http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7636615/2
Ranking the small forwards:

1. Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers: He is incredibly strong and versatile on both ends of the floor, with the only question being if he can keep his head.

2. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: His strength and ability to score inside or outside are unparalleled, and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the ever-changing roster of the Celtics.

3. Peja Stojakvoic, Sacramento Kings: The best pure shooter in the game and a much stronger rebounder/defender than people think, but he has struggled in the postseason.

4. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: His unorthodox shooting style and relaxed demeanor often belie his impact on the game, although his name continues to float in trade rumors.

5. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers: He is a blossoming superstar, with more size and natural tools than any of these players, but how will he adjust to his third team in three years?

6. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets: There are people who love him because he defends consistently, but his shooting and ball-handling are very erratic.

7. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards: He is a great scorer who has extended his shooting range and is a much better offensive rebounder than people recognize.

8. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: The pressure for him to rise above as the next superstar in the league is immense, but he has the demeanor and skill to meet the challenge.

9. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: He is a natural scorer inside and outside, with an improving floor game. He, too, has great expectations.

10. Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans Hornets: This is a long shot, because nobody is sure if and when he will play again. But if he does, he is the total package.

Also receiving consideration: Tim Thomas, New York Knicks; Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota Timberwolves; Rashard Lewis, Seattle SuperSonics; James Posey, Memphis Grizzlies; Mike Dunleavy, Golden State Warriors; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons.

Van Horn didn't even receive consideration?? That's more harsh than I would be, although I would rank him below nearly all of those players

I don't like Marion at four.

so what if he can jump high?! Can he win you a game?

I would also put lebron and melo ahead of Jefferson

What's glaring to me is how even though Artest barely beat out a player like Kirilenko (DPOY), AK isn't even considered on this list... IMO AK's a better player offensive player and a better rebounder.

He's Kahn's PF rankings:

1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: The most effective and consistent big man in the game.

2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves: His exceptional talent translated to team success last season.

3. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers: He's on the same track as Garnett was; we'll see if he keeps improving.

4. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers: His continued growth as a player sometimes gets lost being on the Clippers.

5. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: He struggled some last year with all the new players up front; it should be better this season.

6. Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings: He'd better have a great year considering all of his mouthing off, but we don't know if he's still got it.
7. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons: He doesn't have gaudy statistics, but he proved to be the prototype team player to push the Pistons to a title.

8. Zach Randolph, Portland Trail Blazers: There will always be questions about Zach's head, but he's a great scorer and good rebounder.

9. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets: Now that he's away from Jason Kidd, we'll find out the real deal about K-Mart quality playing in the West.

10. Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies: He's clearly one of the best international players, we'll see how that translates this season.

Also given consideration: Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns; Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz; Kenny Thomas, Philadelphia 76ers; Al Harrington, Atlanta Hawks; P.J. Brown, New Orleans Hornets.


[Edited by - mac on 09/01/2004 23:39:11]

hahaha

Man forget the rankings.....

I put up Tim Thomas against any of those guys with confidence.

The only player that I think is better hands down might be AK47.....why he's not ranked on either list is obsurd.

If AK47 were available for trade I would do anything to get him. I just think the kid plays the way the game is supposed to be played.

I remember Tim Thomas dropping 30 on Peja this season.....timmmmaaaay is just inconsistant. I expect this season to be a career year.

[Edited by - enyspree on 09/02/2004 08:47:58]

my PF rankings:

1. Kevin Garnett
2. Tim Duncan
3. Jermaine O'Neal
4. Elton Brand
5. Kenyon Martin
6. Amare Stoudamire
7. Dirk Nowitzki
8. Zach Randolph
9. Rasheed Wallace
10. Carlos Boozer
11. Pau Gasol
12. Chris Webber (due to injuries, otherwise he'd be in my top 5)
13. Karl Malone
14. Antoine Walker
15. Kenny Thomas
16. Shareef Abdur-Rahim
17. Donyell Marshall
18. Chris Bosh
19. Nené Hilario
20. Juwan Howard, Kurt Thomas & PJ Brown get a tie

Why is anyone all that high on Tim Thomas, what has the guy done or accomplished other than the double headband. He is an enigma, that really belongs near the top of the list of sf's if the guy can just get his head on straight and be aggressive, and work on his handle he would be unstopable. He might be the most verstaile sf in the game, and is a handful of guys, KG, LO that moves like a guard....

If TT isn't working out i would like to see Isiah move him for Marion, someone who attacks the glass. TT is a lot softer than KVH, and its pathetic that someone 6'10 isn't averaging over 7 rebounds. There is no excuse especially when you vert is exceptional...He is an underachiever....

i don't think just because a player has worse #'s in the postseason, that it automatically makes him an inferior player...i think you have to judge them on overall talent...otherwise, you could probably find SF's who have better #'s than Peja in the postseason also...that doesn't mean they're better players necessarily.

[Edited by - TMS on 09/02/2004 13:58:40]

you rank Gasol ahead of K-Mart & Brand? wow.

Posted by rojasmas:

Ron Artest is not the number one SF in the league. You have got to be kidding me. Carmelo is better than him, as is Sean Marion. Jefferson is better than him, Olympic performance notwithstanding. Lebron should be included in SF not SG category. I would rather have Peja and Kirolenko than him too. Rashard Lewis is at least his equal. TT after this year will be considered supeior too.

If you ignore defense, then you're correct