This is the first part of PBN's series of positional player rankings, which will also feature a Top 100 and a seperate list of Top Rookies as ranked by senior writer Tony Mejia. The rankings are based on a blissfully ambiguous formula of past accomplishments, upside, team role and general worthiness of swagger. As in, who's most swagger-worthy? They're entirely subjective, so arguments are not only expected, but encouraged.

1. LeBron James, Cleveland - The King may not shake your hand if you get the better of him, but pound-for-pound, individually, no one in the league currently does. He figures to only improve over the next five years, so hopefully he'll get all cartoonish and chase averaging a triple-double in a season in addition to his quest for a title, global icon status and world domination.

2. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City - He won't turn 21 until Sept. 29 and is coming off a sophomore season where he averaged 25.3 points despite commanding the attention of every defense. His progress eliminated the volume shooter criticism, as he improved his shot selection and wound up at a near-48 percent clip, including 42 percent from 3-point range. At this point, he's the next big thing, on schedule to become the youngest NBA scoring champion in history this season. Max Zaslofsky and Bob McAdoo were over 22 when they won scoring crowns, while LeBron was 23 when he led the league in '07-'08. Durant has 2009-10 to make history, and will.

3. Paul Pierce, Boston - He's got a Finals MVP and a ring already, so this season, we'll find out whether the Truth is truly a glutton. Watching him pained by falling short against Orlando in May, he seems to have a large appetite for redemption. He wore down some after playing almost every game for the eighth time in his career and having too much on his shoulders come postseason, but he'll be re-energized to get his team back atop the mountain.

4. Carmelo Anthony, Denver - Although the Nuggets had the most success they've had since Melo arrived in 2003, he had one of his worst seasons. Breaking a bone in hand, not to mention nagging elbow trouble, had an impact on his offense, but his all-around game is improving, from passing to defense to the consistency of his energy levels. Now 25 years old, he should be rounding into a veteran force as he hits his prime.

5. Danny Granger, Indiana - Broke out with a 25.8 scoring average last season to earn Most Improved honors, managing to burn most everybody. Truth be told, he really took off in 2007 and has just seen his confidence grow, so there's no reason to expect him to slow down any. As an added bonus to being one of the top shooting small forwards in the league, he also has a knack for blocking shots, a talent he excelled at in college.

6. Caron Butler, Washington - It's going to be nice watching Butler play meaningful basketball again, as his career-high 20.8 scoring average was overshadowed by how bad the Gilbert Arenas-less Wizards were. Still, he did rise to the challenge alongside Antawn Jamison and enters 2009-10 set to remind anyone who tuned out just how dangerous and versatile a wing he can be.

7. Ron Artest, L.A. Lakers - He won't be able to take as many bad shots in L.A. with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant certain to curb his enthusiasm, so Ron-Ron should be even more effective this season. His grit, tenacity and defense will give the Lakers a badly needed edge, while offering him the opportunity to get the credit in strengthen a champion into a potential dynasty. All he's got to do is what he does best -- stuff the stat sheet and play bodyguard.

8. Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto - After excelling at playing the pick-and-roll with Dwight Howard and emerging as a fearless shot-maker late in games, it will be interesting to see how Turkey's M.J. fits in with the Raptors, where Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh are already installed. Turkoglu shot just 41 percent in a contract year and got paid anyway, but must get back to his 2007-08 form to prove worth the investment. His skills fit in well with the up-tempo offense Toronto is planning, so the chances to put up big numbers will be there.

9. Richard Jefferson, San Antonio - Despite playing all 82 for Milwaukee, he was often seen sleep-walking through a dismal season, but did show off an improved 3-point stroke, finishing just shy of 40 percent. If he can carry it over to San Antonio, where he'll no doubt be more interested, he's going to stop getting clowned about this summer's broken engagement pretty quickly. O.K., maybe that's not true, but at least he'll rightfully return to relavence.

10. Stephen Jackson, Golden State - Captain Jack was dominating before he succumbed to season-ending toe surgery, churning out assists like he was Steve Nash. Having notched career-highs of 20.7 points, 5.1 boards and 6.5 assists, he should pick up where he left off as the one player on the Warriors roster Don Nelson fully trusts.

