Number 5 – Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets – 847-531 record, 61.3%

Image: Source

With 20 seasons in the bag, Rick Adelamn is starting his third year as the Houston Rockets’ head coach after reaching the Western Semi Finals last season, the first time they’ve reached that stage since 1997. He hasn’t had a losing season since 1996-1997 with the Golden State Warriors and has only two in all of his coaching career (both with the Warriors). Those were the only seasons Adelman coached teams have missed the playoffs. He’s been to the NBA Finals twice, both times with the Portland Trail Blazers, in 1990 (lost to the Detroit Pistons) and in 1992 (lost to the Chicago Bulls).

Number 4 – Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic – 223-126, 63.8%

Image: Source

SVG might be with a championship ring on him these days if it wasn’t for Pat Riley, but that’s just speculating. He wasn’t far from getting one by himself last season, taking the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games. Van Gundy has coached four full season in the NBA, two with the Miami Heat and two with the Orlando Magic. In the beginning of the 2005-2006 season he was run out/resigned/fill in the blank, as Pat Riley came back to the head coach chair at Miami, leading them to the franchise’s only NBA championship.

Number 3 – Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers – 211-117, 64.3%

Image: Source

Is there more to Mike Brown than just Lebron James? He’s considered a defensive specialist, making the Cavs into one of the best in the league. But what about the offense? You don’t really need to coach Lebron on open court offense, when he’s practically unstoppable, but in the tight games, when the playoff gets deep and tough, there’s something missing, and it always become Lebron against five. Is it his fault? This season might be our last chance to find out.

On the other hand, before Brown arrived in Ohio, Lebron never made the playoffs, and in 2007 they made an unlikely run into the NBA Finals, before getting swept by the Spurs. Last season Brown coached the Cavs to the best record in the league with a 66-16 record. The Eastern Conference Finals was where they stopped.

Number 2 – Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs – 686-330, 67.5%

Image: Source

Four NBA rings (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007) and a current streak of 10 straight 50+ wins seasons (should be twelve straight, if it wouldn’t be for the shortened 1998-1999) season. He began his NBA coaching career while he was general manager of the Spurs. He fired Bob Hill and took his place in a highly criticized move. That season (1996-1997) the Spurs didn’t amount to much, mostly due to David Robinson missing almost the entire season. Then came the number one pick, Tim Duncan arrived, and yada yada, four titles later, here we are. Popovich will give it another shot this season with an aging Duncan and Ginobili with the slightly younger Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson in the mix as well before he needs to completely rebuild.

Number 1 – Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers – 1041-435, 70.5%

Image: Source

Ten NBA championships, twelve Finals appearances, two dynasties and a third one potentially in the making. Jackson has coached for only two teams in his 19 year career, and although he’s always had superstars to do the job for him on the court, his achievements can’t be attributed to the players alone. He has never missed the playoffs and has never finished a regular season under .500. He has coached his teams to 60+ win seasons seven times, including a NBA best 72-10 in 1995-1996 with the Chicago Bulls. Probably the greatest NBA head coach ever, Jackson is the first and only coach to win ten championships in any of North America’s major sports.

Number 5 – Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers

Image: Source

Is this Shaq’s final stop before he’ll ride off into the sunset? No longer the monster player he was in what seems a very long time ago, Shaq is still one of the best Big men in the league, when he’s healthy (like he was last season, playing 75 games, his most since the 1994-1995 season!!!!) and in the right mood. Will he be in the right mood? Hopefully for Lebron James and the Cavs, playing around King James and a legitamte title contender will squeeze just a bit more juice from the 37 year old big guy and get Lebron a stage higher than last season.

Number 4 – Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz

Image: Source

The sharpshooting Turk who shot 44.6% from the three last season, along with 17 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season has developed in quiet Utah into one of the best in the league. His defense is a bit of an Achilles heel, but he sure can damage anyone who leaves him open, doesn’t matter if he’s near or far from the basket. Okur played only 2 games in last year’s early playoff exit to the Lakers, and his and his teammates disappointing performance might be the incentive needed for a better 2009-2010 campaign.

Number 3 – David Lee, New York Knicks

Image: Source

Lee made a huge leap last season, whether he had D’antoni’s new style to thank for or just himself. Lee averaged a career high in points (16 points per game), rebounds (11.7 per game), steals, assists and also minutes, with 34.9 minutes per game. He also started 74 games out of his 81 appearances, finally cementing a place in the Knicks’ starting five. “DaWhite” Howard became a regular double-double threat under Mike D’antoni and in general one of the more exciting players in the league. Will there also be a playoff for him this season?

