It is the ultimate barbershop debate - who are your top 100 players in the NBA? Who takes the top spot? Do you go for role players or those who make nightly appearances on SportsCenter? Shooters or defenders? Passers or rebounders? Big men or guards? SUPERSONICS.COM is hashing it all out, with beat writer Kevin Pelton and Sonics radio broadcasters David Locke and Francis Williams sharing their top 100 over a five-day period. Check back daily to see the updated list and share your feedback at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com.

Today's update: 20-11 and 10-1

100-91

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 100 Deron Williams UTA PG Struggled through his rookie year, but something about him jumps out at me. 99 T.J. Ford TOR PG Great speed, but won't ever be a top-level point until he can shoot. 98 Morris Peterson TOR SG 17 points a game should be worth something. Is it because the team was bad? 97 Josh Childress ATL SF Subtle player who does everything above-average. 96 Cuttino Mobley LAC SG You have to guard him and that is worth something. 95 Alonzo Mourning MIA C Not a lot left in the tank, but when he is in the game he changes it. 94 Matt Harpring UTA SF Hard work and energy gets you somewhere. Should it be top 100? 93 Leandro Barbosa PHO SG Ridiculous speed. One of the best open-court players. 44% from 3 changed who he is. 92 Hedo Turkoglu ORL SF A perfect compliment to a good team. 91 Jason Williams MIA PG Really has changed his game into a solid player. This may be too low.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 100 Chris Wilcox PF SEA The 29 games with the Sonics last season get him on the list. Look at it as an opportunity for growth. 99 Charlie Villanueva PF MIL Was second in the league in rookie scoring and rebounding. Surprised he was traded in June. 98 Zaza Pachulia C ATL 6-11, 12 and 8 every night, 22 years old. 97 Nenad Krstic C NJN A big guy who gets a free pass. He's only 23. 96 Leandro Barbosa SG PHO Much improved last season. Extremely quick. Becoming more of a leader. 95 Jamal Crawford SG NYK There has to be a place for a guy with four 40-point games and one 50-point game in his career. Averaged 22 points last April. 94 Kenny Thomas PF SAC Will play all 82 games and give you 10 and 8 consistenly. 93 Morris Peterson SG TOR Does nothing great, but enough well to make the list. Gives his all every night. 92 Channing Frye PF NYK I think he really surprised people with how good he is. Tremendous potential. 91 Kenyon Martin PF DEN Hopefully the old 'K-Mart' will return.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 100 Danny Granger IND SF 99 Maurice Williams MIL PG 98 Zach Randolph POR PF 97 Jamal Crawford NYK SG 96 Corey Maggette LAC SF 95 Deron Williams UTA PG 94 Antonio Daniels WAS SG 93 Raymond Felton CHA PG 92 Jeff Foster IND C 91 Delonte West BOS SG

Kevin's comments: Even though it's impossible to really tell the difference between No. 100 and No. 101, I think the last spot on the list is maybe the most interesting. I went with Danny Granger, who had a solid rookie year in Indiana and I think would be a breakout candidate if the Pacers hadn't signed Al Harrington. Granger will still get plenty of minutes. Fellow sophomores Raymond Felton and Deron Williams really came on in the second half of their rookie seasons, and both should take a step forward this year. As he blogged about, David left Jamal Crawford off his list, but Crawford was really a steadying force for a team lacking them last year as a sixth man. Antonio Daniels lost a step in his first year in Washington and I still wouldn't sign him to a five-year deal, but for now he remains an efficient contributor at both guard spots.

