The Hit List: Playoff Players
Photo. Chris SembrotWhereas we normally rank teams in this space, last week was the first of our Playoff Player individual rankings. For this we’re taking into account who’s playing the best at the moment, who has the best overall body of work, who has the most ability and who has the most potential to make this postseason their personal showcase.
1. Chris Paul (24.6 points, 12 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 2 steals) — After a switch from Jason Kidd to Jason Terry temporarily made CP look mortal, he turned right around and silenced the Avery Johnson era in Dallas with a 24-11-15 triple-double. Next up: Tony Parker and the Spurs.
2. Kobe Bryant (33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists) — He’s definitely pacing himself for a lengthy playoff run. Aside from the 49-point Game 2 explosion, Kobe only took over when he had to against the Nuggets.
3. Dwight Howard (22.6 points, 18.2 rebounds, 3.8 blocks) — Dwight was the first pick in the ‘04 Draft. Andrea Bargnani was the first pick of the ‘06 Draft. So why does it seem like they are about 10 years apart in terms of development? Bargs wanted no parts of what Dwight was dishing out in the Magic/Raptors series.
4. Tony Parker (29.6 points, 7 assists) — The 41-points, 12-assist line he stamped on Steve Nash in Game 3 was just a thing of beauty. Everyone talks about Paul/Chandler and Nash/Amare on the pick-and-roll, but Parker and Duncan worked that play to perfection against the Suns.
5. LeBron James (30.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.6 assists) — The other day we heard a radio show where the host was asking why LeBron doesn’t get the “Jordan treatment” from the refs, and not even the “D-Wade treatment.” That’s because you have to look at ‘Bron kind of the way you look at Shaq. Because he’s such a physically dominant anomaly, he takes hits that would normally be called fouls but just bounce off him, so refs haven’t quite figured him out.
6. Tim Duncan (24.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) — TD’s career-long streak of never having been knocked out in the first round is the NBA’s equivalent to The Undertaker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak.
7. Pau Gasol (22.3 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.8 blocks) — Yeah, the Grizzlies totally got even-money for that trade.
8. Tracy McGrady (24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists) — You want evidence that he’s carrying this team? In the regular season T-Mac averaged 21 field-goal attempts per game and about five and a half free throws. In the playoffs, he’s hoisting 24 field-goal attempts a night and seven free throws.
9. Kevin Garnett (21.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals) — He hasn’t dominated a single game yet, but you’re still always aware when he’s on the court.
10. Josh Smith (18.4 points, 7 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2 steals) — Channeled Dominique for the two wins in Atlanta, but with a defensive element added in. Seven blocks in one game for a small forward? That’s nuts.
11. Joe Johnson (21.8 points, 4.4 assists) — That Game 4 performance, where Joe dropped 35 points total and 20 in the fourth quarter, was Kobe-esque in the way JJ just ripped Boston’s heart out.
12. Dirk Nowitzki (26.8 points, 12 rebounds) — This one wasn’t Dirk’s fault. He dominated in the Game 3 win with 32 points and 19 boards, and played his ass off in the elimination game.
13. Deron Williams (20 points, 8.4 assists) — Last week we predicted Deron would give Rafer Alston the business whenever Skip returned from injury. Not so much; Houston has won two of three games since Rafer’s come back, while Deron’s production has dipped.
14. Rasheed Wallace (16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4 blocks) — Wasn’t Sam Dalembert supposed to be the intimidating shot-blocker in this Philly/Detroit series? Rasheed’s been holding down the paint, then coming down and torching Sam from three-point range on the other end.
15. Paul Pierce (17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists) — Garnett leads the defense and gets the MVP consideration, but Pierce is really the key to what Boston’s doing. When he’s locked in and in his rhythm, like he was in Game 5, they’re dominant.
16. Caron Butler (18.8 points, 5 rebounds, 2.2 steals) — Now that we know Gilbert is out, Caron will take over the offensive reigns and try to carry Washington to a first-round upset. If Arenas does come back to D.C. this summer, he and Tough Juice need to figure out their roles and how to effectively play off each other without fighting for shots.