11. Josh Howard, Dallas - Solid. He's got a reputation as flaky, but that couldn't be further from the truth on the floor. You know you're going to get strong defense and activity on offense when he's out there, which is one reason the Mavs aren't concerned that he'll likely spend a lot of time trying to shut down shooting guards with Shawn Marion now also on board. Usually, when he's going well, the Mavs are near impossible to beat.

12. Rudy Gay, Memphis - His career is definitely on the upswing, especially after shining among the brightest at U.S. Olympic trials in July. Although he must work on his shot selection, there's no question that Gay has the physical gifts to be a superstar, especially if he continues his improvement from the perimeter. If he gets the jumper down, he'll be near impossible to stop.

13. Tayshaun Prince, Detroit - A rough series against LeBron James and the Cavs left a sour taste on a tough season, but Prince actually did his thing amid the turmoil. He played all 82 for a sixth straight year, averaged his usual 14 points and three assists and shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range while grabbing a career-high 5.8 rebounds. He won himself a gold medal for being a tremendous glue guy and remains a tremendous asset in that role.

14. Shawn Marion, Dallas - Getting traded in each of the last two seasons has seriously impacted the four-time All-Star's numbers, so this fresh start in Dallas could revitalize him. His days of being among the league's top wings are likely over now that he's 10 years in and has lost a little bit of juice, but he'll still aid the Mavs on the boards and with his defense on the wing, not to mention racking up a few oohs and ahs in transition. He hasn't lost that much juice.

15. Marvin Williams, Atlanta - The former No. 2 pick wasn't healthy during a dreadful postseason that probably cost him some money this summer, but he did get a five-year deal that the Hawks are hoping will become a bargain once he reaches his full potential. Entering his fifth season, Williams is now 23 and has improved enough from the perimeter to start taking advantage of his physical gifts. He should be considered a breakout candidate.

16. Al Thornton, L.A. Clippers - He's still a work in progress and ideally should be far more of a factor on defense, but the explosive playmaker should continue to make strides in his third season. Not only will he have more talent around him to keep him from forcing the issue, he'll also be better-versed in what Mike Dunleavy wants from him in his third season as a major cog.

17. Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia - The 21-year-old has terrific upside that has already begun to materialize, and it's his instincts that give him a shot at being a truly special player. He's got a really nice feel for his game and his strengths, which you can expect Eddie Jordan to rely on heavily as he tries to mold Philly's many parts into something that resembles an offense.

18. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte - His athleticism is game-changing, but he just doesn't have the true perimeter skills that most small forwards bring to the table, which is why he's not further up this list despite averaging roughly 18 points and seven rebounds over the last three seasons. He's effective, though not necessarily elite.

19. Trevor Ariza, Houston - Consider him the favorite for Most Improved Player this coming season, because his numbers are in for a major increase. The Rockets will be lacking a go-to guy with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming out, so a lot of those opportunities will go to the new arrival. If he can shoot even half as well from 3-point range as he did during the Lakers' title run, he'll produce steadily on both ends of the floor.

20. Michael Beasley, Miami - So, I'm considering where the player some front office sources nicknamed Beastley should be ranked following a shaky but promising rookie season when news of Beas' Twitter crisis hits the fan. If you're Pat Riley, it's never good when the No. 2 pick you're hoping makes the leap and emerges as the starting small forward is "Feelin like it's not worth livin!!!!!!!" Hopefully for Beasley, whose talent merits a spot on this list, he gets it together. On promise alone, I've got him penciled in.

Also considered: Luol Deng, Wilson Chandler, Corey Maggette, Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Andrei Kirilenko, Peja Stojakovic, Travis Outlaw, Ryan Gomes, Andres Nocioni, Nicolas Batum, Quentin Richardson, Matt Barnes, Jamario Moon, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bobby Simmons, James Posey, Michael Finley, Kyle Korver, Rasual Butler.

Tony Mejia is senior writer for Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at mejia@probasketballnews.com.

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