90-81

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 90 Troy Murphy GSW PF Good numbers, but the team doesn't play well when he is on the floor. 89 Charlie Villanueva MIL PF Toronto is going to miss his versitility. Smarter player than anticipated. 88 Brendan Haywood WAS C An incredibly underrated defensive player. 87 Mike Miller MEM SF As efficient as any offensive player in the game, but Memphis plays better without him. 86 Bobby Simmons MIL SF Paid huge money and then slipped. Good defensive player. 85 Udonis Haslem MIA PF Little things lead to championships. Plus his 14-foot baseline jumper is good.. 84 Devin Harris DAL PG On the verge of a huge breakout. As quick as any guard and he is big. 83 Speedy Claxton ATL PG A big injury to the Hawks. He would have really helped them. Chris Paul will miss Speedy. 82 Nenad Krstic NJN C Another product of Jason Kidd. 81 Channing Frye NYK PF Why didn't Larry Brown play him? Frye must play.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 90 Josh Smith SF ATL Won dunk contest as a rookie. Started to come on late last season. 89 Brevin Knight PG CHA Undersized, but second in the league in assists and steals. 88 Zydrunas Ilgauskas C CLE A force at 7-3. 15 and 8 every night. 87 Gerald Wallace SF CHA Led the league in steals. Brings it every night. No outside shot. 86 Tim Thomas SF LAC New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Clippers in less than a year. Got a nice deal on a playoff team. 85 Drew Gooden PF CLE Rebounds and defends. Liability at the end of games because of poor foul shooting. 84 Grant Hill SF ORL What could have been? Maybe we'll get one more glance. 83 Kyle Korver SF PHI When AI finds him, he usually delivers. Needs to not be so tough on himself when he misses. 82 Chris Kaman C LAC Clippers teammates are just starting to trust him. 81 Matt Harpring SF UTA One of those guys who every now and then makes you think he should have been better.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 90 Joel Przybilla POR C 89 Charlie Villanueva MIL PF 88 Antonio McDyess DET PF 87 Andres Nocioni CHI SF 86 Speedy Claxton ATL PG 85 Cuttino Mobley LAC SG 84 Wally Szczerbiak BOS SF 83 Andrew Bogut MIL C 82 P.J. Brown CHI PF 81 Damon Stoudamire MEM PG

Kevin's comments: One of the funny things you learn in an exercise like this is sometimes you agree more than you expect. For example, I always thought I liked Cuttino Mobley's game a lot more than David did, but it turns out we view him essentially the same (11 spots apart, but at this point that doesn't mean a lot). I can't believe David didn't have Andres Nocioni in his top 100. I know his net plus-minus hasn't been great (-1.6 per 48 minutes last season), but he can shoot the ball, he rebounds well, he always plays hard and he averaged 22.3 points and 8.8 rebounds last year in Chicago's playoff series with the Heat. That's not top 100?

80-71

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 80 Damon Stoudamire MEM PG Looked great before the injury last season. Showed the veteran leadership you want. 79 Joel Przybilla POR C 2.3 blocks a game. That is the value. 78 Chris Wilcox SEA PF Rebirth in Seattle moved him into the top 100.. 77 Carlos Boozer UTA PF Will he ever play a full season? Will he make the team better? Reggie Evans scored on him. 76 Caron Butler WAS SF Nearly 18 and 6. Should he be ranked higher? Can't get over that he is the #3 option. 75 Larry Hughes CLE SG Washington didn't miss him as much as they thought - nor did Cleveland. 74 David West NOK PF Nice player, but can your power forward be a 15-foot spot-up shooter? Chris Paul makes him. 73 Shareef Abdur-Rahim SAC PF Best year of his career. May deserve to be higher. 72 Ricky Davis MIN SF Scoring at what cost? His talent is getting his shot off, regardless if it is a good or bad one. 71 Baron Davis GSW PG His team wins when he doesn't dominate the ball, but he dominates the ball every game.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 80 Carlos Boozer PF UTA Took the money, sustained an injury, working his way back. 79 Donyell Marshall PF CLE Respected from around the league, good from beyond the arc. 78 Antoine Walker PF DAL Leadership goes unnoticed. Gotta love the Shimmy. 77 Andrew Bogut C MIL Last year's #1 overall pick did not disappoint. 76 David West PF NOK Increase in minutes allowed him to show potential. 75 Jamaal Magloire C POR Unorthodox style makes him tough to evaluate. Extremely long arms, huge hands, competitor. 74 Al Harrington SF IND Being back with the Pacers should be a welcomed change. 73 Andre Iguodala SG PHI If he ever develops an outside game, he will be scary. 72 Ricky Davis SF MIN Fourth in the league in minutes played. Always plays hard. 71 Andre Miller PG DEN If he could shoot, he would be well up the list.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 80 Eddie Jones MEM SG 79 Brevin Knight CHA PG 78 Tyson Chandler NOK C 77 Channing Frye NYK PF 76 Brendan Haywood WAS C 75 Al Harrington IND SF 74 Chris Wilcox SEA PF 73 Kevin Martin SAC SG 72 Stephon Marbury NYK PG 71 Baron Davis GSW PG

