1. Chris Paul, Clippers.
Credentials: 19.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 47.8 percent shooting, 2.1 turnovers. Third in MVP voting.
The skinny: The Clippers needed just about everything they got from Paul last year after Chauncey Billups went out—he carried the team offensively, led them defensively and simply took over fourth quarters night after night. He has cemented his spot as the best in the league at his position.
Scouting view: “He really doesn’t have much of a weak spot. He is maybe the best ballhandler in the league, at least the most reliable."
His 3-point shooting is above average but what really stands out is how well he shoots the midrange jumper—he is going to make 50 percent of those 12-, 15-, 17-footers. He has more help this year, it will be fun to watch him.”
2. Russell Westbrook, Thunder.
Credentials: 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 6.3 free-throw attempts per game.
The skinny: Now that the Thunder have reached the Finals, the chorus of anti-Westbrookers who decry his lack of playmaking and his high-volume shooting has been quieted. Westbrook combines strength and speed, easily able to get to the rim and strong when it comes to finishing there.
Scouting view: “More than a third of his shots come at the rim, which is pretty amazing. He draws fouls and he finishes those plays. A lot of people say he takes bad shots, but if one out of three of them is coming at the rim, you take that any day.”
3. Rajon Rondo, Celtics.
Credentials: 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 11.7 assists, most in the
league. League-high six triple-doubles.
The skinny: Rondo’s shooting is still shaky, and there are nights he is too passive. But he is the best playmaker in the game, and when he is aggressive is among the best players in the league at any position.
Scouting view: “He will drive you crazy sometimes when he makes the behind-the-back pass instead of just making the simple play. But he sees the floor better than any point guard in the league and he just has a sense about him that you can’t teach.”
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4. Tony Parker, Spurs.
Credentials: 18.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 48.0 percent shooting.
The skinny: Parker quietly had an outstanding year, having taken the reins as the Spurs leader from the aging Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The offense is running more through him, and he had a career high in assists, while also averaging 14.8 shots, second-most in his career.
Scouting view: “Last year might have been his best all-around season. You look at how they shot the 3-pointer as a team and a lot of credit should go to Parker because he sets up those shots. He is so good at hitting the lane and has really worked to be better at the drive-and-kick. You see the results with the guys they have shooting 40 percent on 3s.”
5. Steve Nash, Lakers.
Credentials: 12.5 points, 10.7 assists, 53.2 percent shooting, 39.0 percent 3-point shooting.
The skinny: He is 38, but Nash remains just about as effective as ever. His shooting ranks among the best in the league, and he remains a deft playmaker, finishing second to Rondo in assists. He will bring his pick-and-roll expertise to L.A. this year.
Scouting view: “I don’t know whether it will work in L.A. There are a lot of players who need the ball, and it is a lot of pressure for him to feed both Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard and still get his shot off and get some for Pau Gasol. If everyone is willing to sacrifice, he should be the ideal point guard for them.”
6. Deron Williams, Nets.
Credentials: 21.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists.
The skinny: Williams has spent a year and a half with the Nets, and things have not gone particularly well. He was injured for much of 2011, and missed 11 games last year. When he did play, his numbers were not impressive, shooting just 40.7 percent from the field. But now that the Nets are healthy and have Joe Johnson aboard, Williams should return to form and likely will be back near the top of this list.
Scouting view: “Tough team to watch last year. They could not stay healthy, they had a lot of random guys in and out of the lineup. So he was a little uninterested I think. But the kind of half-court offense they will be able to run with Joe Johnson out there should suit him. He plays off the ball very well.”
7. Derrick Rose, Bulls.
Credentials: 21.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 6.1 free-throw attempts per game. 2011 MVP.
The skinny: Last year was obviously forgettable for Rose, and this year might be the same. He missed most of the season with a variety of injuries, then hurt his knee in the playoffs, and probably won’t play until after the New Year. He was at the top of his game just one year ago, but it figures to be a long road back.
Scouting view: “He wasn’t himself at all last year, and that kind of injury, you don’t know when he will be himself. It might not be until after this season.”
8. Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers.
Credentials: 18.5 points, 5.4 assists, 46.9 percent shooting, 39.9 percent 3-point shooting. Rookie of the Year.
The skinny: For a guy who missed most of his only year in college, Irving came in ready to play last year. He not only showed great shooting touch, he established himself as the Cavaliers’ franchise leader, and a guy who has the ability to make clutch fourth-quarter plays.
Scouting view: “He is not superquick but he can break you down and get to the rim. What impressed me the most about him is how good he is at the rim, he is a very good finisher. Throw in that outside shooting efficiency and he is a complete player as a scorer.”
9. Ty Lawson, Nuggets.
Credentials: 16.4 points, 6.6 assists, 48.8 percent shooting, 36.5 percent 3-point shooting.
The skinny: Lawson has earned a spot among the best point guards by leading one of the most fearsome up-tempo attacks in the game efficiently and with limited mistakes (2.4 turnovers). Coming out of college, no one was certain whether Lawson would be able to shoot on the NBA level, but he has buried those concerns.
Scouting view: “He is underrated in the halfcourt. He always wants to go right and he is a pretty good shooter. If you let him do that, he will pull up and make midrange shots, he will knock down the 3 from the high right side. Love his speed, but he knows how to score, too.”
10. Stephen Curry, Warriors.
Credentials: 14.7 points, 5.3 assists, 49.0 percent shooting, 45.5 percent 3-point shooting.
The skinny: Curry had surgery on his troublesome ankle, and is expected to come back 100 percent. Assuming he does, he will find that he is under pressure to have a big year, with Monta Ellis gone and the ball firmly in his hands. The Warriors have added depth and talent, and a playoff spot could be in the offing, but that largely depends on Curry’s performance.
Scouting view: “He has to prove he is a playmaker still. They have more weapons now, they can run a more traditional offense. I haven’t seen enough out of him to make me think he is ready for that. But his shooting, there is no doubting that.”
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發表於 2012-9-19 03:02 PM
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