In baseball, each position player is able to display their offensive value roughly one-tenth of the time. In basketball, however, players’ usage rates can be manipulated by coaching staffs to ensure maximum output of their team’s talent. As a consequence, an elite basketball player can carry a team into the playoffs and beyond (see LeBron and the 2018 Cavs), while in baseball, elite players on bad teams often miss the playoffs (Mike Trout in recent years). Then, of course, it’s imperative to understand how the league’s best stack up against one another.
We’ll be counting down the top 50 players in the NBA going into the 2018-2019 season starting with 50-41.
Note: Players that are huge question marks such as Markelle Fultz will be left off this list. The players that just missed out include Ricky Rubio, Rajon Rondo, Lou Williams, Andrew Wiggins, Otto Porter Jr., and Lauri Markkanen. Since this is a look ahead ranking to next season, it of course factors in projected improvement or decline from players.
50. Dario Saric:
When the Croatian finally came over in the 2016-2017 NBA season to the tune of a first-team all-rookie selection, Sixers fans marveled at his keen passing ability as a big coupled with his effective offensive rebounding. Then, “The Homie” came back last season shooting efficiently from all over, including close to 40% from three. If Dario can become a little lighter on his feet defensively, he can solidify himself as an elite fourth option in Philly.
49. Andre Drummond:
The rebounding champ had the Pistons playing competitive basketball early last season until starting PG Reggie Jackson went down to injury. Aside from rebounding, Drummond is among the league’s elite in passing for big men, along with being an underrated defender. Drummond isn’t as effective as Rudy Gobert defensively to be an elite player without a modern-big offensive arsenal, so look for him to stretch the floor if he wants to move up this list.
48. Lonzo Ball:
Now that the Ball family news has settled down, can we appreciate the fact that Lonzo can Ball? Sure, his 10/7/7 averages in his rookie season were impressive, but his true value last season went behind the stat sheet into the win column for the Lakers. With Lonzo, the Lakers were roughly a .500 team… in the WEST. After being mentored by Bron this year, expect Zo to become among the league’s elite playmakers. For Lonzo to move into the top 25, he’ll need to expand his offensive game. This, of course, starts with a more efficient jumper.
47. Joe Ingles:
Joe Ingles might be the most boring good player in the NBA. That doesn’t mean that he’s not really valuable to the Jazz. It’s a general consensus among NBA fans that the Jazz are a top 6-10 team in the league, yet they don’t rank their players highly. Ingles, a very good three-and-D guy that can pass a little, is the third best player on a good team. That says something.
46. Goran Dragic:
While he’s a poor excuse of an all-star, Dragic is still a valuable guard in the league. Unathletic, but shifty, Goran inexplicably finds ways to get to the basket effectively. Look for Dragic to score with more volume to move up in this list.
45. Steven Adams:
While people referred to Melo, Westbrook, and Paul George as the OK3 last season, Adams was truly the third most valuable piece to the team. As possibly the strongest player in the NBA, Adams sets some of the most devastating screens on opposing guards, resulting in a lethal pick-and-roll duo with Westbrook. Adams uses his physicality well to snag offensive rebounds and gain good defensive positioning. If Adams could even add a mid-range game, it would open up OKC’s offense even more and could perhaps propel them to a playoff series win.
44. Robert Covington:
The league’s best undrafted player padded his resume last season with a first-team all-defense selection. On the offensive side of the ball, his game is extremely limited, and seeing Covington inside the arc at any point is usually not a good sign for Sixers fans. However, if Covington can improve his handles and finishing at the basket, there’s nothing stopping him from becoming an all-star wing.
43. Jamal Murray:
The young guard in Denver has the potential to make the Nuggets an elite force in the West throughout the next 5-7 years. If Murray can become somewhat of an average defender and continue to improve his decision-making on offense, he’ll have the ability to be a perennial all-star.
42. Blake Griffin:
Along with Carmelo Anthony, it seems as if Blake has deteriorated as much as any NBA star in recent years. After not even making the playoffs in the weak eastern conference with another top-50 player on his team, Blake certainly has a lot to prove as the number one option in Detroit. If he leads them to a playoff berth averaging upwards of 20/7/4, expect him to jump back into the top 30 where he belongs. However, I’ll have to see it to believe it.
41. Brandon Ingram:
Of the young Lakers with room to improve upon teaming up with LeBron, BI tops the list. He certainly has the tools to be a plus-defender wing that can take you off the dribble while shooting 40% from the deep. A player that fits that profile 1. Is most likely a top 25 player and 2. Will probably end up on the Celtics and fit their switchy-wing scheme perfectly. Anyways, if BI can average 20 as a second option to LeBron and perform well in the playoffs, he’ll definitely find himself among different peers next season.
Check out next week’s edition to see 40-31! Let me know what you think of the rankings so far, and let’s debate.