Photo. Jonathan MannionThe hosts of a Seattle sports-talk radio show on which I do a weekly segment asked me to come up with a list of my Top 5 players in the NBA at every position to have ready for the next time I call in. Making out my lists on the train on the way to work the other day, I caught a case of Blackberry diarrhea and had to extend each one from five guys to 10 — including the centers. Surprisingly to me, the list of small forwards was the hardest to put in order. LeBron’s obviously the top dog, but after that, you could go a number of directions. Here’s what I came up with:
1. LeBron
2. Carmelo
3. Paul Pierce
4. Josh Howard
5. Caron Butler
6. Tayshaun Prince
7. Richard Jefferson
8. Rashard Lewis
9. AK-47
10. Ron Artest
Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace, Durant, Deng, Stephen Jackson, Rudy Gay, Grant Hill, Bruce Bowen and Peja were all in the picture, too.
It all depends on what you want out of a player. Personally, I put a high value on defense (I seriously pattern my playground game after Bowen), so Howard, Caron and Artest probably rank higher on my list than they would on someone else’s. And while Grant Hill’s got more all-around skill and basketball IQ than a lot of guys listed above, I just couldn’t put his aging, when’s-the-injury-gonna-happen self ahead of a guy like Jefferson, who I’m not a huge fan of but is just killing right now.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Prof. TX says:
I guess you’re only looking at what position people are playing this season, otherwise you’d have to consider McGrady since he plays SG and SF, and I’m surprised that Marion is missing just because he has split some time between SF and PF.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Myrie in NY says:
No Joe Johnson? Isn’t he really a small forward? Andre Iguodala? Corey Maggette? Lamar Odom? Mo Pete?
Not the greatest list; but there is depth beyond LeBron James.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
bliz289 says:
how do you leave Josh Smith off that list?!?!? he’s arguably top 25 in the league right now. and doesn’t durant play shooting guard?
December 12th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Austin Burton says:
I put Marion and Odom down as PFs, T-Mac and Joe as SGs.
Josh Smith is playing well but I’d take Kirilenko’s passing and defense (and playoff experience) over him right now.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Celts Fan says:
Great read man. I was hoping to see the other 4 position listss too. Come on Austin! I need something to do (other than work!) til 5…
December 12th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
and bliz, Josh Smith is nice, but come on, in the top 25 in the league?! You mean top 25 wings, right?
December 12th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Austin Burton says:
I’ll put the other lists up eventually.
@bliz — Damien Wilkins plays SG for the Sonics. Durant is mostly at the three, but he does play SG sometimes.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Myrie in NY says:
LBJames, Melo, Truth, Ron-Ron, AK-47, Fresh Prince, Butler, Howard, RJ, Lewis.
Revising the top 10 a bit.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Gee says:
For once I can’t even trip. That list is straight homey. You said yourself it depends on what you want and all. I do the whole Bowen playground too a little. Anyway I am more interested to see what you got going at pg and C cause I know that 5 spot is going to cause debate.
That would be another intersting thing. As so many of us post from time to time I would love to know who we pattern our game after (if you do indeed do that or actually play) from the L?
I would say mine is:
Bowen on D
Bonzi Wells on O
I know that is a horrid mix (yall stop laughing) but it serves me pretty well.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
GARUSH says:
What up with that? You definetly have to have bowen in ur top 10 if not 5.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Austin Burton says:
Bowen’s my guy, but I can’t justify a Top-10 spot for him.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Myrie in NY says:
Garush–
Bowen is 1 dimensional and should not be in the top 10. Maybe if he swished two free throws in a row, he’d have a chance.
December 12th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
Jaleel says:
I agree with the listing for the most part. However, I think that even though Richard Jefferson is killing right now I don’t think that he should be higher than AK-47 or Ron Artest. When Ron Ron and AK-47 are on the top of their games they are straight beasts to deal with for opposing teams. Kirilenko because he really doesn’t have to score to effect a game, a great shot blocker/shot alterer and a better passer than most point guards in the league. Ron Ron offensively is a problem for other players to guard when he isn’t settling for long jumpers. When he gets down on the low block he is too big and strong and just abuses people (check that game against the Suns when he was beasting Grant Hill and Shawn Marion)
December 12th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
D. Nicest says:
wow, not Shawn Marion, he has a argument that he could be one of the best small forwards of all time. His shot may be UGLY but being pretty does not mean you are good.
December 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
who? says:
when is the next issue of dime hitting the stands?
