NBA's top 10 power forwards
10. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards
2008-09 stats: 22.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.6 apg
A 20 and 8 guy throughout his career, Jamison has been remarkably
consistent and generally underrated for over a decade. He's also been
extremely durable, missing just 30 games the past nine seasons, and at
33 hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. His scoring average last
season was the second-highest of his career, though he was frustrated
by his teammates' immaturity. A pro's pro, expect him to be part of the
Wizards' resurgence.
9. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz
2008-09 stats: 16.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.1 apg
Based on production, Boozer should be higher on this list. For
years, he's been among the league's most prolific scorers and
rebounders, and at 27 he's in his prime. But three factors knock him
down. 1) He's a lousy defender. 2) His durability is questionable after
missing huge chunks of three seasons the past five years. 3) His desire
to leave Utah has soured his reputation among Jazz fans and possibly
his teammates. If he doesn't get off to a strong start, the bad vibes
will only get worse.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
2008-09 stats: 18.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.9 apg
If the Blazers are able to sign Aldridge to a long-term deal, as
they did with Brandon Roy this summer, the franchise will have a superb
young duo to build around. Aldridge is long, athletic and skilled, with
a solid post game and consistent midrange shot. At 24, he should get
stronger over the next few years, which would make him a better
rebounder and defender. But expect him and Greg Oden to make strides
this season toward making the Blazers a more physical, more formidable
team.
7. David West, New Orleans Hornets
2008-09 stats: 21.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
Early in his career, West seemed like a slightly undersized,
not-quite-athletic enough power forward, much as many scouts predicted.
But as his career has progressed, he's turned himself into one of the
toughest covers in the league. That's a testament to his relentlessness
on the court and a work ethic that's changed him from an average
shooter to one of the game's best from 20 feet and in. He made 88.4
percent of his free throws last season and his fadeaway jumper is
unblockable. He's still not a good enough rebounder or defender to be a
truly elite player, but Emeka Okafor should take pressure off West to
carry the Hornets' frontcourt burden.
6. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
2008-09 stats: 22.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 2.5 apg
Four years ago, Bosh seemed on the path to superstardom, a
21-year-old lefty with a precocious offensive repertoire and an
appetite for rebounding and defense. But instead of progressing, he's
leveled off. His statistics have remained almost identical each of the last four years, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. He's
still very good. But unless he raises his game, he probably won't be
worth the max contract he's seeking after this season. He may be better
off as a No. 2 player on a championship contender than the top gun on a
lottery team.
5. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
2008-09 stats: 21.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.0 apg
If microfracture knee surgery didn't spoil Stoudemire's career, a
detached retina probably won't either. The eye injury did cost him the
latter half of last season, just as the knee injury ended his 2005-06
season early, but expect Stoudemire (now with goggles) to come back
strong again. The Suns are committed to running, which plays to his
strength, and with Shaq out of the way the lane will belong to him
again. With his increasingly deadly midrange shot, Stoudemire should be
a scoring machine. If he's going to carry an aging Phoenix team to the
playoffs, however, the 26-year-old must improve his defense and
leadership.
4. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
2008-09 stats: 15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.5 apg
At 33 and a veteran of 14 NBA seasons, KG's already on the downside
of his career. And if his right knee remains balky after offseason
surgery, that trajectory will be steep. But if the knee holds up,
Garnett's manic energy, intensity and defensive prowess should keep him
among the game's elite players for another few seasons. The addition of
Rasheed Wallace means the Celtics can limit Garnett's minutes and try
to keep him in one piece for a playoff run.
3. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
2008-09 stats: 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.5 apg
After the key role Gasol played in L.A.'s championship run, it's
tempting to lift him to the top of the heap of power forwards. Not so
fast. The Spaniard is a wonderfully skilled big man with an
ambidextrous post game, a deft touch from outside and flypaper hands.
But his defense, while underrated (just ask Dwight Howard), is still
somewhat Euro-soft. And Gasol's real value lies in how well he
complements Kobe Bryant, not as a star in his own right. If he was
still in Memphis, the Grizzlies would still stink and no one would be
calling him the best power forward in the game.
2. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
2008-09 stats: 25.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.4 apg
Winning the 2007 MVP award might have hurt Dirk's reputation more
than enhanced it, because many people now think of him as an overrated
softie who couldn't lead his top-seeded team past the Warriors that
year. But the fact is, Nowitzki
was the league's best player
that season. And even now, while the Mavericks have slipped overall, he
remains an extraordinary talent — the best-shooting 7-footer in NBA
history — whose finesse game should age well over the coming years.
While he's not likely to win another MVP, he's made the All-NBA team
four of the last five years, and could easily earn that honor again
this season.
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
2008-09 stats: 19.3 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.5 apg
With his blank expression and no-frills game, it's never been
particularly exciting to watch Duncan play basketball. As he's aged and
developed knee problems, the wow factor has pretty much gone away.
Still, when you consider all aspects of the game — offense, defense,
leadership and, most importantly, winning — he's the best power forward
in the league. Or at least he has been for over a decade, with four
championships and two MVP awards to show for it. That may not be the
case this year, especially if his knees get creakier. But the Spurs
have loaded up for another run at a title, knowing Duncan is still the
one who can take them there.
Honorable mention: Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers;
David Lee, New York Knicks;
Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic;
Lamar Odom,
Los Angeles Lakers;
Luis Scola; Houston Rockets;
Josh Smith, Atlanta
Hawks.
[uredio madmax17 - 11. listopada 2009. u 19:20]