17. David West (22.6 points, 7.4 rebounds) — Don’t leave him open for jump shots. Don’t leave him open for jump shots. Don’t leave him open for jump shots. (Are you reading this, San Antonio?) Don’t leave him open for jump shots.
18. Ray Allen (17.2 points) — Speaking of not leaving someone open. In each of the last two games Ray has knocked down 10 threes on 16 attempts. That’s 62 percent.
19. Hedo Turkoglu (17.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists) — The newly-crowned Most Improved Player struggled with his shot in the Toronto series, but still came up with big plays at crucial junctures. He came just short of a triple-double in the clincher, putting up 12 points, 8 boards and 9 dimes.
20. Rip Hamilton (18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists) — His overall shooting percentages are down and he’s been miserable from three (16%), but Rip has been able to turn it on for stretches, like when he eviscerated Willie Green in Game 5.
21. Manu Ginobili (18.2 points) — The last two games of the Phoenix series didn’t represent Manu’s best work, as he averaged 9 points on 31% shooting. But he could be 0-for-13 on the night and Popovich would still want the ball in his hands if San Antonio needs to ice it with free throws.
22. Rafer Alston (16.3 points, 5.3 assists) — He’s been the X-factor that’s helping keep Houston alive, giving them a true point guard so McGrady doesn’t haave to run the show and knocking down threes.
23. Amare Stoudemire (23.2 points, 9 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) — Where was that guy who was barreling through the lane and dunking on anyone who crossed his path? Amare seemed real hesitant in the last two games of the Spurs series, like he was scared of picking up a charging call. The refs got into his head on both ends of the floor, actually, taking away STAT’s usual aggressiveness.
24. Chris Bosh (24 points, 9 rebounds) — When he’s putting up 39-15 stat lines and his team still gets blown out, you can’t pin the L on Bosh. So who do we point the finger at: Sam Mitchell, Bryant Colangelo or the supporting cast in general?
25. Carlos Boozer (16.2 points, 12 rebounds) — He’s on this list more for his rebounding than anything. Possessions are at a premium in the postseason, kind of like time-of-possession in football, and rebounds equal possessions. Offensively, we don’t know what’s going on with Booz. Last year he was eating the Rockets alive. Now he’s just average.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
GEE...Get on the mic for the symphony! says:
Just sitting here wondering what life would be like if Houston could snag Dwight Howard away.
Let Orlando have Yao and all his China supporters.
Anyway oh yea the list….No arguments. Good list.
No Philly players at all?
May 1st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
JA says:
“TD’s career-long streak of never having been knocked out in the first round is the NBA’s equivalent to The Undertaker’s undefeated Wrestlemania streak.”
- Wow
May 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
CHEE says:
Tmac is ballin…. watch im force gm 7 and win it this time… finally get out of first round.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Prof. TX says:
GEE…
Yep, that’s the core of my 2K8 team. McGrady and Howard are a rough combination, in pixels anyway.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Homeless J says:
I wonder if Tony Parker got that scar on his face from eating pussy.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Billy Sunday says:
TMac shouldve stayed in orlando…..good things come to those wait but no tmac wanted out didnt want to go through the rebuilding process and now he still stuck in the first round the same situation with the magic
May 1st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
shourjo says:
Not really sure what Rockets-Jazz series any of y’all have been watching … but McGrady is NOT having a superstar series. Of the five games, he’s had one superstar-worthy game. Otherwise his shooting % are horrendous. Granted, Yao is out, etc. It’s justifiable if he’s having trouble getting off. But the games the Rox have won have been more becuz of secondary and tertiary production than McGrady’s own brilliance. I’m not hating - I’m Houston born and raised but I gotta call it like I see it.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
Shourjo, mcgrady has been having a superstar series simply because until alston came back, mcgrady pretty much was playing pg,sg, and sf all by himself just to keep them in the game. Hard to have a high schooling % when your the only one trying to take shots and triple teamed etc..He even said it himself, keepin them in teh game the first 3 quarters is draining him by the 4th.
