by Pete Mcmullen

Created on: May 09, 2008

To me, this topic poses one vital question: how do you define exciting? I define it as unpredictability shown in a particular player and the possession of very nice all-around game. The NBA is a League with a couple hundred players, yet only two dozen or so of those players make us jump out of out seats in excitement. The players who, when they touch the basketball, make us nervous in anticipation of what they will do next. Those players are the ones that will be mentioned in this article. The players are in no order.

Chris Paul- This third-year point guard is a must-see for any fan of the game. He is unpredicatble with the ball and has the ability to score or help his teammates score points in bunches. He is averaging an astounding 26 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals per game this postseason, and is the most exciting player in this year's playoffs.

Kobe Bryant- The NBA's Most Valuable Player is also one of the most exciting. This is evidenced by the frantic finish that took place two years ago in the opening round of the playoffs in Game 4 versus Phoenix and by the 81-point game he had not too long ago. In this year's playoffs, Kobe is averaging 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Andre Iguodala- Philly's new A.I. may be even more exciting than the last. His ability to slice through the defense and throw down a thunderous dunk is the main reason he makes my list. Another could be his newly-developed all-around game, which is shown in his solid averages of 20 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game this season.

Dwight Howard- He is the only big man on my list, but he excites many fans like no other player of his size. The power in his game and the creativity in the dunk contests he has participated in are only two of the reasons Dwight puts fans in the arenas. This postseason, Howard is averaging 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game.

Gerald Wallace- Often injured, Wallace is still a fun player to watch play basketball. He, like many of the others on my list, has a very good all-around game with averages of 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals per game. His drawback is obviously the injuries, which have kept him from playing more than 62 games in a season all but twice in his career.

Brandon Roy- He doesn't carry the same flash of CP3 or Iguodala, but he sure is a pleasure to watch. He averages 19 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. Roy is also the main reason why Portland had such a successful season without the services of their number one draft pick, Greg Oden.

Michael Redd- His awkwardness of being a lefty combined with his great scoring ability is what puts Redd on my list. He doesn't carry the same all-around game as the others on this list, but is fun to watch on offense. Too bad he doesn't play for a better team so he could play on national television more often.

Manu Ginobili- One of the League's most exciting players is on the League's least exciting team. That team is, of course, San Antonio. Manu, like Redd, is a lefty which makes his style of slashing through the defense seem somewhat awkward. However, his ability to slice between the defense and hit openings like that of a running back is exciting to say the least.

Now, I couldn't name all of the exciting players in the NBA, as that would take up even more of the time I have in my day, but some guys didn't make my list for a reason. Take LeBron James for example, his recent 8-for-42 shooting in the series against Boston has knocked himself out of the top eight. Who wants to watch a player who can't put the ball in the hoop? I know I don't.

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