Top 5 Players Born In January

1: Hakeem Olajuwon:
Hakeem Olajuwon is one of the best big men of all time so it is no surprise that he is number one on this list.  Olajuwon's dream shake was one of the most unstoppable moves of all time.  In terms of footwork he is the most skilled big man of all time.  Nicknamed the Dream, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points per game, 11.1 rebounds per game, and 3.1 blocks per game in 18 years.

2: Dominique Wilkins:
Nicknamed the Human highlight film, Dominique Wilkins was one of the most exciting players of all time.  Wilkins was a 9 time all-star a one time NBA scoring champion, a 2 time slam dunk contest winner.  Wilkins scored the 11th most points in NBA history.  In his 16 years in the NBA Wilkins averaged 24.8 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game.

 3: Alex English:
Alex English was one of the NBAs best scorers in the 1980s, and when he retired he was 7th on the all time scoring list, he was later surpassed, and now is the 14th on the all time scoring list. English was an all star 8 of the ten years that he started with the Nuggets he won one scoring title, and led the Denver Nuggets to 9 postseason appearances in a row.  In his 16 years in the NBA English averaged 21.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game.

4: Dwayne Wade:
Dwayne Wade is up there in terms of the best shooting guards of all time, which means he's in the company of Micheal Jordan, and Kobe.  But he is not there for no reason.  Wade at one point in his career was considered either the best or second best player in the game, but Wade's career is not over even though he seems to be injury prone Wade is still averaging 20 points per game this year.  In his ten years in the NBA so far Wade is averaging 24.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 6.1 assists per game.

5: Vince Carter:

Vince Carter in my opinion is the best dunker of all time.  But, dunking wasn't all he did.  Carter was an 8 time all star.  Carter was also the rookie of the year in the 1998-1999 season, and won the slam dunk contest in 2000.   If Carter was not so injury prone he may have been even better than he was.  In fact he got injured in the 2003 playoffs while with the Raptors, which could have cost him the only ring of his career.  In his 15 years in the NBA Carter averaged 20.6 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 3.8 assists per game.

Why The Nerlens Noel Trade Will Be Good For The Sixers

The biggest trade on Draft Night that involved picks was the Trade between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans.  In this trade the Sixers received Nerlens Noel, and a 2014 1-5 protected first round pick.  The Pelicans received Jrue Holiday, and the Sixers second round pick Pierre Jackson.  The trading of Pierre Jackson is the only part of the trade that I really don't like on the Sixers part.  Jackson has a lot of what they might need especially since they gave up Jrue Holiday.  Jackson is a very athletic guard out of Baylor.  In his senior year Jackson averaged 19.8 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 7.1 assists per game.  But, for their is hope for us Sixers fans that hope comes in the form of Micheal Carter-Williams.  In Carter-Williams sophomore year he averaged 11.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 7.3 assists per game, and 2.8 steals per game.  Also, adding on to William's resume was in his first summer-league game he had 26 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and a worrisome 9 turnovers.  Even though those 9 turnovers jump out I think that they are less of a big deal than people think.  Williams was being guarded by Patrick Beverly who was an elite defender in the playoffs last year.  Also about 2-4 of those turnovers were because of the fact that he wasn't really that in sync with the rest of team, meaning that he threw passes a little too early or a little to late.  Something that we need to remember is that Jrue early in his career, and even still has a problem with turnovers.  If you look at this article from bleacherreport.com  written when Jrue was a rookie it talks about how Jrue might have not become a good NBA player(http://bleacherreport.com/articles/213577-holiday-disappoints-in-orlando-summer-league-debut).  Another positive about Williams is when u compare his college stats to the player that he is is most compared to which is Rajon Rondo.  Rondo averaged 11.2 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game, and 2.0 steals per game.  So, as you can see Williams is better in most categories.  Another major part of this trade is that the Sixers received Nerlens Noel a player that many people believed to be the top player in this draft.  If Noel works hard he could really develop into a good player.  Noel is a great defensive player, and a big man two things that the Sixers need.  In his Freshman year Noel averaged 10.5 points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, and 4.4 blocks per game.  To conclude I think that this trade was a step in the right direction for the Sixers as they acquired a possible lottery pick, and a talented young big-man full of potential.

