NBA Monopoly

The 2010-2011 NBA season is just nine days away as I write this! Do you know what that means?...I should probably write something basketball related and stop slobbering over the NFL and its selling of photos of illegal hits even as it condemns them. Ok, now that that’s out of my system…moving on.


Anyway, what better way to preview the upcoming season then focus on the players instead of the teams? Team previews are so cliché and boring…so I thought, instead, I would rate the most valuable NBA players in terms of how critical they are to their franchise’s success. And on top of that how much one would want to build a team around that player right now. What better way to do this then assign a monetary value to each player based on…my opinion! We’ll call this NBA monopoly. I wanted the range to be a manageable number so I settled on a thousand dollars…with a thousand being the max a player is worth.

Alright, when reading this ratings column, keep in mind these rules:

A. Age and salary matter. A player might have been phenomenal over the past decade (Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant), but that doesn’t mean I would spend an exuberant amount for him now if he’s 35 years old. This is important to understanding my thought process, as you may consider Kobe Bryant one of the best two or three guys in the game now…but would you want to build your franchise around him for the next four to five years? Yeah-thought so. Also, a player might be good…but if he has a terrible contract, he’s going to move way down the list. Ahem, Rudy Gay, ahem.

B. This column focuses on franchise caliber players. Pretty self-explanatory, but still worth saying. As much as I value the role players of the league…the 4th, 5th, and 6th options on a team that every NBA team requires to win a championship…they will not be included simply because this article would extend to 10, 000 words or more, and I don’t think anyone cares that much…


1. LeBron James ($1000)

He had one of the best regular seasons last year in recent memory. The man came the closest to averaging a triple double (averaged a 30-8.6-7) over the span of a regular season since Michael Jordan during 1988-89 (averaged a 32-8-8). Forget for a minute that he’s the third most hated athlete in America (after Tiger Woods and Brett Favre) and consider his basketball accomplishments. There hasn’t been a more complete player in the league for ten years, and he can only get better being only 25 years old. He can score with the best of them, but is also a triple double threat every game…he’s a passer to rival Magic Johnson and scorer akin to Bernard King. There hasn’t been a player like him since...well, maybe ever. Now comes his real test though, he’s on a fantastic team with roughly 1.5 other superstars; if he’s as great as we all think then there will be many championship trophies in his future.



2. Kevin Durant ($999)

Durant scored thirty ppg last season while hitting 90 percent of his 10 free throws per game, hitting 48 percent of his field goals and 36 percent of three pointers. Stunning numbers for any player-quadruple so for one who is 22 years old. The clip at which he made free throws was particularly astonishing as he went to line 840 times over the course of the season; second most all time. As if his scoring wasn’t enough, Durant chips in 7.6 boards a game, 3 assists, 1.5 steals, and a block. Not the all-around player LeBron is, but a much more efficient scorer, equally skilled rebounder, and a more skilled 3-point, long jumper, and free throw shooter. Also not something to take lightly is Durant’s phenomenal play during the FIBA world championships where he was the unquestioned leader/go-to-guy for team USA. He showed he can be the man, and will surely embrace the challenge for the Thunder. The hype for this guy is real everybody, he combines once in a generation skills with unquestioned leadership, drive, and toughness.



3. Dwight Howard ($950)

Dwight Howard suffers from a severe lack of post moves. He fouls too much. He’s a terrible free throw shooter with good form. Say what you want about Howard, but big men are a hot commodity in basketball…especially ones that consistently put up at least 18 points, 13 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks while hitting 60 percent of their shots. No other big man can claim to be so defensively dominant (Howard is a two time defensive player of the year) and offensively prolific at the same time. IF he would become a bit more skilled in the post (that’s a big if), and hit freebies at a greater percentage (see: Pao Gasol) then he could feasibly average 23-24 PPG or more. I’m holding out hope because of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mArHU1ewSog



4. Chris Paul ($945)

The best pure point guard in the game of basketball is coming off an injury plagued season and an offseason where it was rumored he wanted out of New Orleans. Despite all that, he remains the best pure point guard in the league when healthy, and considering he doesn’t have a bad injury history I consider last season to be a fluke. He has everything you want in a floor general: incredible passing skills, fantastic shooter from any spot on the floor, great finisher at the rim, and leadership ability. He’s the revolutionary Isaiah Thomas, a player we should all enjoy as he continues putting up 22-11’s for the next decade.



5. Dwyane Wade ($930)

Probably the closest resemblance to Jordan yet-Wade drives to the bucket as recklessly and relentlessly as MJ did while combining a knack for passing, rebounding, and stealing the ball. I can’t wait to see how he fits in with the new-look Miami Heat; is he the primary scorer, will he take the last shot in close games, does he grasp the role as leader of the team? All fascinating questions that might determine the success of this team as the three superstar personalities attempt to coincide with one another. The fact is though, that for the past couple years Wade has left it all the court as he dragged a team comprised of such players as Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers to the playoffs while playing 40 minutes a night. Combine that with a shaky injury history and you wonder how durable of a player he is? Nevertheless, as the Boston Celtics can attest, Wade is capable of carrying the offensive load all by himself…let’s see what happens now that he doesn’t have to.



6. Kobe Bryant ($905)

I have no doubt that the Black Mamba is the most skilled player in the game…combining a slew of recently acquired low post moves with a sick jump shot, superb ball handling, and basically every other skill you would want in a pro baller. Why isn’t he higher?…because he’s 32 years old (with 14 seasons under his belt), has a growing list of minor injuries that may affect his game, and he plays for the Lakers. Just kidding about that last part…maybe. But really, if I was a GM and had to choose between building my team around the 27 year old Wade, or 32 year old Bryant…I would go with the younger, faster, and non-Laker Dwyane Wade.



