Ones and One Point Fives

I was reading reviews of Bill Simmons’ gargantuan Book of Basketball at NY Mag and couldn’t help but peruse the comments section. I find that some of the most profound ideas and insights can be found not in the reviews themselves, but website viewers reviews of the reviews – that and dick jokes and homophobic insults. After reading Tommy Cragg’s backhandedly positive assessment of the Simmons’ NBA magnus opus, I couldn’t help but have my interest peaked by the following comment from Sam Anderson:

“This whole "1.5" thing is fascinating. I want a list of all the true 1s in the league (LeBron, Kobe, Wade, et al) & then a list of all the 1.5s (Nowitzki, Pierce, Garnett, Roy...). And then I want a compatibility list showing which 1.5s would fit together to win you a championship, & which pairings wouldn't work. E.g., who (just hypothetically) would be the perfect 1.5 to help Nowitzki win a title? Brandon Roy? Deron Williams? Heat-era Shaq?”

I thought to myself that one: I can’t believe no one has done this before, and two, I am going to do what a good writer would do and steal this idea. A Simmons column about the subject would of course be more popular and get roughly three quarters of the USA reading it, but I think I could do a much better job, as I am without the Beantown bias and, unlike Bill what with his man-crush on Kevin Durant exposed, I have an affinity for players who know how to play defense.

I am going to take what Sam Anderson wants and accomplish it. First of all, I am going to take the true franchise players in the league and then match them with their ultimate 1.5 guys to create the best possible pairings, some of which may already be in place. What I am trying to do is piece together dynasties. You can have a championship team with no true number 1, exhibit A the 2004 Detroit Pistons, but a dynasty requires at least one number guy. Let’s get started shall we.

The True Franchise Players

Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Dwyane Wade
Chris Paul
Dwight Howard
Carmelo Anthony

Honorable mentions and omissions:

Tim Duncan - No longer a guy you can presumably built a championship team around.
Dirk Nowitzki - I have always seen Dirk as a 1.5 guy. He lacks the mental toughness to be a number 1.
Kevin Garnett - Offensive game, defensive prowess and leadership make him a no-brainer. A gimpy knee does not.

Anyways, here is the fun part, matching our Franchise Guys with the best possible 1.5er. I have put a lot of thought into these pairings and taken into account style of play, amount of touches needed, etc. which is why you won’t see silly pairings like LeBron James and Steve Nash – they both control the ball too much to a be successful pairing.

Kobe Bryant – Pau Gasol

First up is a bit of a cop out. Kobe has found his 1.5 guy - its none other than Pau Gasol. Who better complements Kobe’s game right now? Pau doesn’t require 20 shots a game, hits a high percentage of the shots he does take, is an incredible passer for a big man, and is the Lakers’ best rebounder. He seems to be ego-less, never complaining or slouching when Kobe is having one of his 40 shot bonanzas and gives max effort, all while looking completely calm and collected. Not only have the Lakers built a championship contender with these two, but they have the makings of a dynasty.

LeBron James – Dirk Nowitzki

Now who would fit best as LeBron’s partner in crime? They would have to be able to hit the three, taking advantage of James’ ability to get into the lane and draw defenders. They would have to be fine in the role as second option, even relishing the fact that they don’t get called out and blamed for losses. His second-in-command should be able to fill it up on a regular basis, allowing LeBron’s talent for passing to flourish. This has to be Dirk right? And if LeBron ever developed a post game, can you imagine Dirk giving the entry pass and either letting Bron go to work or awaiting the kick out? Disgusting.

Dwyane Wade – Kevin Garnett

Many would say Chris Bosh, but Bosh’s allergic reactions to defense wouldn’t fit with Wade’s gambling in the passing lanes. KG would be the perfect companion to Wade’s offensive prowess. Could you imagine having to gameplan for these two? They would be like Bryant and Gasol but better, because Garnett is miles ahead of Pau as a rebounder and defender. At this point in his career, KG lacks the offensive game that Gasol carries, but who cares! Wade would fill it up, and Garnett would scare Wade into staying at home on defense. You know who else would work great alongside Wade? Tim Duncan.

Chris Paul – Josh Smith

Right now Josh Smith isn’t quite there as a 1.5 guy, he’s more of a 1.75. But could you imagine Chris Paul being able to run an uptempo offense with a guy like Josh Smith on the wing – it is absolutely frightening and also quite funny, because if Atlanta had done the right thing, this would be a reality. I could see Josh Smith putting up 25 points per game with still being able to swat 2 or 3 shots and get 2 steals a game. Paul has never had anyone like Josh Smith before. He would turn J-Smoove into a superstar and they would win a TON of games. Instead of this being real, I have to watch Paul carry David West, Emeka Okafor, and the corpse of Peja Stojakavic up and down the court for 48 minutes – 3 guys who are the complete opposite of the type of players who should be flanking CP3.

