15 Best Current NBA Players
#15 Russell Westbrook - PG - Oklahoma City Thunder
In a couple years, this guy's almost bound to earn top 5 status. His speed, shot, and aggressiveness make him a beast on the court that nobody wants to guard.
We put him at 15 because he's still young and developing his basketball IQ. That's not to say he couldn't school most of the league in a classic game of one-on-one.
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15:
Russell Westbrook - PG - Oklahoma City Thunder
In a couple years, this guy's almost bound to earn top 5 status. His speed, shot, and aggressiveness make him a beast on the court that nobody wants to guard. We put him at 15 because he's still young and developing his basketball IQ. That's not to say he couldn't school most of the league in a classic game of one-on-one.
14:
Pau Gasol - PF - Los Angeles Lakers
Pau's probably one of the most underrated players in the league. The Spaniard's got a perfect shot for a big man, knows how to pass the ball, and shines even though he looks like a giant bird. He set about every record in the Grizzlies' book before going to LA. Nowadays he's overshadowed by his soap-opera-star teammates, but considering he's still able to deliver in all the tinsel-town drama, he's earned a spot on our list.
13:
Steve Nash - PG - Phoenix Suns
Five or six years ago, Mr. Nash would've been much higher on the list. He's getting old and hasn't been on a good team in a long time, but this Canadian heart-throb and his bowl cut really define the leadership role all point guards should aspire to become.
12:
Blake Griffin - PF - Los Angeles Clippers
Regardless of his basketball skills, which are still developing, Blake Griffin is simply, a crowd pleaser... which does wonders in the NBA. His insane dunks and constant posterizing of less-fortunate defensemen has resurrected the "second team in Los Angeles." Although it's hard to say "resurrected" when the Clippers have never really been a good team. Ever.
11:
Rajon Rondo - PG - Boston Celtics
Rondo's surrounded by legends who are half-way to the nursing home, and still makes them look seventeen again. Despite his extremely ugly-looking shot, Rondo continues to slip under the radar and be one of the most well-rounded players in the game.
10:
Carmelo Anthony - SF - New York Knicks
Carmelo's slip out of stardom could be attributed to the fair-weatherness of the fans and media in New York City. Perhaps reading headlines like "Shrinking Star" and "Murderer of Linsanity" get into his head and make him not want to play defense. Maybe Denver wasn't so bad of a home after all... But despite being stuck in the boos of the Big Apple, Carmelo's one of the best scorers in the game and has the potential to regain his place in the top 5 in the next couple years.
9:
Dwight Howard - C - Orlando Magic
He's the baby behind the big curtain. If it weren't for his off-the-court tears, he'd probably be further up on the list. That being said, he's the best big man in the league, and proves it by averaging close to 15 rebounds in his career.
8:
Chris Paul - PG - Los Angeles Clippers
He's so dreamy he's able to break ankles on the court just by his looks. But seriously, whether it's a no-look pass, a nasty cross-over, or just his shot hitting the bottom of the net, Chris Paul's got game. Give him and BG another year or two and they have the power to dethrone the Lakers as Kings of Los Angeles.
7:
Tim Duncan - PF - San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan's the guy who nobody thinks about until he wins another NBA title. Although he usually looks like he's about to fall asleep on the court, his dedication to fundamentals and level head spark fireworks in the form of championship rings. He shows everyone old guys can still get it done. Your welcome, San Antonio.
6:
Dirk Nowitzki - PF - Dallas Mavericks
This charming German seems to have finally calmed Mavs' owner Mark Cuban down by bringing a trophy to Dallas. He led a band of aging misfits to the title and could do it again in the next few years. His disgruntled game face and one-footed fade away jump shot (that always seems to go in) will go down in history when he becomes the first German hall-of-famer.
5:
Derrick Rose - PG - Chicago Bulls
Here's another player who, in a few years, could be at the top of the list. It's a shame he ended this year's very promising season in such a tragic fashion. He's the reigning MVP and the Bulls just couldn't hang without his ridiculous drives to the hoop and no-bs leadership. It's also a shame considering D-Rose and the Bulls were the favorites to stop the Miami Heat from going to the finals again.
4:
Dwayne Wade - SG - Miami Heat
Maybe deep down, there's a part of D-Wade that wishes Lebron didn't bring his talents to South Beach. When Dwayne was the only one running the show, the Heat beat an arguably better Dallas team in finals. Once Lebron got there, so did the drama. That being said, Dwayne Wade is one of the strongest shooting guards to ever play the game, and can beat you with fade-aways while falling out-of-bounds, or slamming it home with passion.
3:
Lebron James - SF - Miami Heat
He's the player every one loves to hate. He abandoned his hometown team in the middle of the night and basically said he couldn't win a championship without help from another player of his caliber. But we all know the story. What Lebron-haters forget is that his raw basketball skills make him one of the most exciting players to ever play the game. If he ever quits worrying what the world thinks of him and proves he can be clutch, maybe a few years down the road we'll forget about hating him, and see the light.
2:
Kevin Durant - SF - Oklahoma City Thunder
Can someone please explain how this guy can win the scoring title three years in a row and not get an MVP award? Not to mention he almost single handedly pulled a struggling organization out of the ashes and gave Oklahomans something to be excited about. But Kevin Durant's above Lebron on the list for one reason: when there's one second left on the clock and the ball leaves KD's hands, you know it's going in. How many times has he brought the "Thunder" in OKC by swishing a 3-pointer at the end of regulation? And the best part is he's only 23 and has built a squad of young guns around him who are bound to take home a title soon. Hopefully next year he'll finally get the respect he deserves.
1:
Kobe Bryant - SG - Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe's almost on the same level as Lebron on the "love to hate" scale, but let's be honest, he would make any team amazing. He's been compared to Jordan since he was in high school and has delivered year after year in his now 16 season career. He's one of the most clutch players the NBA has ever seen and whether it's shooting, dunking, or defense, Kobe can do it all. Oh, and 5 championships, 14 All Star games, and an MVP title later, he's 34 and doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon.
