Who is the 3rd best player in the NBA in 2014-15?

[chambers]

Lebron, Durant.....
Then who?

Chris Paul
Melo
Blake Griffin
Tony Parker
Derrick Rose (when healthy)
Paul George
Westbrook
Love
Nowitzki
Marc Gasol
Tim Duncan
Steph Curry
Howard
Wade
Harden
Anthony Davis

This is actually tougher than you think. I'd probably go with Rose if he gets back to 100% Although Marc Gasol is probably the most complete player out of the lot on both ends.

I think if you asked serious NBA fans around the world, you'd get some mixture of Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Melo and Dwight Howard.

Is the NBA at a drought of true superstars? Nowitzki is fading, Kobe has faded, Pierce and KG have faded, Rose is questionable for the rest of his career.

What do you think?
I think there are only three transcendant talents in the NBA (with at least 1 season of play aka not rookies nor grizzled 15 year vets)

Lebron
Durant
Anthony Davis (will be a top 3 player within 3 seasons).

[Eja117]

To win a championship game tomorrow? I got Duncan over both those guys.

[fitzhickey]

AD or Rose.

Expecting an amazing season from Rose.

[Blaze4G]

I would put Anthony Davis as the 3rd best for the 2014-2015 NBA season. His progress from 2012-2013 to 2013-2014 season was great and I expect him to take a huge leap again this season.

[loco_91]

I'll take CP3. He just has the mad skills. Honestly, he competes with Durant for #2 because he is a better defender, but Durant is just such an unstoppable scorer.

'Brow is only other guy in the conversation for projected #3 at this point. I don't think he has quite the polish yet, but that could change over the course of the season. DRose could theoretically take the spot, but he's a clear underdog to be that good that quickly.

Who else could it be? Blake isn't half the scorer without CP3 dishing to him. Love, Melo, Harden? don't play D. Nowitski is just incredible for his age, but he was finally looking over the hump at times last year. Superman is over the hump already. PG would deserve a mention but...

[BigAlTheFuture]

Chris Paul was consensus number 3 for awhile... I'm taking AD this year tho

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Anthony Davis to me.

Just the way he improved across the board, and what he can do as he progresses, and him being a two way guy, I think he's the 3rd best player.

[moiso]

Kevin Love, Anthony Davis.

Possibly Westbrook.  No way do I think Rose surpasses Westbrook this year.

[Beat LA]

Anthony Davis?  Sure, he's a great athlete, but aside from defense, does he have a single post move or anything else offensively?  His defense is overrated anyway - everyone's afraid of the unibrow (sarcasm)

That aside, the third-best player in the NBA imo is Paul George.

[fitzhickey]

Anthony Davis?  Sure, he's a great athlete, but aside from defense, does he have a single post move or anything else offensively?  His defense is overrated anyway - everyone's afraid of the unibrow (sarcasm)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c68wPWRQOKM

He completely schooled us.

[Beat LA]

Anthony Davis?  Sure, he's a great athlete, but aside from defense, does he have a single post move or anything else offensively?  His defense is overrated anyway - everyone's afraid of the unibrow (sarcasm)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c68wPWRQOKM

He completely schooled us.

Three jump shots aside, I see nothing but rim-runs, an awkward flip shot or two, put-backs, and normal transition baskets.  Sorry, to be the 3rd best player in the league you have to be able to do a lot more than that.  He's an athlete first, basketball player second, which isn't always a bad thing, but I honestly don't see much skill.  That's not to say that he won't continue to develop, he's only 21 for crying out loud haha, but I didn't see a lot of skill in that video.  Isn't he supposed to be a great passer?  If there were highlights in that video of him making a lot of great assists, I'd be more tempted to say that he's an upper echelon player, but still not top 3.  Not even close, imo.

[Vox_Populi]

Russell Westbrook.

[clappy]

Just my opinion, but there is no clear #3 after Lebron and Durant. There is about half a dozen players tied.

But if I had to pick one, it would be Anthony Davis.

[Greenpoison]

Carmelo? Not that I think he is the 3rd best at all, just see no one mentioning him.

[SHAQATTACK]

3rd Duncan and 4 th Parker are right up there.  Not flashy .  They are reliable team oriented stars .

Take them anyday over Howard and Harden.