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Regardless of age or salary, who are the five most valuable players out on the court? Which players would you take first if you could choose anyone in the NBA?

1. LeBron James

Despite a recent post by an Armchair user claiming "Bron Bron" did not have the "facial expressions" of a champ (yes, I am confused by it myself), he is hands-down the best player on the court, no matter who the Cavs are playing. In only his fourth season, King James has amassed nine triple-doubles and 63 double-doubles. He also boasts a 26.6 career scoring-average with 6.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. The Cavaliers made their first playoff appearance in the James-era last season, but expect many more to come.

2. Kobe Bryant

Last season, Bryant won his first scoring-title, recording an impressive 35.4 points per game. Everyone remembers his historic 81-point performance, in which Kobe scored two-thirds of the Lakers points. Despite his enormous talent, Kobe has doubters and critics everywhere. Bryant's pundits call him a ball-hog (averaged 4.5 assists in 2006/ 6.0 in 2005) or claim he never would have won a championship without Shaq. Well, how many NBA championships did Shaq win in Orlando? Zero. How many NBA championships did Shaq win in the three years on the Lakers before Kobe became a star? Zero. Kobe was every bit as responsible for the Laker dynasty as Shaquille O'Neal. The fact-of-the-matter is that Kobe Bryant stands alone as the best player in the NBA outside of Lebron James.

3. Dwyane Wade

Between LeBron, Carmelo, and DWade, Wade was the first to win a championship. Not only was he the first to win, but the Heat have made the playoffs in all three of Wade's seasons. Like Kobe, he had the help of Shaquille O'Neal; although, the help came more in the playoffs than during the season, as Shaq only played 59 regular season games. Also, 2006 was Shaq's lowest scoring season of his career at 20.0 points per game. Wade picked up the majority of the scoring duty with 27.2 per game. In the playoffs, Wade scored 28.4 per game and Shaq only 18.4. According to Basketball-Reference, the most similar player to Wade in both 2005 and 2006 was Kobe Bryant. When not scoring, Wade is averaging 8.3 assists per game this season.

4. Dirk Nowitzki

In both 2006 and 2005, Nowitzki led the NBA in Win Shares. Dirk is the rare 6'11'' forward/ center who shoots 40% from 3-point range and 90% from the free throw line. He also rebounds 10 per game, scores 26 and chips in a block every now-and-then. Nowitzki is one of the most unique players in NBA history and arguably the most valuable one in the league.

5. Kevin Garnett

Ironically, KG compares favorably to Nowitzki's style. Give Garnett a three-point shot or Nowitzki some defense and you have the most complete player ever. Garnett scores less frequently than Nowitzki, only 21.3 per game for his career, but rebounds more with thirteen or fourteen per game in recent years and records about twice as many assists. What Garnett lacks in offensive efficiency, he makes up in every aspect of the game.

Learn more about this author, Timothy Moreland.
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