Posted June 21, 200618 yr This is obviously a bit tainted by his incredible Finals' output, but here's the poll: Who is the best player in the NBA? Kobe Bryant--20 % Lebron James-- 29% Steve Nash-- 5% Dirk Nowitzki-- 4% Dwyane Wade-- 42% Total Votes: 69, 631 What do you guys think? I think right now, in this moment--he has to be the best. He took his team to the highest level and carried them solely on his back. There can be no argument as to who benefits from who anymore--This is Wade's team and Shaq was basically an afterthought these past few games (and even the whole playoffs). I have to think that until James can get deep into the playoffs, or until Wade proves that he's not at this level anymore, Flash is #1. And ya, he was hitting that outside shot with so much consistency. Most of his misses were putbacks and close shots (from memory)
June 21, 200618 yr This guy disagrees with you Nearly everyone in the NBA subculture is breathlessly searching for new superlatives to extol the basketball brilliance of Dwyane Wade, which is understandable to a point. Wade is an especially talented player. It is equally true that his cause has been aided and abetted by the referees who treat him in the manner of Michael Jordan before he truly has earned it. This is not a criticism of Wade. This is just the way it is in the NBA. It is the NBA culture. Wade's maneuvering near the end of Game 5 that led to his game-winning free throws was reminiscent of a youth-league journey, where one player dribbles all around the court with no genuine purpose in mind while being pursued by the opposition's five players. It was hilarious, and not only because it led to the deciding points but because Wade committed possibly two violations on the play before drawing a sympathy whistle from one of the referees. There was a possible palming violation and a possible push-off violation. Neither was deemed worthy of a whistle. You could give the referees the benefit of the doubt in not wanting to decide the outcome of the game, except they ended up deciding the outcome of the game anyway. As gifted as Wade is -- there is no hating the player here -- this space still prefers Gilbert Arenas to Wade over the long haul of their respective careers. And it is so obvious. Really, it is not even a difficult call. This view is no doubt heretic at this time. Wade has been taking bows on the NBA's brightest stage, while Arenas is coming off an explanation tour that detailed the overzealous nature of Miami's finest. Arenas is a stand-up person, and there is no reason not to believe his version of the seemingly absurd events. Young black men can be awfully scary, of course, especially if they are among all the biddies in Miami. And Arenas is possibly the scariest-looking young black man ever, particularly if his 500-watt smile is lighting up a room. An aside to Adidas, with which Arenas has a non-functioning shoe contract: Your doltish marketing people are an embarrassment to marketers everywhere. There are several compelling differences between Arenas and Wade, starting with the skill level of both. Barring injury, Arenas has the capacity to play in the NBA well into his late 30s because of the high quality of his basketball skills, notably his unrivaled shooting ability. Let's go back to the Wizards-Cavaliers series. Arenas hit two shots in that series that no one else in the NBA can convert, except as a lucky heave. In Game 2, near the end of the first quarter, Arenas took one dribble over the midcourt line, squared up in front of the basket and shot a 40-footer as if it were a 20-footer. Swish. No one does that. No one. Arenas sank a similar shot -- from about 30 feet -- to send Game 6 into overtime. Arenas is one of the most technically sound shooters in the NBA, and his shooting range is extremely rare. Wade has range to about 18 feet, and it all comes apart on him beyond there. His scoring ability is predicated on two elements: impressive athleticism and strength. He employs the latter to create space for his shot attempts. His athleticism is certain to start abandoning him in his late 20s. What then? Might he improve his shooting ability as the seasons pass? Possibly. We'll see. Longevity plays a big part in the assessing of a player's career. Think Reggie Miller. He retired as one of the best ever last year after 18 seasons in the NBA. His longevity contributed to the perception in large measure. A surprising fact concerning Miller is that he was only a five-time All-Star. One other significant difference between Arenas and Wade: Arenas plays with Brendan Haywood, Wade with Shaquille O'Neal. No need to add a comment there. http://washingtontimes.com/sports/20060621-121241-6084r.htm
June 21, 200618 yr Most valuable and best overall are not the same. Karl Malone was the MVP in '97 but I would have taken Jordan, Olajuwon, and Hill over him that year.
June 21, 200618 yr Earlier in the year I would have had Kobe #1, but after seeing the year play out and Wade's development of his overall game: 1. Wade 2. Kobe 3. LeBron 4. Dirk Also, if healthy, Amare would be up there too.
June 21, 200618 yr When Wade adds more to his game than running inside and getting knocked down, I'll consider him the best player in the NBA. As it stands: 1. LeBron 2. Kobe 3. DWade 4. Arenas 5. Nowitzski
June 21, 200618 yr LeBron Duncan Wade Kobe Nowitzki Garnett and I hesitate to put kobe that high - there is more to being a good basketball player than ability - a big reason why arenas isn't on my list - some people get it, some don't - wade has always gotten it, which is why he led his team to the title, why he led marquette so deep in the NCAAs and why he is rising fast - LeBron seems to get it to, although with the team around him he hasn't had a chance to show it kobe flat out does not get it, garnett struggles with it as well (but in a different way)
June 21, 200618 yr 1A Wade 1B Kobe basically the same 2 Lebron 3 Paul Pierce 4 Duncan 5 McGrady then the rest
June 21, 200618 yr When Wade adds more to his game than running inside and getting knocked down, I'll consider him the best player in the NBA. As it stands: 1. LeBron 2. Kobe 3. DWade 4. Arenas 5. Nowitzski Nice ignorant comment there.
