[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

http://sircharlesincharge.com/2010/08/05/nba-top-50-rankings-20-11/

20. Al Jefferson- Jefferson is someone who alot of people dislike and it’s arguable that he’s should be lower on the list but a couple things make me believe he should be in this ranking.

1. He was progressing very well pre-injury. Jefferson in 2007 and 2008? 20 and 11. He was becoming one of the the best post players in the NBA. He developed moves that allowed him to score in effective and efficient ways.

2. This will be year 2 off the ACL injury. Last season he averaged 17 points and 9 rebounds last season off the injury. This season will be year two off the injury. That’s when the explosiveness and the mobility comes back.

The one thing I’m not overrating is the move from Minnesota to Utah. I said on the podcast that Jefferson could be a dark horse MVP candidate but now I’m backing off that. He’s going from a triangle offense to a pick and roll offense which I don’t know helps or hurts his game. Can he be as mobile as Carlos Boozer was in the system?

19. Joe Johnson- Had you asked me before the season, Johnson would have been closer to 10 then 20. Now? Man, he’s slipping. Johnson ( since 2003) has been consistent with Minutes ( since 2003, his lowest mpg has been 38.0) and his points ( 5 20 point seasons in a row) but something really hurt Johnson.

For one, his playoff performance this past season was TERRIBLE. The averages (17-5-5) won’t show you anything but the shooting ( 38 FG%, 22 3pt%) were bad.

The biggest thing- He’s all about the money. I don’t blame Atlanta from offering him a max contract ( Johnson had 3 90 million dollar deals on the table ready for him) but Johnson deciding: I will take my money and play for a team who has little to no chance to win a title? What does that say about Johnson?

18. Paul Pierce- Before a Mr. Carmelo Anthony came into the NBA, Paul Pierce was my favorite player. His game was smooth and at the time of high flying dunks, killer crossovers- Pierce was the guy who would just beat you with his skill. No gimmicks to get past you, no jumping over you, Pierce just told you what was coming, slowed it down for you and killed you.

Pierce deserve this ranking because he’s one of the players who even though he’s slowing down a bit, Pierce isn’t dropping at a dramatic rate. At 32, 18ppg, 4rpg and 3apg is not bad. He played just as well in the playoffs (18ppg, 6rpg, 3apg).

What can I say: Pierce belongs over Joe Johnson right now. He’s the better player overall.

17. Andrew Bogut- Bogut is 25 years old and made huge strides last season. The numbers for Bogut last season: 15 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. I think we can all agree that Bogut was the reason Milwaukee didn’t make it to the 2nd round and defeat Atlanta.

Andrew Bogut could arguably the 2nd best Center in the East when healthy. The arrival of one Brandon Jennings also helps as well. If Bogut can remain healthy and develop the kinship with Jennings, I could see him being a little higher on the list.

16. Rajon Rondo- First off: The Boston Celtics got a Steal in Rondo for 55 million.

Rondo is the best PG in the East for me and it’s not close. Rondo does everything but shoot well. He can provide some solid scoring, Rondo is a amazing playmaker and he’s good on defense ( 2.3 steals last season). I debated last season that Rondo was the #1 guy for Boston based off his postseason numbers in 2008 ( 17-10-10) and built upon it with a amazing regular season and postseason.

The arguable thing has been: Would Rondo do this on another team and would he have developed without the Big 3 in Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce? I think we would have developed slower then he has but would have reached top PG status.

Would I be wrong to expect 13 ppg, 9 apg, 5 rpg and 2 spg next season? Oh wait, he’s been doing that for the past 2 seasons now.

15. Chris Bosh- Bosh over Rondo? Let me explain.

Chris Bosh has been a 20 point- 9 rebound guy since he was 21 years old. He’s a solid post player ( low and mid) and has was the number one player on a team since 2004.

Let me ask you this: On Chris Bosh’s playoff teams- who were his teammates? Look at his teammates in 06 and 07

2006- T.J Ford, Anthony Parker, Juan Dixon, Jose Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa and a rookie Andrea Bargnani.

2007- Anthony Parker, T.J. Ford, Jose Calderon, Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker.

