By: Khalid Leader
With the NBA nearing an imminent and risky bubble experiment July 30th at Disney World, there's no better time to get back in the lab and cook up something marvelous for your reintroduction to the league.
Which players truly drive winning?
2013 LeBron was arguably the greatest difference maker we've seen in recent years, bringing all-time value on both ends. Bron's athleticism and game-to-game impact peaked seven years ago but he still has the Lakers as the betting favorite for the 2020 title. Kawhi is the reigning Finals MVP and has emerged as a true power broker in the way he brought PG to LA. The Greek Freak is striding toward a 2nd consecutive MVP. Over the past decade this may be the most open year not only for the NBA title, but for the top player crown.
Let's start by pouring one out for the fallen Warriors who'd be locks to make this list if healthy:
Steph Curry (Hand)
Klay Thompson (ACL)
Kevin Durant (Achilles)*
*last played for the Warriors, close enough
Honorable Mention
- Devin Booker
- Bradley Beal
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Ben Simmons
The toughest omission from the list, Simmons ranks first in steals/gm and third in deflections/gm, using his size and speed to wreak havoc on opponents like an NFL free safety. He missed the cut solely for his continued shooting deficiencies. His unwillingness to shoot outside of the paint hampers the Sixers' offense in playoff situations, where he is often relegated to the dunker spot (Sixers management didn't help matters by signing Al Horford this past summer....only 3yrs/$81 Mill remaining...yikes).
- Zion Williamson
In his brief 19 game rookie debut, Zion showed poor defensive awareness and looked to be in sub-optimal shape, but he still managed to average 24ppg on 62% True Shooting. Barring injury, he will make the varsity list for the next 15 years.
Top 20
20. Rudy Gobert
Rudy is the last of a dying breed, a Dikembe Mutombo like rim protector whose greatest offensive skill may be screen setting. His defense is A1 yet again, but will he be schemed off the floor by an elite perimeter shooting team in the playoffs? Utah should try to avoid the small-ball Rockets at all costs.
19. Khris Middleton
After signing a max $180 million contract, Middleton returned to have a career year. Posting a rare 50%/40%/90% and leading Milwaukee to a 5-2 record in games without Giannis. Milwaukee's title run could hinge on Middleton's career shooting efficiency carrying to Orlando.
18. Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell continued to impress with steady progression in year 3. He's finishing better in the restricted area, showcasing Wade-like euro steps and smooth floaters. His defense regressed heavily this season, thus keeping him out of the top 15, but he has all the tools to be a solid point of attack defender in the coming years.
17. Paul George
Paul George is the ideal archetype for the #2 player on a championship team. His ability to defend four positions and score without dominating the ball (shooting 40% on nearly 5 catch and shoot 3s/gm) is what every team looks to pair with their alpha creator.
16. Kyle Lowry
Lowry is built more like Cole Brown than an NBA All-Star but he's an absolute savant in Toronto's heavy-help defensive scheme (Raptors are 2nd overall in defensive rating). Leading the league in charges drawn/gm, Lowry even mucked up the All-Star game, taking 3 charges for the sake of winning.
15. Chris Paul
How is he still this valuable in year 15? CP3 bounced back after a rough year in Houston to lead the Thunder to the precipice of a top 4 seed. He's still able to run the Pick n Roll with deadly efficiency (1.09 PPP, 57% EFG as PnR ball handler). CP3 snaking a screen to get to his foul line jumper is an underrated all time move.
14. Russell Westbrook
Russ is having an All-NBA level year following a slow start. Since Jan 1st, he's averaging 32 ppg on 53% FG. Russ leads the league in drives per game, basically turning into the point guard version of Giannis.
13. Bam Adebayo
Bam's main value add is defensive versatility. Strong enough to bang with Embiid while having the lateral agility to contain elite guards like Bradley Beal. Mix in his ability to grab and go in transition like 2016 Draymond and you have almost everything teams are looking for in a modern center (still needs to expand his shooting range).
