NBA Names Top 50 Players (2009)

NBA Top 50 Expert Panel

Trying to settle on the best player in the NBA isn't easy. Still a panel of 107 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, current players and coaches and other basketball experts managed to name the Top 50 NBA Players. Check out the official list, below.

Some Stats, For Starters

1. Kobe Bryant received almost twice as many first-place votes as LeBron James: 62 to 34.


2. Dwyane Wade was third on the list and received 11 first-place votes.


3. Dwight Howard was fourth on the list.


4. Tim Duncan scored fifth spot on the list.
5. Rounding out the Top 10: Chris Paul (Hornets); Kevin Garnett (Celtics); Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks); Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets); and Paul Pierce (Celtics).

Top 50 By Team

1. Bobcats, Kings, Knicks, Timberwolves, Warriors
2. Bulls, Bucks, Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Nets, Pacers, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Wizards
3. Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Jazz, Magic, Mavericks, Pistons, Raptors, 76ers, Suns
4. Hawks, Nuggets, Rockets
5. Celtics, Spurs
6. Lakers

Top 50 By Position

TOP 50 PLAYERS

1. Kobe Bryant, SG, Lakers
2. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers
3. Dwyane Wade, SG, Heat
4. Dwight Howard, C, Magic
5. Tim Duncan, PF, Spurs
6. Chris Paul, PG, Hornets
7. Kevin Garnett, PF, Celtics
8. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Mavericks
9. Carmelo Anthony, SF, Nuggets
10. Paul Pierce, SF, Celtics
11. Steve Nash, PG, Suns
12. Deron Williams, PG, Jazz
13. Tony Parker, PG, Spurs
14. Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers
15. Yao Ming, C, Rockets
16. Shaquille O'Neal, C, Cavaliers
17. Pau Gasol, PF, Lakers
18. Chris Bosh, PF, Raptors
19. Amare Stoudemire, PF, Suns
20. Chauncey Billups, PG, Nuggets
21. Kevin Durant, SF, Thunder
22. Manu Ginobili, SG, Spurs
23. Jason Kidd, PG, Mavericks
24. Tracy McGrady, SG, Rockets
25. Joe Johnson, SG, Hawks
26. Derrick Rose, PG, Bulls
27. Ray Allen, SG, Celtics
28. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards
29. Ron Artest, SF, Lakers
30. Vince Carter, SG, Magic
31. Danny Granger, SF, Pacers
32. Baron Davis, PG, Clippers
33. Devin Harris, PG, Nets
34. Ben Gordon, SG, Pistons
35. Al Horford, C, Hawks
36. Carlos Boozer, PF, Jazz
37. Nene, C, Nuggets
38. Rajon Rondo, PG, Celtics
39. Andre Iguodala, SG, 76ers
40. Josh Smith, PF, Hawks
41. Rudy Gay, SF, Grizzlies
42. Hedo Turkoglu, SF, Raptors
43. Lamar Odom, SF, Lakers
44. Shane Battier, SF, Rockets
45. Elton Brand, PF, 76ers
46. Richard Jefferson, SF, Spurs
47. O.J. Mayo, SG, Grizzlies
48. Charlie Villanueva, PF, Pistons
49. Michael Redd, SG, Bucks
50. Andrew Bynum, C, Lakers

What Do You Think?

Who's really better - Kobe Bryant or Lebron James? Tell us on the BOARDS!

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