My Top 5 Rankings: Small Forwards Part 3

* Disclaimer * I can guarantee you won't complain about these top 3, but if so, my opinion.

Number 3:

Carmelo Anthony

2013-14 stats: 27.4 PPG
                            8.1 RPG
                            3.1 APG

I've heard Carmelo's name about a million times this offseason. "Where is Carmelo going? Houston? Chicago?  LA? Or is he going to stay in NYC?" After all things settled down, Carmelo opted to stay with the Knicks. I think Melo's decision to stay in NYC will destroy the rest of his career, but that's something to write about in another post. Let's talk about what makes Melo a superstar. Melo is highly touted for his "one man scoring machine" play style, whether up close, driving, mid range, or long range you can bet he'll make it. Melo's quick release on his jumpshot makes him one of the most dangerous players in the catch-and-shoot plays. Melo has great size, length, and rebounding for the SF, so much that Melo has seen a lot of playing time at PF for the Knicks. Melo just seems to be unstoppable on offense sometimes, such as his 63 point game against the former Bobcats, but then we get to the other side of the floor. Melo has great defensive potential, he can be locked in, get defensive boards, and  stay in front of his assignment, but sometimes Melo gives up in the middle of plays, as if he doesn't care enough. The only real other knock on Melo is that he often tends to shoot inefficiently. Honestly if you can surround Melo with great defensive players *cough* Chicago *cough* he can carry the offensive load, but don't be dependent on his defense.

                            
                         

My Top 5 Rankings: Small Forwards Part 2

* Disclaimer * Error 404 can not find disclaimer. Refresh. Found my opinion.

Note: I've been really lazy and playing Destiny, so that's why I haven't been posting. Sorry :)

Number 4:

Rudy Gay

2013-14 stats: 20 PPG
                            6 RPG
                            2.9 APG

Rudy Gay started the season as a Raptor, and all of a sudden at the middle of the season Gay was deported from Canada to Sacramento, this move benefited both sides greatly. Toronto got rid of the shot happy plague of Gay, and Sacramento got the elite wing they've desperately needed. Gay has fit well in Sac town, and now his role has become bigger with the departure of Isaiah Thomas to Phoenix. Gay is a high scoring wing with elite slashing and shooting skills at his disposal. Gay has the speed and athleticism to drive past defenders for the finish, and he can bring defenders out to the perimeter for his sweet 3 pointer. This might shock you, Gay's numbers are almost identical to Paul George's numbers. Though Gay is number 4 on my list, I'm still very skeptical about Gay's ridiculous inefficency, but I'm hoping that changes next season.

My Top 5 Rankings: Small Forwards Part 1

* Disclaimer * Um.... yeah..y'know, stuff n' things. My opinon.

Number 5:

Nicolas Batum

2013-14 stats: 13 PPG
                        7.5 RPG
                        5.1 APG

The Small Forward has become a dominant position over these recent years with superstars like Melo, KD, and LBJ, but there are other SFs in the league who deserve some recognition. Nicolas Batum is among the most versatile players in the NBA, and yet isn't given much spotlight in Portland, due to the young PG Damian Lillard, and veteran superstar PF Lamarcus Aldridge. Most SFs are scoring machines, but Batum provides Portland with a full stat sheet on a daily basis. Batum on offensive can shoot from about everywhere with a good consistency and efficency,  and his speed allows him to drive past other wings for the finish. Scoring isn't Batum's priority,  and that's fine, since he can help with his dimes, and grab boards at good rate for a SF making him a whole lot more of a threat. Batum's defense is just as versatile as his offense, he can guard forwards or guards on the perimeter or in the post. Batum is progressively getting better, but for now he's gonna stay at 5 for his lack of scoring, steals, and blocks.

My Top 5 Rankings: Shooting Guards Honorable Mention

* Disclaimer * I mean come on you shouldn't be reading this anymore. My opinion.

Honorable Mention:

Kobe Bryant

2013-14 stats: N/A those few games don't count

Come on people, did you really think I would make a top shooting guard list, and NOT mention Kobe Bryant? C'mon man. Kobe has been a figure, a poster boy in this league for a long time with his Jordan-esque career. Kobe is the closest thing to MJ in terms of skill set and career progresss, so you know he should be respected as so. Kobe has adjusted his game as he has gotten older, from athletic finishes to skillful shooting, something that is very useful to extend a career. In these past 2 years Kobe has dealt with major injuries that crippled almost his entire season, and signed a contract with an outrageous salary of 30 million a year for 2 years. By that I mean Kobe is on his way out of the league, but I think if he can stay healthy he can contribute his usually stats to the lowly Lakers. With Kobe's worl ethic and commitment to greatness, I don't think it will be a big problem to comeback from an injury. Honestly the Lakers need Kobe more than ever,  so if he's good, he'll have to carry the teams offense with at least 25 plus points per game if they don't want a losing season.... again.

