NBA off-season evaluation part 3: the starting small forwards
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by user Jakeblloyd
The other day I was browsing through a bunch of sports columns about LeBron James, searching for an interesting read on The Man in Cleveland, when I stumbled upon a paragraph that made me scratch me ear.
The columnist said that there had been much debate prior to the 2003 NBA Draft about whom the Cleveland Cavaliers should select with the No. 1 pick -- James or Carmelo Anthony, who had just carried Syracuse to the Orange's first national title.
I didn't believe him. From what I remember, James was the consensus No.1 pick. Of course people had the right to question Detroit's selecting of Darko Milicic ahead of Anthony (a move, I'm sure, the Nuggets still thank the Pistons for), but James was The Man back then just like he is today.
And he remains a better player than Anthony. No doubt about it.
Here, as put together by Cosey and I, is our NBA off-season evaluation of the league's small forwards.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland: Despite his mediocre performance in the Finals, James showed that he can deliver on the biggest stage against the Pistons, carrying the Cavaliers in the pivotal Game 5. Still needs to improve his outside jumper, but there's not too much else to fix.
2. Carmelo Anthony, Denver: Like James, can play both inside and out. Great scorer, but not nearly the team player James is. Needs to show he and Allen Iverson can coexist and take the Nuggets out of the first round.
3. Josh Howard, Dallas: Will do whatever it takes to help the Mavericks win. Very unselfish player. Can get to the rim and also has solid mid-range jumper. Just needs to keep improving and possible step into a leader's role when Dirk's not producing.
4. Ron Artest, Sacramento: You may not like him (not too many people do), but when this guy's head is right, he's one of the toughest players in the league. Great defender, extremely strong, and can also shoot the outside jumper. It's too bad his talent often is a waste.
5. Luol Deng, Chicago: The most up-and-coming player on this list. Had a breakout year in 2006 and I expect him to get even better. Needs to become more consistent with the jumper and ask for the ball in crucial situations no matter how rough the going gets.
6. Shawn Marion, Phoenix: Don't let the Steve Nash factor minimize your appreciation of this guy. He's one of the best finishers in the league. And I'm not just talking about dunks and layups. He hits some tough runners in the lane. Plus, he provides defense for a team that usually lacks it.
7. Caron Butler, Washington: Has really improved over the past couple years. Hard-nosed strong player who feeds off Gilbert Arenas. Has developed an outside jumper in addition to his inside game. Very versatile.
8. Tayshaun Prince, Detroit: Speaking of versatility, this guy can do it all. Always guards the other team's best player and still produces on offense. The next step is for him to assert himself more in the playoffs, take over more often with those long arms.
9. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey: With the injuries, we kind of forgot about this talent for a while. We shouldn't. As witnessed during parts of the playoffs, he still can play. Is great on transition and when he drives. Following his team's theme, his jumper is off and on.
10. Jason Richardson, Golden State: Showed flashes during Golden State's fun playoff run of what he's capable of. Like the rest of the Warriors, needs to mature a little bit and take higher-percentage shots.
11. Rashard Lewis, Seattle: Hard to judge coming off an injury-plagued season, but from what he did in the past, he can light up the scoreboard in a hurry. Sonics might let him go with Kevin Durant acquisition. He'd be a good pickup for almost any team.
12. Shane Battier, Houston: One of the league's most underrated players. Does all the little things, including (of course) taking charges. Can also hit the big 3-pointers. Besides that, however, limited offensively.
13. Corey Maggette, LA Clippers: Great ability, but doesn't seem to always use it. Settles too often for outside jumpers. Not the best team player.
14. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte: This guy is a gym rat, for all of you (OK, everybody) who has never seen him because he's in Charlotte. Very athletic. Can score in bunches. But has never played on a good team.
15. Bruce Bowen, San Antonio: You might hate him because of his alleged dirty play, but I know the Spurs love him. He's one of those assets that they'll miss when he leaves. Hassles opposing players and also makes clutch 3-pointers.
16. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah: Was very disappointing in the playoffs. Wasn't the high-flying player we were used to. Additionally, doesn't have the confidence to shoot 3-pointers. Might need a new team to become reinvigorated.
17. Josh Smith, Atlanta: Like Wallace, a high-flying player who is on an awful team. It would be interesting to see how he'd fare on a winner.
18. Wally Szczerbiak, Boston: We know he can score, but what else can he do?
19. Desmond Mason, New Orleans: Doesn't get much attention as a player, but does a lot of little things for the Hornets. Now can he help them finally reach the playoffs?
20. Andre Iguodala, Philly: Makes a great ally-oop target for Andre Miller. In Philly should become the feature player in the 76ers offense. Needs to improve jumper.
21. Luke Walton, LA Lakers: Good complementary player whom the Lakers should hang onto. Just wants to win. Easygoing teammate even around Kobe.
22. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando: Doesn't seem to be the same player he was in Sacramento. Needs to become the main outside shooter for the Magic.
23. Danny Granger, Indiana: With stars no longer shining in Indiana and Jermaine O'Neal possibly on his way out, the door is open for this talented swingman to assert himself as the main scoring threat for the Pacers.
24. Antoine Walker, Miami: Walker should probably start thinking about retirement. He's only a mediocre outside shooter and he can't back down guys like he used to.
25. Bobby Simmons, Milwaukee: If he stays healthy, could be a key player in helping the Bucks get back to the playoffs.
26. Jared Jeffries, New York: Wow! Another overpaid Knicks player. Not able to exert himself offensively with all the shooters on the floor. Just needs to become a solid rebounder and defender night in and out.
27. Joey Graham, Toronto: Basically a role player for the Raptors. A good team player, but he'll never be the featured guy in a Toronto offensive set.
28. Darius Miles, Portland: Technically, he's the starting 3 for the Trailblazers when he's not injured or on the bench for another reason. One of the league's outstanding underachievers.
29. Trenton Hassell, Minnesota: Another reason to get Gerald Green from the Celtics. Or draft Corey Brewer. Do something!
30. Dahntay Jones, Memphis: Yeah, the trend continues. Dukies (with the main exception of Elton Brand) don't fare very well in the NBA.
