The last seven days marked the first week in my life as a sports columnist that I truly struggled to find something to write about. Don't get me wrong? there were lots of interesting topics out there such as the two "blown" calls in college basketball, the Roger Clemens saga, and the greatest all-star game there is: the Pro Bowl. But honestly, none of those proved to be very intriguing for me. Instead, I decided to give myself a challenge, while simultaneously setting the record straight for every basketball fan out there. This is the list?the 25 most valuable players in the NBA?and it is indisputable. That is, unless you choose not to believe it.
25. Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings
His numbers may be down this season (18.7 ppg, 5. 80 rpg, 2.1 spg) as well as his team, but tenacious defense still remains the sparsest of all aspects a player can have, which is no problem for number 93...incidentally, nice basketball number.
24. Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards
Despite succumbing to a season-worst, eight-game losing streak recently, the Wizards?led by Caron Butler and Antawn Jameson?actually had a winning record during Agent Zero's absence due to a knee injury. But make no mistake, when the 2001 second-round draft pick is in, he turns into Big-Shot Bob, and then it's Hibachi! all the time.
23. Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
When you have a guy this young and athletic, how can he not make the list?
22. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
Quickly becoming a household name, the sophomore out of Washington has almost single-handedly led the Blazers to an impressive 28-23 record?just three games out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference. And it's no fluke. He will become one of the game's best within two or three years.
21. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
The athletic big man has finally put Toronto on the map again. It's in Canada, right?
20. Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
There's a reason he changed his jersey from 32 to 1 a couple of years ago: he's the best center in the Western Conference...oh, he's playing power forward now, you say? Even better.
19. Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
He has run the point extremely effectively for three out of the last four Spurs championships. Need I say more? Okay, fine: EVA LONGORIA!
18. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
The ex-'Cuse small forward is fourth in the league in points-per-game (26.2) whilst playing aside Allen Iverson, and he's still only 23 years old.
17. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
The only reason he's down this far is because we've now seen him play without Shaq. And it's not pretty: the Heat were 9-41 heading into Wednesday.
16. Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
The first frame of reference when you hear his name nowadays? Only one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
15. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
Call him soft at 7'6" 120, but the Asian sensation causes arguably the most match-up problems in the NBA today.
14. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons
Detroit has been arguably the most consistent team over the last six years because of this clutch point guard.
13. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
You all must think I'm stupid. I realize that 13th might be a little low for Mr. Bryant, but ask yourself this: how many times have the Lakers made it out of the first round since he drove Shaq out of town? Pau Gasol could change that number to one, however?maybe he should be 13th.
12. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
No, he hasn't won anything yet, and last year's playoff debacle doesn't help his case. Still, he is one of the few big men?maybe the only one?who can create his own shot, shoot from downtown, and lead a team, time after time...except against the Warriors, that is.
11. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets
He might be getting a little sick of the Garden State (bound for Dallas perhaps?), but he remains the league's smartest point guard.
10. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Gradually developing into the best center in the league, he is strong, athletic, and unbelievably talented for his size (21.7 ppg, 14.4 rpg). And while his defense could use a little work, he was undeniably a better pick than Emeka Okafor.
9. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Without the former Fighting Illini, the Jazz came nowhere near the Western Conference Finals last season. He's also the main reason why Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, and Andrei Kirilenko show up in the highlight reels the next day.
8. Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix Suns
He may be older and slower, but no one, and I mean no one, can turn a mediocre team into a playoff contender better than he. And yeah, he's still more valuable than Kobe.
7. Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets
Has quietly become the game's best center (9.2 ppg, 14.4 rpg), greatest defender, and shotblocker (3.79 bpg). And hey, defense still wins championships. It's just too bad A.I. and Melo don't play any of it.
6. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
For the first time in his career, A.I. is finally learning to play alongside another superstar. Paired with Carmelo, Iverson is third in the league in scoring (26.8 ppg), eighth in assists (7.3 asg), and pound-for-pound might just be the best player in the NBA.
5. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
This one really needs no explanation. The Celtics own the league's best record, and without KG it couldn't have been done. Same goes for my MVP Ray Allen...oops.
4. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Again, no explanation necessary.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Quite possibly the most athletic person the NBA has ever seen. The King leads the league in points per game (30.1), is ninth in assists (7.2), is a terrific rebounder (7.9), and without him, the Cavs would be the worst team ever. That doesn't mean he should be pouting about not getting any help though.
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
It gives me great displeasure to remove him from the number one slot, where he has been inside my brain since arriving in Phoenix. He is the best player in the NBA in terms of making the players around him better, and is guaranteed to go down as one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game. The only problem? He has yet to win a title...defense isn't great either.
1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
That's right. Paul is the second best player in the NBA in terms of making the players around him better (David West is an All-Star this year!), but he has the Hornets atop the Western Conference and actually plays some defense! In other words, the Hornets have a better shot at winning the finals than the Suns. You might be upset or confused by this pick, but watch Paul play, and I promise that you won't be disappointed with the most valuable player in the NBA.