And dime, you really need to bump boozer off and put up the whole houston frontline. I mean think about it, after boozer ATE YAO AND HIS DOMINANT ALL STAR STATUS ALIVE last year and pretty much sent the rockets home by himself, this year the rockets no name and undersized powerforwards have kept boozer in check and made some big plays that yao NEVER seems to be the one making. Laundrys game sealing block alone says enough. KNock on wood though so hopefully boozer doesn’t drop 80 now on karma of this post lol
May 1st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
kobeef says:
1. Amare was hesitant to drive through the lane because there was a big fat shaq in the way.
2. Remember how after the 2006 draft Colangelo was bragging that Bargs was “off the charts” in terms of mental toughness/leadership? Did we mis-understand that he was actually off the BOTTOM of the chart and not the top? The kid is giving Bosh nothing.
3. Whose supporting cast is worse: Lebron or TMac? I’d say TMac but it is close.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Kobe averaging 33 pts and sweep doesnt warrant 1st place? Good god, when will the biased stop?
CP3 is great no doubt, but just like the MVP race, he is still a distant 2nd to the Mamba.
And Ray Allen has got absolutely torched in this series, I dont care if he makes 100% from deep, he shouldnt be on the list.
Caron, Skip, and J-SMooth could be bumped up IMO
May 1st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
girlybballluver says:
“He’s such a physically dominant anomaly”…oh come on you’re making me gag!
Bron42 said: “He even said it himself, keepin them in the game the first 3 quarters is draining him by the 4th”
Too bad T Mac doesn’t have the luxury of “pacing” himself like Kobe.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:39 pm
shourjo says:
@Bron42: I’m not judging his effort or whatever. I’m just saying he’s been largely ineffective. He made the notorious remark to the press last wk - employing sarcasm - with the whole “It’s TMac’s fault this, it’s TMac’s fault that.” No, it’s certainly not his fault. For whatever first round shortcomings he’s had in the past … this is not a year to hang it on him. He’s, admittedly, bucking a stacked deck w/ the lack of support he’s had. I guess what I’m saying is - he hasn’t been a difference maker in the series. And yes it’s hard to do when … - see excuses A-C. And so that’s why when I see him on this list, ahead of guys who ARE making sizable impacts, it sort of makes me think again. You know, is he getting the benefit of the doubt cuz of his media-friendly skills, marque name status, etc.? Cuz if the Rox won as many games this season as they did, it surely wasn’t cuz of him largely …. it was cuz finally there was a supporting cast around him that did things. And while he’s still there, and doing things and contributing, any media focus on the Rox this season should be on them as a team and not as Tracy’s team (here I’m agreeing with you, I think).
May 1st, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Marvin says:
Have you read the simmons column on espn regarding phoenix? Man if you’re a phoenix fan then you’d kill sarver by now.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:00 am
Suciniac says:
Best fair list, Dime has put up in a while.Totally agree with it.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
IGP says:
@ Homeless J…”how am I gonna get a scar on my face from eatin pussy man?” haha classic
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Kevin says:
Great List!
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
chris says:
excellent list. lebrawn DOES get special treatment by the refs….they let him walk all the time…once they let him do it once in a game, do you think anyone else is going to get in his way? gentler to get run over by a truck, folks. antawn has a lot of boards for the wiz, jameer hit a lot of shots for the magic, kapono(!) shot well for the rap, but the only one i would drop off the list would be boozer.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Bron42 had springs before slamball says:
shourjor i hear you but like i said, the only knock right now on tmac is his shooting % and the 4th quarter stuff. I mean come on, in game 2 he was 1 assist away from a triple double and thats without having any gas left in the 4rd quarter. Like ball girl said, if tmac wasnt effective liek u said, then who is the one keepin the rockets in the series? shane batteir? scola? tmac has done the majority himself and now that alston is back hes helping. Tmac doesn’t have 5 other guys he can go to in the crunch ala kobe so he has to force alot just like kobe did before gasol and fisher.
and chris is right…lebron gets TONSSS of special treatment, which is why the wizards (while they wont win) have had good points about everything they’ve said. There isn’t a star outside of tim duncan who whines as much as lebron but gets away with every call, runs through people and gets all teh glory when they win but none of the blame when they lose. I mean west hits the jumper and lebron finds away to steal teh spotlight (he was doin west a favor by passin to him) but next game when lebron misses the layup he crys foul when it should of been a jump shot in the first place.