Number 2 – Al Jefferson, Minnesotta Timberwolves

Image: Source

“Big Al” has really blossomed since moving to Minnesota from Boston, becoming one of the best offensive big men in the league, with last season, before getting injured, scoring 23.1 points per game. He’s constantly adding moves to his low post game and with the crew assembled around him, despite Ricky Rubio bolting to Barcelona, the Wolves can be a pleasant surprise and may have an outside chance in the playoff race. A small one, but still there. If Jefferson stays healthy this year, that is.

Number 1 – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Image: Source

Much more than just “Superman”, Howard has become the league’s best center in the last two seasons, selected to the All-NBA first team in 2008 and 2009. Howard carried the Magic (with lotsa help) to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995, having a fantastic playoff, especially in the Eastern Conference Semi’s and Finals against the Celtics and the Cavs. The Finals were a different story, losing to the Lakers in five games. Howard finished the playoffs with 20.3 points, 15.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. The addition of Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes might be the touch needed to give the Magic their first title. Might be.

Number 5 – LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Image: Source

The Dallas native, along with Brandon Roy, is a big part of the hype surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers and their playoff prospects in the last couple of years and the upcoming season. Aldridge makes Chicago regret they traded him every time he goes out on the floor. Last season, his third, he scored 18.1 points per game while rebounding 7.5 per game. He’s getting better and better each year since he’s entered the league, and this season is going to be no different.

Number 4 – Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

Image: Source

Yes, he’s got no D, despite him blocking 1.4 shots in his career, but when he’s healthy, and hopefully this season will be one of those healthy years for the 2003 Rookie of the year, Stoudemire is one of the most explosive big men and players in general in the league. He averaged 21.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last year, in which he missed almost 30 games, mostly due to his eye injury. This year, he’ll be one of those goggle-wearing players, a-la Hakeem and Kareem, but he’ll probably look more like Horace Grant. His numbers will probably be better as well.

Number 3 – Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors

Image: Source

“The Ru Paul of Big Men”, as Shaq referred to him once, is also one of the best big men in the league, whether he’s playing Center or Power Forward. He’s averaged more than 22 points per game in each of his last four seasons, with last season scoring a career best 22.7 with 10 rebounds per game. Last season the Raptors missed the playoffs and are trying to build a team around Bosh (again) so they don’t lose him in the big free agency sweepstakes next summer.

Number 2 – Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Image: Source

Now that he’s added the Eurobasket title and the NBA championship in 2009, what will Gasol do for an encore in 2010? Despite taking a supporting role with the Lakers as opposed to his alpha-dog days with Memphis, Gasol has shown he is one of the best players in the league, helping the Lakers to two NBA finals since he’s arrived and giving Kobe his Shaq-less title last season. Gasol averaged 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the season, and his playoff performance, especially on defense, were crucial in the Lakers title run.

Number 1 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Image: Source

The Mavericks’ Franchise best player ever will continue to do what he does next season, which is almost everything. Score, rebound, defend, lead, win… a complete deal in one of the most versatile and difficult (or impossible) players to guard in the league. Nowitzki averaged 25.9 points per game with 8.4 rebounds last season and had an impressive, despite a tad short, playoff performance. He’ll lead the Mavs to another, maybe final attempt with the current roster to win the title. Chances are slim, but with Nowitzki, Dallas always have a chance in any game.

Top 5 Point Guards

Top 5 Shooting Guards

Top 5 Small Forwards

Number 5 – Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

Image: Source

The NBA’s 2009 Most Improved Player Award winner has matured into one of the best offensive players in the league since his arrival from New Mexico in 2005. Granger has improved his scoring average in each of the last three seasons, finishing his 2008-2009 season with 25.8 points per game while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. He missed 16 games last season, probably the reason why the Pacers again didn’t make the playoffs, but if Granger continues to improve and stay healthy, Indiana can be a dark horse contender in the Eastern Playoff sweepstakes this season.

