The best NBA player of todays

[VAMPIR]

Well, yesterday I was arguing with my friend from work (he is sport journlist, I'm not) who is the best NBA player of todays. After more than 1 hour, we found out several players.
Please, tell me your opinion.

[VAMPIR]

My ace was Kobe, just because he can do everything what any other player can do. But none of others can do everything what Kobe can do...

[Morpheus]

What would you say the credentials are for a player to be the best?

You have a few options with players from different positions and I personally would not consider Tim Duncan to be a better center than Shaquille O'Neal.

But I also don't think the best player is the one who puts up the most numbers or happens to be leading the team that has one the most championships in recent years.

For the credentials I would say that a player has to atleast be a leader and also be well-rounded in all facets of the game as well as improve his team as a whole because at the end of the day that type of person is instrumental in winning a basketball game, which is what every player's ultimate goal should be.

For personal prowess I would say the best basketball player needs:

1. To be a strong scorer

2. To be a strong defender

3. To assist his teammates

Being the best rebounder, 3-point shooter or free-throw shooter are not necessary credentials for these categories, not that those things are not important to the game. Basically the player who can put up the most points, get the most steals and blocks as well as assists is the best all around player in terms of physical prowess.

I would also say that being a great clutch shooter is important because being able to win a game under pressure like that and doing it consistently makes you that much more valuable of a player.

I'd guess that Kobe meets these credentials, more so than others but I'd have to look at the hard stats when I get the chance.

[VAMPIR]

Talking about individual stats and skills, Kobe has no oponent today, but if we're talking about rings, TD never lost finals, and he won it over same (maybe even stronger) Pistons team, what Shaq couldn't, despite he had Kobe beside him. We must remember that primary position of Tim is power forward.
But my question is not 'best of decade', but best of todays. That's why I picked Kobe.
Who is your choice?

[Rakhmetov]

I hate basketball. But Nash and Nowitski are its best players.

[VAMPIR]

I hate basketball. But Nash and Nowitski are its best players.
So, why you're here then? To spam some crap?!!! Don't do it, please.

[ActionAlert]

Stephen Jackson has the best record. He is a real HIGH CALIBRE player!
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=sports&id=4974084

[Dr. Gutberlet]

Kobe, although Garnett is highly underappreciated.

[Travis]

in recent years, it has been all nash and nowitzki. Im partial to the mavericks, but i think nash should repeat as MVP. look at how well they performed with him, and how poorly they have done since he has been injured.

[Burrhus]

Larry Bird.

What day is it? Uhmm???

[Lathan]

I'm not sure, I don't follow so much any more.

I am sure that Dirk Nowitzki speaks more intelligible English than 80% of the American-born players, and that is not a racial commentary just a plain observation that any common sepp could make.