Now that the Artest saga is finally through and Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale are finished making their teams even worse (you hope), we’re going to start seeing a flurry of big names surfacing in trades rumors. In fact, Mr. Trade Rumor himself, Chris Sheridan, recently posted an article discussing the likelihood of a handful of superstars being shipped to new locations. But before we get into that ordeal (I’ll wait until after the ASB), this appetizer of trades got me thinking—just what is each player in the NBA worth? Say you were a GM and David Stern had every team draft a whole new roster (fantasy-style), who would you take first, second, third, etc.? It’s a topic that will undoubtedly spring a ton of debate and one that I can’t wait to share with each of you. So without further delay, here are the picks (in descending order) of my real life 2006 NBA Fantasy Draft.
(Keep in mind that age does play a huge factor. While Shaq is still a valuable asset in this league, there’s no way I’m taking an injury-riddled 34 year-old over a young kid with tons of promise. On the other hand, I’m not factoring contracts at all. Think of all of these players’ values as equal. Thus, only age, talent, and the ability to handle being the centerpiece of a franchise are the only factors I’m considering)
30. Andrew Bogut (F/C, 21 years old, 7-0, 245 lbs.)This Aussie went #1 overall for a reason. It’s not every day that 7-footer comes along with three years of college experience, scoring touch inside and out, and a ton of room to improve. He’s not as raw as Marvin Williams, nor as polished as Chris Paul, but I think when he career is over and done with he’ll still be recognized as a solid #1 pick. Look at Bogut’s junior season at Utah: 20.4 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 62.0 FG%, 36.0 3-pt FG%, and 1.9 BPG. Imagine if his numbers came even remotely close to these in the pros? A player with that type of potential, who can drastically stretch a defense, and can rebound with the best of the best, certainly deserves a first round nod.
29. Michael Redd (G/F, 26 years old, 6-6, 215 lbs.)
I know one of you wise asses is going to chime in with, “Ant you’re such a MORON! Redd wasn’t even a 1st rounder in the ’00 Draft, why should he be here?” Well, that would be a very fair argument. The thing is, how many shooters in this league have steadily improved in each of their first six seasons? Redd is one of the few—check out the progression in his scoring (beginning in ‘00-01 through today): 2.2 PPG, 11.5, 15.1, 21.7, 23.0, and 25.1. And on top of that, the OSU product just got his max deal this summer and yet the majority of his numbers are still up from a year ago. This shows that Redd’s interest runs a lot deeper than his paycheck.
28. Steve Nash (PG, 32 years old, 6-3, 195 lbs.)It was rather difficult to delve through all of these 30+ year olds and determine who belongs and who doesn’t. Ultimately what it came down to for me was that Nash is the reigning MVP of the league, remains in the thick of the running this year, and is still carrying his team like a 20 year-old rookie. I think any team selecting him in this Draft would certainly have to cross their fingers, but if they also got their hands on a raw, young PG later on, I’m sure Nash would serve as the perfect mentor. In my opinion, shaping any offense around the speed and savvy of Steve Nash is worth a first round pick any day of the week.
27. Ron Artest (SF, 26 years old, 6-7, 260 lbs.)Ah yes, the most controversial selection of all. Half of me said no way, he’s too crazy to be the centerpiece of any team, and this will end up being a wasted pick. But the other part of me thought, “Well, what if a GM made him the focal point of the team and there wasn’t a Jermaine O’Neal or Reggie Miller in his way? And what if that team gave him 17-18 shots per night and allowed him to run wild on defense alongside a couple other nut jobs? Isn’t there some chance that it could work?” In the end, I decided that it was certainly worth the chance, especially seeing that Artest is still only 26 years young.
26. Allen Iverson (G, 30 years old, 6-0, 165 lbs.)
Yet another player creeping over the hill that was just impossible to leave off. Let me tell you, if I were Billy King right now, I’d go out and get a serviceable PG to help shoulder the load and let Iverson go off and exclusively play the wing. Relying on A.I. to get 8+ assists every night and score 30+ points is just asking too much of a 30 year-old with the body of Minkus on Boy Meets World. Thus, in drafting A.I. here with the intent of grabbing a playmaking PG with a second or third pick, one would still be able to get 5-6 more highly productive years from the G’Town product.