7. Carmelo Anthony ($850)

What did Melo’ show us last season? He proved that if he is your best player you can most definitely make waves in the postseason, and probably win a championship (The only reason they haven’t yet is because the Lakers have such a ridiculous amount of talent surrounding Kobe Bryant). That’s quite a leap for a guy who was once considered solely a scorer and a definite me-first, selfish type of player. But he put in his best season in 2009-10 scoring 28 points, grabbing a shade under 7 boards, pinching in 3 assists and a steal, while hitting shots at a pretty solid percentage. He did all this while having a usage rate of 33 percent (possessions where he does something with the ball-score, turnover, gets to the line, etc.) which was among the highest in the league. He’s a durable forward, an efficient scorer, hits tough shots, and is now a guy I would build a team around.



8. Deron Williams ($840)

Next to an elite big man, point guard is the most important position on the floor. If you want to win a championship you need an elite ball handler who possesses outstanding passing skills and court vision. Deron Williams and Chris Paul are the best in the league in those two respective categories…except Chris Paul at his best puts up transcendent numbers while Williams’ are merely outstanding. I know, I know it’s like comparing Brady to Manning, but someone has to take number one. The long and short of it is Deron Williams has next to no flaws and remains in close second for the title of best point guard in the league…the kind of guy you could build a team around. By the way, who else is excited to see D-Will throw 10 alley-oops a game to his new play thing: Al Jefferson?



9. Dirk Nowitzki ($810)

Despite Dirk’s age of 32 and twelve seasons under his belt he is still playing as well as he ever has. He continues to average close to a 50-40-90 (hitting 50% of field goals, 40% of 3-pointers, 90% of free throws.) and is one of the most consistent players in the league. Based on his style of play and skill set (tremendous jump shooter, 3 point shooter, and post-up player) durability and the number of big men who have played well into their 30’s I believe Dirk has a solid three-four years left in the tank. Plus, he’s Russian…



10. Brook Lopez ($805)

In only his second season Lopez averaged 19 points, 9 boards, shot .500 from the field and hit 82% of his free throws (an incredible number for a 7-footer). Is there a big man not named Dwight Howard you would rather build a team around right now?...I don’t think so. He leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end (though he averages a healthy 1.7 blocks a game) but is so skilled offensively that as long as he is teamed with another sound defensively minded big man you can hide his deficiencies (think a Marcus Camby, Ben Wallace type player). The scary part is he can only go up from here, and barring injury should be among the top two-three big men in the league for the next decade.




11. Brandon Roy ($795)

The hallmark of an elite shooting guard is averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists…which Brandon Roy has done consistently over the past three years. Besides his stellar numbers I love his heart…a quality more and more professional athletes seem to be lacking (I’m looking at you Vince Carter). I also love his fearlessness in crunch time, akin to other great clutch players such as Kobe Bryant or Paul Pierce. He might not be in the same tier of shooting guards as Bryant or Wade, but he is a special player none-the-less.



12. Pao Gasol ($760)

I’ll try hard to squash my hatred for my least favorite player in the NBA over the next paragraph…but I can’t promise anything. Offensively he’s one of the most skilled big men in the league, and has vastly improved his defense since being obliterated in the 08’ finals by the likes of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. He is most definitely a side-kick type player though…someone who needs a scorer and ball handler alongside to play to his full potential (Kobe Bryant).



13. Ama’re Stoudemire ($700)

Another prolific scoring big man and one who should be in contention for the scoring title playing for Mike D’Antoni’s New York Knicks. He’s a guy who will give you 22-25 points a game, 9+ boards, a block, a gazillion trips to the line, and a great field goal percentage, plus one eye popping dunk per half. Despite his incredible offensive abilities he doesn’t play defense (should fit in well with the Knicks) and is injury prone (He’s played 80+ games only four out of his eight seasons). For that reason he remains below such diverse and durable talents as Pao Gasol, Brook Lopez, and Dwight Howard.



14. Steve Nash ($690)

I don’t care if the man’s 35 years old! You hear me, I don’t care! Steve Nash could put up 15-10’s with his eyes closed and is the most skilled passer of his generation. Guy’s love playing with him because he gets the ball where it needs to be and is a born playmaker. And you’re lying to yourself if you don’t think Nash can play until he’s forty…he’s one of the best conditioned athletes in basketball and plays a position that is conducive to older athletes. Think point guards like Mark Jackson, John Stockton, and Dennis Johnson who all played well into their thirty’s (and 40’s in the case of Jackson and Stockton). His play style is contagious, by being so unselfish the rest of team begins to pass more and thus, the offensive improves many-fold. Do you think it’s a coincidence Nash’s teams are always fantastic offensively?



15. Derrick Rose ($688)

Is there a more exciting point guard in the league right now? We’re two years in and he’s carried a hapless Bull’s team to the playoffs in both of his first two seasons. He combines incredible speed with top of the line ball handling skills and a knack for finding the open man. He might not be a passer of the caliber of CP3 or D-Will but he figures to become a more prolific scorer than either of those two…for instance, in only his second season he dropped almost 1,700 points; a figure more than 400 points better than both Paul or Williams scored in their second NBA seasons.



16. Chris Bosh ($640)

17. David Lee ($675)

18. Al Jefferson ($670)

19. Joe Johnson ($620)

20. Carlos Boozer ($600)

21. Stephen Curry ($575)

22. Russell Westbrook ($560)

23. Josh Smith ($530)

24. Rajon Rondo ($505)

25. Blake Griffin ($460)