My Top 5 Rankings: Shooting Guards Final

* Disclaimer * Here we are at the last SG, and you still need to read this. C'mon man. My opinion.

Number 1:

James Harden

2013-14 stats: 25.4 PPG

                        6.1 APG

                        4.7 RPG

When ever I think of my ideal shooting guard, I think of a guy who can flat out light it up on offense, the epitome of that aspect lies James Harden. Harden has always had superstar potential as far back as his tenure with the Thunder as a 6th man. Harden's game has flourished since his departure from OKC, he went from 6th man of the year caliber player to true superstar in just 2 years. Crazy isn't? I think so. Harden made his rise to stardom using his very diverse and elite offensive skill set. First off Harden can drain the 3 with great accuracy and consistency with a solid 36.6 3FG%, and at times he can become the microwave by draining multiple 3's. Pull ups, catch and shoot, hand in his face, fade aways, it seems like Harden doesn't miss many of his jumpers. Harden's jumper is one thing, but his slashing ability is top tier. Harden has a whole array of moves going to the hoop, but his eurostep is a model other players should go by, and to along with those moves he has the strength, focus, and determination to finish in traffic or after the foul. Averaging 25 points is great, but Harden can share the rock too, he averaged little above 6 assists per game this past season, pretty good for shooting guard. Harden averaged a solid amount of boards per game with around 5, nothing exception just common. Harden is among the touted clutch shooters in the league, one of the few people you should trust with that last second shot.To be honest,  Harden's only glaring issue is his defense. At times Harden seems to be lost on the defensive side, and I mean literally he stands there and stares as his match up runs to the corner for a 3. Though when Harden is in tune on defense, he is above average at best. I am forgiving Harden for his sub-par defense due to his dominant offense. As long as Harden keeps getting better, the Rockets will keep getting better,  and hopefully go the next round for once.

My Top 5 Rankings: Shooting Guards Part 3

* Disclaimer * I think you understand the point of this, right? My opnion

Number 3:

DeMar DeRozan

2013-14 stats: 22.7 PPG
                            4 APG
                            4.3 RPG

DeMar DeRozan really blossomed this past season by taking command of the Raptors after Rudy Gay's departure near the middle of the season. DeRozan imoroved in almost every stat this past season, espcially after the Gay trade. DeRozan is one of the most athletic, and lengthy SGs in the league, and he can light up the scoreboard as well as most other SGs too. DeRozan can easily rise above most defenders fo a rim rattling dunk or a gauty finish, but it's not all flash with DeRozan. DeRozan has a decent shooting touch from the 3pt line and in, but still lacks a killer 3 pointer with only shooting 30% from downtown. Other aspects of DeRozan's game make up for below average outside shooting. DeRozan has a above average passing ability and a good amount of rebounding for the SG. DeRozan has all the tools of a good perimeter defender, the length, the drive, and the focus. DeRozan may not be PG24 level, but DeRozan doesn't have the defense help like PG24 has. All these things may seem like DeRozan isn't a top SG, but the large part of his spot is his carrying the offense of Raptors for almost his whole career, and his other stats are improving as his career moves along. I really love this potential of this kid to take the number 1 spot one day, but until then DeRozan has to improve his outside shooting, assists, and rebounding.

                           

My Top 5 Rankings: Shooting Guards Part 2

* Disclaimer * It's not my opinon. Just kidding of course it's my opinon. Duh.

Number 4:

Monta Ellis

2013-14 stats: 19 PPG
                        5.7 APG
                        3.6 RPG

It's finally happened folks, Monta Ellis has finally found his footing on an NBA team. Both of Ellis' previous stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks proved he was, for the most part, an overrated scorer. Ellis was a guy who just took a lot of perimeter shots, which is ironic because his perimeter shot is not very reliable. I'm not saying Ellis was bad during those years, but he certainly was not playing to his potential either, however his move to the Dallas Mavericks has seemed to change all of that. As a Maverick, Ellis focused on driving to the hoop instead of perimeter shooting, and drastically improved his scoring efficiency. If you have ever seen Ellis play before, he's not the biggest, strongest, or most athletic guy on the court, instead he's one of the most elusive and crafty guys driving to the hoop. A defender at the hoop might think he can deny Ellis' layup, but Ellis pulls offs some acrobatics and finds the bottom of the net anyway. Ellis' other stats are solid, although some are little ironic. Ellis dished out the rock at a good rate at 5.7 APG for a SG, yet he turned the ball over a little too much with 3.2 TOPG. Ellis averaged 1.7 steals per game, yet his perimeter defense is severely lacking. Nothing ironic with Ellis' rebounding with 3.6 RPG, especially at his size 6'3", that's undersized for the SG. So long as Ellis can keep up this new found rhythm in Dallas this upcoming season, then I have no doubt about his spot on this list.