Post by HyperYellow on Jul 30, 2014 16:58:27 GMT
Carmelo Anthony (San Antonio) Career year: 2010 Nuggets - 32.5ppg, 6.9rpg.
Could have done with developing a better passing game, it would have put him above LBJ in these rankings, but 'Melo's ability to fill the bucket night in night out from all over the floor (look at 2012 - 193-394 3FGs) and equal ring tally puts him almost on a par. Still a threat to put 40 points up on any given night. Career Grade: 9/10
Amare Stoudamire (Phoenix)
Career year: 2011 Spurs - 25.4ppg, 12.2ppg
Another player who made his mark at one team, then went to explore the big bad world, only to realise there is no place like home. Has missed out on averaging a double-double for the season only once - this leagues inaugural season. His lack of defense and passing is all that has kept out of starting for the still-standing team. Career Grade: 7/10
Ron Artest (Chicago) Career year: 2011 Magic - 27.5ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.6spg
So.. Defense wins championships aye? Well, one in Ron-Ron's NBAD career. 9 all-defensive or 2nd all-defensive team mentions in his career ensures that Crazy Ron will go down as one of the best defenders ever to grace us with his presence. Shame he never made it to the home of bad-boys - Detroit, but all know why that never happened. Rapidly losing his skillset, but still averaging 19.4ppg over his career, this could be the last run for Ron. Career Grade: 8/10
Pau Gasol (Sacramento) Career year: 2006 Grizzlies - 24.5ppg, 12.2rpg.
Thank goodness he never made it to LA. The big Spaniard has been nothing short of amazing throughout the existence of this league. Another star with just the one championship to his name, his production is just starting to tail off, but he maintains his career averages of 20.0ppg and 10.3rpg. How do you say Hall of Fame in Spanish? Career grade: 8/10
Gilbert Arenas (Detroit) Career year: 2008 Lakers - 22.2ppg, 9.2apg, 5.8rpg, 2.4spg
Agent 0, Hiyabashi, Tom Knapp or whatever you want call him, Arenas has consistently been the thorn in many teams sides with his consistent 3 point barrages (1557-3726 career). Most bizarrely, has had 3 runs with Washington all with the same GM, but never got a ring.
Career Grade: 7/10
Eddy Curry (Miami) - Career year: 2008 Hawks - 22.5ppg, 10.3rpg.
A hot commodity early in his career, Curry's inside presence has never been understated. His defense has always been questioned, but come free agency the dollars have always been on the table. Curry never reached the pinnacle of winning a ring, but his ability to consistently pump out double-double seasons rates highly. Career Grade: 7/10
Chris Bosh (Oklahoma City) - Career year: 2010 Sonics - 27.9ppg, 10.5 rpg.
I'm sure there are many who argue that Bosh deserves the starting PF role on the still-standing team, but I point to the fact that he has never averaged more than 1.6bpg or 2.3apg. I say they are the reason he has no rings. Still... is only now having his first sub 20ppg season since 2005, but is still improving his career rpg average. Career Grade: 7/10
Jamal Crawford (Cleveland) Career year: 2007 Cavaliers - 18.5ppg, 6.4apg, 4.4rpg
Another hot property coming into the league, but always found himself on team playing the wrong style game for him, or too deep in a rotation to really impact the league - typical of the classic tweener. Does have twice as many rings as LeBron though, and that puts him higher on the list than his career averages of 9.0ppg, 3.4rpg and 3.3apg would suggest. Career Grade: 7/10
Mickael Pietrus (Cleveland) - Career year: 2010 Indiana - 19.6ppg, 6.0rpg.
The highest ranked international on this list, Pietrus was the saviour to be for GM of Indiana at the time Malice, but he could never quite reach the heights expected of him. Never quite the shooter, never quite the defender or passer he wanted to be. It may be a bit harsh to call him a poor man's Ron Artest, but that's probably the most apt description of him. Career Grade: 6/10
Chris Kaman (Dallas) - Career year: 2015 Dallas - 17.7ppg, 10.1rpg.