Kevin's comments: I think Tyson Chandler's season will be a pleasant surprise with the Hornets. He's got less pressure on him now than he did in Chicago, where he was always the guy who was traded for Elton Brand (it's a lot better to be the guy who was traded for P.J. Brown). He also had some health problems that meant he started last season slowly. I'm the only person in the group who ranked Kevin Martin, but I don't think you'll be able to sleep on "Speedracer" by the All-Star break. He posted a crazy good 60.4% True Shooting Percentage and averaged 13.7 ppg as a starter. With Bonzi Wells in Houston, the starting shooting guard position in Sacramento is Martin's to lose, which he won't. It somehow seems fitting to have Marbury and Davis next to each other, doesn't it?

70-61

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 70 Ben Gordon CHI SG He is the next Jason Terry. 69 Al Harrington IND SF See Joe Johnson. Is a nice complimentary player, not a marquee guy. 68 Luol Deng CHI SF 14 points and 6 rebounds for a small forward is not really very impressive. Great defender. 67 Eddie Jones MEM SG Nothing flashy anymore, but he makes everyone better and can still defend. 66 Kirk Hinrich CHI SG Insane energy and effort on defense hurts his offense. 65 Joe Johnson ATL SG Great numbers on a bad team. Phoenix didn't miss him. Atlanta was better with Joe on bench.. 64 Stephon Marbury NYK PG Expect a revival under Thomas. His new shoe line is a top-10 idea. Good for Starbury.. 63 Kenyon Martin DEN PF Once in the top 20. If he and George can get along he might be able to be top 40. 62 Andrew Bogut MIL C Bottom line - the Bucks were a much better team when he was on the floor. 61 Jameer Nelson ORL PG The best unnoticed year in the NBA last year. After Francis left he ignited the Magic.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 70 Wally Szczerbiak SF BOS Bounced around, still effective. 69 Zach Randolph PF POR Effective low-post player. Needs to work on his body and mature. 68 Bobby Simmons SF MIL Lots of talent. Had big contract year two years ago. 67 Troy Murphy PF GSW Tough. Good mid-range shooter and rebounder. 66 Mike Miller SF MEM Sixth Man of the Year, starting to play to his strengths. 65 Raja Bell SG PHO Every team wishes they had one, whether you like him or not. 64 Bruce Bowen SF SAS See above. 63 Michael Finley SG SAS Not the player he once was but still effective. 62 Antonio McDyess PF DET Injuries early in his career prevented him from being better. A true professional. 61 Ben Gordon SG CHI Coming off the bench, gives Bulls a lethal young backcourt.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 70 Chris Webber PHI PF 69 Andre Iguodala PHI SG 68 Peja Stojakovic NOK SF 67 Bobby Simmons MIL SF 66 Udonis Haslem MIA PF 65 Mike James MIN PG 64 Chris Kaman LAC C 63 Larry Hughes CLE SG 62 Drew Gooden CLE PF 61 Zydrunas Ilgauskas CLE C

Kevin's comments: You know who I was surprised by when I went back and looked at the numbers? Chris Webber. His efficiency isn't good, but it isn't terrible either, and he played over 38 minutes a night in 75 games. That's not bad for a guy who underwent microfracture knee surgery not too long ago. I can't leave him off the list like David did. How crazy would you have thought it if, two years ago, you were told that Webber and Peja Stojakovic would be the 68th- and 70th-best players in the NBA at the start of the 2005-06 season? Things sure change quickly in this league. Mike James is another example - a career backup who averaged 20 points a game last year. He's not the star that average makes him out to be, but I think complaints that he shot too much down the stretch were off-base. Guys like Chris Bosh aren't generally very good late in games, which is why they have more success with scoring guards alongside them (see Brand, Elton; Duncan, Tim; and Garnett, Kevin, who should be very excited about bringing James to Minnesota).

