OT- The Face/Style of the League is Changing

[s1ickd]

If you think about it, the concept of the "young elite athletic jordanesque wing" has dissapeared. now, it's more the "young, elite point gaurd" like paul, deron, felton, calderon, parker, ford, rose, etc.

the time of vince, tmac, kobe, pierce, j rich, artest, stojakovic, Grant Hill, Rip Hamilton, crawford, marion, RJ, etc. is comming to a close... probably because people realized that none of those guys can win a title without a big man. that's what made jordan so unique and timeless.

guys that are exceptions are only the following 3... Lebron, Carmello, Johnson. Good luck finding a truly elite young wing player outside of those 3. This is why Johnson is in such high demand. There really arent that many sub 30 yr old 6'6-6'8 guys that can dominate on the wing anymore.

It seems like high upside athletic wing players are picked after the high upside point gaurds and centers of late. This would mark a return to a more traditional style of play in the NBA, where the wing players are essentially siimply shooters.

[greenbeans]

So "team" basketball is now back in vogue? What a coincidence this falls in line with the C's being back on top again.

[Rocky5000]

How does Dwayne Wade fit in?

[hiphop1]

You forgot Rondo's name in that list!

[Pogue Mahone]

While I agree with the general overall premise, I think you blowing smoke with the Johnson bit. I don't think Johnson is any better than most of the other high-usage wings in the league. Actually, if Johnson is your best or even second best player, you aren't going deep in the playoffs without a KG/Duncan as the team's best overall player. The Johnsons' and Anthonys' of the league appear much better and that they are providing more impact than they actually give because of the overall opportunity they get on the offensive end of the floor. That is not to say that those players aren't good-to-very good players; it just means they can't be the backbone of the team, imo.

[SonicYouth34]

I see what you're saying, but all the good teams in the NBA still have a good big man and without one, doesn't matter how great the PG, they aren't going anywhere.

Celts- KG
Spurs- Timmy
Hornets- West
Magic- D12
Rockets- Yao
Lakers- Gasol
T'Wolves- Big Al (Cause I love him )

[sully00]

I don't think position really matters as long as you have balance. Great big men help if they are good defenders, that is the key. You need 2 great players, you need to be able to play defense and have a top ten offense. In the end if your team is better defensively without your best offensive player, your screwed. I think if you added Pierce to Lebron and the Cavs they would win the championship.

Sonic how does Amare not make your list? He needs to step up his D but c'mon they are the Suns, they win 60 games, he is the best offensive big man in the game. I think this is the year that the Suns break through in the West, of course only to be handled by the Champs.

[MyInsatiableOne]

So "team" basketball is now back in vogue? What a coincidence this falls in line with the C's being back on top again.