Last night on NBAtv they had a special previewing some of the marquee games of the upcoming season. When it came time to discuss the Christmas day showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat special guest Kenny Smith was posed with the question by Rick Kamla, “how excited are you to see the NBA’s top three players playing on Christmas. Kenny’s reply shocked myself as well as host Rick Kamla. Kenny responded by saying the top three basketball players won’t be playing in that game and that Kevin Durant was a top three player in the league. Kenny’s top three are 1. Kobe Bryant 2. Lebron James and 3. Kevin Durant.

Upon hearing this I immediately sent a text to my friends because I agree with Kenny but not his order. I think it goes 1. Kobe Bryant 2. Kevin Durant 3. Lebron James. My friends think I am crazy but I know I am right because I firmly believe that to be considered a top player a key trait you must possess is being competitive actually you need to be super competitive like the greats before Jordan, Bird, Magic, Isiah etc.

This past summer, Lebron and Wade, thru the decision let the world know that they are not that competitive. Instead of competing against the best they rather play with the best. Neither Lebron nor Wade will ever have a chance to dethrone Kobe as the game’s best player. If the Heat and the Lakers are to meet next June and the Lakers lose history isn’t going to hold that against Kobe.

Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony are rumored to be forming their own super team with Amare Stoudemire in New York. Durant on the other hand, former high school player of the year, college player of the year, rookie of the year and last season NBA’s leading scorer by the mere age of 21, isn’t following the current trend of forming a super team. He recently signed an extension with the Thunder. Durant is showing patience and poise right now while the NBA’s other stars are becoming frustrated with the challenge before them. Durant is embracing the challenge and to me that gives him an edge over the rest.

Below is a complete list of my top ten:

Top Ten NBA Players

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Kevin Durant
3. Lebron James
4. Dwayne Wade
5. Dwight Howard
6. Deron Williams
7. Dirk Nowitski
8. Chris Paul
9. Carmelo Anthony
10. Chris Bosh
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