Yahoo's Shooting Guard Rankings

[MoFlo]

I have to disagree. When you take in injuries and his overall performance throughout the season, Wade is the better player at this point in each one's career. However, Kobe Bryant at his best is definitely still better than Wade at his. However, like you said, Kobe battling injuries, and age you can't really say on a nightly basis he's better than Wade right now. Kobe can't consistently dominate and be great every night anymore. I think you could even argue Kevin Durant might be edging out Kobe right now. However, when it comes to who would you want to close a game with, Kobe is still miles ahead of Lebra, Durant, and Wade IMO.

If you could take Wade or Bryant for a full season, which guy would you take? Wade. If you could take Bryant or Wade for one quarter who would you take? Kobe. That's how I evaluate the two at this point in their careers.

Kobe Bryant in his prime is miles better than Wade, but not at this point.

I'm not trying to get into this disagreement, but did you really just use injuries in your argument for Dwyane Wade, the guy who has never played a full season in the NBA?

 

[godfather]

Even hobbled with broken fingers, Kobe is the best player on the planet. The last time people like Charles Barkley declared Kobe "done" was during the Oklahoma City series (1st round). Kobe had his knee drained after that series and proceeded to drop 30+/game for what, 9 straight or something like that, shooting 50+ % against Utah and Phoenix.

How many game winners did Kobe have last season, with a busted finger? 6 or 7, IIRC.

Just as importantly, who guarded Rondo during the Boston series? Remember when Cleveland made Rondo look like an MVP?

Who stepped up to guard Westbrook when he was torching the Lakers in Round 1?

And who will guard Wade when the Lakers face Miami?

Wade is a terrific player, but he's #2. Don't ask Kellly, ask any GM or NBA coach, or poll the players. Even Wade admits as such.

Why would Wade admit he's the best? He'd sound like an arrogant prick. Especially since Kobe is the bigger name, and has accomplished more in his career than Wade. Out of respect, writers, media, and players give Kobe the respect he's earn throughout his career.

I don't really get your points. I just got done saying Kobe at his best, is still better than Wade. However, Kobe can only show glimpses of his former self at times, and he can't do it every night anymore.

Kobe Bryant can't carry a team anymore. Anyone would be foolish to say he still can. Wade can. He doesn't have to, since it was obvious the Lakers are stacked and at times they can just coast through without him. They didn't look that bad when he was hurt, did they?

Kobe lives on reputation. He's still great, but no longer the best. It happens to everyone, you get old.

 

[godfather]

I'm not trying to get into this disagreement, but did you really just use injuries in your argument for Dwyane Wade, the guy who has never played a full season in the NBA?

Was Wade hurt last year? We're talking about right now, today, not yesterday.

Wade is 28 and is more agile, explosive, consistent, and can take on more than Kobe can at this point in his career.

If Kobe played on the Heat, he would've been done by March. Call me crazy, but I rather have the player than can give me the most throughout the year. Your value can't be as great, if you're not on the floor as much and giving as much to your team. You can't just show up on the last lap, sprint to the finish, and declare yourself the winner.

Kobe's nagging injuries is not really the point. The point is he's old, and can't do what he once could anymore.

He's still great, top-5 in the nba, still the best closer. However, you're kidding yourself if you think he's right now better than Lebron and Wade.

Kobe had one hell of a team. Probably a 50 plus team without him.

 

[Urban]

Stopped reading after I saw Redick ahead of Mayo.

 

[MoFlo]

Was Wade hurt last year? We're talking about right now, today, not yesterday.

Wade is 28 and is more agile, explosive, consistent, and can take on more than Kobe can at this point in his career.

If Kobe played on the Heat, he would've been done by March. Call me crazy, but I rather have the player than can give me the most throughout the year. Your value can't be as great, if you're not on the floor as much and giving as much to your team. You can't just show up on the last lap, sprint to the finish, and declare yourself the winner.

Kobe's nagging injuries is not really the point. The point is he's old, and can't do what he once could anymore.

He's still great, top-5 in the nba, still the best closer. However, you're kidding yourself if you think he's right now better than Lebron and Wade.

Kobe had one hell of a team. Probably a 50 plus team without him.

You just made that argument towards me for no reason whatsoever. I said nothing about Kobe being better than Wade. Nor did I say anything about Wade being better than Kobe.

All I said is that using injuries here is not a good argument for your case.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Was Wade hurt last year? We're talking about right now, today, not yesterday.

Wade is 28 and is more agile, explosive, consistent, and can take on more than Kobe can at this point in his career.

If Kobe played on the Heat, he would've been done by March. Call me crazy, but I rather have the player than can give me the most throughout the year. Your value can't be as great, if you're not on the floor as much and giving as much to your team. You can't just show up on the last lap, sprint to the finish, and declare yourself the winner.

Kobe's nagging injuries is not really the point. The point is he's old, and can't do what he once could anymore.

He's still great, top-5 in the nba, still the best closer. However, you're kidding yourself if you think he's right now better than Lebron and Wade.

Kobe had one hell of a team. Probably a 50 plus team without him.

Wade was a bit out of shape/lackadaisical last season and his jump-shot fell off of a cliff. I still have to give Kobe the edge over him regardless of how good Wade's 2008-2009 campaign was coming off that injury.

