Do you really think Dirk is a franchise player? Yeah he's a good
player. But can he defend in the post and can he play down low
offensively. I think he's a #2 player not a #1. What say you? Kind
of leaning that way on a few other players.
1) Kobe
yep
2) Lebron
No question.
3) Duncan (Still)
absolutely.
4) Paul
yep
5) KG
perhaps entering the Ewing zone, but yep
6) D Howard
I'd put him in your "almost but not quite" list. He's still pretty
young, but he doesn't yet belong in this company.
7) D Williams
yes.
8) Roy
TBD
9) Yao
Nah. If he was shorter he'd be positively ordinary. As is he's TBD.
10) Wade (a healthy Wade)
He was pretty epic in that title run, but since then?
11) Brand (when healthy)
No.
12) Stoudamire
No. Only plays on one half of the floor.
Players that are ALMOST franchise players but think they are or are
marketed as such
1) Dirk
I'd put him over Brand, and he's great, but his game face is still
MIA.
2) Baron (I love my former Bruin alumnus, but 1% missing)
Among the most talented shooting guards ever, but too selfish. It
still hurts that they chose to celebrate their remarkable first round
win last year early and showed up for that series in Utah with a
hangover.
3) Joe Johnson (need to see it on the road pal)
Nah.
4) Iguodala
Absolutely not.
5) Melo (most overrated no D ball hog in the league)
No, for the reason you state.
6) Iverson (Same as Baron, but mostly due to age/mileage)
Iverson's a weird quandary...he's a legend, but also same as Baron,
suffers from the selfish disease. Not being a team guy killed what
would have been an otherwise obvious ring or two.
7) Durant (not yet)
WAY too early.
8) Nash (not any more - no defense)
I normally agree that a defensive-absent player isn't worth it, but
I'd say if there was ever an argument for making up no defense with
completely brilliant offense, it's Nash. He's also got a fighter's
mentality most don't.
9) T-Mac (see #8 above)
No. All style, no substance. He's talented as hell but has no idea
how to import that talent into the framework of a team. I'm amazed
he's not a Knick. Maybe after a few more injuries.
10) Deng (again, not yet)
No.
11) Boozer (see the Lakers series this year or SA last year?)
Kind of, but not really. Could he do it by himself?
12) Gasol
Good #2 guy.
13) Vince (used to be)
Almost before. Nothing now.
14) Pierce
Yes. He's always been good.
15) Allen (same as AI)
Perennial also-ran.
Players that could get there, we'll see, they need work but have
1) Rudy Gay
2) Bynum
We'll see.
3) Oden
He hasn't played his first game yet.
4) Horford
It's possible.
5) Julian Wright
6) LMA
7) Randy Foye
8) Ronnie Brewer
We'll see.
9) Danny Granger
No.
10) David Lee
No. He can be a very good role player. He's never going to be the
face of a franchise.
11) Monta Ellis
Yeah. He's pretty spectacular, but he's not going to learn any
defense from Don Nelson.