This is my first list of 5. I will be ranking the top 10 players at each position. Western Conference, Eastern Conference, doesn’t matter, one list, ten guys, lets do work:

1. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets – 2008 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 11.6 APG - Paul has become the best point guard in the NBA at the young age of 23. He has helped lead the United States to the Gold Medal in Beijing and has already proven his worth to the Hornets. He has a brilliant feel for the court and somehow always knows where the other four guys are. He has a special bond with center Tyson Chandler and has shown his ability to find the open man.

2. Deron Williams – Utah Jazz – 2008 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 10.5 APG – Only one year older than Chris Paul, Derron Williams has proven to be the future leader of the Utah Jazz for years to come. The team has a history of successful point guards, the top one being John Stockton, who is well known for his ability to create plays with his sideckick, Karl Malone. These days, Deron Williams has found his Mailman in Carloz Boozer. Williams was the second point guard behind Paul during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Deron is big, strong, and extremely versatile, not too mention great at passing and shooting.

3. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns – 2008 Stats: 16.9 PPG, 11.1 APG – Whats now considered to be a senior citizen in the NBA, at 34, Nash continues to run the floor and dominate the young guys. Since his time with the Suns, under coach Mike D’Antoni at least, he has shown an uparalleled ability to find the open man for an easy basket. Steve Nash run teams have been extremely successful over the years and have been known to log high scoring games. Nash has proven that he can run the improvisational run and gun offense, but can he run set plays and slow down the tempo when necessary? It remains to be seen, but this would be the best season to prove it considering the age of this team.

4. Baron Davis – Los Angeles Clippers – 2008 Stats: 21.8 PPG, 7.6 APG – Davis has spent the last few years playing for the Golden State Warriors and has become extremely famous throughout the league. This offseason, Davis decided to opt out of his contract with the Warriors in order to take a pay cut and team up with Elton Brand in LA. After Brand bolted for Philadelphia, Davis has been left with a team missing many pieces and hardly capable of contending in the ridiculously overpacked Western Conference. Davis’ leadership abilities will really be tested this season as he has the opportunity to make many young guys better, and he would need to do so quickly in order to be successful.

5. Chauncey Billups – Detroit Pistons – 2008 Stats: 17 PPG, 6.8 APG – Billups has become a common name in the NBA and the Pistons have proven their dedication to him by not trading for Carmelo Anthony. The rumors were out there, there was truth to them, and Joe Dumars realized the significance of having a strong point guard. Billups is exactly that. With great numbers for the number of minutes he plays and a shooting percentage that is quite superior to that of other players in the league, Billups is an asset on any team. When you take into account that he’s not ridiculously over paid, it’s a dream come true!

6. Tony Parker – San Antonio Spurs – 2008 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6 APG – You don’t have to say too much to prove the case for Parker. He’s not only married to a Desperate Housewife but he’s also a killer on the court. With probably the sickest and most annoying tear drop I’ve ever seen, Tony Parker has led the Spurs to multiple NBA Titles and has proven to be the perfect compliment to Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli. Places to improve include his shooting percentage from the field and from the line but his defense is excellent and rare to find.

7. Jason Kidd – Dallas Mavericks – 2008 Stats: 10.8 PPG, 10.1 APG – How many guys consistently average double figure assist numbers? Not many, Jason Kidd is consistently in that group and has proven his value over the years. Kidd is undefeated in international competition and has displayed unique leaderships characterstics among the young stars in the NBA. Although he logged fewer minutes than the two younger point guards in the Olympics, he was a key part of the team’s success. The Mavericks made a big move to acquire Kidd last season and hope that he can perform at a high level for a few more years to really bring out the max from Dirk Nowitzki. Kidd has a lot to prove this season, but I’m fairly confident that he will make Mavericks fans quite happy.

8. Mo Williams – Cleveland Cavaliers – 2008 Stats: 17.2 PPG, 6.3 APG – The only one on this list that really isn’t as common of a name as the others. Flying under the radar, Mo Williams has assembled amazing stat lines and is well underway to have a successful career alongside Lebron James. Williams was just traded to the Cavs from the Milwuakee Bucks where he played his last four seasons. With a real superstar like Lebron James playing on the same court in the same jersey, Williams has a chance to show everyone who he truly is and whats he’s truly capable of.

9. Jose Calderon – Toronto Raptors – 2008 Stats: 11.2 PPG, 8.3 APG – Calderon is an international star, on a Raptors team full of international players, that has become quite famous throughout the world. With a shooting percentage over 50% from the field and over 90% from the charity strike, Calderon is clearly prepared to take the shot whenever necessary. If the team needs a lift, Jose is there to help. With over 16 points per game coming off his dishes, his worth to the team cannot be questioned. After the offseason trade of Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors for realistically just Calderon’s biggest competition at his position, Jose will log more minutes and have two big men to dish to that can really create offense.

10. Devin Harris – New Jersey Nets – 2008 Stats: 14.8 PPG, 5.8 APG – Last season, the New Jersey Nets opted to let go of the current production of Jason Kidd for the current prodcution plus the future of Devin Harris. I supported the Nets 100% and believe that this trade will pay dividends for them. With the enormous salary of Jason Kidd out of the picture, and the recent trade of Richard Jefferson, Harris has the likes of Vince Carter and many other young up and coming stars to dish the ball to. Harris has a solid shooting percentage, one place to improve however is his turnover ratio. Experience and age will eventually lead to a better understanding and few turnovers.