60-51

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 60 Zach Randolph POR PF Tthe least efficient player on this list. Is that because his team is bad or is it because he is? 59 Bonzi Wells HOU SG One playoff series does not change a player. Agent won't be coming over for X-Mas Dinner. 58 Corey Maggette LAC SF Had a much better year than people realized, but only played 32 games so easy to miss. 57 Josh Howard DAL SF Gerald Wallace but on a good team. 56 Gerald Wallace CHA SF Antoher do-everything player. Always nervous of big numbers on a bad team but his are real. 55 Chris Kaman LAC C The subtle key to the Clippers success. Will become the a Western Conference All-Star center. 54 Andre Iguodala PHI SG Modern NBA player #2. Without Webber and Iverson taking every shot he would score more. 53 Boris Diaw PHO PF Is it the system or the player? Not sure it matters. 52 Mehmet Okur UTA PF Again 18 points and 9 rebounds, but does he scare you? Is he going to beat you? 51 Antawn Jamison WAS PF Hard to argue with 20 points and 9 rebounds but he doesn't move me.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 60 Mike James PG MIN Under the radar in Toronto, averaged 20 and 6. Signed four-year deal with Minnesota. 59 Kirk Hinrich SG CHI Disappointing in World Championships. Coach's son, knows how to play. 58 Larry Hughes SG CLE Explosive scorer who will take some of the pressure off of LeBron. 57 Corey Maggette SF LAC Finished the year strong and was great in the playoffs. Will have a big year. Originally drafted by the Sonics. 56 Jerry Stackhouse SG DAL Maligned by playoff miscues. Mavs at their best offensively when he's on the floor with JT and Dirk. 55 Josh Howard SF DAL Everyone passed on the former ACC Player of the Year. He's making them pay. 54 Caron Butler SF WAS I love the intensity he brings to the floor every night. 53 Sam Cassell PG LAC The old guy always seems to find a way. Best shooter in the league inside of 19 feet. 52 Mehmet Okur PF UTA What a great signing for Utah. 51 Chris Paul PG NOK Everybody loves Chris.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 60 Devin Harris DAL PG 59 Jameer Nelson ORL PG 58 Mike Miller MEM SF 57 Raja Bell PHO SG 56 Mehmet Okur UTA PF 55 David West NOK PF 54 Bruce Bowen SAS SF 53 Jason Richardson GSW SG 52 Brad Miller SAC C 51 Andre Miller DEN PG

Kevin's comments: Devin Harris and Jameer Nelson are two point guards poised for big things in their third seasons. Harris had a coming-out party in the playoffs against San Antonio; a backcourt featuring him and Jason Terry is virtually impossible to defend because Harris is so quick for his size. Nelson's chances to shine were limited in the second half of the season by injuries, but he's done nothing but produce in two years in the NBA - just as he did at St. Joe's. Take your pick between Raja Bell and Bruce Bowen; they're the two best in the league in terms of lockdown wing defenders who contribute offensively by spotting up for 3s.

50-41

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 50 Lamar Odom LAL PF The modern NBA player #1. Can play any position. Still hasn’t tapped all the talent. 49 Dwight Howard ORL PF Almost 13 rebounds a game. That is sick. When he gets a go-to move he goes top 15. 48 Marcus Camby DEN C Still one of the game's best defensive forces. 47 Mike James MIN PG Amazing season last year. FG%+3pt%+FT% over 170. Will he free KG for Minnesota? 46 Andre Miller DEN PG No range on the shot, but Denver is great when he is on the floor and that is a point's job. 45 Tayshaun Prince DET SF Intagiable player. He is the Battier of the East. 44 Peja Stojakovic NOK SF Fantastic regular season player - could really prospore with Paul feeding. 43 Carmelo Anthony DEN SF Great numbers but his team is better when he is on the bench - what does that say?. 42 Zydrunas Ilgauskas CLE C One of the toughest to stop if he gets the ball in the post. 41 Jason Terry DAL PG Amazing playoffs for the Jet. The best combo 1/2 guard in the NBA.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 50 Peja Stojakovic SF NOK There is always a place for a shooter, particularly at his size. 49 Chris Webber PF PHI Hard to believe he's 33. Not the athlete he once was. Tough situation in Philly. Averaged 20 and 10 last year. 48 Emeka Okafor PF CHA Relentless worker. Undersized, but effective. 47 Lamar Odom PF LAL Has never reached the level expected of him. At 6-10, can do it all. 46 Shane Battier SF HOU No flash, consistently doing what the team needs to get wins. 45 Jason Terry PG DAL Ability to make shots and play both guard spots make him valuable. 44 Baron Davis PG GSW Fearless and talented, but yet to understand leadership needed to win. 43 Marcus Camby C DEN When healthy, can impact a game with his length and activity. 42 Mike Bibby PG SAC Clutch performer at a position loaded with outstanding players. 41 Jason Richardson SG GSW Incredible athlete. Better ballhandling skills would catapult him up the list.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 50 Carmelo Anthony DEN SF 49 Joe Johnson ATL SG 48 Antawn Jamison WAS PF 47 Tayshaun Prince DET SF 46 Jermaine O'Neal IND PF 45 Luol Deng CHI SF 44 Lamar Odom LAL PF 43 Kirk Hinrich CHI SG 42 Shane Battier HOU SF 41 Boris Diaw PHO PF