25. Chauncey Billups (PG, 29 years old, 6-3, 202 lbs.)
Despite nearing the big 3-0, I absolutely had to grant a first round pick to the most clutch player in the game. C’mon now, Billups throws up more daggers in big spots than Rafael in the Shredder’s lair level of TMNT 2. Whether he’s at the charity stripe (88.2% career) or beyond the arc (42.8% in ‘05-06), Chauncey knows how to finish opponents off in crunch time. In addition, what team wouldn’t want a guy who has lead his team to back-to-back Finals and now has them on pace for 70 wins? I bet the Celtics sleep well at night knowing they got Kenny Anderson for him. I sure would.
24. Baron Davis (PG, 26 years old, 6-3, 215 lbs.)With that “I just got back from a 3-week plane crash expedition in the Andes Mountains” beard going, Davis looks a lot more like 36 than 26, doesn’t he? But fortunately for him, his game reflects that of an elite 26 year-old who can beat you with offense, superior passing, and lightning quick defense. What more could you ask from your point guard, right? So why do I have him going so low? Well something tells me that those creaky knees and Lee Trevino back of his could cause some problems down the road. Let’s hope not…
23. Gilbert Arenas (PG, 24 years old, 6-4, 210 lbs.)
I went back and forth between Arenas and Baron for about 20 minutes. On the one hand, I think Baron is a much better team-first guy—he’d enjoy getting the crunch time assist just as much as the game-winning jumper. Arenas on the other hand, would probably keep shooting even after he switched right arms with Jim Abbott. Seriously, besides Kobe and Iverson, who’s a bigger gunner? However, I ultimately decided that Arenas is still a tad more valuable because, A) he’s got two years on Baron, and B) if need be, a team could conceivably move him over to the 2. That type of versatility is invaluable.
22. Tony Parker (PG, 23 years old, 6-2, 177 lbs.)I feel like I might get some hell for this placement, but hear me out before you fire up the comments box. Give it some thought…Parker has played with the NBA’s elite team for the first four and a half years of his young career. He’s been coached by the best, played with the best, and taught to make each of his teammates that much better. Sure, maybe Baron and Arenas might be the sexier picks with their gaudier numbers, but the digits in the win column are always superior to those in the boxscore. Plus, how can you doubt a dude who’s cool enough to land perhaps the hottest woman on television (who just so happens to be 7 years older)? He can play for my team any day…(you know what I mean)
21. Pau Gasol (F/C, 25 years old, 7-0, 240 lbs.), w/ beard
Don’t think Gasol is good enough for #21? Take a look at his team: they’re currently 26-21, 6th in the West, and own no big name players besides Pau. Eddie Jones played on Temple when Jon Chaney didn’t need Viagra. Shane Battier is the most over-hyped defensive player in the league. Bobby Jackson hasn’t played more than 49 games in almost five years. Mike Miller is hideous. And Lorenzen Wright hasn’t grabbed a rebound since Mark Blount did. Still don’t believe me? Of all people, Chucky Atkins led this team in shot attempts on Tuesday night. So how are the Grizzlies still a top-10 team in the NBA right now? Whoever nabs this guy at 21 will quickly find out.
