Is time for the NBA playoffs a time where stars are made.
But first we thought we look back at the season that was and rank the best players in the league this season.
Please keep in mind this is not a lifetime achievement award the question here is: who played the best basketball in the NBA for the 2009 – 2010 season?
To rank these players we used a combination of individual stats, team’s performance and individual’s contributions to games outcome.
These are the A-List top 15 of the NBA 2009-2010
———————————————————————————
15. Brandon Jennings – PPG: 15.5 RPG: 3.50 APG: 5.8
Brandon Jennings has been a spark for the perennial loosing Bucks, scoring 55 points — including 29 in the third quarter in a game this season and has revived the career of the big Aussie Andrew Bogut. Jennings’ amazing performance set an NBA record, passing LeBron James as the youngest player ever to score 50 points.
Jennings has Milwaukee Bucks set at the number 6 spots in the eastern conference and looking to make some noise in the post season for the first time in a long time thanks to the brilliance of A-List candidate for rookie of the year Brandon Jennings.
———————————————————————————
14. Gerald Wallace – PPG: 18.3 RPG: 10.10 APG: 2.1
Charlotte Bobcats (or as I like to call them Jordan Bobcats(Add Link) have gone from a team nobody wants to see – to one of the most exciting franchise in the NBA. The Gerald Wallace – Steven Jackson combo has delivered the franchise’s first winning season.
Gerald Wallace’s amazing offense and he’s individual defensive prowess has lifted the play of his teammates and revived the spirit of basketball fans in Charlotte. Read Michael Jordan, the Face of the Bobcats – for more on the struggles, disappointment and emergence of the Charlotte Bobcats.
———————————————————————————
13. Dwyane Wade – PPG: 26.5 RPG: 4.90 APG: 6.6
This is a no brainer, Wade is nothing short of spectacle unfortunately he’s playing for a very bad team and most nights he’s best efforts has not helped he’s team win. This is why he’s been ranked this low on our list.
The Miami Heat’s are playoffs bound again thanks to the play of Wade and partly due to the fact that the east is full of bad teams.
He’s also a candidate for a super team for the 2010 free agency: read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade for more on 2010 free agency and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
12. Rajon Rondo – PPG: 13.7 RPG: 4.40 APG: 9.8
This is a team with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen but all three guys have had their struggles this season but Rondo has been as steady as a rock and is the main reason they are still competitive.
He has come through for the team when they needed a spark on offense with clutch shots or a crucial assist and is fast becoming one of the NBA’s best defensive players providing he’s team important stops or steals that has resulted in thrilling victories this season.
Rondo is young and gutsy and I strongly believe he will be a good leader on a Super Team, read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade for more on 2010 free agency and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
11. Dirk Nowitzki – PPG: 25.1 RPG: 7.70 APG: 2.7
Dirk’s numbers over the years have always been solid and for the first time he might actually have a shot at going all the way and this time actually winning a title.
Dirk’s cast of characters includes future hall of famer Jason Kidd, the human Matrix Shawn Marion, a happy Caron Butler and a center I never liked in DC but seem to have found he’s second wind in Dallas – though he never had a first!
———————————————————————————
10. Manu Ginobili – PPG: 16.6 RPG: 3.80 APG: 4.9
Manu like every other member of the San Antonio Spurs was bugged down by injury all season long but he came back with a vengeance and now has the Spurs positioned for a strong playoff push.
———————————————————————————
9. Brandon Roy – PPG: 21.5 RPG: 4.40 APG: 4.7
The talent of Brandon Roy is undeniable and for another season he is playing out of he’s mind and has he’s team positioned for the playoffs again.
With Portland’s acquisition of Marcus Camby and Roy getting healthier this team will make some noise in the playoffs.
———————————————————————————
8. Carmelo Anthony – PPG: 28.3 RPG: 6.60 APG: 3.3
This team is going through some very serious internal issues from George Karl’s re-occurring cancer to the whole team finding it hard to keep a winning streak going late in the season.
But this has been another monster season for Anthony and with the addition of Chauncey Billups this team looks like they could be ready to give the Lakers a run for their money if they can find their mojo this playoffs.
Anthony is the heart and soul of this very solid team and with he’s recent performances against the best teams in the league (Lakers, Orlando, Boston and Cavaliers) this team might be ready for an NBA finals appearance and might even be lifting the title in june.
