Remember, this list is based on a few factors. One - how well they played last season when they saw action. Two - players are ranked according to the likelihood that you'd build a team around them. For example, it would be a toss-up to choose between the 49th and 50th best players, but it would be a no-brainier to choose between the 49th and 20th best players. Keep that in mind. And the last factor - this list is my opinion and if you don't like it or if you do, let me know in the comments or on Twitter (@EnigmatikBGDB).
10. Chris Paul
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 All-NBA First Team
2011-2012 NBA All-Defensive First Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 19.8 points, 9.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals, 0.1 blocks, 47.8% FG, 37.1% 3PT, 86.1% FT (60 games)
2012 playoff stats: 17.6 points, 7.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 0.1 blocks, 42.7% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 87.2% FT (11 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
33 points, 13 assists, 8 steals, 4 rebounds (4/22/2012 vs. NOH)
9. Rajon Rondo
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 All-NBA Third Team
2011-2012 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 11.9 points, 11.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 0.1 blocks, 44.8% FG, 23.8% 3PT, 59.7% FT (53 games)
2012 playoff stats: 17.3 points, 11.9 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.1 blocks, 46.8% FG, 26.7% 3PT, 69.6% FT (19 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
18 points, 20 assists, 17 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block (3/4/2012 vs. NYK)
8. Dirk Nowitzki
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 All-NBA Third Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.5 blocks, 45.7% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 89.6% FT (62 games)
2012 playoff stats: 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 44.2% FG, 16.7% 3PT, 90.5% FT (4 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block (3/19/2012 @ DEN)
7. Russell Westbrook
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 All-NBA Second Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45.7% FG, 31.6% 3PT, 82.3% FT (66 games)
2012 playoff stats: 23.1 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, 43.5% FG, 27.7% 3PT, 80.2% FT (20 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
28 points, 11 assists, 7 steals, 6 rebounds (1/27/2012 @ GSW)
6. Dwight Howard
2011-2012 NBA All-Star 2011-2012 All-NBA First Team 2011-2012 NBA All-Defensive First Team 2011-2012 regular season stats: 20.6 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, 1.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 57.3% FG, 0% 3PT, 49.1% FT (54 games) Notable stat line of 2011-2012 45 points, 23 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, 2 blocks (1/12/2012 @ GSW)5. Derrick Rose
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 regular season stats: 21.8 points, 7.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 43.5% FG, 31.2% 3PT, 81.2% FT (39 games)
2012 playoff stats: 23.0 points, 9.0 assists, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, 39.1% FG, 50.0% 3PT, 100% FT (1 game)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
29 points, 16 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 steal (12/30/2011 @ LAC)
4. Dwyane Wade
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 All-NBA Third Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks, 49.7% FG, 26.8% 3PT, 79.1% FT (49 games)
2012 playoff stats: 22.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.3 blocks, 46.2% FG, 29.4% 3PT, 72.9% FT (23 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
41 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals (5/24/2012 @ IND)
3. Kobe Bryant
2011-2012 NBA All-Star 2011-2012 All-NBA First Team 2011-2012 NBA All-Defensive Second Team 2011-2012 regular season stats: 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 43.0% FG, 30.3% 3PT, 84.5% FT (58 games) 2012 playoff stats: 30.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks, 43.9% FG, 28.3% 3PT, 83.2% FT (12 games) Notable stat line of 2011-2012 48 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals (1/10/2012 vs. PHO)2. Kevin Durant
2011-2012 NBA All-Star2011-2012 NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player
2011-2012 All-NBA First Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks, 49.6% FG, 38.7% 3PT, 86.0% FT (66 games)
2012 playoff stats: 28.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.2 blocks, 51.7% FG, 37.3% 3PT, 86.4% FT (20 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
40 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals (3/23/2012 vs. MIN)
1. LeBron James
2011-2012 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player2011-2012 NBA Most Valuable Player
2011-2012 NBA All-Star
2011-2012 All-NBA First Team
2011-2012 NBA All-Defensive First Team
2011-2012 regular season stats: 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks, 53.1% FG, 36.2% 3PT, 77.1% FT (62 games)
2012 playoff stats: 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 50.0% FG, 25.9% 3PT, 73.9% FT (23 games)
Notable stat line of 2011-2012
40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks (5/20/2012 @ IND)
There you have it folks! The best 50 NBA basketball players going into the 2012-2013 season. Will they pan out? Will the Miami Heat repeat? Are the Lakers and Thunder destined to clash in a Western conference classic?
Relive the list with us: 20 - 11, 30 - 21, 40 - 31, 50 - 41
What do you think about our list. Any surprises? Any conflicts? Let us know in the comments!
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