Tony Mejia ranks the top 50 current NBA players

[sethypooh21]

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But the rate numbers, like Rebound Rate, take possessions into account.

[/ QUOTE ] But it doesn't take into account that his teammates are better rebounders than Martin's or Iggy's (or that all three other players spend more time at SF)

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Also, regarding the "doesn't need the ball" argument. I like that argument for guys Marion and Gerald Wallace. For Rip, though he might not need the ball, he needs a bunch of screens and plays called for him. This isn't necessarily a good or bad thing, I don't think. It depends. I just want to point out it can be a little deceiving to say that.

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Well the thing is, with a well run offense, those screens set up the screener as well as the screenie.



[/ QUOTE ]In Rip's case, I'm a huge fan of the curl play at the elbow they call for him. I'm not a huge fan of any play where he's running through a ton of back screens to get him the ball (too many guys standing around just setting picks).

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Case in point, how many open J's do Detroit big men get from the baseline/high post due to guys hedging on Rip's curl? Completely unscientifically, I'd say that Detroit gets 3 buckets a game where McDyess/Sheed set the pick on the left elbow, flare to the corner when their guy helps, and stick a J. Billups gets the assist, but the play was created because Rip is so money on that 16-foot turn in.

[J.A.Sucker]

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I stopped reading at Jason Kidd. What a joke. His first 5 players are fine, I guess, but who could get those wrong (the order is always a bit debatable, but who cares)?

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I hate when people say that, because no one actually stops there.

I also can't figure out what everyone has against Kidd. The guy is incredible. Fine if you don't like him at 6, but it's not the most laughable thing ever. He's almost definitely top 10, and definitely definitely top 15. He just posted one of his best seasons and he'll be regarded as a top 5 PG of all time.

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I would agree with your assessment of his current value if Toni Braxton still had a career. He's past his prime; there are easily 15 players better than him, and probably 20, but I don't want to go through the list right now becuase I don't have time.

[kidcolin]

Seth,

Just for the record, I think Iggy is the only one to log significant minutes at the 3 spot. Good points on the rest, though. With regards to the screens, I agree. That's why I like the curl play. Rip catches the ball, and either has a clean shot, or a guy rolling to the hoop or popping out if the defense over commits on him. It's a great play. When there's a ton of backscreens, I just think some are a waste and aren't all that productive.

JA,

Define "prime". He hasn't declined really at all for the past 5 years, and to some extent, barely at all over the past 8. He just put up another incredible season. I don't know what else you want from the guy.

[Droogie]

Kidd past his prime?! Wtf... He's so consistent that it's simply beyond impressive.

[Aloysius]

Kidd also plays a very efficient brand of basketball that's not predicated on his athleticism (haha or lack thereof throughout his career).

The biggest wtfs for me in the Top 20 were Arenas (how is he 20?), O'Neal (how is he on this Top 20 list) and I think Nash should be at least #2 when you take into account the metrics of this ranking system.

-Al

[kidcolin]

Gilbert is low, but I don't think he's crazy low. He's exciting as hell to watch, but he's still a chucker. His shooting percentages aren't that great. His only saving grace in that regard is his ability to get to the line and he's an excellent free throw shooter.

[BobboFitos]

Not a great list, but a good one. I agree with you assani on these points:

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-Am I being a complete homer in thinking that theres no way theres 19 players in the NBA better than Gilbert Arenas?

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Gilbert is a beast but I dont think he's higher then 15th. He (should) be higher then Jermaine, Parker, probably Baron, and MAYBE pierce / yao.

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-Jermaine O Neal is way way too high imo. I simply don't think hes that good of a player. His FG% is very low for a big man and suggests that he'd be better off as a 2nd or 3rd option imo.

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Agree, if I made a top 50 list, I'm not even sure Jermaine would be on it.

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-Deron Williams and Chris Paul seem really low to me....no way they're that far behind Nash and Kidd imo. Also, its crazy how much the rankings of Williams/Paul changed from their first year to their second.

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Deron and CP are sick but I still think it's a decent jump from Nash and Kidd (then you have Billups) to CP/Deron. Maybe this year they bridge the gap even closer.

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-Elton Brand not even in the top 50???!!!!!!

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I can only expect this because Elton is going to miss the season, so he is not considered in the top 50 valuables, which makes sense.

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-Leandro Barbosa, Josh Smith, David Lee, are all also notable missing names.

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Really? Al Jefferson at 50th really is not a good rating, but if you look at 40-50 slots, I dont think I could comfortably remove any of those guys for those 3 you have listed.

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-I'm a Wizards fan, but no way Jamison should be that high

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Agreed, I'd take anyone in the 40-50th slot over Jamison.

[hiho]

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I think he overvalues scorers. Guys like Rip Hamilton, Vince, Pierce, etc.

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Pierce is a stud, he'll get to the line plenty and get boards. The problem is that he has been hurt and when healthy he's surounded by teenagers.

[Pudge714]

I just through in Pierce with as a name and not specific gripe with that rating.
I think Chris Paul is too low.

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To be honest, I'm not, in general, a big fan of using statistical measurements in determining a basketball player's worth.

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The thing is that the metrics aren't perfect, but they are much better than using traditional stats and it's not like you are a flawless scout who watches all of the NBA games and can tell who adds the most value to his team.

[Assani Fisher]

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-Leandro Barbosa, Josh Smith, David Lee, are all also notable missing names.

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Really? Al Jefferson at 50th really is not a good rating, but if you look at 40-50 slots, I dont think I could comfortably remove any of those guys for those 3 you have listed.


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Players on the list that I think those 3 are better than:

Lamar Odom, Jason Richardson, Antawn Jamison, and very close to Chandler, Randolph, and Durant is obviously an unknown at this point how he'll turn out in the pros.