SI Player Ratings

Fours are wild: Five of the top eight players in the league play
power forward, including our ratings leader, the Kings' Chris
Webber. Last season's No. 1, Shaquille O'Neal, dropped to the
fourth spot after missing six games because of plantar
fasciitis, while his fellow Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant,
zoomed into second, up 20 slots from last season's final
rankings.

--David Sabino

CENTERS

PLAYER RATING OVERALL RANK

1. Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 56.6 4
2. David Robinson, Spurs 42.3 31
3. Brian Grant, Heat 40.7 36
4. Theo Ratliff, 76ers 38.5 43
5. Antonio Davis, Raptors 37.4 48

POWER FORWARDS

PLAYER RATING OVERALL RANK

1. Chris Webber, Kings 64.1 1
2. Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves 60.2 3
3. Antonio McDyess, Nuggets 55.6 5
4. Tim Duncan, Spurs 54.5 7
5. Karl Malone, Jazz 54.1 8

SMALL FORWARDS

PLAYER RATING OVERALL RANK

1. Tracy McGrady, Magic 55.3 6
2. Paul Pierce, Celtics 49.5 15
3. Vince Carter, Raptors 49.4 17
4. Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Grizzlies 48.3 19
5. Glenn Robinson, Bucks 47.8 20

SHOOTING GUARDS

PLAYER RATING OVERALL RANK

1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers 61.5 2
2. Allen Iverson, 76ers 53.2 9
3. Jerry Stackhouse, Pistons 51.7 11
4. Ray Allen, Bucks 47.3 21
5. Reggie Miller, Pacers 39.0 41

POINT GUARDS

PLAYER RATING OVERALL RANK

1. Gary Payton, Sonics 49.8 13
2. Steve Francis, Rockets 49.4 18
3. Stephon Marbury, Nets 46.0 24
4. Nick Van Exel, Nuggets 45.3 25
5. Andre Miller, Cavaliers 43.3 28

*The SI Player Rating Formula: {[2x(Field Goals Made + 3-Pts.
Made + Assists + Blocks + Off. Reb.)] + [1.5x(Def. Reb. +
Steals)] + Total Points + FTM - (2xTOs) - (Missed FTs + Missed
FGs + Missed 3-Pts.)} / Games Team Has Played