smaller lineup. Secondly, though Carter is shooting the ball a bit more often (especially with Richard Jefferson on the shelf), his shooting percentages are way up across the board. Still, the Nets need all the production they can get, even with Jefferson in the lineup, though Jason Kidd's resurgence is a welcome sight.
11 3 Gilbert Arenas
Gilbert Arenas
Arenas hasn't exactly been feast or famine, but he has been inconsistent at times. It's hard to find fault in his game outside of the odd 5-of-19 shooting nights, and his assists (6.9 a game) and long-range shooting (38.3 percent) have improved.
12 6 Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh
Growing before our very eyes, Bosh is holding the fort for a Raptors team that is still trying to develop on the fly. His scoring average, shooting percentages and block totals are right in line with last season's pace, but he's made an astonishing leap in the rebounding department. Bosh is averaging nearly five more rebounds per game this season than he did in 2005-06 (from 9.2 to 13.9) while playing two fewer minutes per game. He's grabbing 20.4 percent of all rebounds available while he's playing, a mark good for seventh in the NBA.
13 10 Chris Paul
Chris Paul
Paul was impressive in his head-to-head duel with Detroit's Chauncey Billups on Wednesday night. Though Paul (20 points on just 14 shots, 13 assists to zero turnovers) didn't exactly shut down Billups (29 points on 17 shots, nine assists to one turnover), he did old his own. And holding your own against Billups, as a second-year guard, is quite the accomplishment. Leading your Hornets over the Pistons in Detroit is yet another.
14 - Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin
This week a national TV audience has gotten to see what we've known for a while: Martin is an efficient scorer with a creative touch and someone who won't even attempt a shot unless it has a real chance to go in. Not only is the 23-year-old guard leading the Kings in scoring with 24.1 points per game, but he's also doing it on a Sacramento team that is 25th in offensive efficiency and scores just 97 points per game despite its quicker pace. Martin is shooting 52.6 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from three-point range and 93.4 percent from the free throw line.
15 16 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan
Duncan's superb defense and attention to detail are allowing his Spurs to play just well enough to win in a 6-2 start. The perimeter looks aren't falling as much for San Antonio, and though Duncan should take some of the blame for this mini-swoon, he's still offering some sound statistics: 21.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks.
16 18 Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade
As predicted, Wade is carrying this veteran group of underachievers. The defending champs have won just three of seven, and Shaquille O'Neal has played miserably when healthy (he's shown up for four games thus far). Wade is leading the Heat in points (26.9), assists (7.1) and steals (1.6). Miami's schedule isn't getting any easier; it plays four of its next six on the road, though only one game (against San Antonio on Nov. 22) comes against a 2005-06 playoff team.
17 8 Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Nash's statistics have leveled off since last week's Rankings, merely to around his averages during his MVP season of 2005-06. His Suns have won only two of seven games to start the season, but good news awaits: Phoenix enjoyed five days off after its win over the Grizzlies last Saturday, and seven of its next eight opponents missed the playoffs last season.
18 2 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
He's shot 12-of-42 (29 percent) in his last two games, but this hasn't gotten in the way of his ability to get to the line and keep the scoring average in place. Iverson made 23-of-25 free throws against Denver and Seattle.
19 - Tony Parker
Tony Parker
His defense is suspect and his shot selection can be called into question, but Parker's efficiency and scoring touch have improved in his sixth season. The 24-year old is averaging 22.3 points for the Southwest Division-leading Spurs, his turnovers are down (just 2.4 in 35 minutes a night) and he continues to make more than half his shots from the floor. Also, you can tell he enjoys playing with the NBA's new official ball, which has a funny way of clinging to the rim on floaters in the lane.
20 - Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony
Anthony's Nuggets may look a disappointment on paper thanks to a 3-4 start, but this is about a .500 team, with or without the injured Kenyon Martin. Some of Anthony's statistics are a disappointment, especially his 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 turnovers, but his 30.6-point scoring average in only 35 minutes a game is an impressive clip.
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