loveway

Ranking the NBA's top small forwards
[來源]  Fox運動

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: 21, 6-8, 240
James keeps raising his level of play, averaging 31.4 pts., 7 rebs., 6.6 ast. and 1.56 stl., and sank an impressive .480 of his field goal attempts. More importantly, he raised the level of play for the entire Cavaliers team — nearly making it to the conference finals. The key this season will be how he helps Larry Hughes co-exist and stay healthy at the same time. Now that would make him a miracle-worker.



2. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: 28, 6-7, 230
Marion's numbers of 21.8 pts., 11 reb., 1.8 ast., 1.98 stl., and .525 field goal percentage are really more impressive considering he had to play power forward with neither Amare Stoudemire or Kurt Thomas around during their stretch run. With both players back, Marion returns to his natural small forward spot as the Suns seek an unprecedented third consecutive trip to the conference finals.


3. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: 22, 6-8, 225
Just because 'Melo averaged 26.5 pts., 4.9 reb., 2.7 ast., 1.1 stl., and made .481 of his shots from the field isn't why he has moved into the top five. It's his attitude, approach and the fact that he led the NBA in game-winning shots. His performance in Japan this summer with Team USA also helped prove he's done being a kid in grownup shorts and is serious about becoming a perennial NBA All-Star.


4. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: 28, 6-6, 230
He continues to prove with his numbers of 26.8 pts., 6.7 reb., 4.7 ast., 1.35 stl., and .471 from the field to be one of the premier scorers in the league. What we're still waiting for is whether he's got leadership qualities for his young teammates after years as a well-documented whiner. Only time will tell if he is worthy of his massive contract extension, or he'll just put up numbers without team success.


5. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets: 26, 6-7, 225
Despite averaging 19.5 pts., 6.8 reb., 3.8 ast., .76 stl. and hitting .493 of his shots, it would be easy for R.J. to get lost in the wake of Jason Kidd's great point guard play and the spectacular scoring of Vince Carter. Instead, he's the perfect complement, particularly since he still plays such superb man defense and can do anything inside or outside on the offensive end.


6. Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings: 26, 6-7, 245
Although Artest's numbers of 17.6 pts., 5.1 reb., 3.6 ast., 2.18 stl., and .404 field goal percentage are hardly earth-shattering, he turned the Kings around with a 20-10 run after he was acquired from the Pacers to make the playoffs. His bizarre behavior can always destroy a team, and he was bound to be 'good' last season. But his defensive toughness and rebounding provided a much-needed change to the Kings' demeanor.


7. Al Harrington, Indiana Pacers: 26, 6-9, 245
Harrington thought it was better to be he Man' with the Hawks as opposed to being the best 'Sixth Man' with the Pacers. He now knows he was wrong, and returned to the Pacers in a sign a trade toting 18.6 pts., 6.9 reb., 3.1 ast., 1.12 stl., and a .452 field goal to finally start next to his best buddy Jermaine O'Neal. The duo could turn out to be devastating together and lead the Pacers back to prominence.


8. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz: 25, 6-9, 215
There is no better fantasy player or better number manufacturer in the boxscore than Kirilenko with his 15.8 pts., 8.0 reb., 4.3 ast., 1.48 stl., .308 3-point and .460 field goal percentage. And that's not to mention he was second in the league with 3.19 blocks per game. The Jazz are a tough team on the bubble and Kirilenko is the lightning rod. The only question is whether or not he is capable of staying healthy for a change.



9. Rashard Lewis, Seattle SuperSonics: 27, 6-10, 225
Lewis averaged 20.1 pts., 5.0 reb., 2.3 ast., 1.31 stl., and shot .467 from the field last season, and he will very likely improve on that as he seeks a contract extension. His rebounding numbers and defensive toughness have been disappointing. But he's a fabulous shooter from very deep and has developed an unstoppable jump hook in the post. He also is injury prone and ineffective in the postseason.


10. Josh Howard, Dallas Mavericks: 26, 6-7, 210
Everybody noticed how Howard stepped up his game in '04-05, but the 15.6 pts, 6.3 reb., 1.9 ast., 1.15 stl., and .471 field goal shooting last year didn't begin to tell the story of what he did to help get the Mavs to the conference finals. What he did was a little bit of everything at both ends of the floor — most of all, he is their energizer. He struggled in the Finals, but it was his third season and he'll get better.