20. Shawn Marion (F, 27 years old, 6-7, 228 lbs.)It seems crazy to throw a guy on this list that uses my mom’s jumper, but there’s no denying The Matrix’s all-around talent. Overshadowed much of the time by his teammates, Marion does much of the dirty work that helps make Nash and Stoudemire the superstars that they are. His prowess on the defensive end, 11.9 RPG (3rd in NBA), 2.0 SPG (3rd), and 1.9 BPG (14th), clearly reflect why he’s a perennial All-Defensive Team member. Thus, who better to build your squad around than a defensive-first forward who can play both the 3 and the 4 and fill up the basket with the best of them? There are only 19 players more worthy…
19. Jermaine O’Neal (F/C, 27 years old, 6-11, 260 lbs.)Many of us have our fingers crossed that O’Neal’s proneness to injury over the past two years isn’t a sign of what’s to come. After all, in his first four seasons in Indiana, the Pacers’ big man missed only 20 games out of a possible 328. But with his recent absence on the court, coupled with the fact that he’s never eclipsed the 20 PPG mark in his career (save last year’s 24.3 effort in 44 games), give me cause for worry that he’ll never be able to carry a team without a flashy counterpart. Thus, I’ll play it safe with JO and keep him here at 19.
18. Marvin Williams (F, 19 years old, 6-9, 228 lbs.)
Williams holds the record, along with Rudy Gay, for a player described with/by the words upside, raw, and promising. He’s like that girl who was in 8th grade when you were a senior and you just knew she was gonna be scorching hot so you wanted to be like, “hey bebe, give me a call when you turn 20”. Wow, sorry. Let’s put it this way, there was a reason (at least Atlanta hopes so) why he was taken ahead of Chris Paul in last summer’s Draft. Marv certainly has the talent to be a perennial All-Star, but at the same time, I can also see him flopping into that group of second tier players. Still, at 18 he’s certainly worth the risk.
17. Andrei Kirlenko (F, 25 years old, 6-9, 225 lbs.)
Do the Jazz have any sort of weight lifting facility in Salt Lake? If so, have they showed Kirilenko where it is? I mean, you don’t have to be Bill Gates to figure out that AK would be ten times less prone to these nagging injuries if he added fifteen pounds. However, even with the arms of a daddy-long-legs, Andrei is still one of the few players who can completely change a game on the defensive end. It’s obvious when you look at a Jazz boxscore and see him with like 7 steals and 8 blocks and don’t even blink an eye. If he packs on the pounds this summer, I’d almost consider him a top-ten player.
16. Vince Carter (G/F, 29 years old, 6-6, 220 lbs.)
Though VC still has the habit of packing it in faster than a 7 year-old losing in Candy Land, there’s no denying that he remains one of the league’s most prolific scorers. We cannot forget that he has Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson to help shoulder the load, hence the lack of 40 and 50+ point games. And while it would be extremely risky to build the core of any team around a guy with such emotional letdowns, passing him by might be even riskier. You be the judge…
15. Paul Pierce (G/F, 28 years old, 6-6, 230 lbs.)I had the liberty of attended the Celts-Blazers game last week and let me be the first to say that if Pierce has lost a step, I’d hate to be a defender going against him three years ago. The Truth did anything he wanted on both ends of the floor, evident in his 35 points and 6 steals in just three quarters of action. And while he hasn’t been the best leader on the hardwood in recent past, no one can deny his tenacity and will to win on a nightly basis. Those are the characteristics I want in my franchise player. The problem is that his age and attitude are two things weighing heavily upon him. Thus, 15 is as high as it gets for the Celtics’ star.
14. Yao Ming (C, 25 years old, 7-6, 310 lbs.)This placement could very well end up being a huge mistake on my part. But, as of right now I just can’t allow myself to bump Yao any higher. Yes, he’s had his share of dominant performances and has even done a nice job of raising his PPG in each of his first four seasons (13.5, 17.5, 18.3, 20.2). But, the problem I have with his game is that I just don’t see him as a player with the ability to carry his team in the postseason. He’s constantly in foul trouble and has the reputation of completely disappearing in big situations—not someone you want to be counting on. Thus, I’d rather not take a chance on a player who seems liable to hitting his peak sooner rather than later.