 

[Jon]

Manu can really throw together an incredible month from time to time, but most all star caliber players can.

Heck, there was a season that Richard Hamilton averaged 45.8% from 3pt and as I recall was over 50% for a good part of the season. He shot 44% a couple years later, but he never broached 40% in any other season. Ray Allen never shot over 43.4% from 3pt. Reggie Miller never better than 42.9%.

So there's a natural tendency to get carried away by whoever seemed more impressive recently.

 

[godfather]

Manu can really throw together an incredible month from time to time, but most all star caliber players can.

Heck, there was a season that Richard Hamilton averaged 45.8% from 3pt and as I recall was over 50% for a good part of the season. He shot 44% a couple years later, but he never broached 40% in any other season. Ray Allen never shot over 43.4% from 3pt. Reggie Miller never better than 42.9%.

So there's a natural tendency to get carried away by whoever seemed more impressive recently.

Manu is never healthy. When he's healthy, he's a top 10 player in the nba. He was the best player IMO when the Spurs won the title against the Pistons. Anyone with eyes can tell you he was why they won the title that year. Tim Duncan was useless against the Pistons, and Manu lead the charge to their third title. He should've been the finals MVP.

The dude is unstoppable when he has it all together. Manu has two problems. One he's hurt a lot, and he's too much of a team player. He doesn't have that "me" attitude and I feel Pop sometimes has to push him more to bring out that "takeover" mentality. He clearly can do it on a Kobe Bryant caliber level when he wants to.

 

[leor_77]

Why would Wade admit he's the best? He'd sound like an arrogant prick. Especially since Kobe is the bigger name, and has accomplished more in his career than Wade. Out of respect, writers, media, and players give Kobe the respect he's earn throughout his career.

I don't really get your points. I just got done saying Kobe at his best, is still better than Wade. However, Kobe can only show glimpses of his former self at times, and he can't do it every night anymore.

Kobe Bryant can't carry a team anymore. Anyone would be foolish to say he still can. Wade can. He doesn't have to, since it was obvious the Lakers are stacked and at times they can just coast through without him. They didn't look that bad when he was hurt, did they?

Kobe lives on reputation. He's still great, but no longer the best. It happens to everyone, you get old.

Only because of my respect of Wade and his game will I concede that you "could" make an argument for him, but I honestly still believe Kobe is STILL the best. The "old" argument that you make about Kobe is terrible. He isn't old. Yeah, he played a lot and has/had some very serious injuries. Just get that, if nothing else. He's not old, he is (or was) injured. How the hell is getting your finger jammed due to age?? It's just bad luck that some shmuck whacked at Kobe's hand some time in December. A non-injured Kobe is a frightful thing...Also, a "playoff" Kobe is even scarier. Even before the playoffs started, I never was really that concerned with Kobe. The guy always steps his game up big time during that time of the year.

It's no secret that he has one of the best work ethics in the game. The guy works his ass off every year. I also agree about the Westbrook and Rondo argument. He basically did what needed to be done with them. Yes, of course L.A.'s front line is hard to score on, but don't use that as the "be all, end all" argument. Do you think these point guards go up against 6'6 centers on a regular night? Of course not. I need to see more from Wade before I give him the edge over Kobe. More champions, MVP's, etc.

 

[UMiami Canes2]

Maybe I missed the joke, but why is OJ getting embarrassed in every photo? lol

 

[Jon]

When he's healthy, he's a top 10 player in the nba. He was the best player IMO when the Spurs won the title against the Pistons. Anyone with eyes can tell you he was why they won the title that year. Tim Duncan was useless against the Pistons, and Manu lead the charge to their third title. He should've been the finals MVP.

You just can't be a top-SG when you're only the #2 or #3 player on your own team.

 

[czvo]

You just can't be a top-SG when you're only the #2 or #3 player on your own team.

Why not? Are the other players on the team ahead of him Shooting Guards? Wade's going to be the #2 on his team (in terms of ability and talent), and he's a top-3 SG.

 

[Jon]

Why not? Are the other players on the team ahead of him Shooting Guards? Wade's going to be the #2 on his team (in terms of ability and talent), and he's a top-3 SG.

At least in that case you can go on past history; but most defenses cannot guard 2 guys let alone 3 guys well at once, so whoever they let their guard down on should go off - that is if they're any good.

 

[jonnybravo]

Maybe I missed the joke, but why is OJ getting embarrassed in every photo? lol

They did the same thing with Lebron for SF's. I think it's just a gag they're doing.

 

[Cavatt]

At least in that case you can go on past history; but most defenses cannot guard 2 guys let alone 3 guys well at once, so whoever they let their guard down on should go off - that is if they're any good.

I personally don't like Manu, but I don't deny the guy's talent. If he were more athletic he would be a better shooting Lebron. He is fairly athletic and fast, he is smart, and he makes the right plays. I agree with the guys that say his health is his main weakness. Tony Parker has not been the #2 in awhile, and I think Manu has gotten better. He has a complete game in my opinion.

So if you have what most of the broadcasters say is the best pf of all time, it is possible to be #2 on your team and be a top 10 sg. Duncan is still very good, but you can't argue that he draws the defenders like he used to.