June 21, 200618 yr AI > Arenas and Nowitski and Pierce.... You forgot to indicate that you were joking, because you can't seriously believe that.
June 21, 200618 yr AI > Arenas and Nowitski and Pierce.... You forgot to indicate that you were joking, because you can't seriously believe that. I am dead serious about Arenas and Pierce....
June 21, 200618 yr AI > Arenas and Nowitski and Pierce.... at one point maybe - but not anymore - i'd put him about the same level as arenas right now - i think most of it is his own fault, but most people haven't seen all that he brings to a game, but he looks to be wearing down whenever I see him - injuries mounting, etc he is still very fun to watch live though
June 21, 200618 yr What is all this Arenas nonsense? If you replaced Wade with Arenas the Heat wouldn't have even made the Finals. I don't even know what to say to someone who would put the two on the same level because that person is clearly missing parts of his frontal lobe. As far as AI...I could see maybe putting him ahead of Pierce and Arenas, but not Nowitski. I don't really have a Top 5, but I wouldn't trade Wade for anyone.
June 21, 200618 yr Between AI, Arenas, and Pierce, none are top 5 right now. Id take Pierce and Arenas before AI.
June 21, 200618 yr When Wade adds more to his game than running inside and getting knocked down, I'll consider him the best player in the NBA. As it stands: 1. LeBron 2. Kobe 3. DWade 4. Arenas 5. Nowitzski Nice ignorant comment there. Oh my bad, sometimes he throws elbows and the opposing team gets called for fouls too. Thanks for reminding me. :thumbup
June 21, 200618 yr hes pretty amazing.. i think id still rather have lebron but you can't argue with what this kid did this year.. he was unreal. I'd go LeBron, Wade then Kobe
June 21, 200618 yr I hate to bring up numbers because we know how logic doesn't fit into any of our arguments but: AI 33.0 PG, Arenas 29.3 AI 7.4 APG, Arenas 6.1 AI 44.7 FG%, Arenas 44.7 AI 81.4 FT%, Arenas 82.0 AI 32.3 3FG%, Arenas 38 AI accounts for more points a game then Arenas does and does it with less on his team Allen Iverson PPG 33.0/Pierce 26.8 APG 7.4/Pierce 4.7 FG% .447/Pierce .471 FT% .814/Pierce .772 3P% .323/Pierce .354 So please tell me how AI isn't better then both??
June 21, 200618 yr When Wade adds more to his game than running inside and getting knocked down, I'll consider him the best player in the NBA. As it stands: 1. LeBron 2. Kobe 3. DWade 4. Arenas 5. Nowitzski Nice ignorant comment there. Oh my bad, sometimes he throws elbows and the opposing team gets called for fouls too. Thanks for reminding me. :thumbup I guess maybe one day he will be as good as Darko! :whistle
June 21, 200618 yr Scoring more points doesnt necessarily make someone better. AI took about 5 more shots than Arenas and 7 more shots than Pierce. He had a good year last year in terms of FG% but I take that as the exception if you look at his entire career. He shoots way too much and shoots even when the ball isnt dropping. That doesnt bode well for the team part of the game. Arenas is a much better 3 point shooter and shoots them way more than AI so more of his shots are lower percentage than AI. Yet he matches him in overall FG%. So Id say he is a better shooter who just shoots that much less. Ill take the better shooter. Plus Arenas is younger and on the upswing of his career whereas AI is on the downswing. Arenas has made the playoffs the past two seasons and his team is not that much better than AIs. Pierce has a much higher FG%, a much higher 3p% and he barely even has a team around him. He is more effecient a scorer than Iverson and that matters more. The fact that his team had a better points for/points against ratio than the Sixers despite being full of rookies and second year players says something.
June 21, 200618 yr Wade is not human. His ability to get to the basket. The nice fadaway J's. The pullup J's. He can hit the three for a pretty good percentage. And the little bank shot off the glass is pretty much perfect. I haven't seen any other player do that with such regularity and perfection. His only real weakness is his turnovers. And most importantly above all he has heart, and is very humble.
June 21, 200618 yr I hate to bring up numbers because we know how logic doesn't fit into any of our arguments but: AI 33.0 PG, Arenas 29.3 AI 7.4 APG, Arenas 6.1 AI 44.7 FG%, Arenas 44.7 AI 81.4 FT%, Arenas 82.0 AI 32.3 3FG%, Arenas 38 AI accounts for more points a game then Arenas does and does it with less on his team Allen Iverson PPG 33.0/Pierce 26.8 APG 7.4/Pierce 4.7 FG% .447/Pierce .471 FT% .814/Pierce .772 3P% .323/Pierce .354 So please tell me how AI isn't better then both?? no rebounds per game listed? Pierce is better check the two I highlighted shows why. He has nothing on his team. AI has webber. In his prime I would take AI, but his prime has past sadly, god I loved watching him play a few years ago. I tried to go wheneer he was down here vs the heat. pierce might be the most underrated player in the NBA, surprising specially the market he is in.
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