Thanks for the responses, guys. I disagree with a couple of you putting Wade in that top tier along with James and Durant. He was the fourth best individual player in that ECF series that just ended. Add to that, that he's already 30 and has a pretty checkered health record. If I'm looking to build a team, I definitely take Rondo over him.
I get the Howard hype, but I have some question marks about him as well. As dominant as he can be, he still hasn't learned to use his physical advantage and insane athleticism to acquire any elite level offensive post moves. Add to that, I just don't think he's a very intelligent guy. He's a little flaky. I know that all superstars have their issues, but at least with someone like Rondo, the question is never about his intelligence.
I know that Chris Paul has an excuse for disappearing in these past playoffs. He was hurt. I'm sure it was a legitimate excuse, but I find it increasingly more likely that he'll continue to wear down physically due to those surgically repaired knees. He'll still be a very good player, but I see him developing more of a Chauncey Billups type old man game as his NBA career moves forward.
We'll see where Derrick Rose lands on that list once he recovers from his surgery.
I guess my main point here is that beyond Lebron James and Kevin Durant there really aren't any other players out there that are head and shoulders above everyone else in that top 5 to 10 category. There are a lot of good to great players with a variety of flaws and question marks. Rondo is, I think--by any objective measure--right in the thick of that group.
I could simply be the most biased, green-tinted glasses wearing homer ever. Or, we ought to keep Rajon Rondo, who is young, healthy, still improving yet a proven big game player, hungry, supremely talented, a winner, and dirt cheap at the price.
Topic: Top players to build around. (Read 21042 times)