The 10 Best Pro Basketball Players In Los Angeles Right Now - Page 2

There’s no nice way to say this, but the Los Angeles Lakers suck right now. It also seems as if every city outside of Los Angeles is absolutely loving it as well.

What makes the Lakers struggle stand out even more is the soaring success of it’s little brother team, The Los Angeles Clippers, whom they face tonight. The Clippers are everything that the Lakers aren’t right now. Fun to watch, young, cohesive and exciting.

The Lakers are a mess, old, slow and just kind of sad given all of the all-star talent they’ve assembled in the last off-season. The Clip show’s aerial show is eerily similar to the Lakers glory years known as “Showtime” when they were led by Hall-Of-Fame guard Magic Johnson.

As the two teams get ready to square off on ESPN tonight, HHW takes a look at the top ten pro basketball players in the city of Los Angeles right now (yes, we are all up in sports right now, b).

Whether you bleed purple and gold or you live for Lob City, tonight will be must see TV one way or another. Check out the top ten players in Los Angeles right now after the jump.

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Photo: Getty, L.A. Times, Zimbio

9. Pau Gasol 

A far departure from the All-Star status he once had, Pau Gasol is still a formidable legitimate seven footer that can stretch the floor with his range. What his best attribute to this current incarnation of the Los Angeles Lakers is his ability to pass to cutters after bringing out his taller defenders from the paint. 

8. Steve Nash 

His impact on the game couldn’t be overstated when he returned to the Lakers before Christmas. with Mike D’Antoni running the show, Steve Nash is his Tom Brady to his Bill Belichick. He’s still an amazing shooter and a hall-of-fame level passer. Too bad he can’t guard his own shadow. 

7. Metta World Peace 

Despite the Lakers struggles, Metta World Peace is having one of his best statistical seasons as a Laker. He’s hitting his three-pointers with more accuracy than ever and still playing pestering defense. Most importantly, he’s not acting (too) crazy. Praise be to the psychologist.

6. Caron Butler

Not everything on the Clippers is as pretty as Chris Paul’s lobs and Blake Griffin’s dunks. Caron Butler, also known as “Tough Juice” (Pause), has been one of the most consistent players in the entire league and the beat goes on as a Los Angeles Clipper. He’s extended his range way beyond the three point line and is a defensive stopper which usually leads to Chris Paul’s exciting fast breaks.

5. Jamal Crawford

The leading candidate for the sixth man of the year, Jamal Crawford, is also one of the league’s most entertaining. Second on the team in scoring behind Blake Griffin, Crawford possess one of the most mesmerizing crossovers in the game.

4. Dwight Howard

When the Lakers scored the game’s best center, analysts penciled in another championship for the storied franchise. That hasn’t been the case so far. Though they can still turn it around in time for the playoffs, it has to be on the broad shoulders of their manchild, Dwight Howard.

3. Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is the greatest show in the NBA. Enough said. The reason why you see the Clippers leading scorer on a ton of commercials is for his ability to put any and everybody on a poster. 

2. Chris Paul

The Clippers /Lakers rivalry got real when CP3 came to town. After David Stern nixed a deal that would’ve sent Chris Paul to the Lakers, he was eventually dealt to the Clippers and created “Lob City.” The game’s greatest point guard is the quarterback to a team that has multiple weapons and, scarily, just starting to hit their potential. Watch out.

1. Kobe Bryant

The one and only reason why nobody will write off the Lakers is because of #24. One of the most competitive ball players the game has ever seen is still leading the NBA in scoring well into his mid-30s. He’s unfiltered, he’s unwavering, and he’s quite possibly still the best player in the game (not named LeBron. Sorry). With Kobe still playing at this level you have to believe if the Lakers can squeak into the playoff somehow, Kobe will always give them a fighting chance.