Top 5 Goalkeepers

Number 5 – Gerard Pique, Barcelona & Spain

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The 22 year old Catalan player has made an amazing transformation since leaving United and returning to the club he grew up in, transforming from an unwanted sub on Ferguson’s bench to a regular starter on one of the best side’s Europe has ever seen under Pep Guardiola. He’s a bit slow, but other than that, Pique is a fantastic player to have in your back four – tall, clever, strong and a fantastic aerial game on both sides of the pitch. When Puyol retires, Pique will probably be the new heart of Barcelona’s defense.

Number 4 – Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United & England

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So far an injury-riddled 2009-2010 campaign for Rio (only 5 league appearances), but despite his recent absence and shaky form when on the pitch, he’s still one of the premier defenders in the world, and not just because of his ability. Ferdinand is probably the main reason Vidic is in this top 5, as seen in the last two seasons. He does suffer from the occasional lack of concentration, but not as much like in his younger days, and generally beams of confidence and leadership, with a knack of being in the right place and the right time to put in that crucial tackle.

Number 3 – Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United & Serbia

Getting mauled by Wolverine does that to you

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Always considered an excellent centre back, it seemed that 2008-2009 finally saw Vidic get the recognition he deserves, finally being put in the argument of the best central defender in the world. If it wasn’t for his temperament (which usually involves getting burnt by Fernando Torres) and certain “blackout” games, he’d be number one on this list. He’s got it all, and when partnered together with Ferdinand they form what is probably the best CB duo in the world, like last season’s 14 consecutive clean sheet run, helping Vidic to win the Manchester United Fans’ and the Players’ player of the year award.

Number 2 – Carles Puyol, Barcelona & Spain

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Heart and passion. No other footballer in the world has those qualities in him in the amounts that Barcelona’s captain has. Every tackle he dives into, every header he elevates towards, he goes into with full force, and usually wins it, first to get up when the dust clears. He gets shifted from Center to right back, depending on how healthy Dani Alves is at the moment, but even thought he doesn’t own the pace he used to have, he can shut down anyone (2009 Champions League final for example), including the world’s best (Cristiano Ronaldo). He’s not immune to an occasional blunder or mistake but he tends to make up for them with his non-stop effort during the whole 90 minutes, and despite all the flashy names playing upfront for Barca, Puyol is the heart & soul of this club.

Number 1 – John Terry, Chelsea & England

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So he missed the penalty in the 2008 Champions league final, ruining Chelsea’s best shot at winning their first UCL title. Like Puyol, Terry is Chelsea, the only London-born homegrown player in the first team and usually the senior squad unless some youth team player gets involved somehow. There’s no shot he won’t get in it’s way, hardly ever beaten in the air and probably there’s no one who can shove him around (good thing to have Drogba on your team). Even if there is, Carvalho will be there to stop them with a dirty tackle. So he isn’t lightning-bolt fast, it doesn’t stop him from being the top defender in the Premiership and the world.

Number 5 – LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.