Tim Duncan. He has the championships and also the MVP awards as well.

When I started this thread I had Tim Duncan in mind, glad others agree with me. I know that it's all been said before, but he quietly does whatever needs to be done, and consistently.

Tim Duncan, no questions asked. Boring to watch, but he and the rest of the Spurs know how to get the wins and thats what matters at the end of the day.

This has to be Nash, he isn't the most athletic, but he is the smartest and best.

The only one proven for that on the list is Duncan. Throw him out, then who is it?

My vote goes to Duncan. I'll make my case for him in a minute but first I'll eliminate the other candidates.

 

1. Kobe Bryant--Easily the most talented scorer and best all-around player in the league at this point in his career. However, the poll wanted the player that could best produce wins for his team in the regular season and the playoffs. If you're looking for that then Kobe is not your guy. The Lakers limped into the playoffs this season where they were swiftly shown the door. They really haven't been any kind of serious factor since Shaq left town for South Beach. You can argue that none of this is Kobe's fault, that he has nothing around him but that is only partially true. He doesn't have a strong cast of supporting players but neither does LeBron and he as his team in the Conference Finals. Go on compare the team stats: both teams have 4 players in double figures in scoring and Kobe actually has an advantage in that he has two players that average over 4 assists per game to get him the ball. LeBron has none. Kobe can light up a scoreboard but until he proves he can make a playoff run without Shaq he can't top this poll.

 

2. LeBron James--Before all is said and done he could be the best ever. He also gets points for leading his team to the Conference Finals. However, he has done this in the JV Eastern Conference. If the Cavs were in the West they would have been sent packing long ago. The fact that, after not getting several "star" calls in the opening game against the Pistons , he chose to quit taking the ball to the rim and pass out (particularly on the last shot) shows that he's not quite ready to make the leap from prodigy to best in the league. This is a leap he may not ever make, to me he's more Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan. Not a bad thing to be, just not the best ever.

 

3/4. Dirk Nowitzki/Steve Nash--I'm listing these two together because they have the same shortcomings. They both play their hearts out, they both can light up a stat sheet, they both are the main cogs in teams that pile up regular season wins but can't make it to The Finals. They couldn't do it together and neither has succeded seperately. Neither player is good defensively and can be contained in playoff basketball. Nowitzki never solved Golden State's double team and Nash succumbed to Bowen's bullying. These are two great players that may never win a title in a leading role.

 

5. Kevin Garnett--Unless the T-Wolves trade Garnett we may never know just exactly how good he is. He's only had a decent supporting cast for one season of his prime and with Kevin McHale running the Wolves he probably won't ever have one. If he ends up somewhere else next season we might really see what he's capable of. Otherwise he really doesn't even belong on this list.

 

6. Carlos Boozer--He's quickly making the leap from solid player to All-Star level. However the Jazz got a gift when the Warriors upset the Mavericks and gift wrapped a Conference Finals appearance for the Jazz. He'll have to do this for a couple of more seasons to be included on this list. Which brings us to my choice of:

 

Tim Duncan--Why you ask? To me this was easy. Since joining the NBA Tim Duncan individually has: Won the NBA Rookie of the Year, Won 2 League MVPs, been the MVP on all 3 of his championship teams, made 9 All-Star games, made 9 All-NBA First Teams, been on the All-NBA First Team Defense 7 times, averaged between 18.9 and 25.5 points every year (only that one season did his average drop below 20 ppg) and between 10.6 and 12.9 rebounds every year. For his career he has averages of 21.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the regular season. Those numbers go up to 24.1, 12.7, and 3.6 in the playoffs. As for how he helps a team the Spurs have won their 3 Titles with 3 different sets of core players--the only constant has been Duncan. In the regular season since Duncan arrived the Spurs have finished 2nd 4 times and 1st 6 times. In the playoffs they have made at least the Conference Semifinals every year except one. In short, he has led his team to great regular season records and 3 (maybe soon to be 4) Titles with different teams and each time he has appeared in the Finals he has walked away with a ring AND an MVP trophy. Is he the flashiest, the most athletic? No. Does he make jaw-dropping plays? No. He's never led the league in scoring and only once in rebounding. However he does one thing better than any other player in the League--that's win games, playoff series and Titles. That puts him at the top of this poll--easily. :thumb:

The answer is clearly Tim Duncan.

Tim Duncan but man is Steve Nash fun to watch.

This cracks me up. A simple thread that asked the best NBA player that provides wins and championships for his team and still people picked Nash. He has no championships and he chokes when it comes down to it. No way can he be the best NBA player when he couldn't win with the Mavs and now he can't win with the Suns, definitely not "best" nba material to me.

I'll be honest that I didn't read the first post before I voted. But what about this thought, say Duncan and Garnett's role's were reversed. Duncan has been on a terrible Minnesota team with no rings and Garnett has a few with the Spurs. Duncan wouldn't be "the player who will best produce wins for your franchise" so a lot of this is all relative.

I'll be honest that I didn't read the first post before I voted. But what about this thought, say Duncan and Garnett's role's were reversed. Duncan has been on a terrible Minnesota team with no rings and Garnett has a few with the Spurs. Duncan wouldn't be "the player who will best produce wins for your franchise" so a lot of this is all relative.

 

:thumb:

 

I voted for Lebron. It was tough, but I picked him over Kobe. Give them all equal supporting casts, and Lebron would win more, IMO. And seriously, why is Carlos Boozer even on this list?

I'll be honest that I didn't read the first post before I voted. But what about this thought, say Duncan and Garnett's role's were reversed. Duncan has been on a terrible Minnesota team with no rings and Garnett has a few with the Spurs. Duncan wouldn't be "the player who will best produce wins for your franchise" so a lot of this is all relative.

