Best Player in the NBA Question

Entering today’s SmushPot is the question “Who’s the Best Player in the NBA?”

Debated in chatrooms and blogs and newsrooms and press boxes and sports bars and homes across the world, this question is really an impossible one to answer, yet it continues to be asked over and over and over and over and over again. Today, the SmushPot looks to put this doggy to sleep. Permanently.

First off, well, there’s Chris Paul. He can carry an offense and create havoc on defense with his thievery. But his game is mainly predicated on the strengths of his teammates. If his teammates aren’t going (see, right now), then he could put up otherworldly stats (see now) and his team still won’t be winning (also, see now). He can hit clutch shots, but he can’t really carry an offense with his shooting (for a whole season) and, because he’s so small, can be a detriment on the defensive end. So as good as he is, and he’s right up there with the following three, he’s not really in the running.

If you wanted a workhorse to carry you through the season, Lebron James would be your man. He would be considered the best player. He’s a 6-8 linebacker who can move like an elite shooting guard and pass like an elite point guard. He’d give you 30, 8 and 8 with 2 steals while shooting 50 percent or better. Lebron has carried three weak Cavs teams deep into the playoffs. Kobe Bryant can no longer put up those kind of raw numbers, never had the assists to begin with and only took his weak Lakers team to the first round. And while Dwyane Wade can put up those kinds of numbers (see right now), he gets hurt too much to be counted on for an 82 game season (see right now and all of last year).

However, if you wanted one player to win you a tournament…say, the Olympics, or, I dunno, a 7 game series, I’d have to go with Dwayne Wade (see this past summer, see Dallas series in 06). Wade can carve up defenses, can get the right people the rock, and can average 2 blocks and 2 steals, while shooting 50 percent. He knows how to give his whole body on every play. Bryant isn’t as good at getting his teammates involved, has been transcendent in the first three rounds of the playoffs, but seems to disappear in the finals (check his career finals stats, not that impressive) nor is he as efficient (career 45 percent shooter) while Lebron’s misfortunes at the line (career 72 percent) make him a bit troublesome in a tournament. Wade’s a better one-on-one and team defender than Bron Bron. Plus, Wade’s the only one of the trio to win a finals MVP award.

Kobe’s a mixture of both the King and Flash. He’s strong, knows how to keep his body healthy, avoids injuries and yet can put up elite stats. He suffers mainly from a certain lack of proper decision-making skills that come naturally to both Wade and Lebron (when to pass and when to shoot). But if I had to bet my life on winning one game, I would pick Kobe in a heartbeat. Wade’s never come close to 60 in a game, and Lebron can’t hit freethrows or 3s. Wade isn’t as good of a freethrow shooter as Kobe and can’t hit the 3 either. And, only Bryant, of the three (including MJ for that matter) has dropped 81 all by his lonesome. Also, with six all-NBA first team defensive selections, #24 has proven his defensive prowess above the likes of Lebron and Wade (who have one 2nd Team defensive selection, Wade in 05 between them). There’s no denying in a must win game, Bryant can be the most clutch both offensively and defensively.

Of course, if you want a guy who can dominate on both ends of the floor, put up huge as well as efficient numbers, and hit clutch shots in big moments? Look no further than Tim Duncan. Over the past 3 seasons he’s averaged 79 games—so he’s kept himself in shape and proven he can stay healthy—and 19 points, 2.1 blocks, 3.1 assists, 11 rebounds, and .8 steals while shooting 51 percent from the field. He’s also amassed 8 first team all defensive awards and 2 second team all defensive awards, been a finals MVP three times, and the league’s MVP twice. Of course, that woeful freethrow percentage makes him highly susceptible to hack-a-Tim.

So, is that conclusive? No, but it does illustrate the different ways in which “best” can be defined. So, Smush on you “Best Player in the League” question. You are tired and really irrelevant and your answers are based upon intangibles and conjecture and your whole premise of “Best” is focused on as ambiguous a word as any that can be defined. Smush on you!!!!