31. Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz, 25, 6-9, 215: 15.8 pts., 8.0 reb., 3.19 blk.
Nobody fills up a box score better than Kirilenko. He makes an impact all
over the floor. But offensively he has yet to figure out his niche, which is all
that separates him from being an All-Star as opposed to just a good all-around
player who sometimes plays at an All-Star level.
32. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors, 22, 6-10, 235: 22.5 pts., 9.2 reb., 1.13
blk.
Great expectations abound for Bosh and the future of the Raptors and they are
not mutually exclusive. His approach to the game and life are superior, which is
why they wanted to build the franchise around him in the first place. With an
improving cast around him, the next step is to prove that he knows how to win.
33. Al Harrington, Indiana Pacers, 26, 6-9, 245: 18.6 pts., 6.9 reb., 3.1
ast.
Harrington wanted to be the man, which is why he forced the Pacers to trade
him to Atlanta. It only took a couple of years to realize it was much more fun
to win and just be one of the men. A more mature and well-rounded player, he's a
great fit next to O'Neal up front.
34. Chris Webber, Philadelphia 76ers, 33, 6-10, 250: 20.2 pts., 9.9 reb., 3.4
ast.
Webber continues to be one of the great contradictions in the game.
Talent-wise and even statistically, he's one of the best pure power forwards in
the history of the game. There is no skill he hasn't mastered, other than
winning. And now that knee surgery has slowed him, it's hard to tell what he has
left to contribute.
35. Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors, 27, 6-3, 215: 17.9 pts., 8.9 ast.,
1.65 stl.
Nobody has ever questioned his skills and ability to be a floor leader. It's
the direction, attitude and priorities people still wonder about. He can do it
all, but instead of being a top-15 player, he's down here because he has rarely
shown the right approach on a consistent level.
36. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs, 29, 6-6, 210: 15.1 pts., 3.5 reb. 3.6
ast.
An injury-riddled season prevented Ginobili from retaining the All-Star
status he had achieved the year before on the way to an NBA title. His
all-around game is unquestioned. But what we don't know is if last season was an
aberration, or if his body has begun to break down from all the international
play of so many years.
37. Richard Hamilton, Detroit Pistons, 28, 6-7, 195: 20.1 pts., 3.2 reb.,
.458 3-point pct.
Rip passed another stage of development last season when he extended his
range to beyond the 3-point arc and continued to move the ball. But his
credibility is built on non-stop running, a la Reggie Miller, and a killer
mid-range game. He'll be doing this for a long time.
38. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons, 32, 6-11, 240: 15.1 pts., 6.8 reb.,
1.63 blk.
Because he's such a grouch before, during and after games (or any time he's
not around teammates, friends or family), people don't want to give 'Sheed his
due. The fact of the matter is he always has been a top-15 talent, but he is so
unselfish that it appears that he is passive. He's not. And with Big Ben now in
Chicago, he'll have to be even less so.
39. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards, 30, 6-9, 240: 20.5 pts., 9.3 reb.,
1.1 stl.
Jamison is one of the great guys in the league and a natural scorer inside
and out. But he never has expanded his game to include setting up his teammates
or playing a lick of defense.
40. Rashard Lewis, Seattle Sonics, 27, 6-10, 225: 20.1 pts., 5.0 reb., 1.31
stl.
Everyone in Seattle keeps waiting for Lewis to explode to the next level by
putting the ball on the floor more and hitting the boards harder. Maybe this
will be the year, or maybe it will never happen. But he's a great perimeter
shooter, finisher and has developed a killer jump hook in the post.
