Should a Team with 2 Top 12 Players in the League be a ....

[Mykhyn]

He never was

[Play_Smart!]

it takes 5

[theGreatRC]

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Shaq and Kobe though... 3 Champs...

Fox, Shaw, Fish, Grant, Young George, Horry even Lue ?? The Lakers had a great group of players doing the dirty work while Kobe and Shaq just murdered.

[theGreatRC]

He never was

Please be joking.

[Ballings7]

No.

- chemistry
- coaching
- balance
- enough of a bench
- an above-average group of other three starting players
- versatile offense
- toughness

Also need to be there, along with the star players. One of those star players probably needing to be a big man.

Having a talented team doesn't make for a title contender. Talent's needed to be one, but not the majority requirement.

I consider a team in the mold of Detroit a contender as well.

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The Rockets are not a title contender at all yet. I didn't get all the pre-season hype. On paper? Yes, because of their talent. But in actuality? No. They have to establish themselves first.

The chemistry is in development and not where it needs to be. Not sure when that'll be, either. Personnel changes will probably be made again in the off-season. Adelman hasn't been able to implement what he wanted to do orginally, so basically went back to the basics and what the players are familiar with.

Their shooting isn't as good as it used to be.

Scola's still adjusting to the NBA, as expected.

The PG spot has some uncertainity (Alston), and the ability for a true-type PG either isn't there (Francis/James) or isn't significant (Alston). I just don't know if Alston can be the PG for them.

T-Mac's been up and down in the playoffs, and overall pretty unproven in the playoffs.

I think they have too much PG/SG depth. One of James/Francis should be dealt. Luther Head shouldn't of had a reduced role in the first month + of the season. He should of had the consistent, significant role he's had and has now (I think), from the start.

Injuries haven't helped, either, which was an expected issue with their team.

[Mykhyn]

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Please be joking.

When exactly do you think he was? When he helped the Magic to the bottom of the league?

[nate33]

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When exactly do you think he was? When he helped the Magic to the bottom of the league?

To be fair, he took Orlando to the playoffs with very little help. He posted the 11th highest single-season PER in NBA history that year. I'd say that qualifies him as a top 12 player, at least for that season.

But I don't consider him a top 12 player now. His shooting percentage is too low.

[SmoothKobra]

I thought the team in question was Denver. They are a legit threat in the west. Title contender, maybe not, but definitely a team that can contend in the west.

[bigballa3jj]

Melo and AI are arguably top 12 players too

[JN]

Should a Team with 2 Top 12 Players in the League be a Legit Title Contender?

I think they should be a Title Contender. They may not be the favorite but they should be one of the best teams in the league

Not only should they be but they will be.

So in this case, it appears that you are simply overrating the talents, and one or both are not top 12 players if the team is not winning.

[deNIEd]

Melo and AI are arguably top 12 players too

Top 12? No way

Off top of my head, top twelve would be something like (no order)

KG Lebron Kobe Dirk Duncan Nash
Arenas Wade Dwight Paul Amare Ming

I'd say yes, as long as the two compliment each other.

like Nash/Arenas, Arenas/Paul, Paul/Nash team would do nothing.

But a Nash/Dwight, Paul/Ming, KG/Dwight, Kobe/Duncan, Lebron/Amare would all be legit contenders regardless of the rest of their team (assuming the gm isn't isaiah thomas, the rest of the team will be decent enough)

[CrookedJ]

Possibly, but the main problem for Houston is the freqeuncy that only one is in the lineup.

I only saw them once this year (in Toronto) but McGrady was not playing like a top twelve or even top thirty player that night. He was just floating around the perimeter launching threes and seeming fairly disinterested. Thats just one game, and I not sure how indicative that is on his season so far. . .

[nate33]

Melo and AI are arguably top 12 players too

Melo is definitely not playing like a top 12 player so far this season. (He ranks 38th by PER, FWIW.) He was probably in the top 15-20 range last year.

Iverson might have squeaked into the top 12 this year, but it's arguable.