Top 10 Best NBA Players of All Time

10: Julius "Dr. J" Erving

Dr. J was not only one of the best NBA players of all time, but was also one of the classiest NBA players of all time as raved by almost everyone that the Doctor played with.  Erving was the star of ABA before he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.  Known for his athleticism Erving was one of the funnest players to watch on the court.  Erving was the first player in recorded history to dunk from the free throw line.  Erving's career stats are 24.2 points per game 8.5 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_2FZqlRsYw

9: Kobe Bryant
Kobe is  probably going to be known as the second best shooting guard of all time.  Kobe is the most clutch player in the NBA right now, and may be one of the best clutch players of all time.  Kobe has 5 rings and 1 MVP award which shows that Kobe is just one of the most competitive players of all time.  Kobe has averaged 35 points per game one time in his career.  Kobe's career statistics are 25.5 points per game 5.3 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EDilYikI1k

 8: Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan aka the Big Fundamental is widely considered the best power-forward of all time.  Duncan who was the first over all pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.  With a smooth jumper, and a great post game Duncan has the whole package for a big man.  Throughout his career Tim Duncan has been the model of consistency for any position.  Tim Duncan's career stats are 20.2 points per game 11.2 rebounds per game 3.1 assists per game, and 2.2 blocks per game.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOAgFnjX91I 

 7: Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon
Hakeem will always be known as one of the best big-men of all time.  Hakeem was one of the most dominant post players in the game, and had a jump shot that was smooth as silk.  Hakeem was an MVP once, and a 2 time defensive player of the year.  Along with that Hakeem won 2 NBA championships, and was the MVP of both of those series.  Hakeem's career stats are 21.8 points per game 11.1 rebounds per game 2.5 assists per game and 3.1 blocks per game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxDopaqTxiY

6: Bill Russell

Bill Russell is one of the best team players of all time, what I mean by that is that he didn't need the spotlight, if his teammate succeeded he would be just as happy is he succeeded himself.  Russell was one of the all time great rebounders in the game of basketball.  This is somewhat surprising because of the fact that Russell was only 6 feet 9 inches, which is undersized for a big man.  But, don't let the size fool you Bill Russell throughout his career averaged 22.5 rebounds per game 15.1 points, and 4.3 assists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRao33sJLT8


5: Wilt Chamberlain
Stat wise Wilt Chamberlain is the best player in NBA history.  Wilt was a freak of an athlete, at 7 feet 1 inches he won a triathlon.  Wilt is also the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in one game.  Also, Wilt's career stats are off the charts.  In his career Wilt averaged 30.1 points 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.  He also put up one of the best individual seasons in NBA history where he averaged 50.4 points, and 25.7 rebounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG-WyDGXSsA

4: Larry Bird:
Larry Legend is probably the best player in any sport that isn't that athletic.  Larry was not athletic but, he used everything else besides that to his advantage.  Larry had a silky smooth jumper, and also was a great passer.  Larry was the savior of a struggling Boston Celtic team, and a struggling NBA league.  Larry throughout his career averaged 24.3 points per game 10.0 rebounds per game 6.3 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kfYnqiVK34

3: Lebron James
In my opinion Lebron James is the best player in the world right now.  Almost everyone would agree that Lebron is the most athletic player in NBA history.  Lebron is a four time MVP and as almost everyone knows is a one time NBA champion.  When he won that championship, he was the MVP for the series.  Lebron's stats are 27.6 points per game 7.3 rebounds per game, and 6.9 assists per game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-QTiByTKaI

2: Ervin "Magic" Johnson 
Magic Johnson aka Showtime was one of the best players ever.  He was the 1st overall pick of the 1979 NBA draft out of Michigan State.  Magic was a three time regular season MVP, 3 time finals MVP, and a 5 time NBA champion.  Magic is probably the best stat stuffer in NBA history.  Throughout Magic's career he averaged 19.5 points per game 7.2 rebounds per game 11.2 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game.  It seemed like Magic could find anyone on the court.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19eFn2XMqfU 

1: Micheal Jordan
Micheal Jordan is widely considered the best player in NBA history.  This is because he could shoot, he could dunk, he was a great defender, etc.  Micheal was pretty much good at everything Micheal was the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft out of the University of Carolina.  Micheal was an 5 time MVP, 6 time finals MVP, and 6 time NBA champion.  Micheal Jordan only appeared in 6 NBA finals, he never lost a final.  Jordan averaged throughout his career 30.1 points per game 6.2 rebounds per game 5.3 assists per game, and 2.3 steals per game.  Micheal was the greatest player to ever play basketball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD54eF2XKJA