12. Jayson Tatum
Tatum is ascending at a rapid pace. He was playing at top 5 level in February (31 ppg on 64% TS) before cooling down a bit in March. He's an elite off ball wing defender already, but his ability to hit pull up 3s (5 per game at a blistering 40%) makes him special.
11. Luka Doncic
Luka kicked in the door his sophomore season to (likely) finish top 5 in MVP voting. He's the fulcrum of the best offense in the league by a wide margin (115 Points/100 Possessions, over 2 points better than the second place Rockets). His large frame and tight handle allow him to get into the paint and generate easy buckets for teammates. Just 21 years old, Luka is the youngest player on this list.
10. Pascal Siakam
The 2019 Most Improved Player took another leap this season and replaced most of the void left by Kawhi's departure. His isolation scoring always pops on film, with the ability to post up smaller defenders or beat larger players to the basket with funky finishes. He is the main reason that Toronto is my pick to represent the East this season (more to come on that).
9. Nikola Jokic
The Joker is one of the most fun and interesting players in the league. Everything about him is just different, from his physical appearance to his otherworldly passing vision. My favorite element of his game is the quirky off-balance floater. They never look like they're going in, but they seemingly always do.
8. Joel Embiid
Joel may be the greatest singular defender in the league, able to cover ground with rare gracefulness for a 7'0 behemoth. He's in a poor offensive situation in Philly, often playing without any real floor spacers, but he should reduce (if not completely desert) the 3 pointers. Sometimes the game is simple, Embiid taking nearly four 3s per game is a poor allocation of his giant frame and soft touch (especially when he's a 32% career 3pt shooter).
7. Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is thriving in the perfect situation for his attitude and skill set. Butler is supplementing career high assist and rebound rates with nearly 10 free throw attempts per game. Even while struggling from 3 this season (just 25%), his efficiency has remained high (58% True Shooting) due to his ability to get downhill and draw fouls in bunches.
6. Damian Lillard
Dame's round 1 dagger against OKC in the 2019 playoffs embodies his entire career. He's a cold blooded closer, crafty scorer, and the best deep three-point shooter in the league (38% from >28 feet away). His pull up proficiency sets up his entire game, allowing him to get to the rim and finish with underrated explosiveness. He is quietly having a 1st ballot Hall of Fame career.
5. James Harden
The step back 3 is Harden's version of the sky hook (totally unique and unstoppable). When you combine the step back with his proclivity to shoot free throws, you get the most dangerous scorer in the league. What makes Harden so dangerous in the regular season could also be hindering him in post season play (his 3pt % has declined in the last four playoffs). Carrying such a heavy burden every regular season seems to wear on his legs, I'd love to see Harden occasionally call on the midrange game that we saw more of pre-D'Antoni.
4. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has always been the ultimate "play finisher" as a premier lob threat and post scorer. Somehow just 27 years old, he is continuing to improve by shooting more threes and making plays as a primary ball-handler. The Lakers should explore using Davis in more creative ways as LeBron ages. His talent continues to drop jaws nearly 10 years in.
3. Kawhi Leonard
The closest player we have to '97 MJ. Kawhi can pull up on a dime or get all the way to the rim with subtle shoulder blows. His ability to read the defense a rotation ahead and find open shooters is the latest addition he's made in 2020 (career high 5 assists/gm).
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The heir to the throne, Giannis is in pole position to dominate the league for the next decade. The Freak has a great chance to bring home MVP and DPOY (defensive player of the year) this season (only MJ and Olajuwon have won both in the same season). Only one question remains: Can Giannis (and Eric Bledsoe for that matter) punish teams when they wall off the paint in the playoffs?
1. LeBron James
Still the top dog of the league. LeBron is the ultimate 'Queen on the chessboard' who can toggle between any offensive role and still provide elite efficiency. The gap he has over Giannis & Kawhi is razor thin, but Bron takes pole position heading into the 2020 playoffs.
