Let's make a top 50 list, part A

Alright guys, there has been a whole bunch of hubbub on this site about Sactown Royalty's own Ziller and his top 50 players.  The controversy lies with where he placed Deron Williams.  No Jazz fan agrees with how low Williams went and I was even more aghast to see Steve Nash go 7 places higher than D-Will.  Making a top 50 player list is difficult.  It is so objective.  What do you value?  Big men?  guards? stats? intangibles?  It also requires that you have a good understanding of what every player brings to the NBA without just looking at stat sheets.  I watched a lot of NBA basketball games this last season with NBA league pass.  I saw at least 15 games by every team not including the playoffs.  It is what I did while I studied all fall.  This doesn't automatically qualify me to make a 50 best NBA players list, but it's a start.  And I am soliciting all of you for your help.  Here's the deal:  I have put together a list and I will present it in 3 segments: 50-31, 30-11, and a top 10.  My values are stats, measured with ability to perform in tight situations (end of game or playoffs), and the ability to play both offense and defense.  But I am not going to claim that this list is perfect.  That's where you come in.  Let me know if I am crazy or I just missed a placement.  We will debate about it for a couple days and see if we can't come up with the world's greatest top 50 players list.  Afterall a) we are a community and we do it together, just like the dinosaurs on Land Before TIme and b) we need something to talk about NBA related until training camp starts.  So here goes the first list.  Also this list is measuring the players as of right now and how good they will be this upcoming season.  No free passes for great careers.  Sorry Shaq and J-Kidd.

50. Rajon Rondo- The guy is one of the best defensive point guards in the game.  His offense needs work, but he fits really well with the Celtics.

49. Andre Igoudala- He went from future of the franchise to role player in one season.  He is good, but doesn't have the sweet shot or drives to make him elite.

48. Andris Biedrins- Biedrins is a player who gets his points and rebounds of pure effort.  There aren't any plays run for him, cause honestly they probably wouldn't work.  But you have to love his hustle and his 12-10 averages are nothing to sneeze at.

47. Michael Redd- Redd is one of the sweetest shooters in the NBA, but you just wonder if he really makes his team a lot better night in and night out.  And a higher rating would be warranted if he played better defense.

46. Zydrunas Ilgauskas- He isn't flashy, but he gets the job done.  And you have to believe he will put up about 15 and 9 as long as Lebron is in Cleveland.

45. Gerald Wallace- The guy has an all around game that resembles a top 20 player in the league.  But he needs to learn his role and how to put it together.

44. Corey Maggette- Great offensive player.  Will fill the stat sheets in G State, but probably won't help them win tons of games.

43. Hedo Turkoglu- He has turned into one of the most clutch players in the NBA and is probably the second best player on the Magic.

42. Jose Calderon- Calderon is one of the purest point guards in the game for the way he manages the game.  Great assist turnover ratio, but doesn't do anything flashy.

41. Antawn Jamison- He's an all-star and a great player.  He put up great numbers last year (21 and 10), but he is only the 3rd best player on his team.

40. Richard Jefferson- Solid small forward who is now at the downside of his career.

39.  Josh Smith- The guy is a tweener, but you can't question his versatility and defensive presence.  He would shoot up this list if he could develop an offensive game from midrange.

38. Josh Howard- Up until 6 months ago, Howard was moving up this list.  His game is sharp, but he needs to focus in order to get better at this point.

37. Chris Kaman- One of the better defensive big men in the game.  Rebounds well and guards the rim.  And has good touch around the basket.

36. Marcus Camby- Great shot blocker and rebounder and ugly jump shooter.  I believe he makes the Clippers a top 10 defensive team with Kaman.

35. Ron Artest- Great competitor. Great defender.  Rocket fans and Artest fans won't like #38, but he doesn't take over games consistently for how talented he is.  And he single-handedly loses games with his bad attitude and antics.

34. Kevin Martin- He has become one of the most versatile scorers in the NBA.  Needs to add toughness and tenacity on defense to become elite.

33. Brandon Roy- Steady.  That is how I sum up his game.  He is consistent and makes great decisions.  After a year or two and a couple playoff performances, he will be a top 20 player at least.

32. Caron Butler-  He is one of the toughest players in the league and not just because of his nickname.  Has one of the best all-around games in the league.

31.  Shawn Marion- He is such a versatile player, but this is the year we will find out how much his skills were magnified by the ball they played in Phoenix.