NBA Finals: Rank the Players

[DrumNFeather]

How would you rank the top 6 or so players on each team going into the finals?

Orlando:
Dwight Howard
Courtney Lee/Mikel Pietrus
Rafer Alston
Hedo Turkaglou
Rashard Lewis

LA:
Kobe Bryant
Pau Gasol
Lamar Odom
Derek Fisher
Trever Ariza
Andrew Bynum

I would rank them:

1) Kobe
2) Howard
3) Lewis
4) Odom
5) Gasol
6) Turkaglou
7) Alston
8) Pietrus
9)Fisher
10)Ariza
11)Lee
12) Bynum

[FN Phat]

Based on his performance in the playoffs, Fisher shouldn't even make the list let alone that high.

[DrumNFeather]

Based on his performance in the playoffs, Fisher shouldn't even make the list let alone that high.

I gave him experience points. But I agree, he's probably at the bottom if not off the list.

[Surfah]

1) Kobe
2) Howard
3) Gasol
4) Odom
5) Turk
6) Lewis
7) Ariza
8) Pietrus
9) Bynum
10) Alston
11) Lee
12) Fisher

[Sizzle]

1) Kobe
2) Ariza
3) Gasol
4) Howard
5) Lewis
6) Odom
7) Turk
8) Pietrus
9) Alston
10) Bynum
11) Lee
12) Jimmy Goldstein
13) Jack Nicholson
14) Heckler Under the Basket
15) Fan in section A Row 13 in Orlando
16) Fisher

[smokymountainrain]

Howard
Kobe
Gasol
Odom
Hedo
Bynum
Lewis
Ariza
Pietrus
Skip to my lou
The rest of Orlando's roster
The rest of LAL's roster (except Fisher)
Tony Campbell
Nicholson
Cannon
Penberthy
Paula Abdul
Timberlake
Fisher

[TripletDaddy]

I actually wonder if Kareem could suit up for the Lakers and score more points than Fisher or Sasha. I am not talking about next season or after months of practice.

I am talking about this Thursday. If Kareem were to come out of the tunnel wearing purple and gold and Jax sent him in for about 8 minutes, could Kareem score more than Fish or Sasha? A guy that hasn't played an NBA game in almost 20 years. I honestly think he could. He would get banged up, yes. But he could still sky hook and hit FTs.

Your NBA career is in jeopardy when a 50 year old coach is a legitimately better option than YOU.

[cougjunkie]

If Jameer Nelson comes back he is top 5 on this list.

[Surfah]

If Jameer Nelson comes back he is top 5 on this list.

Top 5 after not playing 4 months? We'll see. From what I have read, it's doubtful he comes back.

Looking at the list again, everyone keeps talking about the mismatches that the Magic represent. But at the other end there are all kinds of mismatches that I am loving for the Lakers. Remeber, Turkoglu and Lewis couldn't even back down Del Monte West.

The Lakers inability to defend the 3 is perception, when the reality is they were the third best in 3 pt fg defense all season.

Kobe has to be licking his chops seeing he'll be matched up with Courtney Lee.

[FN Phat]

Top 5 after not playing 4 months? We'll see. From what I have read, it's doubtful he comes back.

Looking at the list again, everyone keeps talking about the mismatches that the Magic represent. But at the other end there are all kinds of mismatches that I am loving for the Lakers. Remeber, Turkoglu and Lewis couldn't even back down Del Monte West.

The Lakers inability to defend the 3 is perception, when the reality is they were the third best in 3 pt fg defense all season.

Kobe has to be licking his chops seeing he'll be matched up with Courtney Lee.

I can't see JN making a huge impact after not playing for that length of time...and then to come into the finals? Not happening.

If Turk and Lewis are hitting, the Lakers are screwed. But they are streaky.

I am not saying that Courtney Lee can hang with Kobe, b/c he can't, but you can't deny what he has been able to do thus far is impressive.

[Flystripper]

1. Kobe
2. Gasol
3. Howard
4. Turkaglou
5. Lewis
6. Odom
7. Ariza
8. Bynum
9. Pietrus
10. Alston
11. Lee
12. Walton
13. Brown

[smokymountainrain]

Kobe has to be licking his chops seeing he'll be matched up with Courtney Lee.

Lee will guard Kobe to begin the games just as he did LeBron, but it makes no sense. I think SVG is one of the top 5 coaches in the League, but the way he handled Lee on LeBron was ridiculous. Pietrus should be the guy on Kobe 90% of the time.

[Flystripper]

Lee will guard Kobe to begin the games just as he did LeBron, but it makes no sense. I think SVG is one of the top 5 coaches in the League, but the way he handled Lee on LeBron was ridiculous. Pietrus should be the guy on Kobe 90% of the time.

Pietrus may be the most underrated player of the playoffs this year. I would love to have him on the Lakers.

[Surfah]

I can't see JN making a huge impact after not playing for that length of time...and then to come into the finals? Not happening.

If Turk and Lewis are hitting, the Lakers are screwed. But they are streaky.

I am not saying that Courtney Lee can hang with Kobe, b/c he can't, but you can't deny what he has been able to do thus far is impressive.

The only good defenders on the Magic are Pietrus and Howard. But even Howard's defense is a bit deceiving. He's the best help defender by far. But one on one he's just decent. Pietrus is a good on the ball defender. Lee has been impressive, but he's not Dahntay Jones, Artest, or Battier on defense. Kobe will eat him up. And because he's not going to be an offensive threat (or perceived anyway-he'll definitely have his chances), Kobe will roam disrupting the Magic's offense.

The Magic are tough to beat when they're all hitting. And I think they'll have two games like this that will get them a W. But I think Gasol can hang with Lewis outside. He did with Memo anyway. Lewis and Turk certainly won't be getting their shots off like they did against the Cavs. The Lakers are much longer than the Cavs.

I hope the Lakers throw some Mbenga at Howard to get him another tech.

[TripletDaddy]

The Cavs did not have the length the Lakers have. As long as the Lakers remember to pound it inside to Odom, Bynum, & Gasol and try to establish in the post, they will be fine. Get Howard into foul trouble.

They don't have to beat Howard and the 3. They have to beat one or the other.

Howard is a fun player to watch. He is a good guy and an amazing talent.