It is said that it can take a long time for a big man to reach his potential, and this is true of Chris Kaman. It took a stroke of genius (or a lack of PF depth) by swish to move him to PF where his size has led to back-to-back seasons at the end of his career where he has actually INCREASED his career averages. Has picked himself up a ring too. Career Grade: 6/10
Joe Johnson (Dallas) - Career year: 2006 Portland - 19.0ppg, 5.3rpg, 4.0apg
JJ never reached the 20ppg barrier and has never won a ring, and that's why he is ranked this low. No all-star games, no all-league teams, and no rings. Definitely reaching the end of his career with the 10th team he has played for. Career Grade: 5/10
Leandro Barbosa (Phoenix) - Career year: 2011 Suns - 16.4ppg, 7.5ppg, 4.4rpg
The consistency that is Phoenix is best represented by the feisty Brazilian combo guard. Firstly in that he has had only one season away from Arizona, and the difficulty in determining his best year in the span of 2007-2011. Probably destined to never win a championship, but a star none the less. Career Grade: 5/10
Kirk Hinrich (Golden State) - Career year: 2006 Clippers - 11.5ppg, 7.7apg, 4.4apg
You look at all the names on this list and Chicago rookies are very prominent. Hinrich is the last to get a mention. Not to take anything away from him, but he's never found the one team he could be leader of. He is however having his 3rd best season at dishing the ball. No rings, but some nice career high numbers. Career Grade: 5/10
Kwame Brown (New Jersey) - Career year: 2008 Bobcats - 17.0ppg, 10.4rpg.
The kid everyone loved to dis because of his notoriety as GM Jordans first #1 pick. If you weren't paying out on Kwame, you were the one who thought you could turn him around. The inability to do this is reflected in the fact he's never played more than two season in a row with the same team. His single highest accolade was 6th man of year in 2009. Career Grade: 5/10
Kendrick Perkins (San Antonio) - Career year: 2005 Washington - 5.4ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8bpg.
Tempted to say this year is Perks' career year. Unbelievably, he's putting up his best year on the boards for gotmelk at 8.2rpg. Has generally been on teams looking to compete, but has sadly only won just the one championship. Career Grade: 5/10
Boris Diaw (New Jersey) - Career year: 2007 Hawks - 10.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.5apg.
One of the most versatile Europeans ever to grace the court (Arvydas Sabonis never played in this league), Boris Diaw never really fulfilled his potential. He came close after signing his second contract when Shard best utilised his shooting and exceptional passing. Playing of out position again? I can't remember. Career Grade: 4/10
Jason Richardson (Miami) - Career year: 2010 Grizzlies - 18.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.2apg.
J-Rich as he is affectionately known is the perennial triple threat. It took a while for Richardson to reach the peak of his powers though, and his skills suffered a fairly quick decline following that. We'd expect an announcement of retirement soon. Career Grade: 4/10
Gerald Wallace: (Sacramento) - Career year: 2007 Grizzlies - 9.3ppg, 6.1rpg.
Had probably passed his real life prime when the league was born, and that's the only reason he never reached the heights of his Bobcats career. Crash really crashed in NBAD and never averaged more than 10ppg or 6.1rpg. A sad situation. A few dunk championships is all that prevents him from ranking much lower here. Career Grade: 4/10
DeSagana Diop (Toronto) - Career year: 2014 Pacers - 8.4ppg, 10.3rpg, 2.7bpg.
One of the most loyal players you'll come across, Diop played the first 11 years of his career in Utah. Was the GM hoping he could replicate the 10.4ppg and 9.3rpg he put up in the first year of the comp? Well he didn't, and Diop never averaged a double double in his career, and had never led a team to the promised land. Career Grade: 4/10
Darius Miles (Chicago) Career year: 2010 Portland - 10.3ppg, 7.1rpg, 3.0apg.
The head-case from Illinois has finally found his way home after 9 pit-stops around the NBAD. Being drafted directly from High School has certainly contributed to his longevity, and similar to Kwame Brown it was his potential that got him here in the first place. Probably would have had more success pursuing an acting career, Darius' lack of any outside game (22-124 3s all-time) has always been his downfall. Career Grade: 3/10
James Lang (Houston) Career year: 2009 Houston - 11.6ppg, 6.7rpg.
You'd think after 13 years I could find something interesting to say about James Lang, but I can't. No rings, no astounding career high stats, I suppose he's still got a career average of over 5.0rpg..? Career Grade: 3/10
Jonathan Bender (Portland) - Career year: 2006 Wizards - 8.4ppg, 5.9rpg.
There is always a spot on a team for a big man that can stretch the floor. With a career 43.1% record from down town, Bender has personified that role. With one championship to his name, Bender never played more than 24 minutes a game though, so he is low on this list. Career Grade: 3/10
