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The Cardinal Smiles
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/6614084
Small forwards: Mashburn best of hard-to-figure group
There has never been a time in NBA history with so many exceptional power forwards. But at the same time, it can get rather frustrating to compare small forwards.
Whereas the power forwards are tough to rank because so many play at such a high level, the small forwards are clustered together because of erratic play and weaknesses in their game.
"It used to be the best player on the team was the guy at small forward," said one NBA executive. "Now you look at them and they're athletic guys who you are just waiting to start performing on a consistently high level. At some point in time, you would expect some of these guys to separate themselves from the pack."
It hasn't happened yet. So when you start to break down the position based on what the players did last season and in recent years, there are a number of ways you can go with any of the top 10, and maybe 12.
The guy who stepped up the most last season was undoubtedly New Orleans Hornets leading scorer Jamal Mashburn, who was named to the All-Star Game for the first time and played at the highest level of his career all season before breaking a finger in the playoffs. Although not a great defensive player, Mashburn is an extraordinary ball-handler and a fine passer and has limitless shooting range.
He's a great player to start with for new coach Tim Floyd. But it isn't as if his previous coach, Paul Silas, didn't appreciate him either before heading to Cleveland to coach the Cavaliers.
"Mash has always been the difference," Silas said last season entering the playoffs. "When he's healthy, we play at a higher level."
That's not to say the other small forwards aren't talented. Peja Stojakovic is considered by many as the finest perimeter shooter in the game, his defense is improving, he rebounds and he runs the floor extremely well for the high-scoring Sacramento Kings.
But Stojakovic's exceptional shooting doesn't necessarily compare with the versatility some of the other players like Phoenix's Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics and Indiana's defensive stopper Ron Artest exhibit.
Antawn Jamison, now with the Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta's Shareef Abdur-Rahim are more scoring-mentality players. The same goes for Glenn Robinson, who will be paired with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia this season, and Seattle's young Rashard Lewis.
Richard Jefferson, just completing his first trip with Team USA, has proven to be a top-notch defensive player for the New Jersey Nets and rapidly improving on the offensive end as well. There are others like Wally Szczerbiak, Juwan Howard, Tim Thomas and Keith Van Horn to consider as well.
And then there's young Caron Butler or rookie Carmelo Anthony. All things considered, the top of the charts among small forwards is wide open for the taking these days. But for now, we'll go with Mashburn.
Occasionally, he's even the Monster Mash.
1. Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans Hornets: At 6-8, 250, he has the size, shooting versatility, and exceptional ball-handling skills that set him apart from the rest of the group. Aggressiveness is the key to his success or failure. He seems to have raised his level of play the past three years.
2. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings: Arguably the best outside shooter in the game, Stojakovic can take over when he gets rolling. A big part of his success is that he's on a team that moves the ball so well so he gets open looks. Ankle problems have affected his consistently the past two seasons.
3. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: A most intriguing player with a funky-looking release on his shot, but it goes in. An exceptional athlete, he can jump out of the gym and has great anticipation for steals and open-floor dunks. He needs to be more consistent with his contributions on both ends of the floor.
4. Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics: Has a similar game to Mashburn's but shoots way too often and never appears to be in good shape. If Walker would ever lose weight and get stronger, he could be a superstar considering his gifts. This summer he promised to do so -- we'll find out soon enough if he meant it.
5. Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers: The best defender of this group, he is an intimidating player with a powerful body and a crazy streak that scares people. His suspensions cost the team and he has to get a grip to become a star because everybody in the league is ready for him to blow up at any second.
6. Antawn Jamison, Dallas Mavericks: He can be a scoring machine, but then again, who isn't on the Mavs? Getting traded from Golden State to Dallas will have an effect, but will he build on his game or just shun defense and stay a gunner? This is a good guy with great talent who needs to be pushed.
7. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Atlanta Hawks: He puts up great numbers, but it has always been on bad teams, which leaves him somewhat suspect. With Glenn Robinson traded, it will be interesting to see if he can raise his level of play as the primary offensive focus of the team.
8. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets: Some people think he's vastly overrated, but Jefferson is a terrific defender who runs the floor and is just getting used to being counted on for offensive productivity. He's on his way up the list if he continues to grow the way he did during his first two seasons.
9. Glenn Robinson, Philadelphia 76ers: The former No. 1 overall pick now is on his third team in three seasons. A great scorer, people complain about his defense and passing, but he will win games and will relieve burden from Iverson. Approaching 31, this is a great opportunity to prove he can be a winner.
10. Rashard Lewis, Seattle SuperSonics: Still only 24, he has exceptional ability to shoot from any angle and his post-up game is improving. But he needs to get stronger, defend tougher and more consistently, and handle the ball at least some. This is a big year for him to prove he deserves consideration among the elite.
Also receiving consideration: Caron Butler, Miami Heat; Juwan Howard, Orlando Magic; Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota Timberwolves; Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks; and Keith Van Horn, New York Knicks.
Positional Rankings
Date Position
Aug. 29 Power Forwards
Sep. 3 Small Forwards
Sep. 10 Centers
Sep. 17 Shooting Guards
Sep. 24 Point Guards
Oct. 1 Top 50 players
Small forwards: Mashburn best of hard-to-figure group
There has never been a time in NBA history with so many exceptional power forwards. But at the same time, it can get rather frustrating to compare small forwards.
