2010 NBA Season Preview: Position Rankings

Point Guard

1. Deron Williams (Jazz) - He gets the nod over Chris Paul because of his bull-like strength and his range from outside. Paul is better at controlling the pace of an entire game, but Williams has slightly better court vision and has been healthier recently. With both guys dealing with the worst set of teammates in years, we should get a good look at who can elevate their team higher.
2. Chris Paul (Hornets) - Lightning quick, a great passer, and probably the best ball handler in the NBA, Paul impacts the game as much as LeBron James, Dwight Howard, or Kobe Bryant. If he's healthy, he can pass Williams on this list.
3. Russell Westbrook (Thunder) - This is a bit of a projection, but I think this guy, alongside Kevin Durant, is about to absolutely take off. He is the fastest, highest flying point guard in the league, and he might be the strongest too. He is a slightly better than average shooter and a very good passer. He is a better athlete than Derrick Rose and a more natural player on the floor.
4. Derrick Rose (Bulls) - He kind of looks like a kitty and is certainly as quick as one. Rose lacks a shooter's touch and is a good but not great passer. He can, however, get to the hoop whenever he pleases, and is still young and learning the game at 22 years old.
5. Rajon Rondo (Celtics) - If he could develop a jumper, Rondo could be at the top of this list. As he is, the man is a walking triple double. He controls the pace of the game nearly like Paul and is absolutely fearless. He also gets props for leading a group of veterans despite his young age.

Shooting Guard

1. Kobe Bryant (Lakers) - You're going to have to knock off the king before you take his throne. No NBA player has ever had the plethora of offensive moves that Bryant possesses. He is deadly from mid-range, great in the post, and is pretty good from long range too. His health and the fact that he is entering his fifteenth year are real concerns.
2. Dwyane Wade (Heat) - He is clutch like Bryant and a tremendous finisher around the rim. He has a good mid-range game, is a tremendous defender, and can absolutely fill up the stat sheet. This great pure scorer plays off the ball well.
3. Joe Johnson (Hawks) - A great pure shooter with good size, Johnson plays a smart game. He is an excellent ball handler and has shown the ability to score in the clutch for his team. He is a sizeable step below Bryant and Wade, but is still an elite player.
4. Tyreke Evans (Kings) - You could argue he is more of a point guard, but this guy is a chucker, and really is a natural two guard. He has a decent jumper, but his greatness stems from his size, ball handling, and vision. He can get to the hoop whenever he wants.
5. Monta Ellis (Warriors) - He is a little hard to judge because he plays for the Warriors who fire at will, but Ellis still makes for a very good shooter, athlete, and pure scorer.

Small Forward 

1. LeBron James (Heat) - The best all-around player in the game today has likely the best bundle of size, athleticism, and talent in the league's history. James can be anything he wants, and now that he has Wade and Bosh to help him in the clutch, he can just relax and be the playmaker/facilitator that he was born to be. A beast in transition, a transcendent passer, a great defender, and an improving shooter, this guy is unstoppable.
2. Kevin Durant (Thunder) - "Smooth" is the singular word to describe this guy. He has a flat out pretty jumper, silky offensive game, and a great head on his shoulders. He neutralized Bryant during stretches in last year's playoffs and hit clutch shots. He doesn't fear the moment, and he has the talent to potentially move past James on this list.
3. Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets) - Anthony has as much offensive game as Bryant, James, or Durant. He might be the best offensive player in the game in terms of pure scoring: great mid-range game, chiseled big body that he uses well in the post, and a good three point shooter.
4. Danny Granger (Pacers) - The best player nobody knows about, Granger is a twenty-five point per game scorer over the last three years. This smooth shooter with a versatile skillset just needs some help to put his team into contention.
5. Rudy Gay (Grizzlies) - He needs to develop a better in-between game, but he is a tremendous, long athlete that is a beast in the open floor.

Power Forward 

1. Pau Gasol (Lakers) - Nobody has the skill or variety of weapons this man has in the post. Completely ambidextrous with the softest touch I have ever seen, he added a 15'-18' jumper last year that made him lethal. He is also the best passing big man in the game and probably has the best hands of any post player. He is just as smart on the court as his teammate Bryant, and that is why the Lakers have won back-to-back titles.
2. Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) - Nowitzki is the best long range shooting big man in the league's history. This incredibly smart offensive player can handle the ball, pass, and post up with ease. There really is nothing he can't do, but he is getting up in age a bit.
3. Chris Bosh (Heat) - Bosh has a Gasol-like game, but he isn't quite as polished and is two inches shorter. He has an excellent mid-range shot and great post moves. With his super friends, Bosh can take his game to a new level.
4. Amare Stoudemire (Knicks) - He has as much offense as any player on this list. He has an underrated jumper, is still an elite athlete, and is great in the pick and roll game. His defense is awful however.
5. Luis Scola (Rockets) - This may surprise some, but if you saw what he did at FIBA, you aren't shocked a bit. He has a good offensive game and is a great rebounder and good defender. He does everything well and fits with any style of play.

Center 

1. Dwight Howard (Magic) - Easily the league's best center, this tremendous athlete is adept at blocking shots and is a superb rebounder. On offense he is mostly a dunker and needs to develop more of a post-game.
2. Tim Duncan (Spurs) - The old vet continues to be incredibly efficient. He has lost a step or two, but still uses the glass better than anybody else, and he can't be stopped on the block.
3. Brook Lopez (Nets) - A rare true center in today's game, Lopez is really strong, good with both hands, and has a nice touch around the rim.
4. Chris Kaman (Clippers) - He may be the ugliest man in the league, but his game looks a bit better. This guy is an absolute bruiser that gets garbage points and is great on the boards.
5. Andrew Bynum (Lakers) - If he could ever stay healthy, Bynum could shoot to second or third on this list. He has great size and strength and a really nice offensive game for a young center.

(all images from espn.com)