2009 Value Board Ranking with Comments

The Value Board. This list is defined by the top 50 NBA players based on value. But it is not just a list in terms of current ability alone, Hoops Daily defines the value of a player by a combination of his talent, age, potential, character, and ability to win multiple championships. (contract status is not a consideration). If you were going to build an NBA team from scratch, who would be most valuable to you? After you rank your top 50, your input will immediately be implemented into our Consensus Value Board. Enjoy! To create and manage your own value board, click here. Or to view the consensus of HoopsDaily's users, click here.

View this report in list form

	Player | Ht | Wt | Pos | Team | Age
	1. LeBron James | 6'8 | 272 | SF | Miami Heat | 25 Has anyone confirmed that he's actually human? Best player and best teammate in the League.
	2. Dwyane Wade | 6'4 | 216 | SG | Miami Heat | 28 Signature play came against Chicago stripping Salmons and knocking down the 25 foot game winner. Burned out after carrying Miami on his injured back all year. For us, Pat, get this guy some help.
	3. Dwight Howard | 6'11 | 265 | C | Orlando Magic | 24 Griping about touches is moot when you don't have any post moves, Dwight. Regardless one of the leagues all time athletic specimens.
	4. Chris Paul | 6'0 | 175 | PG | New Orleans Hornets  | 25 Still the best PG in the League, but what's up with losing by 55 at home? Team fell apart on him this year, but maybe time to temper expectations a degree.
	5. Kobe Bryant | 6'7 | 205 | SG | Los Angeles Lakers | 32 Kobe did work against Battier and Artest, but with Dantay and a fierce Nugg fronline up next, he's not done.
	6. Kevin Durant | 6'9 | 215 | SG/SF | Oklahoma City Thunder  | 21 If you were wondering what to nickname Durant, behold. The 24 foot layup.
	7. Carmelo Anthony | 6'8 | 230 | SF | Denver Nuggets | 26 Denver's 2 for 2 in closeout games and Melo's averaged 32 points on 55% shooting in those games.
	8. Derrick Rose | 6'3 | 190 | PG | Chicago Bulls | 21 Helped give us the best first-round series ever. Still missing some of Paul's attributes but has the potential to overtake him in a few short years.
	9. Brandon Roy | 6'6 | 211 | SG | Portland Trail Blazers | 26 With Roy's playmaking ability, why is Portland stressing over the point guard situation?
	10. Deron Williams | 6'3 | 207 | PG | Utah Jazz  | 26 A dissapointing end to the regular season and their expected loss to LA dropped D-Will's stock a bit.
	11. Tony Parker | 6'2 | 180 | PG | San Antonio Spurs | 28 Spurs are still Duncans' team in the locker room, but its Parker who makes them go on the court.
	12. Tim Duncan | 6'11 | 260 | PF/C | San Antonio Spurs | 34 Past his prime with creaky knees, the great Tim Duncan has seen his best days go by.
	13. Paul Pierce | 6'7 | 235 | SF | Boston Celtics | 32 Tired legs have caused a dip in production, but the heart of a champion has refused to let his team lose.
	14. Dirk Nowitzki | 7'0 | 245 | PF | Dallas Mavericks | 32 Crazy girls can't stop Dirk from putting up crazy post-season numbers. Now 30, Dirk no longer can be the #1 on a champion.
	15. Yao Ming | 7'6 | 310 | C | Houston Rockets | 29 No mathematical formula can solve the problem that both of Houston's superstars are injury prone.
	16. Amar'e Stoudemire | 6'10 | 245 | PF/C | New York Knicks | 27 With Gentry unlocking STAT out of halfcourt pergatory, expect big numbers next year. As long as he has no lingring effects from the eye surgery.
	17. Rajon Rondo | 6'1 | 171 | PG | Boston Celtics | 24 Unconvential PG is now unbelievably Celts' most valuable asset. An improving jumper has to put the fear of god in opposing teams.
	18. Al Jefferson | 6'10 | 255 | C | Utah Jazz  | 25 ACL injury shouldn't affect Jefferson's explosiveness since he barely had any before.
	19. Chauncey Billups | 6'3 | 202 | PG | Denver Nuggets | 33 By guiding Denver to the Western Finals, Billups is now included in the "Dude Just Wins" club.
	20. Chris Bosh | 6'10 | 230 | PF | Miami Heat | 26 Maybe he's just not a franchise guy after all and merely a used car salesman.
	21. Pau Gasol | 7'0 | 250 | PF/C | Los Angeles Lakers | 30 The League's best second option and most well-rounded center was actually one of the Geico cavemen.
	22. Kevin Garnett | 6'11 | 253 | PF | Boston Celtics | 34 It's been a great Celtics run without him, but without KG's length and help D, LBJ is going wild next round.