Whereas the power forwards are tough to rank because so many play at such a high level, the small forwards are clustered together because of erratic play and weaknesses in their game.
"It used to be the best player on the team was the guy at small forward," said one NBA executive. "Now you look at them and they're athletic guys who you are just waiting to start performing on a consistently high level. At some point in time, you would expect some of these guys to separate themselves from the pack."
It hasn't happened yet. So when you start to break down the position based on what the players did last season and in recent years, there are a number of ways you can go with any of the top 10, and maybe 12.
The guy who stepped up the most last season was undoubtedly New Orleans Hornets leading scorer Jamal Mashburn, who was named to the All-Star Game for the first time and played at the highest level of his career all season before breaking a finger in the playoffs. Although not a great defensive player, Mashburn is an extraordinary ball-handler and a fine passer and has limitless shooting range.
He's a great player to start with for new coach Tim Floyd. But it isn't as if his previous coach, Paul Silas, didn't appreciate him either before heading to Cleveland to coach the Cavaliers.
"Mash has always been the difference," Silas said last season entering the playoffs. "When he's healthy, we play at a higher level."
That's not to say the other small forwards aren't talented. Peja Stojakovic is considered by many as the finest perimeter shooter in the game, his defense is improving, he rebounds and he runs the floor extremely well for the high-scoring Sacramento Kings.
But Stojakovic's exceptional shooting doesn't necessarily compare with the versatility some of the other players like Phoenix's Shawn Marion, Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics and Indiana's defensive stopper Ron Artest exhibit.
Antawn Jamison, now with the Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta's Shareef Abdur-Rahim are more scoring-mentality players. The same goes for Glenn Robinson, who will be paired with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia this season, and Seattle's young Rashard Lewis.
Richard Jefferson, just completing his first trip with Team USA, has proven to be a top-notch defensive player for the New Jersey Nets and rapidly improving on the offensive end as well. There are others like Wally Szczerbiak, Juwan Howard, Tim Thomas and Keith Van Horn to consider as well.
And then there's young Caron Butler or rookie Carmelo Anthony. All things considered, the top of the charts among small forwards is wide open for the taking these days. But for now, we'll go with Mashburn.
Occasionally, he's even the Monster Mash.
1. Jamal Mashburn, New Orleans Hornets: At 6-8, 250, he has the size, shooting versatility, and exceptional ball-handling skills that set him apart from the rest of the group. Aggressiveness is the key to his success or failure. He seems to have raised his level of play the past three years.
2. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings: Arguably the best outside shooter in the game, Stojakovic can take over when he gets rolling. A big part of his success is that he's on a team that moves the ball so well so he gets open looks. Ankle problems have affected his consistently the past two seasons.
3. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: A most intriguing player with a funky-looking release on his shot, but it goes in. An exceptional athlete, he can jump out of the gym and has great anticipation for steals and open-floor dunks. He needs to be more consistent with his contributions on both ends of the floor.
4. Antoine Walker, Boston Celtics: Has a similar game to Mashburn's but shoots way too often and never appears to be in good shape. If Walker would ever lose weight and get stronger, he could be a superstar considering his gifts. This summer he promised to do so -- we'll find out soon enough if he meant it.
5. Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers: The best defender of this group, he is an intimidating player with a powerful body and a crazy streak that scares people. His suspensions cost the team and he has to get a grip to become a star because everybody in the league is ready for him to blow up at any second.
6. Antawn Jamison, Dallas Mavericks: He can be a scoring machine, but then again, who isn't on the Mavs? Getting traded from Golden State to Dallas will have an effect, but will he build on his game or just shun defense and stay a gunner? This is a good guy with great talent who needs to be pushed.
7. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Atlanta Hawks: He puts up great numbers, but it has always been on bad teams, which leaves him somewhat suspect. With Glenn Robinson traded, it will be interesting to see if he can raise his level of play as the primary offensive focus of the team.
8. Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets: Some people think he's vastly overrated, but Jefferson is a terrific defender who runs the floor and is just getting used to being counted on for offensive productivity. He's on his way up the list if he continues to grow the way he did during his first two seasons.
9. Glenn Robinson, Philadelphia 76ers: The former No. 1 overall pick now is on his third team in three seasons. A great scorer, people complain about his defense and passing, but he will win games and will relieve burden from Iverson. Approaching 31, this is a great opportunity to prove he can be a winner.
10. Rashard Lewis, Seattle SuperSonics: Still only 24, he has exceptional ability to shoot from any angle and his post-up game is improving. But he needs to get stronger, defend tougher and more consistently, and handle the ball at least some. This is a big year for him to prove he deserves consideration among the elite.
Also receiving consideration: Caron Butler, Miami Heat; Juwan Howard, Orlando Magic; Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota Timberwolves; Tim Thomas, Milwaukee Bucks; and Keith Van Horn, New York Knicks.
Positional Rankings
Date Position
Aug. 29 Power Forwards
Sep. 3 Small Forwards
Sep. 10 Centers
Sep. 17 Shooting Guards
Sep. 24 Point Guards
Oct. 1 Top 50 players