Kevin's comments: What does it say about the U.S. Olympic team that I have five team members ranked 41-50? It might say I've got them ranked too low, but it might also say that a great deal of the USA's downturn internationally is due to second-tier talent as opposed to the Hall of Famers that filled the Dream Teams. This group of 10 is a strange mix of world-class role players and limited go-to players. Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng are the two players I think Chicago should build around. They're strong at both ends of the floor and work and play hard. That's your core right there. Boris Diaw is, I'm almost certain, the non-rookie who has moved the highest on this list as a guy who would not have been Top 100 a year ago. Kudos to Mike D'Antoni for turning Diaw loose and letting him play his game.

40-31

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 40 Chris Paul NOK PG Starting point for a steady climb to the top 20 players in the league. 39 Jermaine O'Neal IND PF When the team was placed on his shoulders the team slipped.. 38 Richard Hamilton DET SG How much will he be hurt not having Big Ben setting picks to free him on the curl?. 37 Wally Szczerbiak BOS SF Minnesota likes him more now than when he was there. . 36 Jason Richardson GSW SG Became a much better team player. Nellie will love J-Rich and J-Rich will love Nellie. 35 Mike Bibby SAC PG 21 points and five assists and not ranked higher, but who does he rank ahead of?. 34 Shane Battier HOU SF The best off-season move in the NBA. Rockets will love him. He does everything that means wins. 33 Sam Cassell LAC PG makes MVPs. KG was an MVP with Sam, now Brand is a candidate. Give Sam I Am some credit. 32 Richard Jefferson NJN SF Desperately needed Kidd. Lost defensive focus he had in early years. 31 Rashard Lewis SEA SF Still one of the game's most efficient shooters. Consistency gets him back in the top 20.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 40 Rashard Lewis SF SEA One-time All-Star. Can he take the next step to be among the elite? 39 Tony Parker PG SAS The little engine that could. Shot 54% from the field. 38 Brad Miller C SAC Smart, tough, good passer from the high post. 37 Rasheed Wallace PF DET His length and ability to shoot the ball make him one of the best when he's focused. 36 Tayshaun Prince SF DET I like him. 35 Boris Diaw PF PHO Phoenix system fits his skill set perfectly. I love his game! 34 Michael Redd SG MIL Streaky, can score from anywhere. 33 Antawn Jamison PF WAS Quietly one of the best forwards in the league. 32 Dwight Howard PF ORL Barring injury, double-double every game for the next 10-12 years. 31 Joe Johnson SG ATL Best player on a young team. Most effective at the two.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 40 Richard Hamilton DET SG 39 Jason Terry DAL PG 38 Rashard Lewis SEA SF 37 Michael Redd MIL SG 36 Mike Bibby SAC PG 35 Gerald Wallace CHA SF 34 Marcus Camby DEN C 33 Tony Parker SAS PG 32 Josh Howard DAL SF 31 Rasheed Wallace DET PF

Kevin's comments: Gerald Wallace was the only player in the NBA last season to average at least two steals (2.51, tops in the NBA) and blocks (2.09) per game. Nobody else did it - not Andrei Kirilenko, not Shawn Marion, no one. That's huge defensively. Plus Wallace can score - particularly in transition - and is a good rebounder. If he played for a better team, he'd be a star. I've come around on the other Wallace listed here, Rasheed. Three years ago, I left him off my top 10 power forwards (he's eighth now at the NBA's deepest position) and argued he was overrate. Now I'd say the opposite. Wallace's shooting stretches the defense, and his length makes him an incredibly underrated defender.

