I love basketball and I love the NBA.  More than just the game, I love the players.  Some of them can make you believe that nothing is impossible.  That flight, even for just moments is  very real and that magic can happen on a nightly basis.  These are some of the players that make me love this game so much.

Paul Pierce- Pierce was the Celtics’ only hope during the down years and one of the few reasons I could still watch them when they really struggled.  I’m not at all thrilled that Danny Ainge moved him because I really wanted to see  Pierce spend his whole career then retire in Celtic green.

Michael Finley- the reason why I loved Finley was because of how hard he played all the time.  He was willing to do just about anything on the floor to win.  He was so ferocious when he attacked the rim.  Finley was always just a pleasure to watch no matter who he played for.

Larry Hughes- most people think it’s weird that I’m a huge fan of Hughes.  There is no other reason than the fact that he was a ton of fun to watch.  He had such intensity and will, especially when he was with the Wizards.  I remember wanting them to beat the LeBron led Cavaliers so bad in the 04-05 playoffs and how very disappointed I was when they got beat.

Gilbert Arenas- Agent Zero had a three year stretch where he was the most exciting player in the league.  Arenas seemingly took and made every big shot for the Wizards before injuries and stupidity got in the way.  Arenas always had the biggest chip on his shoulder and he always played like he was trying to prove a point.  I liked Arenas so much because I also played with a chip on my shoulder.  I could relate to him in that way.  I too felt like my abilities had been overlooked and always tried to prove myself.

Corey Maggette- Maggette is one of my favorites because he was so fearless.  He took the ball to the rack more than anyone in the game and was a clutch free throw shooter.  He also had some of the sickest dunks when he wasn’t getting hammered by an opposing player or two.

Steph Curry- whenever the Warriors are on television I have no choice but to tune in.  Even when Curry is having an off night he is still a must watch.  He is so daring and creative and willing to be great.  Steph has a remarkable jumper and a slick handle and a swagger that shows he believes in himself.  On top of that, Curry is not afraid of the big moment.

Allan Houston- Houston is one of the two players in league history that had a picture perfect jumper.  It was just so pure.  I remember watching him just crush Kobe in staples on a night when he couldn’t miss.  One of my favorite non-Celtics games of all time.  Houston almost single-handedly beat the Lakers that night and it was a pleasure to watch.  If I could have anyone teach me how to shoot it would be Houston.

Bob Sura- I don’t really know what drew me to Sura as a player.  He wasn’t a great shooter and he didn’t do anything great.  Maybe it was because he was built like me but still made his way to the league.  That and the fact that he had crazy springs.

Bonzi Wells- Wells was just one of those guys that could score in bunches and do it from anywhere on the floor.  What stands out the most was his playoff run with the kings a few years back, specifically game 5 in the first round when Wells went nuts.  He scored almost 40 and just about beat the spurs by himself.

Vince Carter- the team I like the most in the NBA other than the Boston Celtics is the Toronto Raptors and their best player in franchise history is Air Canada.  Carter makes my list because he was willing to dunk on everybody no matter the situation.  From contests to in-game, carter has the most memorable dunks of all time.  Even though Vince settled for jumpers far too often he was still the most fun player to watch in the league for more than half a decade.

Jimmer Fredette- Jimmer makes this list and my college favorites as well.  The reason is he can go off and hit shots from anywhere on the floor with only the smallest window.  Although he doesn’t play very much, he still has the spark need to light up a fan base with a couple deep jumpers.

Ray Allen- Allen is the other guy who has the picture perfect jumper.  The difference between him and Houston is that ray also could finish at the rim with power and flair.  Allen had a really good handle in his younger days and was so fun to watch with the bucks and the Sonics.  It was great to see him as a Celtic and to get a ring with my favorite team.

Ricky Davis- Davis lands on this list mostly because of his legendary high school career in Iowa when I was a missionary and the fact that the legend wasn’t all hype.  Davis was able to make it to the big time.  Davis was an athletic freak who had some really good seasons in the league and I watched every minute I could.  I still remember the night he tried to get a triple double by throwing the ball of his own backboard and grab it.  He got bashed for that move but I just laughed.

Kevin Love- love makes the list for a few reasons.  He throws the best outlet passes I’ve ever seen.  He changed his game to not only succeed in the league but become a star and he is a tireless rebounder.  Now all he needs is to stay healthy and become the all-time great he has worked his whole life to be.

Steve Nash- I could probably write a book talking about why I loved Nash so much as a player.  He’s another player that never stopped working until he was the best.  He went from a bench player to the league MVP in just a few short years.  Throw in the fact that Nash is also Canadian and spent time representing my Country puts him over the top.  Nash is one of the best passers in league history and could fill it up when the passing lanes were shut down.  To top it all off, Nash is now the GM for Canada basketball and is set to lead my great nation to unparalleled success in the very near future.