	23. Danny Granger | 6'8 | 228 | SF | Indiana Pacers | 27 This year's MIP wants to dedicate himself to defense this offseason. With his work ethic, don't bet against him.
	24. Joe Johnson | 6'7 | 240 | SG | Atlanta Hawks | 29 Against Cleveland, the most generic centerpiece in the league Joe turned out some generic performances.
	25. LaMarcus Aldridge | 6'11 | 240 | C | Portland Trail Blazers | 25 Comparison to 'Sheed is spot on (minus the attitude). Two guys who love to shoot from far, when they should be on the block.
	26. Devin Harris | 6'3 | 185 | PG | New Jersey Nets | 27 Had a fantastic individual season, but is he capable of running a winning team?
	27. Andre Iguodala | 6'6 | 207 | SG | Philadelphia 76ers | 26 Finally getting some much delayed recognition for his all-around game after some big shots in the Playoffs.
	28. Josh Smith | 6'9 | 240 | PF | Atlanta Hawks | 24 Smith or Woodson? The player-coach relationship hit new lows this season and a shake up could be soon.
	29. Russell Westbrook | 6'3 | 187 | PG | Oklahoma City Thunder  | 21 Nobody knows what Westbrook is, but everybody knows that kid has some serious potential.
	30. Andrew Bynum | 7'0 | 285 | C | Los Angeles Lakers | 22 Although Bynum is struggling to find his role after his injury, at least he can find the Playboy mansion OK.
	31. Brook Lopez | 7'0 | 260 | C | New Jersey Nets | 22 Not flashy, slow, boring
	32. Caron Butler | 6'7 | 228 | SG/SF | Dallas Mavericks | 30 "Tuff Juice" is far and away the best nickname in the league. If he gets a change of scenery, watch out!
	33. Monta Ellis | 6'3 | 180 | PG | Golden State Warriors | 24 After his "mo-ped" accident, Ellis came back strong with 23-4-4 in his final month of play.
	34. Rudy Gay | 6'8 | 222 | SF | Memphis Grizzlies | 24 With O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol, Memphis is a half-court team. So where does Rudy fit in?
	35. Anthony Randolph | 6'10 | 210 | PF/SF | New York Knicks | 21 The footspeed of Shawn Marion in his prime with the body type of Chris Bosh. This is going to be good.
	36. David West | 6'9 | 240 | PF | New Orleans Hornets  | 30 Raised his scoring average for the fourth consecutive year. Playing with the league's best PG helps.
	37. Greg Oden | 7'0 | 285 | C | Portland Trail Blazers | 22 I think it's still a bit early to call him a bust, but he's not that far away from earning that distinction.
	38. Paul Millsap | 6'8 | 250 | PF | Utah Jazz  | 25 The poster child for undersized PFs, this unrestricted FA is sure to cash in this offseason.
	39. Andris Biedrins | 6'11 | 240 | C | Golden State Warriors | 24 We're still waiting for that offensive game to develop.
	40. OJ Mayo | 6'4 | 210 | SG | Memphis Grizzlies | 22 Finding out that O.J. took payments to go to USC is like learning Kobe undermined Spike: not surprising
	41. Al Horford | 6'10 | 245 | C | Atlanta Hawks | 24 The best Dominican player ever failed to dramatically improve from last year's solid rookie season.
	42. Carlos Boozer | 6'9 | 266 | PF | Chicago Bulls | 28 The world is waiting to see if Boozer's morals can sink any lower than the last time he was a free agent.
	43. Vince Carter | 6'6 | 220 | SG | Orlando Magic | 33 Former high-flyer and overall malcontent has transformed his attitude and game.
	44. Marvin Williams | 6'9 | 240 | SF | Atlanta Hawks | 24 Long criticized for being taken in front of Paul and Deron, Williams is beginning to come into his own.
	45. Michael Beasley | 6'9 | 245 | PF | Minnesota Timberwolves  | 21 Can't knock the talent, but needs to mature in order to make that next step.
	46. Eric Gordon | 6'3 | 222 | SG | Los Angeles Clippers | 21 Must work on other parts of his game besides scoring to ensure he doesn't become the next Ben Gordon.
	47. Ray Allen | 6'5 | 205 | SG | Boston Celtics | 35 19 ppg playoff scoring average is inflated with his 51 point outburst against Chicago.
	48. Kevin Martin | 6'7 | 185 | SG | Houston Rockets | 27 Unconventional jump shooter must prove he can stay healthy for an entire season.
	49. Mo Williams | 6'1 | 190 | PG | Cleveland Cavaliers | 27 Does any PG have it easier than Mo? Bring the ball up, give it to LBJ and wait for an open 3.
	50. Manu Ginobili | 6'6 | 205 | SG | San Antonio Spurs | 33 How he comes back from ankle surgery will determine what direction the Spurs go.