December 12th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Austin Burton says:
I got Marion as a power forward, since that’s what he plays with Phoenix.
The next DIME should be hitting stands in a week or so.
December 12th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
J-Ma says:
You can’t possibly be serious putting tayshaun and rashard ahead of josh smith and gerald wallace!!!
December 12th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Gee says:
A-yo in just keepin it 100, um I know yall gone have J. Kidd on that next cover. I suggested his name some time back and gave reasons why you all should do dude. Since then his plot has only thickened. So I know he gone grace it. So I will just say thanks in advance and I will be getting that copy.
Trust.
December 12th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
AY says:
danny granger is better than peja.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
MiCkeY MoNDaY says:
you definitely need josh smith, shawn marion and t-mac on that list
December 12th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
Austin Burton says:
T-Mac: SG
Marion: PF
Josh Smith: Didn’t make the cut
December 13th, 2007 at 4:48 am
williams says:
recurring theme, but josh smith gotta be on the list right now..
josh howard too high, prince too high. the rest is nice.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:17 am
fiyaman says:
u said u favor defense, then how is Josh Smith not in the top 5? He is probably the top defender at the position.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:22 am
fiyaman says:
Prince? Lewis? come on. Ur Better Than That.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Ian says:
Myrie bowen doesnt get to the line so his free throw shooting shouldnt be an issue.
i have bowen also in the top ten yeah he doesnt score a lot but he takes a good 10 pts of the other team and makes them shoot a bad %. so hes worth it
my list
lebron
pierce
howard
melo
butler
smith
bowen
artest (but i dont want him near my team)
wallace
ak47
December 13th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Adam says:
JOSH SMITH
JOSH SMITH
JOSH SMITH
Do you watch basketball? Is there anyone in the world that would take RJ over J Smooth? Especially if you prefer D? WHAT?!
December 13th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Celts Fan says:
I respect Smith’s game, but come on, his O, while developing, still leaves a lot to be desired. In 2 years, you guys will be right, but right now, I think he’s just outside the top 10. I might rearrange a few spots in that list, but there’s no one you can say Josh is better than (and I’d put Deng over him too.)
December 13th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Justice says:
Pierce is greatly underrated this guy deals with double teams a lot better than melo at this stage, and he did it with a lot less help, in addition he is a better ball handler and he’s capable on d, other than that the list was solid, josh smith has horrible shot selection, he takes j.r. type shots time to time he’s not ready for a top ten list, are you people high? do you watch hawks games?
December 13th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Myrie says:
Ian (#25)–
Bruce Bowen is decent, but not better than of the small forwards on the list. He is 1 dimensional as a defender. Gives you nothing offensively. And take a good look at the list; there are capable defenders there. He doesn’t have a better all-around game than anyone else on the list.
He cannot handle the ball, below average passer, no mid range jump shot (it’s a corner 3 or nothing), barely gets you any rebounds (none in traffic nor long rebounds), cannot lead a break.
All the other players on the list give you more on the court. And check Bowens (season/career) free throw percentage. He’s awful. He is the perimeter version of Ben Wallace.
You have him ranked above Artest; who is a better on ball defender and can score. You have him ahead of Gerald Wallce who hits the boards. You have Bowen ahead of AK47 who puts up Triple Dips. You have Bowen ahead of Richard Jefferson who can make free throws and you have him before Rashard Lewis. C’mon dog. Decent player, but not Top 10 material.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Dave says:
Marion is a natural small forward, so should be in this discussion. My list:
Lebron James
Shawn Marion
Josh Howard
Paul Pierce
Carmelo Anthony
Ron Artest
Gerald Wallace
Andre Kirilenko
Josh Smith
Lamar Odom
December 13th, 2007 at 10:33 am
GoDuke says:
if not for his slow start, Deng has been ranked as a top-10 SF in every article last year…
December 13th, 2007 at 10:45 am
mavid says:
JOSH SMITH IS A PF.
Marvin Williams plays SF.
Horford has been playing C most of the time (with some minutes at the 4).
December 13th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Kandyman3 says:
Nice list… but I would put Caron ahead of howard
December 13th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Sami says:
I CANNOT believe that Tayshun made #6 on the list - that is completely ludacrious, as Mike Tyson would say.
I would rather have Richard Jefferson, Rashard Lewis, . AK-47, Ron Artest, Josh Smith, Gerald Wallace, Durant, Deng, and Stephen Jackson, at the very least ahead of him.