———————————————————————————
7. Kevin Durant – PPG: 30.1 RPG: 7.60 APG: 2.8
They might call LeBron James the King and that might be true in the Kingdom of Cleveland, Ohio but Durant is the undeniable emperor of the NBA this season, so far he’s been virtually unstoppable and for the first time Oklahoma Thunders are going to make the playoffs.
Am personally looking forward to the first round matchup of Kobe v Durant.
He’s also a candidate for a super team for the 2010 free agency: read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade for more on 2010 free agency and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
6. Joe Johnson – PPG: 21.2 RPG: 4.60 APG: 4.9
The Hawks has improved tremendously since the arrival of Johnson in Atlanta and with excellent play in the clutch from Johnson this team has beating some of the best teams in the league this year in convincing fashion including a beat down of Boston earlier this year.
He’s also a candidate for a super team for the 2010 free agency: read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade for more on 2010 free agency and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
5. Dwight Howard – PPG: 18.4 RPG: 13.20 APG: 1.7
I will like to rank Dwight Howard much lower than number 5 as I don’t think Howard really impacts games as much as he’s been hyped to be doing.
From the article Shaq is Superman and Dwight Howard?: Howard stands about 7 feet and yet he finds it hard to dominate around the basket, mostly because he’s fundamentals are flawed – for a big man he has yet to master the art of keeping the ball high above he’s shoulders when he catches or rebounds the ball, and lacks the know how to make a layup without bouncing the ball first, these are the reasons he’s easily stripped by 6 feet guards and why he turns the ball over so much under the basket. (Click here to read the article)
However, Howard is still one of the biggest presence in the middle and he’s team is the second best team in the NBA and he’s numbers are solid all around.
I also believe he can be a great center on a Super Team with the right coach and a pass first point guard. He has nonetheless been very vital in a couple of games this season hence he’s ranked number 5.
He’s also a candidate for a super team for the 2010 free agency: read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade for more on 2010 free agency and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
4. Deron Williams – PPG: 18.7 RPG: 4.00 APG: 10.6
The Jazz are on a tear and Deron Williams is leading the charge with teammate Carlos Boozer this team had a breakout season that has not been seen in Utah since the days of Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Williams play is vital for a Super Team read LeBron, Dwyane, Durant: NBA Dynasty of this Decade to see which other stars he might fit best and for more on 2010 free agencies and NBA Super Teams.
———————————————————————————
3. Kobe Bryant – PPG: 27.0 RPG: 5.40 APG: 5.0
The Black Mambo is the best player in the NBA but then again that is an argument that will go on for as long as this two players are are still playing, from the article: Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James: Is Bryant Better Overall? – Barber-Shop Conversations: Kobe breaks down opponents with finesse while hardly breaking a sweat. He reminds me of Jordan’s game after he came back from he’s first retirement for the 1995-1996 season. (Click here to read more)
The defending NBA Champions are in a very good position to win it all again and Kobe Bryant though hampered by injuries all season seem to have not lost a step hitting one game winner after another and still putting up big numbers.
If you are wondering why Kobe Bryant is ranked so low though he’s having a very remarkable year and he’s team has the best record in the western conference again.
Kobe has probably the best team in the NBA and though Ron Artest and Gasol have not played relatively well this season and Bynum can’t seem to stay healthy, they are still the best team in the league with arguably the best coach in Basketball.
So in my opinion they should have a better record.
———————————————————————————
2. Steve Nash – PPG: 16.6 RPG: 3.30 APG: 11.0
The best all around offensive player in the NBA is at it again, pushing he’s team again into the playoffs.
No matter which players are removed or added to this team Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns never miss a beat thanks to the brilliant mind of the floor general.
I truly believe that the Phoenix Suns along with the Dallas Mavericks are the only threat to the Lakers in the west.
———————————————————————————
1. LeBron James – PPG: 29.7 RPG: 7.30 APG: 8.6
What more can I say? From the article Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James: Is Bryant Better Overall? – Barber-Shop Conversations: For now LeBron is still improving on he’s game and adding new assets to he’s portfolio every day. Last year he added the long range shot and so far it seem like he’s 3 point shots are getting better. (Click here to read more)
LeBron James is a triple double waiting to happen every night and with the addition of Shaq and Antawn Jamison this team looks to be set to win it all this season.
This is LeBron James one chance to win a championship in Cleveland and I have a strong feeling both David Stern and the referees will ensure that happens.
———————————————————————————
So what do you think of our rankings?