Let’s agree Bosh never even had a #3 option with him on a playoff team with him. Yes, Bosh is the man who lucked out and got to join Wade and James on the Miami Heat but he has been in some sense underrated. When noone on your team averages more then 14 points in the regular season and playoffs? Something is wrong there. Bosh is one of the best offensive PF’s in the NBA and has commanded double teams and earned respect in the NBA.

On defense, he’s not a good player. He has almost no defensive ability and is almost a weak link on that side of the ball. But on offense? He’s worth the 100 million dollar contract.

14. Amare Stoudemire- I’m not overrated STATS, I think he is a legit top 15 player. Of his 8 seasons in the NBA, 6 of them has been 20 point seasons and 7 of them has been 8 rebound seasons. He’s been probably the Shawn Kemp of the new era with his explosive dunks.

I will agree, Steve Nash helped his career a bit but what does it say that Amare averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds with Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion and Joe Johnson? He stepped it up to the next level with a passer like Steve Nash but I wouldn’t say Nash put his career on the map and got him this contract with New York.

What to expect from Amare next season? I would say he could be 21-9 next season but the decrease in point guard ability from Steve Nash to Raymond Felton is something to keep your eye on.

13. Steve Nash- With the team success, Nash had a little bit of a rebound season. His assists hit double digit again and he had some more hockey moments last year. Nash had 16ppg, 11apg and 42% 3 point shooting. Losing Amar’e Stoudemire will hurt Nash next season. Who’s Nash main scoring guy next to him? Jason Richardson? Scary.

The one thing about Nash for next season: If the Suns make it to the playoffs, Nash should get some MVP consideration. Josh Childress, Jason Richardson, Hakim Warrick, Hedo Turkoglu, Channing Frye, Goran Dragic and Robin Lopez are good but not a great supporting cast.

12. Brandon Roy- One of the toughest players to rank. From one view, Roy is the best 2 man in the West not named Kobe. He’s clutch, he’s shown you he’s gritty and willing to win. Overall, he’s a top 15 player. The issue? I would say is he a #1 on a title team? For me right now? I don’t think so. He’s only 25 so he has the time to develop that but he has to increase his scoring to the 23-25 range for Portland to get to the next level.

Another thing- Why is it that the Blazers think playing Andre Miller next to Roy instead of Jerryd Bayless? It’s obvious that Roy is a playmaker who should have the ball. Roy is someone who can pass the ball effectively. Portland would develop Bayless and allow Roy to get the slashing guard he needs opposite of him.

Overall, Roy should be a top 10 player next season when he’s healthy and the team is completely healthy.

11. Pau Gasol- 3 seasons ago, Pau Gasol was just another above average player in the NBA. Playing for the Grizzlies and never getting a playoff WIN. Now? Pau is a potential HOF candidate who probably the best sidekick in the NBA.

Since Gasol’s move to LA, Gasol has posted 18, 9 and 2 blocks to earn the respect of tons of many NBA anyalists. In 2008, he was seen as soft due to Kevin Garnett playing him and beating him downlow. In 2009, he dominated Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard. In 2010? He had arguably the best game for the Lakers in Game 7 vs Boston.

It’s arguable Gasol could be in the top 10. Players 9 and 10 could be swapped with Gasol but this year? I like Gasol at 11.

Check out 10-1 tomorrow!

[SpencerIsHawesome2Participant]

So you dont blame ATL for offering Joe Johnson a max deal but you blame JJ for accepting it? That’s a joke.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Yes I do.

I know for a FACT that Johnson had 3 90-100 million dollar deals on the table and 2 sign and trade deals to teams that he didn’t go. Down the road, he could have gotten even more money then he’s gonna get in Atlanta off the court.

What does it say about Johnson that he’s willing to say ” I’ll be rich and never win a title” Do you want that guy? I don’t.

[SubZeroParticipant]

So we hate on Lebron for taking less money to win a championship but you bash Johnson for staying to get money but no championship? Seems like a lose-lose situation no matter what

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

So we hate on Lebron for taking less money to win a championship but you bash Johnson for staying to get money but no championship?

No, People hate LBJ for going to a super team with Bosh and Wade.

