Superstar
Does anyone else think that label gets used too frequently?
Do you think that just because a player is the best player on his team, he is automatically better than sliced bread?
The league has gone above and beyond to market their players to the viewers. Within this attempt to bring awareness to the greatness that is the new age NBA basketball player, they have effectively labeled every good player in the NBA a star at one point or another.
This irritates me. But what can you do right?
Well...I'll tell you what. Let me provide you with a set definition that will define to the average fan who the real superstars are.
Here are the criteria:
- Has the Player provided well consistently during the regular season?
- Has the player shown the ability to consistently provide in the clutch?
- Has the player shown he can provide for his team on the highest stage at the highest level?
- Has the Player won on the Highest stage?
- Is the Player a good on court leader?
- How about an off court leader?
-Is the player Morally sound off of the court?
- Is the player a Global Icon or at least a very important figure in his nation or state?
As far as superstars go, I would say there are only Four in the NBA:
Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade.
Let's run through why I say this.
Tim Duncan- Four championship rings throughout his career only tells part of the story. How about a career double- double player in the regular season at 21.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, an average that increased at the highest stage of competition with Career playoff averages of 23.3 points and 12.6 rebounds.
Proving that, 1) Duncan has provided consistently during the regular season, 2) He has provided at the highest level on the biggest stage, and 3) He has won on the highest stage. I bet if you asked his coaches and teammates they would tell you that he is a fantastic leader on the court, off the court and in the community.
Kobe Bryant- Along with Tim Duncan, Kobe has four NBA Championship rings and has playoff averages that surpass that of his own Regular season averages. With 25.3 points, 4.2 assists, and 5 rebounds in the regular season and 25.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds. Almost identical numbers, but none the less, still better in the postseason.
Along with his rings, Kobe boasts a regular season MVP award and a finals MVP award. For the record, Kobe has provided in the clutch better than any other NBA player that is still active in the NBA.
For the question of Kobe's morality, the Hotel Rape case definitely scuffs up our image of Kobe. Considering he really hasn't done anything prominent off the court by his own virtue, I think we are still left with a bad taste in our mouth.
With that aside, he is still one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.
LeBron James- I was skeptical to include LeBron James in this conversation because he hasn't won anything and his clutch play was lacking earlier in his career. But with all that said, LeBron has really come into his own. He has showed us defense, clutch play, and leadership. Not to mention his offensive game has developed very well.
Now I have been as skeptical as anyone to call James the best player in the league and as you may be able to tell, I still don't think he is quite there. But give him one or two more years and he'll have a better argument.
Proof of my skepticism.
LeBron for his career is averaging 27.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 7 rebounds and his playoff averages increase as well with career playoff averages of 29.4 points, 7.3 assists, and 8.3 rebounds.
Pretty awesome numbers and considering the NBA has made him into their poster child you can expect him to attract fans, but unlike Kobe, LeBron hasn't done anything wrong legally yet.
Dwyane Wade- This one is arguable. Wade has been stellar for nearly his entire career and he has put up very very respectable averages at 25.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.9 rebounds. With career playoff averages of 25.7 points,5.9 assists, and 5.3 rebounds we are able to say that Dwyane has provided on the biggest stage at the highest level.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Dwyane was is on the downside of his career. But even so, he is still a top three player in the NBA for the time being and he has a championship ring to prove it.
The thing that those players have in common is that they know how to win, they have shown that they can perform in any circumstance, and they are icons publicly.
Although the league has defined almost every play as great at one point or another, I would like to point out the stars of the NBA.
These players have the chance to rise to superstar level.
The Stars of the NBA
Kevin Durant- A pure scorer that has the ability to drop 40 points every night; unfortunately, his defense leaves much to be desired.
Brandon Roy- Without a doubt could be the best player on an eventual championship team. He is clutch on both sides of the ball and is great human being in all aspects of life. He has a killer mid range jumper and can score with either hand in the lane.
Carmelo Anthony- A long standing star in this league. Can fill up the stat sheet and is a proven offensive leader on the court. But, just like Dirk, he has shown everything but the ability to win the big game.
Derrick Rose- Offensive minded point guard that has a nose for the basket. He's athletic and has the tools to become great, only time will tell.
Dwight Howard- Physically, Dwight Howard is easily a top three player. Although, just because you are physically dominant doesn't mean you are a superstar. As a center you would want your center to be able to back his guy into the point and score with a post move. He just hasn't shown he is able to. Within the next five years, I would like to see two or three go to post moves added to his game.
Deron Williams- A big physical point guard that has the muscle to score in the paint, the touch to hit the mid range jump shot, and is a good passer to boot.
Dirk Nowitzki- Arguably a superstar and is probably closer to being such than any other player on the stars list. If he wins a championship he will be considered a superstar.
Chris Paul- Incredible point guard, Probably the best in the league (depending if you are arguing in Utah or not). Has shown the ability to run a team and score in the clutch with the best of them. I can't wait to see this guy go to a contender when his contract expires.
Amare Stoudemire- Out of this world athleticism makes Amare one of the funnest players to watch. Although he is known for his blocked shots and quickness, he isn't a good defender. He plays in one of the easier defensive schemes and tends to get caught up on pick and rolls too often.
Joe Johnson- A very physical forward that can score from just about anywhere on the court. Has the leadership capabilities to succeed and is a great person off of the court.
Chris Bosh- A double double type of player that is going to give it his all every time he steps on the court. He is a leader on the court a leader in the community and a good teammate. I'd like to see how far he goes on a good team.
Paul Pierce- Nifty scorer and a very heady player. Clutch to say the least and has the ability to fill the stat sheet every night. Although he is aging, his body seems to be holding up just fine.
Overall, there are a lot of players in the NBA. By my general assumption and experience in listening to NBA analysts, about a quarter of the NBA is comprised of stars, another quarter is comprised of great players or " Superstars," and the other half are role players.
This just isn't possible.
Great players don't appear every day, the fact of the reality is that less than three percent of the NBA is made up of great players. Less than one percent is greatness.
That is why the Hall of Fame is an Honor.
It's a certificate stating that you worked harder than 99 percent of the people in the league, you showed it night in and night out, and you made the most of your opportunities.
I'm all for having fun, watching and rooting for the players in the NBA, but I'm fed up with people throwing out the greatness tags to anyone that is having a great season.
Let them earn it.
The rest of the NBA greats did.
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