One of the comments in the previous post about whether Chris Bosh is a superstar (he isn't) got me thinking: Who are the NBA superstars?

Here's my list:

1. LeBron James - the most physically dominant player in the game has learned to shoot and play great defense. And he could always pass.
2. Kobe Bryant - has the competitive mentality most closely resembling the game's greatest superstar, Michael Jordan.
3. Kevin Garnett/Tim Duncan (tie) - can still carry the load into their 30s
5. Dwyane Wade - now that he's healthy, he's as unstoppable as any player in the league. His 2006 title puts him above No. 6
6. Chris Paul - Dre' broke down his numbers which on the surface crush Isiah Thomas'.
7. Dwight Howard - barely makes the list, but the Magic are 44-16 thanks in large part to him.

That's it - and even Howard is sketchy as I'm not sure he can carry a team the way the other six can.

Near misses:

Dirk Nowitzki - he can carry the load himself, and if offense were the criteria, he'd be one for sure.
Deron Williams - now that he's healthy, he's a monster, though there's a good bit of distance between him and Paul
Manu Ginobili - most people don't think of him as a superstar, but he could easily score 25 a game if he played 35 minutes and Tim Duncan and Tony Parker weren't on his team. (Of course, he'd probably get hurt). Also a great defender and clutch player.
Paul Pierce - the MVP of last year's finals is underrated on defense and can score 25 ppg if needed
Chauncey Billups - underrated floor general is a huge difference-maker in Denver
Brandon Roy - might be on the superstar list by this time next season

Kevin Durant, - see Roy, Brandon
Ray Allen - he's a near-miss, one-time superstar and still pretty good

One-time superstars:

Shaquille O'Neal - obviously
Tracy McGrady - at his peak, he was as good an offensive player as Kobe or LeBron, but played with a terrible supporting cast
Steve Nash - two MVPs - probably would have won a title were it not for Amare Stoudemire's suspension and Tim Donaghy's cheating

Jason Kidd - two NBA finals albeit via weak competition in the East.
Allen Iverson - at his peak, before the relaxation of the hand-check rules Iverson was the best penetrator in the league, and he led his team to the finals (second best player was Dikembe Mutombo acquired midseason) while winning league MVP.

Overrated

Yao Ming - like Dirk - great offensive player, but unlike Dirk can't come out and get the ball on the perimeter
Carmelo Anthony - has superstar talent, but only average focus
Chris Bosh - can't guard anyone.
Amare Stoudemire - see Bosh, Chris
Gilbert Arenas - even when healthy, he's more of an entertainer than true basketball star