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Top 50 players: Lean and hungry Shaq back to No. 1
Sept. 29, 2004
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
NBA training camps open next week, we have made our way through the positions, so it's time to anoint the top 50 players.
Understand that where they are positioned might not reflect how they were ranked when compared to others at their position. There's a reason for that. In the top 50, versatility is a lot more important; it's vital to have players capable of making an impact in a number of different ways.
So our No. 1 player? Based on overall impact, it makes sense to put Shaquille O'Neal as the top player after a two-year absence.
The Diesel is highly motivated again after getting traded to the Miami Heat, and that's no slap at Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett; clearly they are right there when it comes to overall impact.
To put it mildly, there are probably 25 more players who could have been on the list ... but that's all part of the fun, isn't it?
The 2004-05 SportsLine.com top 50 NBA players:
1. Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat: To quote Dan Aykroyd from the Blues Brothers, the big fella is on a mission from God. They will challenge in the East.
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: One of the best fundamental 7-footers of all time, he would be effective with his eyes closed. The Spurs should win the West.
3. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves: A truly unique superstar, he took a step further last season; the Timberwolves will challenge the Spurs big-time.
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: The best open-floor player in the game and one of the best ever. With Shaq gone, now we'll see if he can carry the team.
5. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers: His great season was marred by a knee injury late. He's definitely moving to superstar level, but how high can he go?
6. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets: The nightmare of last season's flop in Orlando is history, and now we'll see if his talent blends with Yao Ming.
7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: His little body finally gave way last season, but now he's moving to point guard, which should make him even better.
8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs and Dirk backslid last season, but it should be only a bump in the road for one of the truly great scoring big men.
9. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets: Seemingly every week, Yao became more comfortable as a dominating figure. It should be even more apparent with McGrady on the floor with him.
10. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons: Nobody is more emblematic of why the Pistons won the title than Big Ben. He is the prototype blue-collar player who sets the tone of every game.
11. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: All the transition of a year ago made life miserable for him, but they should be better and could challenge for the division.
12. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets: The only real prototype point guard left, he would be higher were it not for a serious knee surgery.
13. Baron Davis, New Orleans Hornets: His body has been battered, and he showed physical toughness, but the mental toughness to lead and win is still in question.
14. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings: He is the best pure shooter in the game and a better rebounder than people think, but his postseasons need to improve.
15. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers: Because he plays for the Clippers, nobody seems to notice he is a great scorer, rebounder, decent shot-blocker and one of the best teammates around.
16. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz: His offensive game is still coming because he is versatile with the ball, but defensively he is one of the best players in the game. A stat man's dream player.
17. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons: He proved what all of his former employers already knew -- he's a great teammate in all facets.
18. Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers: A little more investigation reflects he really was a problem for the Pacers in the playoffs, and it's a shame because he is the most talented small forward of all.
19. Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings: His numbers were up and down as he lumbered around after knee surgery. His mouth, again, has him in trouble. This is a key season for him to prove he's still a superstar.
20. Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics: Ankle surgery, a poorly constructed team and the need for a new contract all have created questions about where this former All-Star is in his career.
21. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: Even more so than Allen, Carter has to prove he remains among the best players in the game and has to quite whining about the organization in the process.
22. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets: Now that he has the big bucks and he's playing in the big boys' conference, we'll see how good he really is.
23. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: His name blew through the trade winds all summer, but he's back, and despite his unorthodox game, consistently productive scoring and on the boards.
24. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons: He could be higher, but he struggled most of last season until the Finals. If he's going to be a star, this is the season he will make his mark.
25. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks: Last season was disappointing in so many ways, yet he's still young enough to prove he should be considered a superstar.
contd...
By Mike Kahn
SportsLine.com Executive Editor
Jermaine O'Neal led the Pacers
to the best regular season in
franchise history. (Getty Images)
NBA training camps open next week, we have made our way through the positions, so it's time to anoint the top 50 players.
Understand that where they are positioned might not reflect how they were ranked when compared to others at their position. There's a reason for that. In the top 50, versatility is a lot more important; it's vital to have players capable of making an impact in a number of different ways.
So our No. 1 player? Based on overall impact, it makes sense to put Shaquille O'Neal as the top player after a two-year absence.
The Diesel is highly motivated again after getting traded to the Miami Heat, and that's no slap at Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett; clearly they are right there when it comes to overall impact.
To put it mildly, there are probably 25 more players who could have been on the list ... but that's all part of the fun, isn't it?
The 2004-05 SportsLine.com top 50 NBA players:
1. Shaquille O'Neal, Miami Heat: To quote Dan Aykroyd from the Blues Brothers, the big fella is on a mission from God. They will challenge in the East.
2. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: One of the best fundamental 7-footers of all time, he would be effective with his eyes closed. The Spurs should win the West.
3. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves: A truly unique superstar, he took a step further last season; the Timberwolves will challenge the Spurs big-time.
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: The best open-floor player in the game and one of the best ever. With Shaq gone, now we'll see if he can carry the team.
5. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers: His great season was marred by a knee injury late. He's definitely moving to superstar level, but how high can he go?
6. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets: The nightmare of last season's flop in Orlando is history, and now we'll see if his talent blends with Yao Ming.
7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: His little body finally gave way last season, but now he's moving to point guard, which should make him even better.
8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs and Dirk backslid last season, but it should be only a bump in the road for one of the truly great scoring big men.
9. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets: Seemingly every week, Yao became more comfortable as a dominating figure. It should be even more apparent with McGrady on the floor with him.
10. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons: Nobody is more emblematic of why the Pistons won the title than Big Ben. He is the prototype blue-collar player who sets the tone of every game.
11. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: All the transition of a year ago made life miserable for him, but they should be better and could challenge for the division.
12. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets: The only real prototype point guard left, he would be higher were it not for a serious knee surgery.
13. Baron Davis, New Orleans Hornets: His body has been battered, and he showed physical toughness, but the mental toughness to lead and win is still in question.
14. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings: He is the best pure shooter in the game and a better rebounder than people think, but his postseasons need to improve.
15. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers: Because he plays for the Clippers, nobody seems to notice he is a great scorer, rebounder, decent shot-blocker and one of the best teammates around.
16. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz: His offensive game is still coming because he is versatile with the ball, but defensively he is one of the best players in the game. A stat man's dream player.
17. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons: He proved what all of his former employers already knew -- he's a great teammate in all facets.
18. Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers: A little more investigation reflects he really was a problem for the Pacers in the playoffs, and it's a shame because he is the most talented small forward of all.
19. Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings: His numbers were up and down as he lumbered around after knee surgery. His mouth, again, has him in trouble. This is a key season for him to prove he's still a superstar.
20. Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics: Ankle surgery, a poorly constructed team and the need for a new contract all have created questions about where this former All-Star is in his career.
21. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: Even more so than Allen, Carter has to prove he remains among the best players in the game and has to quite whining about the organization in the process.
22. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets: Now that he has the big bucks and he's playing in the big boys' conference, we'll see how good he really is.
23. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: His name blew through the trade winds all summer, but he's back, and despite his unorthodox game, consistently productive scoring and on the boards.
24. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons: He could be higher, but he struggled most of last season until the Finals. If he's going to be a star, this is the season he will make his mark.
25. Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks: Last season was disappointing in so many ways, yet he's still young enough to prove he should be considered a superstar.
contd...
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