13. Dirk Nowitzki (F, 27 years old, 7-0, 245 lbs.)
Has there ever been a more versatile 7-footer? How many guys are lights out from 15-feet, can drain the 3 with the best of ‘em (41.9% in ‘05-06), and can also post up anyone down low? And so you must be asking how I can leave a player of Dirk’s caliber so low? Well my only problem with #41 is that I don’t like how much basketball he insists on playing. This past summer Dirk was averaging 30+ minutes a game for Germany in the European Championships and now he’s totaling 37.5 for the Mavs. Honestly, how much ball can one guy play without either getting hurt or rapidly deteriorating? Maybe I’m crazy here (I’m sure some of you will confirm this), but wouldn’t you rather nab a guy with a little less mileage and/or a more padded resume?
Addition: It's been brought to my attention that maybe I need to elaborate on the reasoning behind this placement. The fact that Dirk plays too much ball is not the only reason. We also have to consider the fact that Dallas has had a formidable team for years now and has never even reached the Finals once. That has to say something about their superstar, right? It's not like he's in a situation like KG where there is just no talent around him. He has weapons, and plenty of them. So there, that's reason #2 for you.
12. Chris Paul (PG, 20 years old, 6-0, 175 lbs.)If I told you in November that the Hornets would own the six seed just days before the All-Star Break, wouldn’t you consider me as crazy as Scot Pollard looks? And while a fair amount of credit certainly belongs to Byron Scott, has anyone wrapped up Rookie of the Year honors faster than Chris Paul? Could he honestly be any better at this point? 16.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.7 APG, & 2.2 SPG are hardly freshman numbers in this league, yet a nagging rib injury has been the only thing able to slow the Wake Forest product. And honestly, I should probably bump him even higher than this, but as a first year player I’ll play it safe here at 12. Plus with only 175 lbs. of meat, he could be fairly injury-prone as the years wear on.
11. Carmelo Anthony (SF, 21 years old, 6-8, 230 lbs.)
If I was making this list last summer, there’s no way ‘Melo would be this close to the top-10. But in his third season, the former Orangeman has shown me a great deal of mettle as the rest of his teammates continue to nurse their nagging injuries. With Nene, Camby, and Martin all missing a ton of games thus far, Anthony has relentlessly taken this Nuggets squad on his back (ala ‘03 at Syracuse) and somehow kept them atop the Northwest. His PPG are up over 5 a game, FG% nearly 3.0%, and steals by 0.4. In addition, he’s not taking plays off anymore, has lost that remaining baby fat, and seems primed to show this league why he was once mentioned in the same sentences as LeBron. Plus, we already know he’s good enough to take a team all the way, so really what else is there to ask for? Well, more defense, an All-Star appearance, and a trip out of the first round of the Playoffs would work. Until then, I’m taking ten other guys ahead of him.
10. Elton Brand (PF, 26 years old, 6-8, 254 lbs.)I’m going to take a different approach with Brand here. Let’s look at his first year in the pros with Chicago: 20.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. If I was drawing this list up back in 2000, I might have penciled him in even higher than I am right now. But the fact is that since his freshman year in the League, Brand has surpassed that 20.1 PPG mark just once—this season. And sure, it certainly has something to do with the fact that he’s hoisting up a career-high 18.4 FGA and shooting a career-best 53.1% from the floor. But even more so, I attribute his MVP-type season to the players surrounding him. This is the first season he’s had a true point guard on his side, along with a center who can help protect him down low. In addition, it’s tough for defenders to double-team him now with Cassell and Mobley reigning on the perimeter. Thus, I feel that unless a team surrounds Brand with the right PG and a hard-nosed center, the best we can expect from him is that 20 and 10.
9. Chris Bosh (PF, 21 years old, 6-10, 230 lbs.)Many NBA aficionados strongly consider Dwyane Wade the steal of the 2003 Draft. But isn’t it easy to grant someone that title that plays in the same city as Shaq? How much easier does that make it on D-Wade? All Bosh has for protection is his collection of turtlenecks, yet he’s still managed to increase his PPG in each of his first three seasons. On top of that, he has extremely polished low-post skills and a refined jumper for a big man of his age. Most power forwards take years to develop, but Bosh is well on his way to being a perennial All-Star (anyone thinking he wasn’t deserving of the honor this year needs to have his head examined). The only problem I see in him is that he’s played for arguably the worst team in basketball over the last three years (although one could strongly argue this now). And so we cannot be certain that if given the opportunity to shine in the Playoffs (or in another city when his contract is up) that CB can be counted on to perform at a high level. Plus, can I honestly put him ahead of these other eight guys?