December 13th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
T.M.P.B.W.O.T.P. says:
I think you’re severely underrating Prince to put him below all those guys. Stephen Jackson? Durant? Nah…
December 13th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
JC says:
Love tay-tay & RJ, but they’re battling to see whos 10th and whos off. Gerald wallace is VERY good he’d have to at least sniff the list at 9. Ron ron and AK should move up for their ability to change a game on O or D. Ron should at least be 6. Caron is quite good but him and Rashard are a tough one, I’d have to tie them at 5…
December 13th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Juanito says:
Pierce is too high..maybe 3 years ago he deserves this spot but not now.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
doc says:
I dont like RJ i’d put Durant or Josh Smith in over him.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Austin Burton says:
I watch almost every Sonics game and I wouldn’t put Durant ahead of Jefferson just yet.
December 13th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
TheFallen says:
I would sat Prince and Jefferson are too high, i’d take Artest, AK, and Smith over them anyday. I’m also surprised Josh is #4, I think this is largely due to Dirk stepping back this season and allowing him (Harris, and even Bass) to grow (and that is going to come in handy during the playoffs).
Revised bottom part of the list:
6. Smith
7. AK
8. Artest
9. Prince
10.Jefferson
Lewis is a nice shooter, but until he starts rebounding up to his size I’m not impressed. Pretty solid top five though.
December 13th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Couttsy says:
Josh Smith should not rate in the top 10. He chucks up too many bricks, turns it over WAY too much, and is just not a team player. A guy with the game he has should be taking it to the rack every time he touches it.
Guys like AK-47 are much more valuable, and let’s be honest, RJ is killing almost everyone right now.
Love your list, Austin. Just a slight revision, though:
1. LeBron
2. Carmelo
3. Josh Howard
4. Paul Pierce
5. Caron Butler
6. Richard Jefferson
7. Tayshaun Prince
8. Ron Artest
9. AK-47
10. Gerald Wallace
Cheers!
December 13th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
girllybballluver says:
I think I’m the only person that would rather have Carmelo than Lebron.
No disrespect to the dude and his game, but I’ll pass.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Ian says:
myrie
man is just my opinion of what i would rather have on my team
sports is all about that
like the last post that said i rather have melo
i mean why not
December 13th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Ian says:
i rather have bowen than artest (i dont think hes better defender than bowen) artest might shoot my coach or a fan. i dont like ak and his crying i got my reasons.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Willis says:
Artest shuts down people. Completely. Joe Johnson has never had a good game against him. Melo’ scored over 20 once and he had to take like 30 shots to do it. Ron routinely shuts down the other teams best player. Last night he held KG to 11 points, but unfortunately for the Kings Salmons and Cisco can’t defend like that so Ray had a game and so did Pierce. When ron was on truth he gave him fits though. Bowen has his moments against guys, but he can’t shut down guys like Bonzi Wells or Ron Artest or even Loul Deng. He has trouble with the bigger guys. Artest even gives Kobe a hard time, but Kobe is a better offensive player than Artest is a defensive player. I remember a game last year where Artest was guarding Kobe and Kobe had 30 points on like 28 shots or something like that. Unfortunately Ron is a black hole on offense, his game is tight, but not tight enough that he should touch every possession. I do think he should be higher than Rashard.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:54 am
gdon says:
hahahahaha someone mentioned Mo Pete! lollll that was too good! Inconspicuously snuck it in there so almost had me fooled as you be for real, but ahaha.
December 14th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Jim White says:
If I give you Lebron as number one, then Artest has to be number two!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
webbie352 says:
yay got to put J smoove on there
he is playing out of his mind
1. LeBron
2. PP
3. Melo
4. Josh Howard
5. Caron Butler
6. Tayshaun Prince
7. AK 47
9. Josh Smith
10. Ron Artest
December 17th, 2007 at 10:03 am
MSkittle says:
Tayshaun Prince is on my Fantasy Team. I wish he was the 6th best small forward in the league! Unfortunately, he has way too many inconsistent scoring nights for him to be considered better than RJ, Ron Artest, Rashard Lewis, or Josh Smith.
December 17th, 2007 at 11:46 pm
moneynachos says:
The thing with Tayshaun, and this shouldn’t be overlooked, is that he comes through huge in the meaningful games such as the playoffs. Another thing about him that you likely wouldn’t know, without watching the Pistons on a regular basis, is that he is a lock-down defender. In fact, other than Artest, Tayshaun is easily the best defender on that list.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:07 am
DSDSquared says:
What is wrong with Iggy in Philly?