Earlier this week we featured an article that looked at the top five NBA players currently playing in the league. Though many of you may not agree with our choices, we feel that they were fair and mostly accurate. Today, we take a look at the players that make up spots 6-10.
Selecting the five best players was no easy task, but as the list goes on it will only become more difficult as more and more factors are taken into account. Rounding out the top five in the last segment was big man Dwight Howard, and it was no easy decision placing all-star Dwyane Wade after him.
So, on that note, let’s begin.
6. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat
He was, at one time, probably a top three player in the league. Though he now sits at number six, Wade is still a player that few hate and most love. Injuries have certainly detracted him from where he could be but even then, when he’s in the zone, arguments can be made that he is the best there currently is.
Nicknamed ‘flash’ for his lightning speed on the court, Wade is one of the most gifted finishers around the basket and produces nightly highlight-reel finishes. If anything, the improvement of guys like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and most notably Kevin Durant is the reason why Wade is no longer in the top five.
He is still very much a part of the big 3 in Miami and will be a superstar for at least the next 2-3 years. For now though, he sits safely at number six, which is certainly nothing to be ashamed of.
7. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks
Make no mistake about it, even at age 34 Dirk is probably still one of the top three biggest mismatches in the league. Standing in at 7 feet, Dirk, with his assortment of jumpshots and space-clearing moves, is nearly unguardable.
There isn’t another big man in the league with Dirk’s perimeter ability, and to top it off, Nowitzki rebounds at a steady rate as well. Make no mistake about it, if Dirk played better defence he’d be one of the greatest power forwards of all time.
8. Rajon Rondo – Boston Celtics
There really is only one thing missing from Rondo’s game, though it’s is a pretty big aspect. If Rondo could shoot, he would more than likely be the best point man in the league. There are athletic point guards that have a shaky jumpshot, for example Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, and then there is Rajon Rondo, who struggles to nail free throws as a point guard.
Having said that, Rondo is the best defender and rebounder in the position, and one of the top playmakers as well. He is the closest thing we have to an “in his prime” Jason Kidd and Rondo’s spectacular play in the NBA playoffs makes him the eigth best player in the league.
9. Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves
Love him or hate him, Kevin Love puts up ridiculous stats. He stretches the floor with the three point shot and rivals Howard as the best rebounder in the league. Regardless of his monstrous numbers, Love has shown to the league that he is more than just a stat machine and has somewhat turned the tides of the Timberwolves organization. He is their franchise player and for good reason.
10. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls
Rounding off the top ten is none other than last year’s MVP Derrick Rose. To put it simply, had Rose not suffered his season-ending injury, he would be even higher on the list. When healthy, Rose is the most dynamic point guard in the league and is just as, if not more, spectacular than Dwyane Wade at attacking the basket. To top it off, Rose adds to his offensive arsenal by unleashing a developed pull-up jumpshot that makes him extremely difficult to guard.
So, there you have it. Numbers six to ten of the best players in the NBA. There will definitely be some controversy here but after much thought, I think that my picks are fairly safe.
What do you think of my selections? Let me know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to check out picks one through five by clicking here.