8. Tracy McGrady (G/F, 26 years old, 6-8, 223 lbs.)
That creaky back of his demanded that I keep him here at 8. But let me tell you, if Mac was 100% healthy this season and guiding his Rockets to a top-4 seed in the West, he may have been top-5. What sticks in my head however, is that Sunday night his back started to really act up. Remember that? McGrady had to leave on a stretcher for God’s sake. Any player with chronic back pain that may force him to be air lifted out of arenas shouldn’t even set foot in the top-10, right? But c’mon now, this is T-Mac. Besides Kobe, I’m not sure if there’s another wing player I’d rather have with the ball in their hands. Did you see his Playoff performance last May? 30.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, & 1.4 BPG—numbers that scream desire, teamwork, and hustle. There are some players you can just envision taking their team all the way and for me, McGrady is certainly one of them. Man, if it wasn’t for that damn back…
7. Kevin Garnett (PF, 29 years old, 6-11, 220 lbs.)Remember KG posing on that cover of SI back in ’95, while the rest of sporting world patiently waited to see if he was truly the next big thing? Well, here we are almost eleven years later and I can honestly say that there isn’t a better all-around player in the game today. So why the hate for KG here at 7? Well, we have to face the reality that he is about to turn 30 and that this is his 11th years at the pro level. Plus, The Big Ticket seems one Kevin McHale phone call away from mailing it in this season and every one thereafter as long as he remains a Wolf. These are not exactly the characteristics you want in a player who you’re banking on starting fresh with. But still, his undeniable talent, work ethic, and drive for success still make him a dependable centerpiece for any NBA team.
6. Tim Duncan (PF, 29 years, 6-11, 260 lbs.)
The truth is, if TD and KG were both in their mid-20s, they would be no-brainers at 1 and 2. But right now, even a 3-time NBA Finals MVP, a poster child for fundamental low-post basketball, and a man that wouldn’t curse even if he stubbed his toe on the metal portion of his bed three seconds after waking up, cannot go any higher when pushing 30. Even if he still has 4-5 great years left in the tank, how could you not take a player who is 24 or younger who has three times the career left? The answer is, you can’t.
5. Amare Stoudemire (F/C, 23 years old, 6-10, 245 lbs.)You know when you’re in the car and you mistakenly make that wrong turn onto a block you definitely shouldn’t be on? Well that same worrisome emotion that fires through my body during those mishaps, is the same feeling I get thinking about Amare. No comprende? What I mean is that when we think of Stoudemire’s game, we usually picture him soaring through the air, throwing down monster jams, and running ‘n gunning with Nash and co. But now, can we really expect that same explosive player after undergoing knee surgery? I’m really worried that we can’t. You see? I’m anxious for Amare’s return to greatness the same way I worry that I won’t be able to reach the lock button in my Saab while cruising through Bridgeport. Let’s just hope that the 30, 10, and 2-block performer we watched during last year’s Playoffs makes it home safely—if you know what I mean.
4. Kobe Bryant (SG, 27 years old, 6-6, 220 lbs.)The classic argument here is whether or not Kobe can carry his team to greatness without that dominant center? And better still, can he really bring another title to LA playing this “selfishly”? Well, it’s all in how you perceive Kobe’s game. Either you, A) think he’s an egotistical maniac who is more concerned with healing his reputation than leading his team to the Playoffs. Or, B) feel he’s playing off of Phil Jackson’s whispers telling him not to trust his teammates and to just somehow get this team to the postseason. For me, I choose B. Kobe’s not one of those guys who takes a play off, let’s his man blow by him on defense, or gives up when his team faces a hefty deficit. In fact, his enduring dedication probably makes him one of the model players in this league (on the court, of course). Seriously, how many players can we truly consider candidates for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year every season? Well, Kobe’s one of them and the only reason I don’t have him pegged any higher is that part of me worries that he may in fact be more of A than B. Because after all, we all used to think the world of him until he broke our trust—who’s to say he won’t do it again?
