iheartBrad
All-Star
The NBA's 10 Most Exciting Players
Honorable Mention: Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Ben Wallace
10. Stromile Swift, Memphis Grizzlies
Stro stands out on this list as the only player that is not a superstar, and that's essentially the main reason he's the lowest here. But if you've seen some of the highlights this pogo stick has made this season, including the dunk (over Yao) and block of the year (swat to halfcourt leading to Bonzi Wells breakaway dunk), then you'll understand why I keep a watchful eye on the TV every time Stro is on the court. He's good for at least two Tivo-worthy dunks a night and only 3 other players in the league can make such a claim (Amare, LeBron, and Josh Smith). I'm not sure Stro will ever become a stud in the NBA, but assuming he leaves the Grizz at the end of the season (he's an unrestricted free agent) and lands with a team that can exploit his explosiveness (the Lakers? Wizards?), then he should settle in as a mainstay on this list.
9. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
AK47 is not the kind of player that you would notice right off the bat if you were watching a Jazz game and didn't know who he was. But by the first TV timeout, I can guarantee you'd be saying, "Who the hell is that Ivan Drago look-alike and how does he contest every shot within 10 feet of him?!". Kirilenko is a maniac on defense--he can block shots like Ben Wallace, pick pockets like Allen Iverson, but what really makes him stand out is his incredible ability to cover the floor sideline to sideline. Each night out he'll make at least one play where he comes off his man at the 3-point line to provide some weakside help D and he'll end up pinning a driving lay-up by an opposing guard. He might not show up in the highlight reels as much as the other guys on this list, but anyone that truly appreciates the game of basketball can agree that Andrei Kirilenko is thrilling to watch.
8. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
I wonder how many players watch Steve Nash and say to themselves, "man, how much fun would it be to play with this guy?". Not only is he always looking to create for his teammates, but he perpetually gives them incredible looks at the basket. You think of a guy like Jermaine O'Neal, who for the better part of this season has almost entirely had to shoulder the scoring load for the Pacers, often facing double teams and being forced to pull out every move he's got just to get some points on the board for his team--you could argue that nobody right now works harder to score than O'Neal. Then you got Amare Stoudemire--how often is he struggling to score? With Steve Nash running the show, Amare just needs to keep his eyes open and he knows his point guard will get him the ball in the right spot for an easy 2. And when you couple these playmaking skills with his tireless energy and infectious demeanor, it's easy to understand why Nash is one of the most exciting players in the league.
7. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
KG isn't the consummate highlight-reel player, but because of who he is, he's a joy to witness. Before Garnett, nobody his size could do what he can do--now there's a few, but still not a single player out there has the combination of size, talent, and versatility that KG does. Garnett also maintains a level of intensity every single night out that no other player can equate. When was the last time KG mailed it in for a night or took a backseat as his teammates lead the 'Wolves to victory? Garnett comes to play every time he touches the floor and it's always at the highest of levels. There's a reason why he's nicknamed "The Big Ticket".
6. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas MavericksEveryone tends to laugh at the Larry Bird comparisons Dirk gets these days, but can anyone else besides Dirk light it up like Larry Legend once did? There's 4 guys I mentioned earlier that are good for a couple of SportsCenter dunks a night, but nobody else in the league except maybe Kobe is capable of 4 or 5 "WOW" shots each night out. Whether it's a 20-foot turnaround fadeaway with two guys on him or a stop-and-pop 3-point bomb while running on the break, Dirk constantly has you thinking, "he can't possibly make this shot...holy @#$! he did!".
5. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
AI is simply a one-of-a-kind player that blows people away with his tireless energy, fearless attitude, and remarkable talent. People his size aren't supposed to get to the basket the way AI does--they're not supposed to want to. But Allen Iverson will cross you, split you, spin by you until he's thrown to the ground--but not before he's dropped in 2 plus 1. And what does that equal? 3 baby. And nobody can stop #3.
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
You might not like Kobe as a person, but you have to respect this cat as a player. It bugs me when he draws the comparisons to Michael Jordan because I don't want there to ever be another MJ. Still, some of what Kobe does is indeed Jordanesque--the dunks, the competitiveness, the ability to beat anybody one-on-one, and the possibility of him taking over a game at any time. But Kobe has to lose points for his personality--his cocky swagger on the court to go along with the humiliation he's caused himself off the court make him more exciting to root against, than to root for.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
It's been almost a decade since we've seen a power forward (yes, I know he plays center for the Suns, but we all know he's really a 4) that truly embodied the "power" sense of what we expect in a 4. Unfortunately Shawn Kemp peaked too early and the flaws in his game were exposed when he started blowing lines during his free time. Amare not only boasts the explosiveness of Kemp (including the ability to make the basket cringe every team he leaps off his feet with the ball in his hands), but at 22 we're witnessing the development of a legend in-the-making who happens to have a very likeable personality as well. What I think is most exciting about Amare, is that when he touches the ball, he's in instant attack mode and that often leads to thunderous, posterizing dunks.
2. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
I know I might get some flack for this selection (specifically from Ant), and considering Ginobili isn't a superstar in this league, I might deserve it. I don't care. Ginobili does a lot of the things that make basketball so exciting--he'll dazzle you with an around-the-back lay-up as he finishes a fastbreak; he'll blow by you with his deceptive quickness and then shove it down your center's throat as rises to slam it home; he'll crash into the scorer's table while diving to save a loose ball--in the first minute of the game; he'll beat his man backdoor on a key possession down the stretch only to wrap the ball around his defender's back to give to Duncan for an easy dunk; and he'll also catch fire and take over a big game every now and then. Manu Ginobili does all of the little things that make some role players so enjoyable to watch, and then occasionally he'll go beyond his element to make a spectacular play and leave you asking yourself-- "How in the world?!" It's almost like rooting for an underdog every time you watch him play because it just doesn't seem like he can do some of the things he does, yet he continually rises above and leaves you utterly breathless.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Every time you watch LeBron James, you're witnessing history in the making, and that is the reason why LeBron James is the most exciting player the NBA. Nobody could ever imagine that LBJ would have this kind of impact at 20 years old, not even the people that knew he was destined for greatness. Yet LeBron continues to exceed expectations, heck, that's an understatement--he continues to make the unthinkable seem possible. And as we watch this kid, we still remind ourselves that he's just 20 years old and that the ceiling to how good he can be is unfathomable. And his game--I like to think of it as 1/3 Magic, 1/3 Jordan, and 1/3 of something we've never seen before and may not have seen just yet. As LeBron James continues to excite us all with his jaw- dropping dunks, his pinpoint no-look passes, and his outstanding sense of how to lead his team to victory, we have to remember that the King has just entered the building and the elevator to success he's on seems to have no end. Enjoy the ride.
Honorable Mention: Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O'Neal, Dwyane Wade, Ben Wallace
10. Stromile Swift, Memphis Grizzlies
Stro stands out on this list as the only player that is not a superstar, and that's essentially the main reason he's the lowest here. But if you've seen some of the highlights this pogo stick has made this season, including the dunk (over Yao) and block of the year (swat to halfcourt leading to Bonzi Wells breakaway dunk), then you'll understand why I keep a watchful eye on the TV every time Stro is on the court. He's good for at least two Tivo-worthy dunks a night and only 3 other players in the league can make such a claim (Amare, LeBron, and Josh Smith). I'm not sure Stro will ever become a stud in the NBA, but assuming he leaves the Grizz at the end of the season (he's an unrestricted free agent) and lands with a team that can exploit his explosiveness (the Lakers? Wizards?), then he should settle in as a mainstay on this list.
9. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz
AK47 is not the kind of player that you would notice right off the bat if you were watching a Jazz game and didn't know who he was. But by the first TV timeout, I can guarantee you'd be saying, "Who the hell is that Ivan Drago look-alike and how does he contest every shot within 10 feet of him?!". Kirilenko is a maniac on defense--he can block shots like Ben Wallace, pick pockets like Allen Iverson, but what really makes him stand out is his incredible ability to cover the floor sideline to sideline. Each night out he'll make at least one play where he comes off his man at the 3-point line to provide some weakside help D and he'll end up pinning a driving lay-up by an opposing guard. He might not show up in the highlight reels as much as the other guys on this list, but anyone that truly appreciates the game of basketball can agree that Andrei Kirilenko is thrilling to watch.
8. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
I wonder how many players watch Steve Nash and say to themselves, "man, how much fun would it be to play with this guy?". Not only is he always looking to create for his teammates, but he perpetually gives them incredible looks at the basket. You think of a guy like Jermaine O'Neal, who for the better part of this season has almost entirely had to shoulder the scoring load for the Pacers, often facing double teams and being forced to pull out every move he's got just to get some points on the board for his team--you could argue that nobody right now works harder to score than O'Neal. Then you got Amare Stoudemire--how often is he struggling to score? With Steve Nash running the show, Amare just needs to keep his eyes open and he knows his point guard will get him the ball in the right spot for an easy 2. And when you couple these playmaking skills with his tireless energy and infectious demeanor, it's easy to understand why Nash is one of the most exciting players in the league.
7. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
KG isn't the consummate highlight-reel player, but because of who he is, he's a joy to witness. Before Garnett, nobody his size could do what he can do--now there's a few, but still not a single player out there has the combination of size, talent, and versatility that KG does. Garnett also maintains a level of intensity every single night out that no other player can equate. When was the last time KG mailed it in for a night or took a backseat as his teammates lead the 'Wolves to victory? Garnett comes to play every time he touches the floor and it's always at the highest of levels. There's a reason why he's nicknamed "The Big Ticket".
6. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas MavericksEveryone tends to laugh at the Larry Bird comparisons Dirk gets these days, but can anyone else besides Dirk light it up like Larry Legend once did? There's 4 guys I mentioned earlier that are good for a couple of SportsCenter dunks a night, but nobody else in the league except maybe Kobe is capable of 4 or 5 "WOW" shots each night out. Whether it's a 20-foot turnaround fadeaway with two guys on him or a stop-and-pop 3-point bomb while running on the break, Dirk constantly has you thinking, "he can't possibly make this shot...holy @#$! he did!".
5. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers
AI is simply a one-of-a-kind player that blows people away with his tireless energy, fearless attitude, and remarkable talent. People his size aren't supposed to get to the basket the way AI does--they're not supposed to want to. But Allen Iverson will cross you, split you, spin by you until he's thrown to the ground--but not before he's dropped in 2 plus 1. And what does that equal? 3 baby. And nobody can stop #3.
4. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
You might not like Kobe as a person, but you have to respect this cat as a player. It bugs me when he draws the comparisons to Michael Jordan because I don't want there to ever be another MJ. Still, some of what Kobe does is indeed Jordanesque--the dunks, the competitiveness, the ability to beat anybody one-on-one, and the possibility of him taking over a game at any time. But Kobe has to lose points for his personality--his cocky swagger on the court to go along with the humiliation he's caused himself off the court make him more exciting to root against, than to root for.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
It's been almost a decade since we've seen a power forward (yes, I know he plays center for the Suns, but we all know he's really a 4) that truly embodied the "power" sense of what we expect in a 4. Unfortunately Shawn Kemp peaked too early and the flaws in his game were exposed when he started blowing lines during his free time. Amare not only boasts the explosiveness of Kemp (including the ability to make the basket cringe every team he leaps off his feet with the ball in his hands), but at 22 we're witnessing the development of a legend in-the-making who happens to have a very likeable personality as well. What I think is most exciting about Amare, is that when he touches the ball, he's in instant attack mode and that often leads to thunderous, posterizing dunks.
2. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
I know I might get some flack for this selection (specifically from Ant), and considering Ginobili isn't a superstar in this league, I might deserve it. I don't care. Ginobili does a lot of the things that make basketball so exciting--he'll dazzle you with an around-the-back lay-up as he finishes a fastbreak; he'll blow by you with his deceptive quickness and then shove it down your center's throat as rises to slam it home; he'll crash into the scorer's table while diving to save a loose ball--in the first minute of the game; he'll beat his man backdoor on a key possession down the stretch only to wrap the ball around his defender's back to give to Duncan for an easy dunk; and he'll also catch fire and take over a big game every now and then. Manu Ginobili does all of the little things that make some role players so enjoyable to watch, and then occasionally he'll go beyond his element to make a spectacular play and leave you asking yourself-- "How in the world?!" It's almost like rooting for an underdog every time you watch him play because it just doesn't seem like he can do some of the things he does, yet he continually rises above and leaves you utterly breathless.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Every time you watch LeBron James, you're witnessing history in the making, and that is the reason why LeBron James is the most exciting player the NBA. Nobody could ever imagine that LBJ would have this kind of impact at 20 years old, not even the people that knew he was destined for greatness. Yet LeBron continues to exceed expectations, heck, that's an understatement--he continues to make the unthinkable seem possible. And as we watch this kid, we still remind ourselves that he's just 20 years old and that the ceiling to how good he can be is unfathomable. And his game--I like to think of it as 1/3 Magic, 1/3 Jordan, and 1/3 of something we've never seen before and may not have seen just yet. As LeBron James continues to excite us all with his jaw- dropping dunks, his pinpoint no-look passes, and his outstanding sense of how to lead his team to victory, we have to remember that the King has just entered the building and the elevator to success he's on seems to have no end. Enjoy the ride.