 

True, but their some players, i.e. Nash, that are surrounded by the great cast and can't win a championship.

 

Likewise, you can spin that around and say that Tim Duncan makes the players around him better, and maybe Garnett doesn't.

 

But it is indeed all relative.

My vote goes to Duncan. I'll make my case for him in a minute but first I'll eliminate the other candidates.

 

1. Kobe Bryant--Easily the most talented scorer and best all-around player in the league at this point in his career. However, the poll wanted the player that could best produce wins for his team in the regular season and the playoffs. If you're looking for that then Kobe is not your guy. The Lakers limped into the playoffs this season where they were swiftly shown the door. They really haven't been any kind of serious factor since Shaq left town for South Beach. You can argue that none of this is Kobe's fault, that he has nothing around him but that is only partially true. He doesn't have a strong cast of supporting players but neither does LeBron and he as his team in the Conference Finals. Go on compare the team stats: both teams have 4 players in double figures in scoring and Kobe actually has an advantage in that he has two players that average over 4 assists per game to get him the ball. LeBron has none. Kobe can light up a scoreboard but until he proves he can make a playoff run without Shaq he can't top this poll.

 

2. LeBron James--Before all is said and done he could be the best ever. He also gets points for leading his team to the Conference Finals. However, he has done this in the JV Eastern Conference. If the Cavs were in the West they would have been sent packing long ago. The fact that, after not getting several "star" calls in the opening game against the Pistons , he chose to quit taking the ball to the rim and pass out (particularly on the last shot) shows that he's not quite ready to make the leap from prodigy to best in the league. This is a leap he may not ever make, to me he's more Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan. Not a bad thing to be, just not the best ever.

 

3/4. Dirk Nowitzki/Steve Nash--I'm listing these two together because they have the same shortcomings. They both play their hearts out, they both can light up a stat sheet, they both are the main cogs in teams that pile up regular season wins but can't make it to The Finals. They couldn't do it together and neither has succeded seperately. Neither player is good defensively and can be contained in playoff basketball. Nowitzki never solved Golden State's double team and Nash succumbed to Bowen's bullying. These are two great players that may never win a title in a leading role.

 

5. Kevin Garnett--Unless the T-Wolves trade Garnett we may never know just exactly how good he is. He's only had a decent supporting cast for one season of his prime and with Kevin McHale running the Wolves he probably won't ever have one. If he ends up somewhere else next season we might really see what he's capable of. Otherwise he really doesn't even belong on this list.

 

6. Carlos Boozer--He's quickly making the leap from solid player to All-Star level. However the Jazz got a gift when the Warriors upset the Mavericks and gift wrapped a Conference Finals appearance for the Jazz. He'll have to do this for a couple of more seasons to be included on this list. Which brings us to my choice of:

 

Tim Duncan--Why you ask? To me this was easy. Since joining the NBA Tim Duncan individually has: Won the NBA Rookie of the Year, Won 2 League MVPs, been the MVP on all 3 of his championship teams, made 9 All-Star games, made 9 All-NBA First Teams, been on the All-NBA First Team Defense 7 times, averaged between 18.9 and 25.5 points every year (only that one season did his average drop below 20 ppg) and between 10.6 and 12.9 rebounds every year. For his career he has averages of 21.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in the regular season. Those numbers go up to 24.1, 12.7, and 3.6 in the playoffs. As for how he helps a team the Spurs have won their 3 Titles with 3 different sets of core players--the only constant has been Duncan. In the regular season since Duncan arrived the Spurs have finished 2nd 4 times and 1st 6 times. In the playoffs they have made at least the Conference Semifinals every year except one. In short, he has led his team to great regular season records and 3 (maybe soon to be 4) Titles with different teams and each time he has appeared in the Finals he has walked away with a ring AND an MVP trophy. Is he the flashiest, the most athletic? No. Does he make jaw-dropping plays? No. He's never led the league in scoring and only once in rebounding. However he does one thing better than any other player in the League--that's win games, playoff series and Titles. That puts him at the top of this poll--easily. :thumb:

 

You make a point against Kobe that he limped into the playoffs, while Lebron had his team in the conference finals with similar supporting casts. Then next thing I know, you criticize Lebron for doing it in the JV Eastern Conference...it's a contradiction.

 

You think Kobe and his Laker team wouldn't have fared a little better in the East, while Lebron and the Cavs may not be in the Western finals...just a little inconsistency with your arguments, from my perspective anyway. But, otherwise, that's a nice breakdown. You'll get no arguments from me. I didn't pick Duncan, but, IMO, you can make a good argument for several guys on that list. (Minus Carlos Boozer of course...again, why is he even listed?)

You make a point against Kobe that he limped into the playoffs, while Lebron had his team in the conference finals with similar supporting casts. Then next thing I know, you criticize Lebron for doing it in the JV Eastern Conference...it's a contradiction.

 

You think Kobe and his Laker team wouldn't have fared a little better in the East, while Lebron and the Cavs may not be in the Western finals...just a little inconsistency with your arguments, from my perspective anyway. But, otherwise, that's a nice breakdown. You'll get no arguments from me. I didn't pick Duncan, but, IMO, you can make a good argument for several guys on that list. (Minus Carlos Boozer of course...again, why is he even listed?)

 

 

You've got a point there, I guess I didn't word it too clearly. I meant that they were in similar situations but LeBron seemed to be able to elevate his teammates to a higher level while Kobe seems to be more likely to try (and sometimes succeed) to win games all by himself through sheer force of will. The downside to LeBron's accomplishments are that he has managed to do this in a much weaker conference. Overall though they seem to be in very similar situations without a reliable number 2 man (let alone a number 3) and their team's overall lack of depth prevents either from being considered the best on this kind of list.