Number 4 – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Image: Source

Remember, back in the summer of 2007, there was that argument about who to choose number one? Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? Well, Oden didn’t play at all in 2007-2008 while Durant won the NBA’s rookie of the year award in Sonics’ last season in Seattle. Last year? Durant, like Granger, became one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league. Yes, he’s on a bad team, but things are improving around him, and so his he. Many would put their money on him  winning the league’s scoring title this year and who knows how many in years to come. He averaged just above 25 points per game last season while shooting over 40% from the three, and improving his numbers in Field Goal percentage, Rebounds, assists and steals per game. This kid has future MVP written all over him in my eyes.

Number 3 – Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

Image: Source

Paul Pierce might not score as much as Durant anymore, but he still averages over 20 points per game and playing his heart out every night. And lets not forget, he was the NBA Finals MVP just 15 months ago. He’s obviously starting his away on the downward slope, but Pierce is a leader and a winner, not just good stats, and he has them. If Garnett stays healthy next year along with Allen and Rondo keeps improving, Pierce might get another shot at another title.

Number 2 – Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

Image: Source

How did Carmelo’s post-Olympics season look like? His regular season numbers dropped a bit, but he also carried an injury and missed 16 games, but he shaked it off right in time for the playoffs. Along with Billups, Anthony led the Nuggets to their first conference Finals in more than two decades while scoring 27.2 points per game. It seems his head, his will, his game, everything was on for Anthony these playoffs, unlike in recent years. Can he carry, with some help, the Nuggets to at least the same achievement as last year?

Number 1 – Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Image: Source

Lebron isn’t exactly easy to define – yes he’s the smaller forward and he has two guard playing in the lineup with him, but he’s more than just a 3. He does it all when needed, and sometimes, as the last playoff exit against Orlando proved, does too much at once. It’s not all his fault of course, he is the best player in the game, but even he breaks down after playing 90 games at incredible intensity. He does it all – scores (28.4 points per game), rebounds (7.6), passes ( 7.2) and he’s finally become a defensive presence. So many questions for Lebron this season, last year’s MVP.Finally a ring this year? Will Shaq and Anthony Parker joining him be enough (Cleveland aren’t the only team to make a few changes for the upcoming season)? Is this Lebron’s final season in Cleveland? If James gets the helps he needs and doesn’t have to do it all alone, a ring is a good bet and a Cleveland future as well.

Number 5 – Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks

Image: Source

Recently featured in our Highest Paid Players post, Redd is also a very good player, despite being a tad overpaid in my opinion. Redd has averaged more than 21 points per game for six straight seasons, and was also a member of the 2008 Olympic Gold “Redeem Team”, if anybody remembers (you don’t get too many minutes with Wade and Kobe on your team). If he was on a less crappy team and/or a city that cares a bit more about it’s basketball team, chances are he’d have more than just 3 playoff appearances in nine seasons.

Number 4 – Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

Image: Source

Since his move from the Suns to Atlanta four years ago, Johnson has really become one of the best players in the league in his position, never going below 20 points per game in a season, shooting 37% from beyond the arc, assisting (5.8 per game), defending (1.2 spg) but maybe even more important, was a major part in turning the Atlanta Hawks into a playoff team (at least the last two seasons) and also an all star for the last three years.

Number 3 – Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers

Image: Source

He used to share the point guard position, but now that Andre Miller has joined the Blazers, Roy can be a full time shooting guard again. A two time all star and also 9th in the MVP voting last season, Roy will be beginning his fourth season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009-2010, this time as a team expected to go deep in the playoffs, after last season’s disappointing early exit against the Houston Rockets.

Roy is the key to the amount of mileage the Blazers get on their travels this season. Roy averaged 22.6 points per game last season while shooting 37.7% from the three and also adding 5.1 assists per game. Look for him this season to shoot and score more, with the weight of the point guard position totally off him.

Number 2 – Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat

Image: Source

I thought a lot about maybe putting D-Wade first, but eventually logic or some version of it left me and Wade at number 2. In his comeback season last year after two seasons in which he played a total of 102 league games, Wade was again a full-time Miami’s All-Everything, leading the NBA in scoring with 30.2 points (career high) while posting career highs in Assists (7.5), steals (2.2) and blocks (1.3). Yes, D-Wade does everything, and few do anything better than him. The big question for this season is less about him but more about the Heat’s front office and what pieces will they be able to put around him in order to keep him beyond the 2010 post-season.