[SubZeroParticipant]

Well I left a lot out, I meant like leaving for the best chance at a championship

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

But Johnson stayed to NOT win a title…

[PlatypusParticipant]

I believe Derrick Rose is better than Rajon Rondo

[gainsey15Participant]

I think calling Gasol an above average player in Memphis is selling him short. Even in Memphis he was one of the top big men in the league leading a average at best Memphis team to the playoffs in a deep west.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Rose is good, I don’t think he’s better then Rondo.

Gasol would have been lower on this list 3 years ago. He was not the same player he is now. 3 years ago, He was not better then Stoudemire, Bosh or Garnett.

[TRC1991Participant]

The one thing that p.isses me off the most is people who claim Gasol was nothing before he got to L.A.

his best season as a pro came in Memphis

back in 06-07 he put up: 20.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 54% FG, and 1.9 bpg

[ChrischiParticipant]

I think right now you can say that Rondo is better than Rose because it was him who basically led Boston to the Finals. He makes everyone around him better and gets Triple Doubles and hustles when it counts. But Rose is in his 2nd year. He will surpass him.

[llperez]

i dont blame joe johnson for anything. He stayed with his team and took the money. Why is that something to bash an athlete for?

[SubZeroParticipant]

Where else was he gonna go? Clippers, Knicks? Hawks were the best team that he could go to, besides the Bulls but I don’t think the Bulls wanted to mess with his fat contract

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Where else was he gonna go? Clippers, Knicks? Hawks were the best team that he could go to, besides the Bulls but I don’t think the Bulls wanted to mess with his fat contract

Huh? Please explain that.

The Clippers were willing to give him a max deal to play with Davis, Gordon, Griffin and Kaman.

The Knicks had Amar’e

The Bulls had Rose

The Mavs had Dirk

If you think Atlanta was the best team for him to go to was CRAZY.

[llperez]

i guess we view things differntly knicksboy. I personally enjoy guys who stick it out with a team and want to be the man and finish what they started over jumping to the best situation where they dont have to worry about pressure to actually lead a team. And if guys taking the most money bothers you, then you dont like about 96% of proffesional athletes.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Mr. Knick i thought u knew basketball..until you said Rondo is better then Rose…

I love Rondo’s game..
But if you Put Rondo on the Bulls..The Bulls will never be in the playoffs..
Put Rose on the Celtics and they’ll win 72 games….

[gainsey15Participant]

You can’t say that if you put Rose on the Bulls they’d win 72 games the way that team is set up Rondo is pretty much the perfect PG for them. As far as who’s better I’ve always said Rose is the better player but I think Rondo is the better PG

[mattyun11Participant]

I don’t think you should have put Brandon Roy before Stoudamire and Bosh.

[SpencerIsHawesome2Participant]

Regardless of what you think about him that shouldn’t affect your BASKETBALL rankings.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

My opinion doesn’t effect where Johnson goes.

I think his playoff performance dropped him for me.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

gainsey15..dude rose is a pass 1st point guard..but on the team he plays with he has to score..you ask anyone that knows basketball.that if you put Rose on the Celtics they’ll be unbeatable

[Bryant24Participant]

Pau Gasol was a very good player before he got to LA he just played in market that wasnt popular he made an allstar game when he played for memphis and won rookie of the year. When he got to La people act like he just burst in the nba that season. He led memphis to the playoffs 3 year straight years without the help of a great player.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

Rudeboy- If Rondo was on the Bulls, tons of things would be different. Even that team’s makeup would be different in terms of players around him. So you can’t just swap them.

Bryant24- Gasol was above average 3 years ago. He was not better then Bosh, Garnett or Stoudemire. If you wanted numbers, Zach Randolph had similar numbers to Gasol as well. The Fact he went to LA boosted his career.

[Bryant24Participant]

Yeah I agree with you on that Mr. Knick 32 LA did make him more popular and the casual fan got to see him more often than they did when he played for memphis.

[gainsey15Participant]

How do you figure Rose is a pass first PG when he’s been a scoring guard since college? Again there two different players playing two different styles. Player swaps are never that sample.

[Mr.Knick 32Participant]

NBA Top 50 rankings 10-1 is up.

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