(遺珠~)
Also receiving consideration were: Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets; Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons; Caron Butler, Washington Wizards; Corey Maggette, Los Angeles Clippers; and Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Spurs.

[ 本帖最後由 loveway 於 2006-10-3 08:32 編輯 ]

loveway

Rankink the NBA's top shooting guards
[圖文皆轉自]   FOX體育
1. Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers, 28, 6-6, 220
Bryant won the scoring title last year at 35.4 — including the remarkable 81-point effort against Toronto — while also contributing 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.84 steals and making .347 of his 3-point attempts. Even more impressive is the way he deferred to his teammates as they nearly upset the Suns in the postseason. His talents, strength and intensity are at the highest level in the game.


2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, 24, 6-4, 210
Wade continued to improve while averaging 27.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.95 steals, but he is still working on his (.171) 3-point range. But those are just stats. His ability to take over games in the fourth quarter is right there with Bryant's, and he virtually took over the NBA Finals to give the Heat their maiden title with a spectacular all-around performance.

3. Ray Allen, Seattle Sonics, 31, 6-5, 205
Allen averaged a career-high 25.1 points, along with 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.35 steals and a typically solid .412 from 3-point range. He's so smooth and consistent, it sometimes seems effortless and he doesn't get the credit he deserves. On the other hand, he also needs to play on teams that win more games to receive the accolades reserved for the ultra-elite.


4. Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets, 29, 6-6, 220
Carter's star was fading until he came to the Nets in the middle of the 2004-05 season, and he's been regaining his shimmer every since — averaging 24.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.19 steals and .341 from 3-point range. He's been huge in big games for the Nets and his ability to hit big shots has never been more obvious than while playing with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.

5. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets, 27, 6-8, 210
All things being equal, McGrady is right near the top, but things haven't been equal. McGrady did average 24.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.26 steals and made .312 of his 3-point attempts last season, but he played in only 47 games because of a back condition that is now officially chronic. With Yao Ming now at another level, McGrady needs to prove this year whether he's a superstar or a former superstar.

6. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks, 25, 6-7, 230
Johnson, averaging 20.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.26 steals and shooting .356 from 3-point range, is the only player with the physical tools to match Bryant. He just has to do it over an extended period of time and for a winner. More than just his offensive ability, he's strong and gets into players on defense without prodding. He's got a chance to be a superstar.

7. Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks, 27, 6-6, 215
Redd, averaging 25.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.19 steals and shooting .395 from 3-point range, has moved into the All-Star category. Clearly one of the league's best shooters, with size, quickness and a gentle left hand touch, he's as good as any scorer in the league. Now we'll see how he develops the rest of his game to become the all-around star the Bucks need him to become.


8. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs, 29, 6-6, 210
Ginobili averaged 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds. 3.6 assists, 1.55 steals and made .382 of his shot from long range. But he struggled all season with foot and ankle injuries that prevented him from playing at the same All-Star level as he did in the 2004-05 season. But he needs to return to that level to prove he belongs among the top five and for the Spurs to get back to the NBA Finals.

9. Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons, 28, 6-7, 195
Hamilton averaged a career-high 20.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, .65 steals and a career-best .458 from 3-point range. He also sank a career-best .491 of his field goal attempts — showing why this ubiquitous point guard just wears out everyone trying to defend him as the best mid-range shooter in the game. Now he must become a more consistent defender and playmaker for other players.

10. Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors, 25, 6-6, 210
Richardson had his best shooting season, averaging 32.2 points, while shooting .446 from the field and .384 from 3-point range to go along with 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.29 steals. After five seasons, he's still desperately trying to prove he's a great player instead of a great talent; and he's not quite there yet. Maybe the pace Don Nelson will bring can take him to the next level.

(遺珠~~~~)
Larry Hughes, Cleveland Cavaliers; Steve Francis,
New York Knicks; Bonzi Wells, free agent; Stephen Jackson, Indiana
Pacers; Cuttino Mobley, Los Angeles Clippers; Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls.

[ 本帖最後由 loveway 於 2006-10-3 08:36 編輯 ]