Dwight Howard – Carmelo

I know, I know they are both franchise guys. But it’s been done before (i.e. Kobe-Shaq) to fantastic results. Carmelo can score more ways than anyone without the middle name Bean. Dwight is the bestbig man on D in the league. If these two ever got together I would say 4 championships would be within reach. They would be unstoppable. If I was Orlando I would do anything to wrangle Carmelo away from Denver. Of course it will never happen but one can dream.

Crystal Ball-Gazing

I am a huge fan of premature prognostication so it should come as no suprise that I felt the need to write an award prediction peice just one week into the 2009-10 NBA season. Of course it is ridiculously early to be predicting anything, but you have to admit; it is fun as hell to do. There have been some early suprises and disappontments, rookie heroes and veterans making a leap - but who is getting the nod for some hardware? Read on and you will find out.

Sixth Man of the Year - Lamar Odom


His off-court newsmaking has not made a dent in his production; in fact, he has been playing fantastic all-around ball. Once Pau Gasol comes back, Odom will make his move back to the bench, and if h can keep up this level of play he is lock for the 6th man hardware. In other news, I am extremely disappointed in his choice of women. I mean, come on, if you are going to be banging a Kardashian, at least make it Kim, and not only that he wifed the ugly sister. Disappointing Lamar, very disappointing.

Coach of the Year - Noone

I hate the way the way this honor has been awarded, and hence I think it should be abolished.

Most Improved Player - Trevor Ariza


He has gone from great role player to scoring machine in the span of a few months, and it is just what the depleted Rockets needed. Its exciting to watch guys grow before your very eyes, so keep yours glued to Ariza this year, because if he can keep this up, the ultra-athletic forward is going to be special.

Defensive Player of the Year - Greg Oden

Stop laughing please. Give me a chance. Before you call me crazy consider the following: Oden is averaging 10 boards and leading the league in blocks with 2.8 in just 24 minutes a game. Average that out to a regular starter's minutes at 40 per contest and his averages are 16 boards and 4.5 blocks per game. By the midpoint of the season he will probably cut down on the fouls and be on the court for longer and by the end of the year his averages will be close to 15 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. Sick.

Rookie of the Year - Brandon Jennings

Can a supposedly immature and too-flashy rookie point guard be a team's best player, leader, and clutch performer? In Jennings case, yes he can, with averages 20 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game to go along with a steal and half so far in 2009. He also dominated in the second half against the Pistons and lead the Bucks to victory, showing both style and substance. Blake Griffin's injury blew the race for ROY wide open, and Jennings is leading the way so far.

Most Valuable Player - Carmelo Anthony


113  points in 117 minutes. 37.7 points per game. Improved on D. Conditioning no longer an issue. Pounding the ball in the paint and not settling for jumpers and 3 pointers. I could keep going. Carmelo Anthony is the talk of the season so far, and rightfully so. A step below Kobe, LeBron, and Wade no longer.

The MCP Power Poll

As the internet demands, so shall I heed the call. I will henceforth be trying my hat at premature predictions and crystal ball-gazing, and will publish a little something I like to call the MCP Power Poll, chronicling the trials and tribulations of the top 5 Most Compelling Players for the 2009-10 season. Pretty self-explanatory isn't it? Enjoy.

5. Gilbert Arenas

Bust out your Hibachis and get ready for why-the-hell-is-he-shooting-that 3 pointers, Agent Zero is back. With 29 points and 9 assists in a win against Ze German and the Mavs, he may be returning to the offensive juggernaut from what seems like a decade of injury.


Although he is currently trying pull off an All-Business demeanor, that should fade away and be replaced by the Loveable Clown we all know Gil to be.

4. Stephen Curry

The highly-touted Son of Dell has shown himself as a Warrior of Hope (alongside the Anthonys of the Bay, Morrow and Randolph) in the darkness of Golden State. In a team that seems to be mired in attitudes of a decade past such as selfish, shoot-first whiners Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, and the blackhole of basketball, Corey Magette, the rookie Curry played his first game like a true vet.Dishing the ball, limiting turnovers, hitting big shots, and managing the game beautifully in his first NBA start was compelling television.

It will be fun to watch the growth of this man throughout not just this season, but his likely charmed career.

3. Ron Artest

Can the Lakers tame him? Can he be a valuable peice of the puzzle? When is he going to do something extremely stupid? Can his rapping get any worse? Will he self-destruct in the playoffs? Is he too slow to stay with the marquee wings? I could go on forever.


2. Kevin Durant

Because throughout human history we all love the story of a boy ready tobecome a man. In NBA terms, this means a star ready to become a superstar. What is Kevin's ceiling? Who knows? This guy could become a slightly better version of himself, which would put him as the Carmelo Anthony of 2007, or he could become transcendant. Hang on and enjoy the ride.

1. Carmelo Anthony



If you could name one guy who has been on the tip of everyone's tongue so far in this early NBA season, that guy is Carmelo. Two HUGE games, a slimmed physique, improved defense, and an absolutely scary arsenal on offense. He may have made the much-awaited leap into the Kobe-LeBron-Wade stratosphere - I suggest they make room.