Number 1 – Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Image: Source

Like I wrote before, it took some consideration and re-consideration in making the decision between Kobe and Wade. After All, Kobe has played 365 games in the last four seasons including playoffs, and don’t forget his summers with the national team, and the fact that he’s 31 and has more than 1100 games on his body. But then again, he’s Kobe Bryant. He averaged 30.2 points per game during the playoffs last season and 26.8 during the regular season, winning the Finals MVP and his first Shaq-less NBA title, and that’s the important fact.

Kobe’s ability to keep the fire burning after he apparently acheived everything will determine if Bryant will remain the cream of the crop of NBA shooting guards or is this the season that we start seeing Bryant’s decline.

Number 5 – Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Image: Source

Yes, he cheated on his SAT’s, and yes, he’s starting his second season in the NBA, but he’s that good, and he’s already one of the top 5 point guards in the league. Numbers? 16.8 points, 6.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.5% from the field, playing 37 minutes a night. He won Rookie of the year for the 2008-2009 season while leading all rookies in assists.

Rose immediately became the leader and the main player as a rookie for the Chicago Bulls, leading them into the playoffs and has a lot riding on his shoulders this season to get the Bulls even further into the post-season, with his Game 1 performance against the Boston Celtics (36 points, 11 assists) still in mind. Rose still needs to improve his outside shooting and it’ll be interesting how he faces the famous “second year slump”, but all in all, he’s turned himself very quickly into one of the best in the league in his position.

Number 4 – Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Image: Source

Rondo kinda snuck up on people the last couple of seasons, but he really arrived last season, during the playoffs. The whole “big-three” hoopla took the spotlight away from the young man from Kentucky but he proved his worth during the 2007-2008 championship season. Last season? During the regular season he continued improving his numbers, especially his passing, dishing out 8.2 assists per game. Without Garnett in the lineup in the playoffs he emerged as a constant triple-double threat, posting 16.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Rondo is an excellent defender and a very tough player, maybe a little too tough or dirty (last year’s Brad Miller incident) and a very good rebounder. Like Rose, he really needs to improve his outside shooting and free throw, but quietly he has matured into one of the top point guards in the league.

Number 3 – Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets

Image: Source

“Mr. Big Shot”, maybe it’s a bit of an exaggeration about Billups, but not that much of an exaggeration. It took him some time, but Billups has become one of the premier point guards and players in general in the league, and his trade last season from the Detroit Pistons to the Denver Nuggets affected both teams immensely. Denver finished with their best record since their induction into the NBA while Detroit had their worst season since the 2000-2001 season.

Billups led the Nuggets, along with Carmelo Anthony, to the Western Conference Finals, Anthony’s first time past the first round in the playoffs. Billups averaged 17.9 points with 6.4 assists while shooting over 40% from three point. His numbers all improved during the Nuggets’ playoff run. Billups turned 33 about a week ago, but he isn’t showing signs of slowing down right now, and will be leading the Nuggets to another (hopeful) deep playoff run this season.

Number 2 – Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

Image: Source

Besides his rookie season in the league, when he was 19, Parker hasn’t scored less than 14.7 points per game and last year raised his gave to another level, averaging a career high in points per game (22.0) and assists (6.9). He has become the main offensive executor for the Spurs as everyone else (that means Duncan and Ginobili) are getting older, and yes, less and less effective.

Parker can burn any guy in the league and has also become a much more dependent clutch time performer, a factor of his game that was highly criticized during his first years in the league. Going into his ninth NBA season and maybe a last attempt to win the title with the Popovic-Duncan-Ginobili group, Tony Parker might be the best scoring point guard in the league and an almost certain 2 points when he slashes into the paint and his guy doesn’t get help (shoots over 50% from the field in three of the last four seasons).

Number 1 – Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Image: Source

Paul is the best point guard in the NBA for the past two seasons, maybe a bit more. There was a bit of contest from Deron Williams after the 2007-2008 season, but last year proved who is the best at the point. Paul can do it all – and he does it all – 22.8 points per game, 11 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game. If you’re looking for fantasy worth, he is the best GUARD, yes, better than Kobe and D-Wade for fantasy matters.

But we’re talking real matters, and Paul is an MVP caliber player, and don’t be so sure he won’t be with one when his basketball days are over. Although it doesn’t seem like he has enough talent around him to win a title just yet, things may change in the near future. The best point guard in the league deserves a crew to give him a title shot.