3. Dwyane Wade (G, 24 years old, 6-4, 212 lbs.)
Choosing between Wade and Howard was almost as hard as deciding which of those blondes I like best in the new Swimsuit Edition. On the one hand, Wade is everything you want in a player. He’s got guts, heart, and a natural knack for winning. He can beat you on the perimeter, by slashing through the lane, or by leaving the ball on a dime for a teammate. To add to it, D-Wade’s the type of man who will turn down an invitation to the Playboy Mansion to volunteer down at the local soup kitchen. Like MJ, it’s impossible to dislike him. If any of you saw his performance in the 4th quarter vs. Detroit last Sunday, it completely defined who he is as a player. Man, I’m getting emotional here. I feel like I’m writing a letter of recommendation for my best friend. How the hell can I not have this guy top 2? Scroll down and find out.
2. Dwight Howard (PF, 20 years old, 6-11, 240 lbs.)As of 30 seconds ago I thought about going the safe route and swapping Wade for Howard. But something in my head wouldn’t let me. Call me crazy, but part of me believes that 20 years from now we’ll look back and see Howard with more championships than Wade and James combined. There’s something to be said of a 21 year-old leading the NBA in rebounding, scoring 15.4 PPG on just 10.7 FGA, and shooting over 50% from the floor. Honestly, what’s a realistic prediction for this kid by 2008, 25, 17, and 3 blocks? Could he one day average 20 and 20? I sure think so. And let’s not forget too that in six of the last seven years, a dominant big man was the centerpiece of each of those championship teams. But the main reason I chose Howard for #2, is that I honestly think he will one day be able to combine the fundamentals of Duncan, the determination of KG, the rebounding prowess of Big Ben, and the success of Shaq. And when that day comes, remember who told you so…
1. LeBron James (G/F, 21 years old, 6-8, 240 lbs.)Hey, it was either him, Marvin Williams, or Baron Davis. I chose the guy who will be 35-10-10 by the time he’s 25.
Not a day goes by without some NBA website or blog making a crack at Isiah Thomas and/or the Knicks franchise. And while we continue to make these two the butt of our NBA jokes, haven’t any of us stopped to think what is really going on here? How can a league that continues to makes successful strides towards gaining global popularity let the team from its capital city just crumble? When the New York Rangers were employing similar financial habits, few of us blinked an eye; but this is different. This is the NBA, a league run by one of the most powerful men in sports, who makes it his duty to eliminate any corrosion from his 30 NBA courts (just ask Ron Artest). And that’s a perfect example. How can the commish have no toleration for those misbehaved players, yet at the same time allow his most prized franchise to rot away right under his nose? It just doesn’t make sense. That’s like Hugh Heffner letting his Playmate of the Year announce that she’s a heroin addict and partaking in an avid sexual relationship with Puck from The Real World. Would he ever allow such a thing?
Ever since I got my braces off, the media has been making relentless attempts at anointing the “next Air Jordan” (of course to no avail). Harold Minor, Isaiah Rider, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, I think even Jud Buechler was mentioned at one point. Essentially, once that sixth title was won, the urgency to find the next #23 became unyielding. One of these days, we as NBA fans need to realize that finding the next MJ may never come to fruition. Unless of course, Jordan himself somehow gets involved. Confused? Read on. Right now, the chances of LeBron James coming to New York are about as good as Tim Allen’s shot at winning an Oscar for The Shaggy Dog. With all of the dead weight currently on the Knicks roster, why would a player of James’ stature ever want to jeopardize his career? Obviously, he wouldn’t. However, luckily for the Knicks they have over two years before LBJ comes off the books in Cleveland. That should give them plenty of time to clean house and clear out the master bedroom for Mr. James’ extended stay.