30-21

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 30 Brad Miller SAC C 5 apg as a big man. Sacramento must have him on the floor. 29 Michael Redd MIL SG Needs some wins to go with the numbers. Is he really a #1 option?. 28 Ron Artest SAC SF Changes every game every second he is on the floor. Few can say that. 27 Rasheed Wallace DET PF With his talent he should be in the top five, but top 30 works for most. 26 Manu Ginobili SAS SG There is no way to measure heart. Has to be able to play more than 65 games. 25 Tony Parker SAS PG Shooting percentage skyrocketed last season. Impressive since he can't shoot. 24 Chauncey Billups DET PG One of the clutchest players in the NBA. 23 Tracy McGrady HOU SG A terrible year last year when he did play. Will he ever be T-Mac again? 22 Chris Bosh TOR PF The most unknown star in the NBA. 22.5 pts and 9 rebounds and improving. 21 Amaré Stoudemire PHO C Before the knee surgery he was top 10; nobody knows what happens now.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 30 Ben Wallace C CHI Limited offensively. In terms of rebounding, defense, hustle and heart, he's the best. 29 Chris Bosh PF TOR Buried in Toronto, youngster may be a great one. 28 Carmelo Anthony SF DEN George Karl is exactly what 'Melo' needed. 27 Manu Ginobili SG SAS He flops and fakes and wins. 26 Chauncey Billups PG DET Strength is his biggest asset. Best in the league with the change-of-pace dribble. 25 Jason Kidd PG NJN Overtaken by Nash as the best pure point guard, but still uncanny at directing traffic. 24 Richard Jefferson SF NJN The perfect basketball body. 23 Andrei Kirilenko SF UTA Can negotiate a deal for me anytime. 22 Jermaine O'Neal PF IND Still young. With maturity can be one of the best. 21 Paul Pierce SG BOS One of the game's best scorers: mid-range, post-up, off the dribble, shoot the 3. A do-it-all performer.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 30 Chris Paul NOK PG 29 Sam Cassell LAC PG 28 Amaré Stoudemire PHO C 27 Richard Jefferson NJN SF 26 Ron Artest SAC SF 25 Chris Bosh TOR PF 24 Manu Ginobili SAS SG 23 Pau Gasol MEM PF 22 Vince Carter NJN SG 21 Ben Wallace CHI C

Kevin's comments: How do you rank Amaré Stoudemire? That was one of the toughest questions for this list. A top-10 player a year ago, now Stoudemire is coming back from a very difficult injury. I think that microfracture knee surgery might not quite be as big of a problem for Stoudemire as expected. Besides his brief comeback midway through last season, Stoudemire has had a full year, which has historically helped coming back. Also, before Zach Randolph in the summer of 2005, no one younger than 25 had ever undergone microfracture surgery. Randolph played at relatively full strength last year, and I think Stoudemire could as well. Still, the risk means Stoudemire drops all the way out of the top 20.

20-11

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 20 Vince Carter NJN SG Kidd brought him back to life and his talent is endless. 19 Allen Iverson PHI PG Still The Answer. 33 a night when everyone is trying to stop him. 18 Paul Pierce BOS SG Something is not right. Great numbers other than the wins file. How come? 17 Ben Wallace CHI C His value will be clear this year in Chicago. 16 Andrei Kirilenko UTA SF If you could give him the ball on offense, he would be top five. 15 Shawn Marion PHO SF Does everything and can guard four different positions. 14 Pau Gasol MEM PF Memphis will find out how much they need him when he is gone for the first three months. 13 Yao Ming HOU C 22 and 10. Tough to argue, yet some still want more from the Great Wall. 12 Jason Kidd NJN PG Simply makes everyone on his team great. Vinsanity returned with Kidd. 11 Ray Allen SEA SG The best shooter in the game and maybe of all time. Insane effectiveness for a perimeter player.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 20 Ray Allen SG SEA Fred Brown, Dale Ellis and now Ray. We've been blessed to see three of the best shooters ever! 19 Richard Hamilton SG DET Best in the league at moving without the ball. 18 Vince Carter SG NJN The old Vince is back; he's happy in Jersey. 17 Pau Gasol PF MEM Showed in the World Championships he's among the elite. 16 Yao Ming C HOU Has improved each year. Hopefully he can stay healthy. 15 Ron Artest SF SAC Issues aside, one of the most complete players in the game. 14 Steve Nash PG PHO The best at making his teammates better. 13 Kevin Garnett PF MIN Not as explosive as he once was. Relentless competitor, passionate, led league with 62 double-doubles. 12 Tim Duncan PF SAS Slowed by injuries but still effective on the block. 11 Gilbert Arenas PG WAS Statistically belongs in the top 10.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 20 Dwight Howard ORL PF 19 Shaquille O'Neal MIA C 18 Allen Iverson PHI PG 17 Ray Allen SEA SG 16 Gilbert Arenas WAS PG 15 Chauncey Billups DET PG 14 Jason Kidd NJN PG 13 Tracy McGrady HOU SG 12 Andrei Kirilenko UTA SF 11 Paul Pierce BOS SG

