RealGM

OK, so far it's:

The NBA's top 25 players
1) LBJ
2) D12

**AGAIN, I'm allowing you guys to change your mind, just in case, some of the debates that ensue make you change your initial pick**

Who's #3?

CP3?



D-Rose?



Durant?



Our own New Jersey Net, D-Will?



Kobe?



Wade?

wade even though durant will get major love. durant is not that good on d and he usually chokes against big strong sf defenders

Durant

Always thought Durant should be number 2, so I'm going for Durant again.

I went with Durant's annoying ass.

Kobe is a dick BTW, that picture is hilarious!

Wade.

Still a better player than Durant.

Wade, he's LeBron-lite, still better than Durant.

I think he's better on either side of the ball.

Durant Again..... I'm happy with D-12 at 2

Gotta give it to Durant simply because there's no question that he's number on his team.

He carries them every time, become more clutch, and has expanded his game.

I think Durant plays at a higher level more consistently than Wade does, but when Wade decides to turn it on, he's arguably #1.

IMO, Durant is 2b/3a and Wade is 3b, with ability to turn it on to 1a when he feels like it.

wade and durant should be above howard. a man who cant close games and cant hit free throws is not number 2.

NyCeEvO wrote:Gotta give it to Durant simply because there's no question that he's number on his team.

He carries them every time, become more clutch, and has expanded his game.

I think Durant plays at a higher level more consistently than Wade does, but when Wade decides to turn it on, he's arguably #1.

IMO, Durant is 2b/3a and Wade is 3b, with ability to turn it on to 1a when he feels like it.

Don't really agree with this line of thinking, Pippen was the clear #2 on the 90's Bulls, but he was definitely better than a lot of #1 options around the league.

And compare Wade and Durant straight up statistically, per 36 (Wade's minutes are really low this year):

Durant: 26.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.5 TOpg, .608 TS%

Wade: 25.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.0 TOpg, .567 TS%

Durant is the better scorer and better rebounder (I'd expect a SF with an extra 6 inches on him to rebound better though), but Wade is better at taking care of the ball and creating for others. And this is with Wade playing better defense, and starting off slow in the beginning of the year due to injury. Overall, I think Wade's a better offensive player, even with Durant's edge in scoring.

And Durant hasn't really proven himself to be close to Wade as a playoff performer. I know that this is supposed to be about right now, but I think you have to take track record into account as well, at least the past year.

wasted_101 wrote:wade and durant should be above howard. a man who cant close games and cant hit free throws is not number 2.

+1. He's a great defender and all, but there is only one way to win a game......outscore the other team. I went with Durant, he's put up great numbers this season.

I've never been a fan of PER36 stats cuz it always assumes that players will maintain the same efficiency rate no matter how many minutes they play.

If played 1a option minutes, he wouldn't be so efficient.

Also, Wade is playing LBJ & Bosh and Durant is playing with Westbrook and Harden, and yet KD there is clear difference in KD's eFG% and TS%.

Yes, Wade does play good defense but as even most Miami fans will admit, he only plays when he wants to. He doesn't lock down his guy all of the time.

@wasted_101

Go back to the "Rank Top 25 Players - Who's #2" thread and change/make your vote count there and post it.

If more people vote, I'll have to make the switch.

Not saying Wade would definitely put up those numbers with 36 mpg, but I'm just pointing out his production is down due to lack of minutes and a slow start in the beginning of the year. He's still the same D-Wade he's been his whole career.

Wade playing his baseline D is better than Durant's baseline D, imo.

And Wade's prime TS% before LeBron: 56.8%
Wade's prime TS% after LeBron: 57.7%

Not much of a difference...I don't think Wade is really a guy who will see a big difference in his efficiency if you change his supporting cast around, he'll adjust and maintain his percentages, imo.

Durant, a complete boss

KD i had him @ 2

Bump.

Errbody get ya'll votes in.

Bout tuh close this sucka...

Smh at Durant beating out Wade. Wade is easily the more complete player.

Wade is number #3