SLAM Magazine Top 50 players for 2009

[garnett_21]

SLAM Magazine recently re-released their top 50 players of all time list, and they are now releasing their top 50 players for the 2009 season. They are announcing one name per day, 6 days per week, all the way up to the final weekend before the season begins. This link goes to the article that was produced prior to any rankings being released, and this link will list out each player each day. I'll try to keep track of the players in this post as well for all of our reference.

Here are the rankings released so far:

50 Allen Iverson
49 Josh Howard
48 Jameer Nelson
47 Ben Gordon
46 OJ Mayo
45 Jason Kidd
44 Rudy Gay
43 Baron Davis
42 Ron Artest
41 Kevin Martin
40 Josh Smith
39 LaMarcus Aldridge
38 Rashard Lewis
37 Antawn Jamison
36 Ray Allen
35 Hedo Turkoglu
34 Gilbert Arenas
33 Lamar Odom
32 Carlos Boozer
31 David West
30 Shaquille O'Neal
29 Manu Ginobili
28 Caron Butler
27 Rajon Rondo
26 Andre Iguodala
25 Vince Carter
24 Devin Harris
23 Al Jefferson
22 Steve Nash
21 Danny Granger
20 Joe Johnson
19 Chauncey Billups
18 Derrick Rose
17 Paul Pierce
16 Amar'e Stoudemire
15 Tony Parker
14 Pau Gasol
13 Chris Bosh
12 Kevin Garnett
11 Deron Williams
10 Brandon Roy
9 Dirk Nowitzki
8 Kevin Durant
7 Carmelo Anthony
6 Tim Duncan
5 Dwight Howard
4 Chris Paul
3 Dwyane Wade
2 Kobe Bryant
1 Lebron James

[montej1695]

great thread...

[garnett_21]

great thread...

Thanks!

I think Lebron, Kobe, Dwight, CP3 and Wade will be top 5, but not necessarily in that order...after that, who knows...KG will be rated too low, I'm sure, as he was injured for 1/3 of last year.

Any predictions for other players and their rankings?

[tarheelsnipe]

Although I don't like AI, I thought he'd be higher on the list than 50 since he might have a bigger role in a smaller market. Lebron will take the top spot based on the single question criteria.

“Who, based on what you expect them to contribute ON THE COURT this season, are the 50 best players in the NBA?”

Since everyone expects Lebron to walk on water every season, he should get the top spot.

[kevin23]

wade should be 2 or 3 imo and no lower than 5

[xSquatx]

DRose is definitely top 10.
He led the Bulls to the Playoffs in his rookie year..
And they kept composure against the Celts.

[PPPanthersGM]

Sweet Jameer made the top 50! nice.. I think Rashard will be in around 20ish Dwight top 4..

[Glebe]

derrick rose will be top 20 brandon roy @ 37

[gladdyontherise]

1. LeBron (although he should be #3)
2. Kobe (he should be #1)
3. Wade (should be #2)
4. CP3
5. DH12

Derrick Rose shouldnt be anywhere near the top 10, he isnt better than Dwill, Nash, KG, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, thats 6 right there and i can go on, this is based on right now, right now DRose is lucky to make the top 50 if AI is going to be ranked so low

[Glebe]

meh people are biased so even if he shouldn't be in top 50 he will make it in there.