Sportsline top 50 players

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Reef ranks in at number 38

Top 50 players: Duncan on top, K.G. right behind

Oct. 1, 2003

By Mike Kahn

SportsLine.com Executive Editor

Tell Mike your opinion!

With training camp on the verge of going full blast and exhibition games starting already before we know it, the regular season will be here soon.

But before we get to that, let's take a look at the top individual players based on expectations for this season. You won't agree with all of it. You might not agree with any of it.

Nevertheless, here's a look at the SportsLine.com's Top 50 players going into the 2003-2004 season.

1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: The two-time MVP now has two rings and nearly had a quadruple-double in 2003 Finals clincher. Any more questions?

2. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves: Duncan nosed out Garnett for MVP by the slimmest of margins, and K.G. is still getting better.

3. Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers: If Shaq is in shape and focused, he's by far the best player -- make that No. 1 and No. 1A.

4. Kobe Bryant, Lakers: He does it all on both ends of the floor, but the sexual assault case is overshadowing basketball at the moment.

5. Tracy McGrady, Orlando Magic: He's right on Bryant's heels as the great all-around player, and if his back is right, he'll improve again.

6. Jason Kidd, New Jersey Nets: The prototype point guard, he has back-to-back East titles and a now nine-figure contract. Is a championship next?

7. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers: He is the people's choice as the leave-it-all-on-the-floor overachiever at barely 6-feet, 165 pounds.

8. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: He's a star of the 21st century -- a 7-footer who runs the floor and shoots from the perimeter like a guard.

9. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: Unlimited shooting range and great strength in the post, he is as tough a player as there is to prevent from scoring.

10. Chris Webber, Sacramento Kings: Knee surgery has caused him to slip this far. A remarkable all-around talent at power forward.

11. Jermaine O'Neal, Indiana Pacers: Still only 24, he is climbing the charts with great skills at both ends of the floor and his shooting range is improving.

12. Ray Allen, Seattle SuperSonics: One of the great guys in the game, sometimes, his off-the-floor brilliance overshadows his on floor talent.

13. Stephon Marbury, Phoenix Suns: Rapidly becoming the most explosive scoring point guard in the game, and the team is climbing along with him.

14. Steve Francis, Houston Rockets: Very similar to Marbury in skills, he's still figuring out how to be a point guard in this league but getting close.

15. Gary Payton, Lakers: At 35, he's still an All-Star performer and will make the Lakers that much better offensively and defensively.

16. Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans Hornets: The best small forward in the game, he handles the ball and shoots like a guard with a power forward's body.

17. Yao Ming, Rockets: He only scratched the surface last year with special skills packed into a 7-5, 300-pound body. His potential is endless.

18. Peja Stojakovic, Kings: Perhaps the best pure shooter in the game, his rebounding is underrated, and he defends better than you think.

19. Shawn Marion, Suns: Another special talent whose unorthodox shooting and ball-handling sometimes blur just how good he really is.

20. Baron Davis, Hornets: A natural point guard with extraordinary strength and floor savvy, knee and back problems have dropped him this far.

21. Rasheed Wallace, Portland Trail Blazers: Every bit as talented as the other great power forwards, if his head is on straight, he is a superstar.

22. Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers: Undersized as a power forward, he makes up for it with long arms and great skills. He is another off-court star.

23. Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors: When healthy, he is a top 10 player, at least, with staggering jumping ability and superior shooting range. We'll see.

24. Karl Malone, Lakers: Now at the big 4-0, the Mailman still delivers, just a little later. He is the best power forward ever.

25. Steve Nash, Mavericks: He is relentless pushing the ball and delivering to his teammates, and capable of scoring big himself.

26. Antoine Walker, Celtics: He should be every bit as good as Mashburn, if not better. He just doesn't move as well or perform as consistently.

27. Michael Finley, Mavericks:Were it not for persistent hamstring problems, he, too, could be higher. A very quiet star.

28. Kenyon Martin, Nets: The jury is still out as he fizzled late in the Finals, but a superior defender and improving rebounder.

29. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons: The best defensive power forward and rebounder in the game would rank higher with any kind of offense.

30. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland Cavaliers: Talent-wise, he's probably top 15, but chronic foot problems always bring him down in the pack.

31. Mike Bibby, Kings: This is a key year to prove whether it was the fractured foot, or the 2003 playoffs were just a fluke.

32. Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies: He keeps improving every year and is just loaded with talent on a 7-foot frame that needs to get stronger.

33. Latrell Sprewell, Timberwolves: This will be his second rebirth, and the 'Wolves are counting on him to raise their level of play.

34. Ron Artest, Pacers: Like Rasheed Wallace, if he ever gets his head straightened out, he's a superstar instead of a sometimes star.

35. Allan Houston, New York Knicks: Another superior shooter, knee surgery will delay his season somewhat, or he would be ranked a little higher.

36. Nick Van Exel, Golden State Warriors: People either love him or hate him, but nobody denies Nicky's talent and confidence -- just consistency.

37. Antawn Jamison, Mavericks: A great natural scorer moving to a team full of scorers should make for an interesting mix.

38. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Atlanta Hawks: He puts up great numbers, but he is clearly a great talent who makes you want to go, "huh?"

39. Richard Hamilton, Pistons: He proved last season that he'll be a big-time scorer for a long time -- inside and outside.

40. Vlade Divac, Kings: He doesn't get in good enough condition, but his skills and leadership remain invaluable to the Kings.

41. Brian Grant, Miami Heat: Playing out of position (center), he's still a workhorse and a double-double machine.

42. Brad Miller, Kings: The heir apparent to Divac, acquiring him will help inside as a kinder, gentler version of Bill Laimbeer.

43. Amare Stoudemire, Suns: The best performance ever by a kid right out of high school, we'll see if he adds some finesse to the power.

44. Chauncey Billups, Pistons: If it weren't for an ankle injury, he would have been the surprise star of the playoffs. He's coming on fast.

45. Jerry Stackhouse, Washington Wizards: A great natural scorer, he still has to prove he can lead a young team and help them win.

46. Richard Jefferson, Nets: He came on strong his second season on the offensive end as a starter. He was a steal for this team.

47. Bonzi Wells, Trail Blazers: He's as tough in the post as any guard in the league and a great streak shooter ... just very erratic.

48. Glenn Robinson, Philadelphia 76ers: A great mid-range scorer, it will be interesting to see how he fits in with Iverson.

49. Rashard Lewis, SuperSonics: They badly need him to take the next step to stardom; a marvelously talented shooter and jumper.

50. Gilbert Arenas, Wizards: He had a great second season, wanted big money and got it from the Wiz. Now we'll see if he's worth it.

Honorable mention: Reggie Miller, Pacers; Sam Cassell, Timberwolves; Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls; Troy Murphy, Warriors; Antonio Davis, Raptors; Dale Davis, Trail Blazers; Ricky Davis, Cavaliers; Tony Parker, Spurs; Alonzo Mourning, Nets; Jason Terry, Hawks; Eddy Curry, Bulls.

[Traceman]

If I were Terry Stotts, I would tape that to Reef's locker before training camp starts tomorrow. That being said, Mike Kahn is an idiot! Ilgauskas, Bibby, Spreweell, Houston, Van Exel and Artest better than Reef? Foolery! Actually, I'd take Reef over Walker and Jamison too but the others are just ridiculous!