Can someone please explain the difference to me between "the best player" and "the most dominant player"? As in, "Of course Shaq is the most dominant player in the NBA, but Kobe/Duncan/McGrady/Kidd/Garnett is the best basketball player." What is that supposed to mean? I read it all the time, for example, this article: “I think Kobe has become the best player. Shaq is still the most dominant. He’ll always be that." It seems really silly.