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Basketball is a continuously evolving sport and NBA is the holy grail of anything and everything basketball. It's only fitting that when we think basketball, we think NBA.
The dynamics of NBA basketball have been completely redone in the past decade. It's a whole another ball game (pun intended). Guards now run the game, big men don't just operate in the paint anymore. The monopoly of 7 footers has now been replaced with small and mid-sized players dominating the big men. Some players, however, have stuck with the traditional positions.
Here's the best player at each position to do so:
Centre (5) - Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard, hands down is one of the best big men of all time. It's a shame that at 31, he's already getting overlooked. Howard may not be his former self from his Orlando days anymore but he's still a top 5 center in the league. Much like most big men of the 80s and 90s, Howard operates in the paint on both ends of the floor. He still averages a double-double, still provides high-grade rim protection and is still a very important player in the league even after doing everything the modern NBA discourages.
Also read: Top 5 NBA centers of all time
He has been off the radar for a few years now but is finally getting some recognition this season. So far he's averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds in 30 minutes for the Charlotte Hornets. Howard doesn't have much time left with him. Hornets might be the last team he plays for in the NBA and come playoff time, they'll be looking to challenge the top teams in the eastern conference.
It is time for Howard to go all in.
Power Forward (4) - Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin came into the NBA as an athletic freak. He was criticised early on in his career for being only a dunker with no real basketball talent and that was true for the most part. He's currently one of the best front-court players in the league. He's now able to complement his athleticism with an all-around game he has developed over the years.
Also read: Top 5 NBA power forwards of all time
He makes a living both, inside and outside the arc, scoring a bulk of his points in the mid-range area. With Chris Paul gone, this season might be the comeback year for Blake, cementing his status as one of the best forwards in the NBA. Even while sharing the ball with CP3, he was an elite passing forward. He is only going to improve this season. With the Lakers rebuilding, LA is his town to run.
Small Forward (3) - Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is one of those players nobody really saw coming. He's been the best two-way player in the league for some time now. How many players today work on their defence from day one? However, the best thing about him or perhaps his game is that it resembles that of the greats of the game. He has modeled his game after Kobe Bryant, who in turn crafted his game after Michael Jordan.
Also read: Top 5 NBA small forwards of the game
Kawhi has been mastering the basics of the game, one at a time. Aspects of the game, posting up, creating your own shot, being a pest on defense are seldom given enough attention today and that is where Kawhi works the most. The scary thing about him is that he hasn't even hit his prime yet. These first few years of his career are nothing but a prelude to what's about to come. After being in MVP talks for the last couple seasons, he might finally win it this season. Brace yourselves for the Klaw!
Shooting Guard (2) - Klay Thompson
A few years ago, two players devised a weapon of on-court mass destruction: the 3 ball. It is said that if you can shoot, you can play basketball and nobody does this better than Klay Thompson. Now there are other players who can shoot the ball really well but Klay has been doing it for so long with such unparalleled consistency in regular season and playoffs alike, that it's almost ridiculous to think of anyone who shoots the ball that well.
Also read: Top 5 NBA Shooting guards of all time
He's also a really underrated wing defender, easily one of the best in the league. He has enough tools to expand his offensive game. Being a taller guard means that he can post up smaller defenders and score easily. As he ages, he'll be using this a lot like a lot of players back in the day. Already a 2X NBA champion, Klay will only be on the up from here and keep knocking that shot down.
Point Guard (1) - Chris Paul
It's no surprise that Chris Paul is considered one of the best point guards of all time. That's because he plays like a point guard. The pass-first mentality is dying in the NBA and this hurts the point guard position the most. There are no true point guards left in the game except Chris Paul. The way he is able to dictate a whole possession and still contribute on the defensive end is a thing of beauty.
Also read: Top 5 NBA Point guards of all time
He might be the only small guy after Gary "The Glove" Payton to play defense at such a high level. Not to mention he does all of this while being efficient on both ends of the court. CP3 is 32 years old and headed towards his twilight years. Houston Rockets seems like a team that will complement his natural play style and it needs to happen this season. He very well might be the last of his sort in the NBA.
Guess the Lakers players!