Kevin's comments: So, Shaquille O'Neal. He's in the top 10 for both of my colleagues, but I left him all the way down at 19. Why? First, durability. Shaq's only played 70 games once in a season since 2000-01, while he only average a hair over 30 minutes per game last season. Second, he can be exploited defensively if you involve him in the pick-and-roll. I'm reminded of a great quote from when the Heat came to town last season. Bob Hill said in his pre-game meeting with the media, "If we could involve Shaq in the pick-and-roll right now, we would." In fact, the Sonics had some success against O'Neal with their young centers, particularly Robert Swift, in that game. Now, despite saying all that, I'm already second-guessing my own decision. I guess that's what the All-Star break list is for.

10-1

DAVID LOCKE

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 10 Elton Brand LAC PF Huge jump last year into a player that can win games late. 9 Kevin Garnett MIN PF Not the same, particularly late in the games, but still top 10. 8 Gilbert Arenas WAS PG Few things were better than Gilbert v. LeBron in the playoffs. 7 Steve Nash PHO PG Might have had one of the greatest offensive seasons ever last year. 6 Shaquille O'Neal MIA C Still Shaq Daddy. The game is at his whim when he wants it. 5 Dirk Nowitzki DAL PF The toughest guard in all of the NBA. Even played D last year. 4 Dwyane Wade MIA SG Super-human playoff performance. Could make a case for #1 if they didn't have Shaq. 3 Tim Duncan SAS PF Off year due to foot injury but still won and dominated the playoffs. 2 LeBron James CLE SF Nothing will stop him from being #1 in the future. 1 Kobe Bryant LAL SG Despite everything the most dominating player in the game.

FRANCIS WILLIAMS

No. Player Tm Pos Comment 10 Elton Brand PF LAC Just goes about his business and gets 20 and 10 every night. 9 Allen Iverson PG PHI Can still get you 40-50 points in a heartbeat. 8 Amaré Stoudemire C PHO Last year's injury was a setback, but look for him to return to All-Star form. 7 Shaquille O'Neal C MIA He's Shaquille O'Neal. 6 Dwyane Wade SG MIA Amazing what he accomplishes at 6-3. 5 Shawn Marion SF PHO People know about him and I still think he's underrated. 4 Tracy McGrady SG HOU People close to him say he's healthy. No more needs to be said. 3 Dirk Nowitzki PF DAL Maybe the toughest cover in the league. No more questions about his toughness. 2 LeBron James SF CLE Improved outside shooting and leadership. Cavs are dangerous. 1 Kobe Bryant SG LAL Ability has never been questioned. Improved as a team leader.

KEVIN PELTON

No. Player Tm Pos 10 Yao Ming HOU C 9 Elton Brand LAC PF 8 Kevin Garnett MIN PF 7 Tim Duncan SAS PF 6 Shawn Marion PHO SF 5 Steve Nash PHO PG 4 Dirk Nowitzki DAL PF 3 Kobe Bryant LAL SG 2 Dwyane Wade MIA SG 1 LeBron James CLE SF

Kevin's comments: One of the things that most surprised me about my colleagues' lists is not only that they had Kobe Bryant #1, but that both had Dwyane Wade down a ways. To me, Wade and LeBron James established themselves as the top two players in the league last season - not by a lot, but still in front of the group that includes Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. David actually points to a study I did showing Bryant's impact on his teammates' performance for changing his mind on Bryant. I think it definitely answers the Kobe Haters, but it's just isolating a specific element of what we see with plus-minus. Who had the best net plus-minus in the NBA, you ask? Dwyane Wade was a hair ahead of LeBron James (Bryant was fourth in the league). Their individual statistics are also very similar, but James is slightly more durable, averaging 42.5 minutes per game to rank second in the NBA. That's why I consider him the best player in the NBA.

Now it's your turn. What do you think about our lists? Share your thoughts by e-mailing us at sonicsconnection@sonics-storm.com!