Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul: Are They Still the NBA’s Top Players at Their Position?

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and New Orleans point guard Chris Paul were the headliners in their first round playoff series, and for years many observers have considered them to be the top players at their respective positions.

Both Bryant and Paul had exceptional regular seasons and each  had their moments in the playoffs, and in Paul's case a few of those moments were legendary, but does either player still merit the title as best player at their position?

Paul probably faces a little stiffer competition since the pool of superior point guards is much deeper, as players such as Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash have all been referred to as the league's best.

But this season Rose has firmly thrust his name to the fore-front of the discussion as not only the league's top point guard, but as the NBA's best player period.

Rose is expected to claim the 2010-11 NBA MVP award, and there are some people who feel that immediately establishes Rose as the NBA's best point guard, but the two instances are not mutually exclusive.

It is possible for Rose to be considered the league's top player and not the best point guard, and the current NBA postseason has provided evidence that supports that point.

The NBA playoffs are usually what separates the good players from the great ones, because it provides players an opportunity to test their skills on the league's grandest and most pressure filled stage.

Numerous NBA regular season stars have been exposed as frauds in the postseason, but both Rose and Paul have managed to elevate their games when it really matters the most.

Rose has already led his team to a 4-1 first round victory over the Indiana Pacers and he is averaging 27.6 points 6.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and is shooting 37.1 percent from the field so far this postseason.

Paul's numbers are even more impressive as he led his und...

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