# my top current 5 (in order, starting with the best):
* tim duncan
(he has 3 rings(4 in a couple of weeks). the "laker" dynasty with o'neal and kobe has 3, so no doubt he should be one of the best. although he struggles at the line sometimes, but his strengths cover up his weaknesses. he is a pure winner. doesn't need to show the flashy stats, but he can motivate his team to win, and that's all that counts.)
* lebron james
(he's proved a good number of times during the detroit series that when the chips are at stake, he will step up.)
* kobe bryant
(because of bron's game 5 and game 6 performances, bron is now 2nd in my book, and kobe is 3rd. bron showed he can win the game with and without the ball in his hands. kobe only has proved he can win games with the ball in his hands)
* dirk nowitzki
(dallas' early exit this year, and how they lost in the finals last year really has me questioned about his leadership skills)
* dwayne wade
(yeah they couldn't make it past the first round this year, but as much as i regret saying he has 1 finals ring(tainted), i guess i should acknowledge the fact he does have one. he plays smart, ferocious defense for a point guard, has really improved his shooting range (came out of marquette with questionable range), and shows good leadership skills.)
i am going to leave 2 time MVP Steve nash out of my 5, because he still hasn't reached the finals yet, after all those good years with dallas and phoenix. we can blame coaching? role players? injuries? a better opposition? but i think he has ran out of excuses, and should have reached at least 1 finals during his peak stretch.
#we are on the verge of transitioning out of the current nba "decade", and moving to a new group. my up and coming top 5 that will make a huge impact within the next 3 years (will make it/win the Finals):
* Lebron James and the Cavs
* the young crew of the Portland Trail Blazers
(yup Juice. I am going to jump on their bandwagon. i don't think this will be the year, but next year 2008, they will make a strong push for the finals. Roy - Jack - Aldrirdge - Oden(possibly??) - maybe Randolph, seeing if he stays, as their starting lineup, with an up and coming player Sergio Rodriguez and Juan Dixon in the bench, this is a pretty good team. hopefully portland can take advantage of the free agency market this year or next year, and maybe trade Randolph for some good value, and they're set.)
* Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, and the Jazz
(as long as they can keep this lineup + get a solid shooting guard with range, they have a good chance)
* Emeka Okafor and the Bobcats
(laugh at this, but I have a strong feeling maybe this year, or 2009 they will make a huge impact, and a strong push in the Eastern Conference playoffs)
* Chris Paul, David West, and the Hornets
# Finals Prediction: Spurs in 5. I give Lebron 1 at home.
# Bron vs MJ ?
No doubt MJ. Bron has many steps to get to MJ's first steps before we can claim Bron as one of "the best ever", rather than "the best currently". If MJ wanted to say the truth, he could note at least a dozen holes in Bron's game.
as for Billy Donovan and the Magic, i feel sorry for the state of Florida right now. Nick Saban? Pat Riley? Tedd Ginn? now this? :wtf:
