In the 2018-19 season, Richaun Holmes was nothing more than a solid backup big for the Suns. In 70 games (4 starts), he put up 8 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 61% from the field.
However, in NBA2K19, he played like prime Shaq or something. He grabbed every rebound and dunked every putback. It was annoying to play against because he wasn’t actually that good at the time.
Nowadays, although he obviously isn’t prime Shaq, Richaun Holmes has quietly become a guy who should be in the top 10 center conversation.
Notice how I said should be and not is? Despite how well he’s been playing over the last couple of seasons (especially this year), Richaun doesn’t get the attention he deserves (likely because he plays in Sacramento).
Today, I’m going to wake some people up and show them how Richaun Holmes is push-shotting his way into the top 10 center list.
If you’ve watched a Kings game before, you’ve probably seen Richaun take (and make) a shot like this:
He’s good for a few of those per game. One-hand pushing the ball into the hoop from 10-15 feet away takes a lot of touch, and most big guys in the league don’t have that.
That shot is super efficient for Richaun. In the 2020-21 season, he took a fourth of his shots from 10-16 feet and made 62% of them. His numbers from that range so far this season are almost identical.
Just because Richaun loves that push shot, doesn’t mean he shys away from contact. He gets buckets using brute force.
Although his offensive game is very traditional for a center, he’s extremely effective. He was second in the league in FG% in 2021, shooting 64%. So far this season, he’s shooting 69%.
Richaun’s offensive impact isn’t limited to push shots. He’s averaging 5.6 screen assists, which is 6th in the league. He’s also excellent at the free-throw line for a big, shooting around 80% over the last three seasons.
Richaun also protects the paint. Over his three seasons with the Kings, he’s averaging 1.4 blocks per game.
Here he stops Jordan Clarkson’s drive and then swats Rudy Gobert’s layup attempt.
At the end of the 2021 season, I ranked Richaun as the 88th best player in the league and the 16th best center. If he keeps playing like he has, he’ll be much higher on both lists at the end of the year.
He’s averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block across his first 9 games, and he’s top 5 in the league in FG%. He put up dominant numbers in a blowout win against the Hornets, posting 23 points and 20 rebounds. You can’t ask for much more from your starting center.
I understand if you don’t want to watch a Kings game. They usually aren’t doing anything crazy, especially with De’Aaron Fox struggling so far. However, you should keep an eye on Richaun Holmes because he’s coming for a spot in the top 10 center list. Don’t sleep.
When you’re thinking of the best rookies so far this season, you probably think about Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Scottie Barnes, Chris Duarte, or Josh Giddey. Those are valid choices.
There’s another guy who I think deserves to be in that conversation. He’s played at an All-Rookie level, and a lot of fans probably don’t even know his name.
That guy is the 35th overall pick, Herb Jones.
Herb is a combo forward for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s been starting while Zion is sidelined.
Herb’s claim to fame is defense. He’s already the best defender on his team, and he’s just 8 games into his rookie season. His on-off defensive RAPTOR is +5.4, meaning the Pelicans are significantly better on D when he is in the game.
He’s 6’8″, and he uses his 7’0″ wingspan to be a menace in the passing lanes. He’s snagged 9 steals across his first 8 games, and he had 2+ in 3 of those games.
Here he gets beat, but stays active and erases Ant’s pass.
Don’t let that clip fool you, though. Herb’s not just a ball hawk. He clamps guys up, and is already guarding some of the best players in the league. His teammate Trey Murphy calls him “Straitjacket” for a reason.
Here’s a list of players who’ve been locked up by Herb “Straitjacket” Jones:
Devin Booker: 20% FG (1-5)
Julius Randle: 33% FG (1-3), 1 TOV
Anthony Edwards: 20% FG (2-10), 3 TOV (across two games)
That’s a solid list, and it will only get bigger as the season continues.
Herb is a beast on defense, but his offense has been somewhat lackluster. He’s no Andre Roberson, but the in order for Herb to become a consistent starter in the league he’ll need to progress as a scorer.
The big key for Herb on offense is confidence. He’s efficient around the rim (67% from 0-3 feet so far this year. A little over half of his shots have come from that range), so I think taking more shots is all it will take for him to become a two-way threat.
His jumpshot is a work in progress (He’s just 1-5 from three to start his career, and he shot 29% from deep over his four season at Alabama), but nothing in his shot suggests he can’t become at least a league-average shooter one day.
Overall, Herb has come out of the gate as a very solid NBA player. His defensive impact has been huge, and he’s earned his starting role. He’s got a shot at making an All-Defensive team one day, and I’m putting you on now so you’re not surprised when it happens.
The 2020-21 NBA season was my first with League Pass. I spent countless hours in my basement watching all 30 teams play. I loved watching every team (because I love watching basketball), but I definitely had favorites. Besides the Bucks and the Spurs, I found myself watching a ton of Hornets basketball. They weren’t super competitive (they had a record of 33-39, and lost to Indiana in the play-in), but they always played in an exciting fashion. Whenever I tuned in to a Hornets game, I was guaranteed an incredible poster from Miles Bridges, a ridiculous pass from LaMelo Ball, or a clutch bucket from Terry Rozier (all to the tune of Eric Collins’s immaculate commentating).
So far this season, the flashy play I’ve fallen in love with has translated to winning basketball.
The Hornets have started off 4-2. They’ve beaten the Pacers in overtime, the Cavaliers, and the Magic, but their biggest win was against the Nets.
Against Brooklyn, the Hornets were up by one heading into the fourth quarter. It looked like the game would go down to the wire, but it didn’t. Charlotte ran KD and company out of the gym, out-scoring them 32 to 17 in the fourth. The most impressive part of that quarter? LaMelo Ball didn’t touch the floor. Instead, it was veteran point guard Ish Smith who took over and led Charlotte to the victory, scoring 11 points and dishing out 4 assists in the fourth quarter alone. Gritty wing Cody Martin also stepped up big late, drawing back-to-back charges that forced James Harden to the bench and scoring 8 points.
Bench players stepping up has been a big story for Charlotte so far. Cody Martin, Ish Smith, and Jalen McDaniels have all contributed to their early success.
Alright. Now that I’ve given some love to the bench mob guys, let’s talk about the man who’s been absolutely BALLING, Miles Emmanuel Bridges.
Across the first six games, Miles is putting up 26 PPG, 8 RPG, and 1.8 SPG while shooting 53% from the field (18 FGA per game) and 39% from three (8 3PA per game). Those are All-Star (maybe even All-Star starter) numbers.
(Not to flex, but I told you guys he was good. I have a whole article where I dive into his game and explain why I think he’s so good. If you haven’t read it, you’re a goofball.)
As good as Miles is, I don’t expect him to play like this all season. Terry Rozier has only played one game so far, and when he returns he’ll take some shots away from Miles.
Regardless of what Miles’s stats look like at the end of the year, he’s showing everybody what I saw while watching him last season. I don’t know what Charlotte’s front office was thinking when they offered him an extension worth just $60 million. He’s smart for declining it because he’s gonna get a lot more this summer.
Overall, the Charlotte Hornets are must-see TV. I think they’re the most exciting team in the league. They only have a few more nationally broadcasted games this season, and you should watch every single one of them. To be honest, it might be worth paying for League Pass just to watch the Hornets.
Ok, that might be a bit of a stretch, but my point is you should be as excited about the Hornets as I am. They’re a blast to watch play, and they’ll only get more fun as their young core develops.
The reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks are one of the deeper teams in the NBA. They don’t have a ton of big names like the Lakers or the Nets, but the chemistry and energy their bench guys bring makes their bench mob one of the best.
The bench is highlighted by fan-favorite Bobby Portis Jr., veteran point guard George Hill, and 3&D wing Pat Connaughton. Those guys are good, but what really makes the Bucks so deep are their talented second-round draft picks.
Jordan Nwora was the 45th pick in the 2020 draft. He showed flashes in his rookie season, averaging 6 points and shooting 45% from three across 30 games.
I liked him as a player then, but after his 2021 preseason performance, I’m really high on him. He’s super confident on the offensive end, so he scores effortlessly. His bag consists of smooth step-back and pull-up threes, which he’ll make even when he’s guarded.
When you can score like Jordan can, you’re gonna get rotational minutes. In Milwaukee’s opening night game against Brooklyn, we saw that he can make an impact on winning a game. He put up 15 points and made 3 threes in a blowout win.
Although he’ll need to improve on defense and be a better passer to become an All-Star one day, Jordan’s scoring should make him a solid starter for a long time. Snagging him late in the second round makes him a true draft steal, and arguably the biggest of his draft class.
Rookie big Sandro Mamukelashvili was picked 54th overall. I have no clue how a player with such a unique game and high ceiling fell that far in the draft.
Mamu is a guard in a center’s body. He’ll never play point guard, but he can definitely be a high post playmaker in the league (Think Domantas Sabonis). He can shoot the three, drive to the hoop with surprising speed, and make good passes. I have never seen a player who plays like Mamu does.
He will need time to develop those skills and become a consistent rotational guy, but it will happen.
If you want to watch Jordan and Mamu play, check out this mixtape I put together of their preseason highlights. You’ll be able to see the skill I’m talking about.
I have no idea how a perennial contender was able to get these two guys in the draft. It’s a huge deal, because even after they won a championship Milwaukee still isn’t a super attractive team for free agents. Drafting well is how you win games for a long time (the Spurs and the Warriors are two teams that have done this). Kudos to Jon Horst and Milwaukee’s scouting department.
Jordan Nwora and Sandro Mamukelashvili will soon take the league by storm, and I’m putting you on notice now. These guys are seriously special.
(And no, I’m not just saying that because I’m a Bucks fan. I mean it.)
(Also, shoutout to 2020 60th overall pick and former Buck Sam Merrill, who is a knockdown shooter. I’m excited to see what he’ll do with Memphis this season.)
A few weeks ago, I put out my top 100 players of 2021 list. Now, I’m putting out my prediction list. I made one last year (wow. I’ve had this blog for an entire season. That’s crazy), and it wasn’t great. I did ok. I think I’m going to do better this time around.
The fun part about making a prediction list is predicting what young guys will make jumps and how big those jumps will be. There are multiple young guys on this list who didn’t make my 2021 list.
So, what was my method for making this list? I just thought about how much better (or worse) a player will be at the end of next season compared to how they are now. There’s no true criteria for this. It’s just like “I think this guy is gonna have a really good season” or “this guy might take a step back”. In some cases, there are guys who won’t improve or regress at all, but they fall down the list due to other guys getting better.
Alright. Without further ado, here’s my prediction for the top 100 (110) players of the 2022 NBA season.
(The stats you’ll see next to the players are predictions for what the players will average. They are organized like this: PPG/RPG/APG, SPG and/or BPG, FG%/3PT%/FT%.)
Honorable Mentions (110-101):
110: Bojan Bogdanovic (16/5/1, 0.5 SPG, 42/40/88)
109: Miles Bridges (15/6/3, 1/1, 51/40/89)
108: Saddiq Bey (14/4/1, 44/42/85)
107: Wendell Carter Jr. (15/10/2, 1 BPG, 52/30/75)
106: Tim Hardaway Jr. (17/3/1, 43/41/82)
105: Brook Lopez (10/6/1, 1.5 BPG, 52/35/86)
104: Keldon Johnson (16/7/2, 1/1, 45/36/77)
103: Rui Hachimura (17/5/2, 1 SPG, 47/36/77)
102: Gary Trent Jr. (15/3/3, 1 SPG, 42/40/80)
101: Lonzo Ball (12/6/8, 2 SPG, 41/38/79)
My “honorable mentions” list contains lots of young guys making their first appearances on a top 100. Miles Bridges has enough pure talent to be higher, but I don’t think his role will be big enough to do so. Saddiq Bey is primed for a huge shooting season with Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes passing him the ball. I hate that I have Brook Lopez all the way down here, but there are so many talented players that I had to. Rui Hachimura will be Washington’s third-best player. I’m still not as high on Lonzo as most people are, and I think he won’t be more than a high-end role player for the Bulls.
Here’s the actual top 100.
100: Seth Curry (16/3/2, 45/42/90)
Seth is an elite shooter. That won’t change in 2022. He’s shown that he’s capable of scoring on high volume with high efficiency (he’s never averaged more than 13 PPG in the regular season, but he averaged 19 in the 2021 playoffs), and that’s exactly what he’ll do this season with a bigger role in the Sixers offense.
99: Tyrese Haliburton (15/3/5, 1 SPG, 46/42/87)
Despite his unorthodox shot form, Tyrese is an efficient shooter and a capable playmaker. De’Aaron Fox’s partner for the future will take his first step to becoming the second-best player on the Kings in 2022.
98: Chris Boucher (13/7/1, 2 BPG, 48/36/78)
Coming off a MIP level season, Chris Boucher has proven that he is a starting-caliber center. However, now that he’s sharing minutes with Khem Birch, Boucher’s room to improve further is limited. That’s why he’ll stay around the same spot in 2022 as he landed in 2021.
97: Victor Oladipo (14/4/5, 1 SPG, 44/37/77)
Barring a return to All-Star form (which I doubt will happen), Oladipo will come off the bench in most of his games played in 2022 (Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson will be the Heat’s starting backcourt). This will lead to him becoming a high-end role player. I think he’ll be good enough to make the bottom of my list, but there’s a chance he falls off completely.
96: Markelle Fultz (14/4/7, 1 SPG, 46/34/70)
Coming off a season where he played just 8 games, Markelle will be looking to stay fully healthy for the second season in his career. Last time he was healthy, he proved himself as a starting-caliber point guard who can pass and attack the rim. Assuming health, he will find that success again in 2022.
95: Reggie Jackson (18/4/4, 1 SPG, 45/39/82)
Reggie had an electric 2021 playoffs while Kawhi was injured. I expect that to carry over into the 2022 regular season, where he’ll average 18+ PPG while helping the Clippers stay in the playoffs until Kawhi returns
94: Luguentz Dort (16/5/2, 1 SPG, 42/37/75)
Lu Dort is already great on defense. The next step is to improve his offense. He showed flashes in 2021, such as a 42 point game, but his consistency needs to improve. I think that will happen in 2022, and Dort will remain in the top 100.
93: De’Andre Hunter (13/4/1, 1 SPG, 48/40/85)
Last season, De’Andre cemented himself as a member of Atlanta’s young core. He’s already a high-level 3&D player, and should make a jump to become even more this season. De’Andre Hunter will have a big impact on any Hawks success in 2022.
92: Richaun Holmes (14/9/1, 1.5 BPG, 66/25/79)
On a roster with a loaded frontcourt, Richaun has established himself as the anchor. His paint presence on both ends will land him a spot in the top 100 for seasons to come. The only reason he falls lower than where he was in 2021 is that the excess amount of bigs on Sacramento’s roster will result in fewer minutes for Richaun.
91: John Wall (14/4/6, 1 SPG, 42/35/75)
Wall and the Rockets came to an agreement that Wall will be off the Rockets in the near future. That’s great for both sides, but as of now, I have no idea where Wall will end up and when he will play. That makes ranking him hard. I’m going the safe route and putting him low rather than high. We’ll see where he ends up at the end of the year.
90: Derrick Rose (13/3/6, 1 SPG, 47/38/85)
I don’t think D-Rose will regress too much from his 2021 season, I think guys below him will get better. Derrick is coming off his best season since his injury. His stats may drop in 2022 (due to more players on the Knicks needing shots than last year), but his impact won’t.
89: Malik Beasley (18/3/2, 45/40/84)
Malik had an excellent scoring season in 2021, averaging an efficient 20 PPG. He will likely come off the bench in 2022, but that won’t stop him from scoring effectively. Malik’s bucket getting will be a big part of a Minnesota offense that could be top 10 in the league.
88: Buddy Hield (17/3/3, 43/40/85)
Buddy will continue to be one of the best three-point specialists in the league in 2022. That will land him on this list. To be higher, he must develop another skill (defense, slashing, playmaking).
87: Jalen Green (17/5/2, 43/36/82)
The first of two rookies on this list, Jalen Green is a smooth bucket getter. He’s capable of averaging 20 right off the bat, but sharing shots with Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood will likely lead to around 17 PPG from Jalen. He’s very talented, so while he’ll land in the mid-eighties in his rookie year, it won’t be long before he’s knocking on the door of the top 50.
86: Derrick White (17/5/5, 1.5/1, 45/38/84)
One of the most underrated guys in the league, Derrick is due for a big season. Playing for the rebuilding Spurs, he will be free to show his full talent. I expect 17 PPG, 5 APG, and more great defense from Derrick White in 2022.
85: T.J. Warren (16/4/2, 48/38/80)
After a foot injury caused him to play just four games in 2021, bubble god T.J. Warren is back and ready to go. How good will he be? We’ll see. If he plays like he did in the 2019-20 season, he’ll land higher on the list. I don’t think he will, though, because he’ll be sharing shots with four other top 100 guys.
84: Kevin Porter Jr. (17/4/7, 44/37/75)
Kevin Porter Jr. balled out with Houston last season, and would have made my top 100 if he played more games. In 2022, he’s gonna be great. KPJ is a bucket and a floor general. I love that his goal for this season is to average 9 assists. I’m excited to watch him go crazy.
83: Evan Fournier (17/3/1, 49/42/80)
Evan Fournier is a consistent 18+ PPG, high efficiency guy. He’s a great addition to the Knicks roster that struggled to score in the 2021 playoffs.
82: Jordan Clarkson (19/3/2, 43/35/88)
Jordan Clarkson fills up the scoring column, and that’s why he won Sixth Man of the Year in 2021. He’s my pick to win the award again in 2022. He would be higher if he was more efficienct.
81: Jarrett Allen (14/10/1, 1.5 BPG, 65/25/70)
Jarrett Allen is a very traditional center, but he’s very good at what he does. His high-level rim protection and rebounding will land him in the top 100 for years to come.
80: Marcus Smart (10/4/6, 2 SPG, 40/36/80)
Marcus Smart is up there with the grittiest, hardest-working guys in the league. He is so valuable to the Celtics. Pure hustle earns Marcus his spot in the top 100.
79: Myles Turner (12/7/1, 3 BPG, 48/35/77)
Myles is one of the best (if not the best) shot blockers in the league. He averaged a ridiculous 3.4 BPG in 2021, and nothing suggests that he can’t do it again. I could see the Pacers running a Utah Jazz-esque defense where they force the opposition to drive into Myles.
78: Bogdan Bogdanovic (16/3/3, 1 SPG, 45/42/88)
Bogey showed in 2021 that he’s one of the best high volume, high efficiency 3PT specialists in the league. He also played the best defense of his career. Those trends should continue in 2022.
77: Andrew Wiggins (18/5/2, 1/1, 46/39/73)
Wiggins has bought into winning basketball, which will make him a big asset for a Warriors roster that is returning to contention. His numbers should be down with Klay Thompson coming back and Jordan Poole ready for a bigger role, but Wiggins’s play on both ends of the floor have earned him a perennial spot in the top 100.
76: Cade Cunningham (16/5/6, 1 SPG, 44/37/83)
Cade has received the keys to the Detroit Pistons. He’s their franchise guy for the future. He’s ready to come in right away and have an impact, making him my pick for Rookie of the Year.
75: Jusuf Nurkic (14/12/3, 1/1.5, 52/34/70)
2021 was a fall from grace for Nurkic after his awesome 2020 season. He’s got a lot to prove now on a Trail Blazers roster that needs him to produce. Nurk has the talent, he just needs to use it.
74: Spencer Dinwiddie (17/5/6, 1 SPG, 45/36/78)
Coming off a season that he missed most of due to injury, it’s hard to tell how good Dinwiddie will be. He’ll be playing for a Washington team that needs him to play a big role and play it well. I think he’s capable of doing it.
73: Jonas Valanciunas (14/12/2, 1.5 BPG, 56/34/76)
Jonas Valanciunas is underrated. He’s one of the best rebounders in the league, and an elite screen setter. Unfortunately, I don’t think his fit in New Orleans is great. They’ll be relying on his ability to shoot too much because Zion clogs the paint. That’s why he will fall far from where he ranked in 2021.
72: Jonathan Isaac (15/6/1, 1.5/1.5, 46/37/78)
Another player who was injured during the 2021 season, Isaac hasn’t played a game since the bubble. Isaac is best known for his defense, but will improve his offense this season. I think he’ll be in the MIP conversation.
71: Jaren Jackson Jr. (17/7/2, 1.5 BPG, 47/38/78)
In his first two seasons, Jaren showed that he has a bright future. An injury in 2021 slowed that down, but he will have a big 2022 season. His defense, shooting, ball handling, and finishing make him a very unique player.
70: Dillon Brooks (18/4/2, 1.5 SPG, 46/38/82)
Dillon broke out in the 2021 playoffs, and now will look to bring that play into the regular season. I think he’s capable of doing it. 18 PPG along with gritty defense will put Dillon into the top ten shooting guard conversation.
69: Norman Powell (18/4/2, 1 SPG, 46/40/86)
Stormin’ Norman had an awesome 2021 season, breaking out as a near 20 PPG scorer. I question his fit in Portland (his numbers falling off a little after the trade backs my feeling), and I don’t think he’ll be able to play as well as he can in 2022.
68: R.J. Barrett (17/5/2, 45/40/74)
R.J. had a breakout season in 2021. I was confident in his ability to improve further this season, but the additions of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier leave the Knicks with a ton of guys who score. That will stunt R.J.’s growth a little, and he’ll play similarly to how he did in 2021.
67: Mikal Bridges (16/5/2, 1.5 SPG, 49/41/84)
Mikal was a key 3&D role player for the Suns during their Finals run. He is capable of being more, and I think he’ll show that in 2022. His shot creating ability should improve this year, making him even more of a weapon on offense.
66: Darius Garland (17/3/7, 1 SPG, 45/39/85)
Although I think Collin Sexton will have a better season than him, Darius Garland is Cleveland’s guard of the future. He’s a three-level scorer, and a playmaker. I like Garland’s game a lot, and the sky’s the limit for him.
65: Anthony Edwards (20/5/3, 1.5 SPG, 45/36/79)
Ant’s performance in 2021 showed why he was the number one pick in the 2020 draft, but he still has lots of room to grow. I think he’ll improve a lot this season, starting with his efficiency. Shooting more effectively will make his scoring more impactful, which the Wolves will need to compete this season.
64: Kristaps Porzingis (20/8/2, 2 BPG, 45/38/83)
Injuries have affected Kristaps’s career since his All-Star season, but he still needs to step up. He’s become a stationary shooter at the five position, when he could be much more. Maybe Rick Carlisle wasn’t using him correctly, and Jason Kidd can unlock the old Porzingis. We’ll see.
63: Caris LeVert (19/4/5, 1.5 SPG, 46/36/80)
LeVert has become a consistent secondary ball handler/shot creator. Recovering from a mass in his kidney had him playing a little below par last season, but this year he’ll return to form. It will be interesting to see how much he has the ball in his hands with Brogdon, Sabonis, and T.J. Warren also needing the ball in Indiana.
62: Mike Conley (16/3/7, 1 SPG, 45/42/85)
Whether it was a pity selection or not, Mike Conley made his first All-Star game in his 14 year career last season. Although it’s high ly unlikely he’ll make it again in 2022, he will play just as well.
61: Kemba Walker (18/4/7, 1 SPG, 42/36/88)
Even though Kemba is definitely a shoot-first guy, he’s unselfish too. With the most offensive weapons he’s ever had around him, he should have a great passing year. He’ll score too, of course (although hopefully more efficiently than last year). Kemba’s performance will be the decider of how good the Knicks are this season.
60: OG Anunoby (18/6/2, 1/1, 51/40/76)
I thought 2021 would be OG’s huge breakout year, but it wasn’t. That means this year will be. He’s improved a ton on offense since he got drafted, and he’s always been an awesome defender. In 2022, OG will show everybody that he’ll be in All-Star conversations for years to come.
59: Gordon Hayward (18/6/4, 48/40/84)
Hayward is a guy who can give you an efficient 20 points on any given night. His consistent scoring will be a significant part of Charlotte’s play-in run (unless he gets traded, which is possible).
58: Terry Rozier III (20/5/4, 1 SPG, 45/40/85)
Terry Rozier had the best season of his career in 2021. He proved that he can be relied on for 20+ points every night. That won’t change in 2022.
57: Kyle Lowry (16/4/8, 2 SPG, 45/39/86)
The greatest Raptor of all-time is on a new team for the first time since 2012. He’s a great fit in Miami. He won’t be relied on to score a ton, but he’ll run the offense. He’ll be near the top of the league in assists per game. Kyle is almost 36, but he’s still a very valuable player.
56: Collin Sexton (22/3/4, 46/37/82)
Sexton is the definition of a score-first guy, which is why many believe he’d be best off in a sixth-man role (think Jordan Clarkson). But, as long as he’s starting in Cleveland, it will be hard to count out his high scoring numbers.
55: LaMelo Ball (18/7/7, 1.5 SPG, 45/37/77)
LaMelo is one of the best passers in the NBA, and he’s just 20 years old. The 2021 rookie of the year will score more this season, which will land him just outside of the top 50.
54: Clint Capela (14/14/1, 2 BPG, 65/0/60)
Capela is the best rebounder in the NBA. He’s also an excellent rim protector and lob threat. He’s the anchor of the young Hawks roster that will win a lot of games this season.
53: John Collins (18/7/1, 1 BPG, 58/40/82)
John Collins started his career as a lob threat, but he’s now much more than that. He’s an efficient stretch four and mid-range shot creator. He’s the perfect running mate for Trae Young. He’s due to break out as an All-Star very soon, but the Hawks are so stacked that I don’t think it will happen this season.
52: Jerami Grant (20/6/3, 1 BPG, 45/37/85)
Even though he just broke out and became a star, Jerami will be the leader on the extremely young Pistons roster in 2022. He certainly plays like a leader. His efficiency will improve from last season as he’ll have the ball in his hands a little less.
51: Michael Porter Jr. (21/8/1, 1 BPG, 52/42/80)
With Jamal Murray injured to start the season, MPJ will become Denver’s second option and Jokic’s number one receiver. He will score a lot because of it. His ridiculous efficiency will decrease slightly due to volume, but overall MPJ will climb up the rankings from where he was last season.
50: D’Angelo Russell (22/3/7, 1 SPG, 44/39/78)
D’Lo has become underappreciated since his days in Brooklyn. He can score with the best of them. His efficiency is great for his volume and shot difficulty. He is a top 50 player in the NBA.
49: Dejounte Murray (19/7/8, 2 SPG, 47/35/80)
Dejounte Murray is my big breakout candidate for 2022. He’s a very talented player, but he hasn’t had the freedom to show that yet in his young career. With the Spurs in rebuild mode, this is his year to go crazy. I am so excited to watch Dejounte play this year. You should be too.
48: Christian Wood (22/10/1, 1.5 BPG, 53/38/65)
Although the young duo of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green may be more exciting, Christian Wood is still the best player in Houston. He grinded to get his opportunity in the league, and once he got his shot he ran away with it.
47: Draymond Green (7/8/10, 2/1, 45/30/80)
With the Warriors back in contention, Draymond will be extra motivated this season. He’s definitely gonna lead the league in techinals, but he might lead the league in assists as well. Draymond is the best glue guy of all time, and he’s still a top 50 player.
46: Pascal Siakam (21/7/4, 1 SPG, 46/33/83)
I am expecting (and hoping, for Pascal’s sake) a partial return to form for Pascal Siakam in 2022. He won’t be an All-Star, but he will play at a borderline level. He needs to prove that last season was just a fluke.
45: C.J. McCollum (23/4/5, 46/39/82)
Just like his teammate Jusuf Nurkic, C.J. McCollum has something to prove in 2022. He needs to show that he’s capable of being the number two guy on a contender, or he should (and probably will) get traded.
44: Malcolm Brogdon (20/5/6, 1 SPG, 47/40/87)
Malcolm Brogdon has established himself as a top 50 player since his time in Milwaukee. He’s a scorer, playmaker, and defender. With lots of mouths to feed in Indiana’s starting lineup, Brogdon should return to his near 50/40/90 self with the ball in his hands less.
43: Tobias Harris (22/7/5, 1 SPG, 49/38/88)
With Ben Simmons likely headed out the door, that leaves Tobias Harris as the clear-cut second option in Philadelphia. That should lead to an increase in his scoring (and a slight decrease in his efficiency). I could see Tobi averaging near 25 until Simmons gets traded and a new player who needs shots arrives.
42: Deandre Ayton (18/12/1, 1 BPG, 60/25/79)
Even after an excellent playoff performance, the Suns did not give Deandre Ayton a max extension. To prove he deserves a bag, Ayton will need to play like he did in the playoffs for the whole season. I think he can do it. Pay Ayton!
41: Fred VanVleet (22/4/6, 2 SPG, 42/37/88)
The best player on the Raptors (until OG takes that mantle in the near future), Freddy VanVleet is effective on both ends of the floor. I don’t expect significant improvement or regression from him in 2022, so he’ll land around where he did in 2021.
40: Jrue Holiday (18/4/7, 2 SPG, 48/38/77)
The best guard defender in the NBA, Jrue Holiday is a top 40 player. I think his scoring will be a little down this season, but his assist numbers should go up (he averaged 9 per game in the Bucks’ championship run).
39: DeMar DeRozan (20/5/8, 50/30/86)
DeMar is going from the best player on his team to the third best, but his numbers won’t decline much. He averaged 7 assists per game in San Antonio, so with players like LaVine and Vucevic to pass to his assist numbers will increase. His efficiency should also increase as his volume decreases a little. DeMar is still very disrespected. He’s going to have a great season for a Bulls team looking to compete.
38: Ben Simmons (15/8/9, 2 SPG, 54/30/60)
Wherever Ben Simmons plays this season, he will still be a top 40 player (as long as he is willing to shoot the ball at the hoop). He is a top five defender in the league, and an elite passer. It will be interesting to see how long Ben stays in Philadelphia before he is traded.
37: Jamal Murray (23/4/5, 1 SPG, 46/40/88)
Jamal is out for an indefinite amount of time to start the season, but he makes my list because he will return. When he comes back, he will be the same high-level scorer he was in 2021. To outperform this prediction, he’ll need to help the Nuggets make a deep playoff run.
36: Russell Westbrook (19/9/9, 1 SPG, 45/34/68)
Now that he’s teammates with LeBron and AD, Russ won’t average his usual triple double. And if I’m being 100% honest, his historic stuffing of the stat sheet is most of the reason I had him in the top 25 for the 2021 season. Now, in an insanely talented league, Russ will fall to the lowest ranking he’s had in a long time.
35: Rudy Gobert (15/13/1, 2.5 BPG, 65/15/63)
The three DPOY awards Gobert has won speak for themselves. He’s an all-time great rim protector. He’s also one of the best rebounders in the league. However, with all the talent in the league, it’s gotten to the point where he’s going to need to do more on offense if he wants to stay in the top 30.
34: Nikola Vucevic (24/11/4, 50/41/83)
Vucevic’s offensive game is great for the current NBA where shooting is everything. The Bulls aren’t very deep at the center position, so he’s going to get a lot of minutes this year. He has a good shot at making his third All-Star game if the Bulls perform up to expectations.
33: Klay Thompson (20/4/3, 50/41/80)
After over 24 months, Klay Thompson is finally back and playing basketball again. I’m excited about it, because I’ve missed his impeccable shooting form. It’s a lot of fun to watch. Even if the injuries hurt Klay’s defense a little, it can’t hurt his shooting. When he returns in December, the Warriors are going to look very scary.
32: Brandon Ingram (26/5/4, 47/39/88)
I typically don’t like to use the word underrated when talking about All-Stars, but I think I have to in order to describe Ingram. I’m all over NBA social media, and I rarely see anybody talking about him. He’s a bonafide bucket getter. With Zion out to start the season, Ingram will get hot and never look back.
31: Julius Randle (22/9/6, 46/40/79)
After his breakout season, fans are now questioning if Julius can do it again. I don’t think his 2021 performance was a fluke, I think people are focusing too much on the real fluke (his playoff performance against Atlanta). While he probably won’t make an All-NBA team, Julius will likely make another All-Star game in 2022.
30: Ja Morant (21/4/7, 1 SPG, 46/35/75)
Although a 2022 All-Star appearance is unlikely for Ja, this will be his first season of true stardom. He’s shown he can lead a team to winning in his first two seasons. This season, Ja Morant will jump out of the gym and into the top 30.
29: Khris Middleton (22/5/6, 1 SPG, 52/42/90)
Kash Money Middleton has nothing left to prove to anybody who’s hated on him in the past. The only thing I’d love to see from him is a little more consistency. I think this is the year he does that, and he’ll join the exclusive 50/40/90 club. After all, his teammate is the most dominant force in basketball. Giannis will draw multiple defenders every play, and that will create lots of efficienct looks for Khris.
28: Domantas Sabonis (20/13/7, 1 SPG, 55/34/73)
Sabonis has cemented himself as an All-Star level player. It’s crazy to me that he’s only 25, because that means he still has lots of time to grow. He’s already a high-level post scorer, passer, and rebounder, and if he adds a consistent three ball Sabonis could become a top 25 player.
27: Bam Adebayo (18/10/4, 1/1.5, 58/30/79)
Bam was the last Giannis stopper until Giannis walked over him in the first round of the playoffs. That doesn’t take away from Bam’s overall defensive ability. He has a shot at winning DPOY this season. If that doesn’t happen, he’ll win it in the near future. The word I would use to describe Bam’s overall game is versatile. His defensive, post scoring, and passing abilities keep him hovering around the top 25.
26: De’Aaron Fox (27/4/6, 1.5 SPG, 49/35/73)
2021 was a huge season for De’Aaron, and 2022 will be a massive one. He’s so talented. I wish the Kings were better so De’Aaron could get more attention. He deserves it.
Just like Fox, Shai is a young guard who performed very well in 2021 and will build off that in 2022. Shai led a roster of Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, and a rag-tag collection of young guys to a 24-26 record before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. That’s wild, and it shows how talented he is. Shai will become a top 25 player for the first time in his career this season, and it won’t be long before he’s top 15.
24: Zach LaVine (27/5/5, 51/43/86)
When you google bucket, you are shown pictures of buckets. If you squint hard enough, though, you’ll see Zach LaVine. The shooting splits Zach puts up despite his volume and shot difficulty is just ridiculous (42% from three on 8 attempts per game in 2021. Just half of those were assisted). People called Zach an empty stat guy for a while. With the Bulls poised to make the playoffs, he’ll prove those casuals wrong.
23: Jaylen Brown (27/6/4, 1 SPG, 47/39/77)
With Kemba Walker gone, Jaylen is now the unquestioned number two guy in Boston. He’s gonna have a huge scoring year, and he’ll be locking up the best wings in the league. This will likely be the last season where he falls outside of the top 20 for the next 5+ years.
22: Zion Williamson (26/7/4, 60/30/70)
It’s no secret that Zion is a dominant force in the paint. It can be questioned if Zion can stay healthy. I don’t think so. I hope that’s not his narrative for his whole career, because that would take away from the special talent he is.
21: Chris Paul (16/4/10, 1.5 SPG, 50/38/90)
CP3’s longevity is almost as impressive as LeBron’s. Both are 36 years old, but unlike LeBron, CP3 is not an athletic freak. He’s a man who’s only an inch taller than me when he’s wearing shoes. The crazy part is that he drops tough buckets over any player in his way, regardless of their height. He’ll take more of a playmaking role in 2022, though, and lead the Suns to the top seed in the West.
20: Bradley Beal (32/5/5, 1 SPG, 44/34/87)
Bradley Beal has shown nothing but loyalty to the Wizards. In return, the Wizards have done nothing besides give him money. They haven’t been a legitimate competitive team since before John Wall got injured. Although he’ll receive some help from Dinwiddie, Hachimura, and Kuzma, Beal will be carrying a massive load next season. Free Bradley Beal.
19: Karl-Anthony Towns (26/11/5, 1 BPG, 51/40/87)
I’m tired of people sleeping on KAT. He is the third best center in the NBA, and there is zero debate about it. I say this every time I talk about him, but KAT is the best big-man shooter ever. As long as he’s healthy, KAT will have the best season of his career in 2022.
18: Trae Young (24/3/9, 45/36/90)
Only 24 PPG for Trae? What? Well, last season, he scored 8 points a game off free throws. To get those free throws, he did a “bit” of the flopping the league is cutting down on this year. He can make those points back up, but with so many offensive weapons around him he won’t be able to average more than 24.
17: Jimmy Butler (17/6/9, 2 SPG, 50/28/85)
Jimmy is one of the best leaders in the NBA, and he’ll prove that in 2022. Jimmy will be very content passing to Lowry, Bam, Duncan, and Tyler in Miami, which will result in his scoring numbers dropping a little. He’s still a top 20 guy in the league, even if his stats don’t suggest it.
(Alright. For the most part, I’m keeping the blurbs short from now on. I shouldn’t have to explain much about my placements.)
16: Devin Booker (27/4/5, 49/35/89)
Fueled by the feeling of defeat, Booker will take off and have the best season of his career. He still won’t be better than Donovan Mitchell.
15: Kyrie Irving (28/5/6, 1.5 SPG, 49/40/91)
Although I have no clue what he’s doing at the moment, I do know that Kyrie will play somewhere at some point this season (or at least I hope so. It would be a fiasco if there was Kyrie chatter all season). When he plays, he’ll keep his spot in the top 15.
14: Donovan Mitchell (27/4/5, 44/39/85)
Donovan Mitchell is a winning player, and a top three shooting guard. That’s why he’s a top 15 player in the league.
13: Paul George (26/6/6, 1.5 SPG, 45/39/87)
My dark horse pick for MVP, Paul George is going to have a magnificent season. He’s gonna put the Pandemic P memes to bed forever (actually, that’s probably not possible).
12: Kawhi Leonard (24/5/5, 1 SPG, 49/37/88)
Because of the chance Kawhi will return at some point late in the regular season, I had to put him on this list somewhere. I couldn’t put him top 10, but if he comes back and leads the Clippers to the Finals or something then he will be. We’ll just see what happens, I guess.
11: Joel Embiid (29/12/4, 1/1.5, 52/37/85)
Until the Ben Simmons situation is wrapped up, Joel Embiid will put Philly on his back. This will be a crazy statistical season for the 2021 MVP runner-up.
10: Anthony Davis (27/9/2, 1/1.5, 50/30/78)
Assuming health, this will be a bounce-back season in a big way for AD. He’ll have two of the league’s best playmakers dumping him the ball in the paint, where he can dominate anybody if he feels like it. He’s also my pick for DPOY.
9: Jayson Tatum (30/7/5, 1 SPG, 45/37/85)
2021 is the year where Tatum will blossom into a true superstar. It’s wild to say I think he’ll be better than Anthony Davis, but it was bound to happen at some point. Jayson Tatum is really that dude.
8: Nikola Jokic (27/11/11, 54/38/87)
The reigning MVP is going to have an absurd statistical season with Jamal Murray injured. Averaging a triple-double is very likely for the Joker.
7: Damian Lillard (31/4/8, 44/40/92)
Dame pours his heart and soul into the Blazers every season. 2022 will be no different. He’s incredible on the offensive end, and averaging an efficient 30 will obviously give him a top 10 spot.
6: Luka Doncic (29/9/10, 46/35/74)
Luka is special. It’s too bad he doesn’t have a better team around him, because he should be competing for a championship this season.
5: James Harden (27/9/11, 45/34/88)
Harden is up there with the best scorers ever, and showcased his playmaking in 2021. He’ll be top 5 in 2022 with Kawhi injured.
4: Stephen Curry (29/4/7, 50/41/93)
Steph just had arguably the best season of his career, and he’s the only guy to ever win a unanimous MVP. I think he’s gonna be better this year, and he’ll be firmly in the MVP race.
3: LeBron James (25/7/10, 49/39/68)
LeBron James is a top 2 player to ever pick up a basketball. It’s unbelievable that he’s almost 37 years old and still a top 3 player. Appreciate LeBron before he retires, please.
2: Kevin Durant (29/7/6, 55/40/89)
To put it simply, Kevin Wayne Durant is very hard to guard.
That’s right. In 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the best basketball player in the world. I couldn’t live with myself if I predicted anything else after I gave KD the number one spot on my 2021 list.
A couple of days ago, I came out with my award predictions. This is my second preseason prediction article (out of three). Today, I’ll be giving my team power rankings for the 2021-22 season. These power rankings are based on how good the team will be in both the regular season and the playoffs (my prediction for their regular season seed will be listed). They take into account roster talent, roster chemistry, and past success (or lack of it).
Let’s get into it!
1: Milwaukee Bucks (1 Seed in East)
Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis Jr.
The reigning champs, my Milwaukee Bucks, are looking very capable of a repeat. The Nets and Lakers talent does scare me, but nobody scares my pick for 2022 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s just entering his prime, and he’s already won 2 MVPs, a DPOY, and a FMVP. This could be the best season of his career, and he’s ready to lead the Bucks back to the Finals with the help of Khris, Jrue, and a deep bench (headlined by Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and George Hill). The Bucks are my number one team headed into the 2022 season.
2: Brooklyn Nets (2 Seed in East)
Key Players: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving
The Nets are no doubt the most talented team in the league. Beyond their big 3, they have the deepest team in the league (Their role players include LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, Blake Griffin, Bruce Brown, and Paul Millsap). They would be my number one team if it wasn’t for the question marks with their top guys. The big one is Kyrie Irving. For some reason, he won’t get vaccinated. GM Sean Marks announced that Kyrie will not be able to practice or play with the team at all until he gets the vaccine. That’s a huge problem for the Nets. Also, can Kevin Durant and James Harden stay healthy? KD played just 48% of games last season, and Harden played 61%. Ultimately, for a team that’s so good on paper, there are too many question marks for me to have the Nets at one.
3: Los Angeles Lakers (2 Seed in West)
Key Players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook
Led by three of the biggest names in the NBA, a rag-tag group of veterans (who are almost all former Lakers) will be the best team in the 2022 Western Conference. Any team that has LeBron is automatically a Finals contender. If Anthony Davis stays healthy this season, he’ll have the best year of his career. Russell Westbrook puts up the stats, but he needs to prove that he can mesh with superstars and be effective without the ball. I couldn’t leave the Lakers out of the conversation for the best team in the league, but they’re not untouchable. Other top teams in the West can and will knock the Lakers off if they aren’t playing up to par.
4: Phoenix Suns (1 Seed in West)
Key Players: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges
Coming off a tough end to a great run, the Suns will be looking to return to the Finals in 2022. With all their core guys back, they are geared to do so. CP3 and Devin Booker form one of the best backcourts in the league. Deandre Ayton played excellent in the playoffs, and if he can carry that over into the regular season he could be an All-Star. Mikal Bridges plays his 3&D role perfectly, and if he improves as a shot creator the Suns offense will be near unstoppable. Combine those guys with a strong group of role players (headlined by Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, and Cameron Johnson), and the Suns are the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West.
5: Utah Jazz (3 Seed in West)
Key Players: Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson
The top seed in the West in 2021, the Utah Jazz have proved they are a great regular season team. Led by top shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and three-time DPOY Rudy Gobert, they have made the playoffs every season since 2017. Despite the regular season success, they haven’t made it past the second round in the Donovan era. Part of that is due to a lack of depth beyond the 9th or 10th guy. The additions of Rudy Gay, Eric Paschall, and NBA-ready rookie Jared Butler will help fix that problem. The Jazz will finish near the top of the conference again in 2022, but they will need to get it done in the playoffs.
6: Philadelphia 76ers (3 Seed in East)
Key Players: Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, Seth Curry
After their best regular season in the Embiid and Simmons era, the 76ers are now in a tough situation. Will Ben Simmons return to Philly in 2022? At this point, with just a few days until the regular season tips off, Ben will likely be on the team to start the year. If Philly convinces him to stay, they could be better than the Jazz. If he’s traded, they could be worse than Atlanta and Miami (because Ben’s value has tanked so much since the playoffs). Embiid is in his prime, Tobias Harris is a consistent third option, and the desperately needed floor-spacing role players are there (Seth Curry, Danny Green, and Furkan Korkmaz lead that group). Just like last season, everything comes down to Ben Simmons for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The best part of the Hawks’ surprise 2021 Conference Finals run is that they have no pressure heading into 2022. Trae and his talented young supporting cast are still growing to their full potential, and they are not riding on this season at all. With the help of a deep group of role players headlined by Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, and Lou Williams, Atlanta is geared to make another playoff run as an underdog.
8: Miami Heat (5 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo
With the acquisitions of Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo (as well as P.J. Tucker), Miami has bolstered their collection of gritty players who get it done on defense. They will be up there with the best defenses in the league. Their offense struggled in the playoffs against Milwaukee, but Kyle Lowry will help open things up as a playmaker and a shooter. Miami’s X-factor for this season is Tyler Herro. After a lackluster sophomore season, I no longer believe that Tyler will become the player that he was in the 2020 playoffs. It seems he doesn’t have the drive to get better. If Miami can get him to buy into the hardworking Heat culture, he would make the Heat’s roster much scarier.
9: Golden State Warriors (4 Seed in West)
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole
After missing the playoffs for two straight seasons, the Warriors will make their return to contention in 2022. With Klay Thompson set to play in December, the gang’s all back together. Steph is as good as he’ll ever be. Draymond is still one of the premier glue guys in the league. Andre Iguodala came back for one last hurrah. Kevon Looney is still around. The healthy Warriors are a scary team, and they have a shot at winning the title.
10: Denver Nuggets (5 Seed in West)
Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr.
The Nuggets have established themselves as a top ten team in the league. Nikola Jokic’s elite passing ability makes the Nuggets offense one of the best. Of course, Jokic needs players to pass to. That’s what guys like MPJ, Will Barton, and Aaron Gordon are there for. That roster will keep the Nuggets in a top 5 seed, but the deciding factor for just how good they will be is when Jamal Murray will return. If he comes back and plays like himself, the Nuggets will be ready to make a deep playoff run.
11: Los Angeles Clippers (6 Seed in West)
Key Players: Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson, Terance Mann
The Clippers made a great run in the 2021 playoffs, making it all the way to the Conference Finals even after Kawhi Leonard got injured in the second round. That leads me to believe that they can stay afloat in 2022 until Kawhi returns. Led by my dark horse MVP Paul George and 2021 playoff standouts Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann, the Clippers will be a threatening lower seed in the West this season.
12: Chicago Bulls (6 Seed in East)
Key Players: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, Coby White
After almost half a decade of mediocracy, things are looking up for the Chicago Bulls and their fans. Trading for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 trade deadline was just the start. The acquisitions of four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, former number two pick Lonzo Ball, and championship role player Alex Caruso put the Bulls in position to make the playoffs for the first time since Jimmy Butler was on their roster. With Zach LaVine at the helm, Chicago will be a team nobody wants to face in the first round in 2022.
13: Boston Celtics (7 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart
2022 will be a big season for the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (and subsequently the Celtics). Iso-heavy guard Kemba Walker hurt the Celtics’ offense by taking shots away from Jayson and Jaylen. Now, the young wings will be able to take over on offense. This will allow them to develop to their full potential. The Celtics defense should also be good, with Jaylen, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford leading the effort. I expect a sneaky good year from the guys in TD Garden.
After a breakout regular season for the New York Knicks, they fell short in the playoffs against Atlanta. Now, they’ve improved. Newcomers include Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, adding much needed scoring. Their roster is deep and talented, but in the competitive Eastern Conference it will be hard to make another run at the 5th seed.
15: Trail Blazers (7 Seed in West)
Key Players: Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, Norman Powell
The Blazers have a lot to prove to Damian Lillard in 2022. Dame’s shown to be very loyal, but if Portland can’t win, there is a chance that he leaves. Everything depends on how his supporting cast plays. C.J. is a consistent second option on offense, but can he be the second guy on a championship level team? Can Jusuf Nurkic return to his bubble form? Is Norman Powell even a good fit in Portland at all? Glue guys like Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr. are exactly what the Blazers need. If the Blazers are struggling at the trade deadline, I think they should try to acquire a do-it-all forward (Tobias Harris, Jerami Grant, and Gordon Hayward are some names that come to mind). Overall, the Blazers are talented enough to make the playoffs, but it won’t be an easy road in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
16: Dallas Mavericks (8 Seed in West)
Key Players: Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Boban Marjanovic
After their second first-round exit in two years, it became clear that Luka’s supporting cast needed to improve. Unfortunately, I don’t think that happened. Reggie Bullock and Moses Brown are solid role players who had good 2021 seasons, but they won’t move the needle. It’s going to take a return to All-Star form from Kristaps Porzingis for the Mavs to be any sort of contender.
On paper, the Pacers starting lineup looks like they should be near the top of the conference. Although they have no superstar, Domantas Sabonis is a top 30 player. Malcolm Brogdon is an All-Star level guy. Caris LeVert can get you 20 points and 5 assists every night. Myles Turner is a monster shot blocker. Combined with their role players (T.J. McConnell, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb), the Pacers roster is very solid. Unfortunately, their play doesn’t match their roster. The Pacers will be in the play-in tournament for the second straight season.
18: Minnesota Timberwolves (9 Seed in West)
Key Players: Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley
Karl-Anthony Towns is ready to compete, and the Timberwolves are now talented enough to do it. D’Angelo Russell, who is statistically one of the best clutch guys in the league, has become underappreciated since his Brooklyn days. Anthony Edwards will build off his already productive rookie season. Malik Beasley will make a run at 6MOY. Jaden McDaniels is an intriguing young guy with potential on both ends. Jarred Vanderbilt plays good defense. Led by the best stretch big ever and the man with ice in his veins, the Timberwolves will make a play-in run in 2022.
19: Charlotte Hornets (10 Seed in East)
Key Players: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges
The Hornets were my third favorite team to watch in 2021. I had a ton of fun watching Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball, and the rest of the guys hoop to the tune of Eric Collins’s legendary play-by-play. Now, the collection of young stars is ready to play their first real competitive basketball. The playoffs may not be in the cards for Charlotte, but they certainly will win some games this year and do so in exciting fashion.
20: Memphis Grizzlies (10 Seed in West)
Key Players: Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis’s success in 2022 will be based on who gets better and how much better they get. Can Ja Morant become an All-Star? Can Dillon Brooks translate his 2021 playoff performance to the regular season? Will Jaren Jackson be the breakout player GMs expect him to be? Even if they don’t make the playoffs, the Grizzlies will be an exciting team to watch this season.
21: Toronto Raptors (11 Seed in East)
Key Players: OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes
The Raptors are rebuilding for the first season in a while, and they’ve got a good young core to start off with. OG Anunoby is in for a big year. He has the potential to be better than VanVleet and Siakam. Gary Trent Jr. is a three-point sniper, and will look to become an all-around scorer. Top 5 pick Scottie Barnes impressed me and many others during preseason. The big win for the Raptors is that they have returned to their home in Toronto.
Bradley Beal needs help. He’s an elite scorer, but he can’t do it all on his own. The Russell Westbrook trade left him without a star teammate. Instead, he has a collection of decent role players (Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Davis Bertans, Rual Neto). Washington needs big seasons from young players Rui Hachimura, Kyle Kuzma, and Daniel Gafford to make any noise in the East.
23: New Orleans Pelicans (11 Seed in West)
Key Players: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Nickiel Alexander-Walker
2022 will be another disappointing season for the Pelicans. Zion and Brandon Ingram are ready to win, but the team is not. Beyond Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham, the Pelicans depth is made up of young players who aren’t quite ready to compete in the playoffs. It seems as if Zion is unhappy already, which is too bad because it puts unnecessary pressure on a team that should be focusing on development.
The Kings are a mess. Their roster is ridiculously big-heavy. The player they picked over Luka Doncic and Trae Young, Marvin Bagley, is injury-prone and hasn’t looked great when he’s played. They have lots of money going to Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes, two players who don’t fit the rebuilding timeline. The only sure thing on the roster is De’Aaron Fox (Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell too, I guess). Sacramento needs to get their act together, or they will be stuck in mediocrity for seasons to come.
25: Detroit Pistons (13 Seed in East)
Key Players: Cade Cunningham, Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart
I’m a fan of the Pistons’s young core. Cade Cunningham looks like he’ll be very special in this league, and he’ll have great running mates as long as he’s in Detroit. Saddiq Bey can really shoot the ball, which will keep him in the league for a long time. Isaiah Stewart is a gritty center who defends the rim. Killian Hayes is still kind of a question mark, but he’s just 20 years old. With 2021 breakout guy Jerami Grant leading the team, I think the Pistons will surprise some people in 2022.
26: Cleveland Cavaliers (14 Seed in East)
Key Players: Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen
The Cavaliers have the young talent to eventually compete, but they also have decisions to make. The big one is deciding which guard to build around. Personally, I’m choosing Darius Garland. He’s a playmaker as well as a scorer, and has a higher ceiling than Sexton. But does that mean Sexton should get traded? I don’t know. Also, with Lauri Markkanen now on the squad, who starts in the frontcourt? Evan Mobley has a ton of talent, and deserves to start. He’s a natural center though, so can he start alongside Jarrett Allen without spacing becoming a problem? The Cavs are in a weird place right now. I’m curious to see how it works out.
The Spurs are rebuilding for the first time in decades, and this is the most excited I’ve ever been about them. I love their young core and the upside they have. Dejounte Murray will blossom in 2022 and win MIP while becoming a top 50 player. Keldon Johnson could be an All-Star one day. 2020 lottery pick Devin Vassell has shown huge growth in the Summer League and preseason, and I’m excited to see what he does this year. I’m a huge fan of 2021 lottery pick Josh Primo, and at 18 years old he has tons of time to develop. The fact that these guys are learning from the greatest coach of all time, Gregg Popovich, has me even more gassed to see what these guys can become. So while they probably won’t be very competitive, I urge you to tune in to Spurs games if you get the chance. They’ll be a lot of fun this year.
28: Houston Rockets (14 Seed in West)
Key Players: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Christian Wood, Kenyon Martin Jr.
The James Harden era is officially over for Houston, and 2022 will be their first full rebuilding season in a while. They have two players that should be built around for the long term: Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Both will have big seasons, and have bright futures. I don’t think the Rockets will be very competitive this year, but the young trio of KPJ, Jalen, and Christian Wood should make Rockets games enjoyable.
29: Oklahoma City Thunder (15 Seed in West)
Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Josh Giddey, Darius Bazley
OKC’s main priority this season is to let their plethora of young talent develop. Shai is already an All-Star level guy, and he’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Darius Bazley will all have big seasons. The youngest team in the NBA will not win many games in 2022, but they aren’t supposed to.
30: Orlando Magic (15 Seed in the East)
Key Players: Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony
The least talented team in the league will be the worst team in the league in 2022. Orlando will use this season to decide which of their young players are the cornerstones for their future. My key players should be bright spots in a very dull season for the Magic.
The offseason is over. The preseason is underway. It is now time for my preseason prediction articles. My prediction top 100 is in the works and a 30 team power ranking/standings prediction is coming soon. This article is my award predictions/power rankings.
For each major award, I’ll give my top 5 candidates for each award (as well as the winner, of course). My top 5 candidates will be in no particular order. Let’s get going!
Sixth Man of the Year
Honorable Mentions: Chris Boucher, Montrezl Harrell, Kevin Huerter, Bobby Portis Jr.
Jordan Clarkson
The reigning 6MOY is a favorite to win the award again in 2022. Jordan is one of those microwave scorers that can get hot any second. His scoring will be a big asset to the Jazz once again.
Derrick Rose
Coming off arguably his best season since his injury, Derrick Rose has cemented himself as a 6MOY candidate. He’s the experienced veteran point guard every team wants on their bench and more. The only thing that may hold Derrick back is the Knicks’ depth at the guard position.
Larry Nance Jr.
Larry should fit in with the Blazers very well as a Swiss Army Knife guy. He was one of the best steal guys in the league in 2021. He’s a lob threat and a floor spacer. He’s a rebounder. Coming off the bench behind Robert Covington, Larry will have a 6MOY level season in 2022.
Victor Oladipo
After spending time with Indiana and Houston during an injury ridden season, Victor Oladipo finally ended up where he wanted to be: Miami. In his first full season in South Beach, he will likely come off the bench behind Duncan Robinson. Oladipo’s two-way ability should put him in the 6MOY race.
Coby White
The signings of Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan will force Coby White to the bench in 2022. His sophomore season was a big improvement from his rookie year, and I expect another jump in his third year. Coby’s scoring (and improving passing) will be crucial to Chicago’s bench mob (he’s the only scorer in their second unit), and he will make a run at 6MOY.
2022 6MOY: Jordan Clarkson
Most Improved Player
Honorable Mentions: Coby White, Darius Garland, Jonathan Isaac, Nickiel Alexander-Walker, Terance Mann, Jordan Poole
Kevin Porter Jr.
In the 26 games he played in 2021, KPJ showed his All-Star potential. Now, in his first full season with Houston, he’ll have all the freedom he needs to go crazy. A 20 PPG, 7 APG season is very doable for Kevin and performing like that would put him firmly in the MIP conversation.
Anthony Edwards
The 2021 first overall pick Anthony Edwards had a successful rookie season. Averaging 19 PPG as a rookie doesn’t just happen. However, Ant still has room to grow. He struggled with efficiency, shot selection, and defense. I expect him to improve in all of those areas this season, and I think he’ll end up in the MIP race.
OG Anunoby
The 2022 season is OG’s chance to make a huge jump and become an All-Star level guy. Now that the Raptors have (kinda) entered a rebuild mode, OG will be able to blossom into the player he’s shown he can be. He’s one of the best wing defenders in the league, and he became an offensive threat in 2021. This season he has the opportunity to average 20 and play that high-level defense, and he will have a serious case for MIP.
Rui Hachimura
With Westbrook and Wall gone, there is no longer a clear-cut second guy on the Wizards (as of now it’s Dinwiddie, but that can definitely change). Rui Hachimura is ready to swoop in and claim that role. He has shown he’s able to create shots for himself (he has a nice mid-range game), and I think he’ll be the second leading scorer for Washington in 2022. Averaging around 18 PPG for a Wizards team that could make a playoff push will earn Rui a spot in the MIP conversation.
Dejounte Murray
I expect huge things from Dejounte this year. Watching him play in 2021, I could tell he’s really that guy. He has legit top 5 point guard potential. He’s one of the best defenders at the point guard position. His passing and rebounding skills make him a triple-double threat. He’s an efficient mid-range shot creator, but the last step for Dejounte is to improve his overall offensive game. He will have all the freedom in the world to do so with the Spurs this season, and he is my pick for 2022 MIP.
I don’t have to explain this too much. Number one pick Cade Cunningham will be handed the keys to Detroit’s franchise this season. As the starting point guard, Cade will be scoring and throwing dimes at a high level. He’s the favorite for ROTY for a good reason.
Jalen Green
Jalen Green is a pure bucket. His time with the G-League Ignite prepared him to play in the league. He’ll have the freedom to take any shot he pleases in Houston, and he’ll fill up the scoreboard. It will be a close race for ROTY between Cade and Jalen.
Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes is a forward who plays like a point guard. Watching him in preseason, he showed great pass vision. He’s a pretty unique player (he’s been compared to Draymond, but I think Scottie’s a better ball handler and will become a better shooter), and I’m excited to watch his career play out and see just how good he can become.
Josh Giddey
Another tall point guard (Cade, Scottie, and Josh are all tall guards picked in the lottery. Crazy), Josh Giddey should be in the ROTY race. Theo Maledon was decent as a rookie for OKC, but Giddey will take his starting spot. He had a strong showing in his first preseason game that makes me believe he can be productive as a rookie. (P.S: Check out his TikTok. It’s pretty funny.)
Evan Mobley
Evan Mobley is a special talent. He’ll need a little time to grow, but his shot blocking ability and inside scoring should show up right away. He also has shown flashes of outside shooting and passing. I’m curious to see if he will play power forward and start alongside Jarrett Allen, or if he’ll come off the bench and play center. Mobley should be in the ROTY conversation this season, but I’m not sure if he’ll be a finalist.
2022 ROTY: Cade Cunningham
Defensive Player of the Year
Honorable Mentions: Draymond Green, Bam Adebayo, Joel Embiid, Marcus Smart, Matisse Thybulle, Jonathan Isaac
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert will always be in the conversation for DPOY. He’s the best rim protector in the NBA, and the Jazz’s entire defense is structured around him. The advanced numbers love him. In the 2021 playoffs, the Clippers proved that it is possible to attack Gobert and win. If that happens in the regular season, Gobert will not win the award. I don’t think he’ll win it anyways.
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is the best guard defender in the NBA. He proved time and time again how good he is throughout the Bucks’ championship run. He’ll be in the 2022 DPOY race as one of the premier lockdown guys in the league.
Ben Simmons
Ben’s versatility on defense is second to none. He uses his elite speed to keep up with some of the best guards in the league. Assuming Ben’s current situation gets worked out and he plays games this season, my pick for the 2021 DPOY will be in the race for the award again in 2022.
Anthony Davis
Because he didn’t perform up to his usual standards offensively in 2021, people have forgotten how good AD is on defense. He’s an elite interior defender, and he has the ability to switch on to a guard and be effective. The Brow has been one of the best defensive players in the league for the last few seasons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
I don’t have to explain myself on why Giannis is here. Just go on YouTube and find some of the ridiculous blocks he had in the playoffs. Giannis is a monster on the defensive end, and he’ll be in the running to win his second DPOY.
2022 DPOY: Anthony Davis
Most Valuable Player
Honorable Mentions: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, Luka Doncic
Paul George
Paul George is my dark horse candidate for 2022 MVP. With Kawhi Leonard injured, PG will be the guy for the Clippers. He proved he can lead this Clippers team to winning in the 2021 playoffs, where he took them to the Conference Finals. I think PG will be able to keep the Clippers in a top 5 seed without Kawhi, and that will lead to him having a strong case for MVP.
Anthony Davis
AD was my second choice for MVP prior to the 2021 season. Injuries held him back from playing at that level. This season, assuming health, he will return to the MVP race.
Kevin Durant
The current best player in the world, KD will have a serious shot at winning his second MVP in 2022.
Stephen Curry
Steph’s 2021 season was so good that it might have been the best of his career (over his unanimous MVP season). Nothing points to him slowing down in 2022, so he should be in the race for the award once again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis is the most dominant player in basketball. Nobody can stop him on offense, and he can stop anybody on defense. I have no idea how he can improve off the season he just had, but he improves every year. I have Giannis winning his third MVP in 2022.
2022 MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Here’s my All-League team predictions:
All-NBA First Team: Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic
All-NBA Second Team: Damian Lillard, James Harden, Paul George, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid
Recently, there has been a lot of chatter on Twitter about NBA re-drafts. The 3 main drafts being talked about are 2016, 2017, and 2018. So, because it’s such a hot topic, I figured I’d give you my redrafts and compare them with Bleacher Report’s along the way. Here we go!
(Note: I decided my order by who I would rather have on my team based on a combination of current ranking and future potential.)
2016 Re-Draft: Bleacher Report
1 Ben Simmons
2 Jamal Murray
3 Jaylen Brown
4 Domantas Sabonis
5 Brandon Ingram
6 Pascal Siakam
7 Fred VanVleet
8 Malcolm Brogdon
9 Buddy Hield
10 Jakob Poeltl
11 Dejounte Murray
12 Ivica Zubac
13 Caris LeVert
14 Alex Caruso
15 Derrick Jones Jr.
16 Malik Beasley
17 Dorian Finney-Smith
18 Tauren Prince
19 Furkan Korkmaz
20 Georges Niang
21 Danuel House
22 Yogi Ferrell
23 David Nwaba
24 Kris Dunn
25 Marquese Chriss
26 Shaquille Harrison
27 Cheick Diallo
28 Damian Jones
29 Denzel Valentine
30 Juan Hernangomez
2016 Re-Draft: Me
1 Jaylen Brown
2 Domantas Sabonis
3 Brandon Ingram
4 Jamal Murray
5 Ben Simmons
6 Malcolm Brogdon
7 Pascal Siakam
8 Fred VanVleet
9 Dejounte Murray
10 Caris LeVert
11 Buddy Hield
12 Malik Beasley
13 Jakob Poeltl
14 Ivica Zubac
15 Alex Caruso
16 Dorian Finney-Smith
17 David Nwaba
18 Derrick Jones Jr.
19 Georges Niang
20 Furkan Korkmaz
21 Taurean Prince
22 Kris Dunn
23 Marquese Chriss
24 Juan Hernangomez
25 Damion Lee
26 DeAndre’ Bembry
27 Danuel House
28 Yogi Ferrell
29 Abdel Nader
30 Gary Payton II
Here’s a list of thoughts and explanations:
I’m not sure how BR managed to not have the obvious number one guy at number one. Jaylen Brown, in my opinion, is the clear cut guy for the first overall pick.
I don’t know why BR still has Simmons at one. Their argument was he does everything besides shoot, people focus on his weaknesses too much, etcetera. That’s a valid point, but it doesn’t tell me why you would take him over Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, or Domantas Sabonis. As of now, if I’m trying to win a lot of games, I’m taking all three of those guys over Simmons to be my best player.
Jamal Murray at 2 is a little high, which is why I have him at 4. People have been a little too high on him since the bubble. I feel like Jamal couldn’t be the number one guy on a really good team, but I think my top 3 could (Well, maybe not Ingram, but JB and Sabonis probably).
I’m taking Dejounte over LeVert. I think LeVert’s a good player, but I think Dejounte will be better in the next few seasons.
BR having Derrick Jones Jr. over Malik Beasley is weird. The NBA is a shooter’s league, and Malik is a knockdown shooter. DJJ is not.
I have Damion Lee, DeAndre’ Bembry, Abdel Nader, and Gary Payton II on my list, BR did not. All are decent depth guys who I think provide value to teams. BR does have Cheick Diallo (who is out of the league) and Denzel Valentine (who should probably be out of the league).
2017 Re-Draft:Bleacher Report
1 Jayson Tatum
2 Donovan Mitchell
3 Bam Adebayo
4 Lonzo Ball
5 John Collins
6 De’Aaron Fox
7 Jarrett Allen
8 OG Anunoby
9 Jonathan Isaac
10 Derrick White
11 Lauri Markkanen
12 Monte Morris
13 Kyle Kuzma
14 Luke Kennard
15 Josh Hart
16 Thomas Bryant
17 Chris Boucher
18 Markelle Fultz
19 Dillon Brooks
20 Malik Monk
21 Josh Jackson
22 Tony Bradley
23 Isaiah Hartenstein
24 Luke Kornet
25 Dennis Smith Jr.
26 PJ Dozier
27 Zach Collins
28 Frank Jackson
29 Harry Giles
30 Jordan Bell
2017 Re-Draft: Me
1 Jayson Tatum
2 Donovan Mitchell
3 Bam Adebayo
4 De’Aaron Fox
5 John Collins
6 OG Anunoby
7 Jarrett Allen
8 Derrick White
9 Jonathan Isaac
10 Dillon Brooks
11 Lonzo Ball
12 Chris Boucher
13 Markelle Fultz
14 Monte Morris
15 Kyle Kuzma
16 Josh Hart
17 Thomas Bryant
18 Lauri Markkanen
19 Malik Monk
20 Luke Kennard
21 PJ Dozier
22 Josh Jackson
23 Tony Bradley
24 Isaiah Hartenstein
25 Zach Collins
26 Frank Jackson
27 Sterling Brown
28 Semi Ojeleye
29 Dennis Smith Jr.
30 Frank Ntilikina
Thoughts and explanations:
I’m glad Bleacher Report got the gimme top 2 correct.
I have zero clue why BR put Lonzo at 4. Having him over De’Aaron Fox alone is a criminal offense. John Collins, Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Jonathan Isaac, Derrick White, and Dillon Brooks are all also better than Lonzo in my opinion.
I’m not very high on Lauri Markkanen. I feel like he isn’t that good. He’s obviously an efficient stretch four, but when he’s not hitting the three he’s not doing anything else. That’s why I have him lower than BR does.
I think Markelle Fultz is still solid. When he’s healthy, I’m taking him over guys like Monte Morris and Kyle Kuzma.
I had to give my boy Sterling Brown his respect. He’s become a decent NBA player.
2018 Re-Draft: Bleacher Report
1 Luka Doncic
2 Trae Young
3 Michael Porter Jr.
4 Deandre Ayton
5 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
6 Mikal Bridges
7 Jaren Jackson Jr.
8 Robert Williams III
9 Mitchell Robinson
10 Collin Sexton
11 Donte DiVincenzo
12 Duncan Robinson
13 Miles Bridges
14 Wendell Carter Jr.
15 Devonte’ Graham
16 De’Anthony Melton
17 Jalen Brunson
18 Kevin Huerter
19 Jae’Sean Tate
20 Jevon Carter
21 Kendrick Nunn
22 Marvin Bagley III
23 Jarred Vanderbilt
24 Bruce Brown
25 Grayson Allen
26 Mo Bamba
27 Gary Trent Jr.
28 Hamidou Diallo
29 Drew Eubanks
30 Moritz Wagner
2018 Re-Draft: Me
1 Luka Doncic
2 Trae Young
3 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4 Deandre Ayton
5 Michael Porter Jr.
6 Collin Sexton
7 Mikal Bridges
8 Jaren Jackson Jr.
9 Miles Bridges
10 Donte DiVincenzo
11 Wendell Carter Jr.
12 Gary Trent Jr.
13 Mitchell Robinson
14 Duncan Robinson
15 Robert Williams III
16 Devonte’ Graham
17 Kevin Huerter
18 De’Anthony Melton
19 Jalen Brunson
20 Marvin Bagley III
21 Kendrick Nunn
22 Grayson Allen
23 Jae’Sean Tate
24 Jarred Vanderbilt
25 Bruce Brown
26 Shake Milton
27 Hamidou Diallo
28 Jevon Carter
29 Lonnie Walker IV
30 Kenrich Williams
Thoughts and explanations:
2018 is the most talented draft out of the three in this article.
I think Shai is the clear cut third guy in this draft class. BR had him below Ayton and MPJ, but I don’t think those two guys are ever going to be better than Shai.
I had Collin Sexton at 6, BR had him at 10. I don’t care if some random advanced stat hates him, I’m taking Collin on my team over Robert Williams or Mitchell Robinson every time.
Due to pure talent, I couldn’t leave Miles Bridges out of the top 10.
BR disrespected Gary Trent. Their argument against having him higher was that he was only really good at one thing. Duncan Robinson is only really good at one thing, and they had him at 12. I gave Gary the respect he deserves.
I love that BR gave Drew Eubanks some love, but he didn’t crack my list. Instead, Spurs teammate Lonnie Walker takes his spot at 29.
Mo Bamba falls outside of my top 30. 2018 is a talented class, and Mo hasn’t done anything in his career so far that would put him over anybody on my redraft.
So, those are my redrafts for 2016, 2017, and 2018! I know that the redrafts aren’t a trend on Twitter anymore (I started this article while working on my top 100, so it wasn’t my main priority for a while), but I hope you still enjoyed this article. Do you agree with my lists? What would you change? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
The biggest (also my favorite) article of the year is finally here. My top 100 players of the 2021 season. It took me a while to put this together. I started with around 150 players, and cut it down to 100 ( actually it’s 110. I have ten “honorable mentions”, which makes this a top 110).
I considered a few different things while ranking players. Stats is obviously one of them. I looked at basic counting stats, but also I used FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR stat a lot. It’s some crazed advanced stat that I don’t even fully understand. It uses things such as box plus/minus and on/off ratings to determine how effective players are on both sides of the ball (read more about it here).
However, stats aren’t everything to me. I watched a lot of basketball this year, so the eye test matters a lot to me as well. If I let numbers decide everything for me, then my list would be garbage (for example, Marcus Smart’s defensive rating for this season was 113, which isn’t too good. We all know he’s an elite defender though).
Another thing that’s very important to me is impact. Does the player make a difference on the court? Impact towards winning matters a lot (which is why some players like Malik Beasley and Darius Garland are lower on the list than their stats would suggest), but also some players are very good but the team around them is not (Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach LaVine are a few players who were affected by this in the 2021 season).
Finally, playoff performance matters. If you didn’t perform when it matters most, your regular season performance means less to me.
So, without further ado, let’s get going with this list.
(One last thing. I’ll be comparing the prediction list I made before the season to this list. I didn’t compare them until I started writing this article, so writing this list was the first time I really saw how accurate my predictions were.)
Prediction Leaveoffs: Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragic, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Herro, Dennis Schroder, Steven Adams, Josh Richardson, Marvin Bagley, Serge Ibaka, Davis Bertans, Brandon Clarke, Lou Williams, Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins, Devonte’ Graham, Aaron Gordon, Ricky Rubio, J.J. Redick, Hassan Whiteside, James Wiseman
All of these players were on my prediction list, but none of them ended up on the postseason list. Some of them underperformed (Kelly Oubre, Eric Bledsoe, Davis Bertans), some of them didn’t take the jump I thought they would (Tyler Herro, Marvin Bagley, Brandon Clarke), and some of them straight up weren’t good enough to make it (Dennis Schroder, Serge Ibaka, Lou Williams). The NBA is super talented. It’s hard to predict who the best players will be at the end of an entire season. I think lots of these players were reasonable choices before the season so I’m not too worried about it.
Injury Leaveoffs: Klay Thompson, Jonathan Isaac, Jaren Jackson Jr., T.J. Warren, Markelle Fultz, Spencer Dinwiddie, LaMarcus Aldrdge (he retired midseason so I figured I’d include him with the injuries. I’m glad to see he’s back in the league for next season).
All of these players are top 100 caliber, but they didn’t play enough games this season to make the list. Jaren Jackson is the only one of them who played 10+ games this year. Everybody on the list played 30+.
Alright. Let’s start the list!
Honorable Mentions (110-101):
110: Thaddeus Young (Prediction: N/A)
109: Montrezl Harrell (Prediction: 80)
108: Bobby Portis Jr. (Prediction: N/A)
107: Tyrese Haliburton (Prediction: N/A)
106: Jakob Poeltl (Prediction: N/A)
105: Reggie Jackson (Prediction: N/A)
104: Mitchell Robinson (Prediction: 90)
103: Robert Covington (Prediction: 67)
102: Harrison Barnes (Prediction: N/A)
101: Marcus Morris Sr. (Prediction: 106)
Like I said earlier, this list is a top 110 rather than a top 100 because of my “honorable mentions.”
Most of these guys didn’t make my prediction list. Bobby Portis, Milwaukee fan favorite, nabbed a spot on this list because of his insane energy that was a big part of the Bucks’ championship run (he also has skill, of course). Jakob Poeltl deserves an apology from me. In this article, I said he did nothing on the court. I was wrong. He’s a top tier interior defender. His defensive RAPTOR this year was +5.1, which is third amongst players that played 1,000+ minutes in the 2021 season. That deserves a top 110 nod. Montrezl Harrell and Robert Covington are two guys that placed lower than what I predicted. Montrezl wasn’t as productive this season as he was in 2020. I think I placed RoCo so high in my prediction because I loved his fit with Portland so much that I overhyped him as a player.
Here’s the actual top 100.
100: Duncan Robinson (Prediction: 84)
Don’t get me wrong, Duncan is still one of the best three point specialists in the NBA. He shot 41% from three on eight attempts per game this season. The issue is that’s all he does. I was hoping he would become a better defender this year, but he really didn’t. He plays aggressively on defense, but picks up lots of fouls because of it. In the end, even though Duncan is an elite shooter, his lack of anything else makes it hard to place him above other more versatile players. That’s why he falls dead last in my top 100.
(Duncan has 19 total offensive rebounds in his 160 career games. He’s 6’7”. Muggsy Bogues had 78 offensive rebounds in 77 games one season. He’s 5’4”. I know Duncan’s role isn’t rebounding, but that’s still a crazy little tidbit.)
99: Wendell Carter Jr. (Prediction: N/A)
Although Wendell’s stats aren’t mind boggling (11 PPG, 8 RPG this season), numbers aren’t everything. I like Wendell’s game. He’s a lob threat and can score in the post. He’s got a post fade game that looks nice. He’s developing a three point shot (29% this season). He’s a solid post defender. Wendell’s got the skillset to become an All-Star level player one day. This season was a step in that direction for him. That’s good for him, because he was drafted over players like Shai, MPJ, Sexton, and Mikal Bridges.
98: Joe Harris (Prediction: N/A)
Joe Harris is another three point specialist at the bottom of my list. He led the league in 3PT percentage this season (47%). What separates Joe from Duncan is Joe is average on defense. His defensive RAPTOR in the regular season was +0.5. That’s not super high, but it’s just around average. It’s also higher than KD, Harden, and Kyrie’s defensive RAPTORs from the regular season. I’m not saying he’s good on defense, but being serviceable on that end makes Joe Harris’s elite shooting even more valuable.
97: Jae Crowder (Prediction: N/A)
Jae Crowder is one of the best glue guys in the NBA. He’s that do-it-all role player that everybody wants on their team. The shooting is there, the defense is there, the hustle, all of it. He was a big part of Phoenix’s Finals run. Jae Crowder is a winning player, and that earns him a spot on my list.
96: Luguentz Dort (Prediction: N/A)
Lu Dort burst onto the scene during the 2019-20 season as an NBA starter. He was an end-of-bench player on a two-way contract for the Thunder. Then, in January 2020, Dort became a starter. He stood out as a defender, but his offense was still developing (he showed flashes, including a 30 point performance in Game 7 against the Rockets in the bubble). This season, as a full time starter, Dort had a really solid season. His awesome defense returned (his +3.9 defensive RAPTOR is top ten for the 2021 season), and his offense took a jump. He shot 34% (6 attempts per game) from three, which is better than the 30% (3 attempts per game) he shot in his rookie year. He had a 42 point game this year. Lu Dort was the second best player on OKC this season (and the best when Shai was injured). He may fall to 96 this season, but he’ll be higher in seasons to come as his offense catches up to his defense.
95: Gary Trent Jr. (Prediction: N/A)
Gary Trent Jr. is fun to watch. He had a breakout performance in the bubble, and this year he built off that. He can really shoot the ball (38% on 7 attempts per game). Gary proved he can be a starting shooting guard in the NBA this season. He is just 22, and will be part of Toronto’s long term plans. Even though he doesn’t do much else besides score, his offensive production still lands him in the top 100.
94: Lonzo Ball (Prediction: 95)
I was really close with this prediction. That’s good for me, but I don’t think that’s good for Lonzo. After his fourth season, former second overall pick Lonzo is just the 94th best player in the league. His stats suggest he’s better. 15 points per game, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.5 steals, 38% from three on 8 attempts per game. I’m just not sold on his offense yet. His three point percentage is really good considering how many threes he shot per game, but he’s not even consistent. Every good shooting game is matched by a bad one for Lonzo. Considering shooting threes is the only way Lonzo can score, inconsistency is not a good thing. Lonzo is a great playmaker, and he’s good on the defensive end, but until his scoring comes along Lonzo falls here on my list.
93: De’Andre Hunter (Prediction: N/A)
Although he only played 23 games this season (28 counting the playoffs), De’Andre still deserves a spot on this list. He’s becoming one of the better wing defenders in the NBA (his defensive RAPTOR this season was +3.9). He can shoot the ball decently (33% this season, 35% in his rookie year), but his shot looks good and his percentage will increase in coming years. De’Andre is an underrated member of the Hawks core, and they really could have used him deep in the playoffs.
92: Chris Boucher (Prediction: N/A)
Chris Boucher was a top MIP candidate this year. He proved himself as a do it all center. He protects the rim, stretches the floor, rebounds, and scores at the hoop. He’s a starting caliber center coming off the bench. He’s a top 100 player in the NBA.
91: Tim Hardaway Jr. (Prediction: N/A)
Timmy Jr. had himself a season. He’s an ok defender, but his main job is to put the ball in the basket when Luka passes to him. He did that very well. He averaged 17 points per game, and shot 39% from three on 8 attempts per game. That’s really good. He also shot 40% from the mid range (16 feet to the three point line). He was the Mavericks second best player in the playoffs while Porzingis struggled. This was a big season for Tim Hardaway Jr., and it stinks that I had to put him this low. The NBA is super talented.
90: Seth Curry (Prediction: N/A)
Seth is yet another three point specialist at the bottom of this list. He shot 45% from three overall (5 attempts per game), and a ridiculous 64% on corner threes (although just 16% of his three point attempts came from the corner). Seth was a big part of the 76ers success this year, as he added elite shooting that Philly desperately needed. The biggest part of this season for Seth was the playoffs. He averaged 19 points per game while shooting 51% from three (7 attempts per game). His volume increased, and so did his efficiency. Those numbers are top tier for a specialist like Seth. That’s what Seth Curry is, after all, a true specialist.
89: Derrick White (Prediction: 104)
I think Derrick White is underrated. People don’t talk about him enough. He’s very good on the defensive end (his defensive RAPTOR was +3.2, which was 11th highest in the league). He’s a capable scorer from all three levels. He can play on and off the ball. He’s one of the better 3&D guards in the league. If Derrick played for a contender, he would get a lot more attention. As someone who watches the Spurs often, I’m telling you now that Derrick needs his respect.
88: Richaun Holmes (Prediction: N/A)
In the 2019-20 season, Richaun Holmes came out of nowhere as a starting center. In 2021, he built off that. He’s a bright spot on defense for a Sacramento team that was dead last in defensive rating (1.6 blocks per game, +1.9 defensive RAPTOR). He’s an efficient scorer in the post (64% from the field, which was second in the league behind Rudy Gobert. He’s really good at this floater/push shot). Richaun is one of those anchor centers that every team wants. He’s a rock solid player.
87: Danilo Gallinari (Prediction: 61)
My prediction of 61 was high, but Gallo still had himself a solid season. His scoring was down from past seasons (he had a lesser role), but 13 points on 40/40/90 shooting is good. He also had a good playoff run. He stepped up in the Philly series and the Bucks series, scoring the ball more and doing it more efficiently. Even though scoring is all he does (0.8 assists per game in the playoffs), he scores at a high level and he did it deep in the playoffs when it matters the most.
86: Darius Garland (Prediction: N/A)
Darius Garland’s rookie season was iffy. His efficiency was below average, his playmaking was questioned, and his defense was bad (defensive RAPTOR of -3.9 in the 2020 season). This season, he proved that he has legitimate star potential. He averaged 17 PPG, 6 APG, shot 40% from three on 5 attempts per game, and improved somewhat on defense (he’s not good, and probably won’t ever be because of his size, but he didn’t suck this year). If I were in Cleveland’s front office, I would consider trading Sexton so Garland could be the guy in the backcourt.
85: Victor Oladipo (Prediction: 48)
This was not a good season for Victor Oladipo’s standards. Just a few seasons ago, he was an All-NBA player. This year, he wasn’t even in the top 75. It’s not all his fault. He’s been injured a lot in the last couple seasons (just 88 games across the last three seasons. 33 in 2021). But when he played this season, he just wasn’t himself. He averaged 20 points, but he wasn’t very efficient (41% from the field, 33% from three. His offensive RAPTOR was -1.6, which is not good). He averaged 5 assists per game, and played good defense (1.4 steals per game, +1.6 defensive RAPTOR). All in all a solid statistical season, but it didn’t have much impact on anything, so Victor falls to 85 on this list.
84: Jusuf Nurkic (Prediction: 49)
Kind of a disappointing season for Nurkic. His performance in the bubble suggested 2021 would be a big season for him. It really wasn’t. He had a big defensive season (his defensive RAPTOR was +4.2, which is top 10 in the league. He also averaged 1 steal and 1 block per game), but overall his production was underwhelming. 11 PPG, 9 RPG, and 3 APG is solid but not great. Nurkic wasn’t fully healthy this year, so hopefully next season he can stay healthy and return to form.
83: Joe Ingles (Prediction: N/A)
Joe Ingles was the glue guy for the team that had the best record last season. He does anything the team needs him to do. He shoots the ball at a high level (45% on the season, but he was at 50% at some point midway through the season. He’s really good off the catch because he catches and shoots it right away). He plays defense. He’s a good playmaker, so he plays like a point forward sometimes (5 assists per game). His versatility and his impact on a top team earns him this spot on my list.
82: Evan Fournier (Prediction: 68)
Evan Fournier had another highly productive year on the offensive end. He averaged 17 PPG (20 PPG with Orlando, 13 PPG with Boston) and shot 41% from three (39% with Orlando and a sizzling 46% with Boston. 57% on corner threes overall). He also came to play in the playoffs (15 PPG, 43% from three). Unfortunately, because the NBA is so talented, Fournier had to fall this low on my list.
81: Anthony Edwards (Prediction: N/A)
Ant’s basic stats suggest that he should be higher. 19 PPG, 5 RPG, and 1 SPG while playing in all 72 games. If you look at his efficiency, however, it’s not that good. 42% from the field and 33% from three is not awesome. On average, he shot 7 threes per game and made 2. Because Minnesota wasn’t competitive and had injuries throughout the season, Ant had the freedom to do whatever he wanted. His shot selection needs work. Overall, Ant’s numbers were kind of empty this season. He still has the pure skill to land this high on the list, and he has potential to be a special player. (Ant is also really funny).
80: Bojan Bogdanovic (Prediction: 64)
While talking about Bojan in my prediction article, I said that a 20 PPG scorer on a competitive team would earn a spot in the top 65. Unfortunately, Bojan didn’t score 20 PPG this year. He didn’t have to, because Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson scored those extra baskets. However, when Bojan isn’t scoring, he’s not very valuable. His defense is average at best (-1.4 defensive RAPTOR) and he doesn’t pass or rebound very well. Bojan is a high end role player, but with his role being smaller this year he falls to 80 on my list.
79: Dillon Brooks (Prediction: N/A)
Dillon Brooks opened a lot of people’s eyes with his playoff performance. He averaged 26 points while shooting 40% from three and playing gritty defense (he does a good job on Steph here. He also locked up DeMar in the play in game). His regular season numbers were also good, as he averaged 17 PPG (although 42% from the field and 34% from three is not great). Dillon made a winning impact on both ends for the Grizzlies this season, and that earns him a spot in the top 80. He could land even higher next season as he continues to get better.
78: Buddy Hield (Prediction: 81)
By my definition of a three point specialist (a very good shooter who isn’t above average at anything else), Buddy is the second best three point specialist in the league. He shot 10 threes per game this year, and shot 39% (so basically 40%). That’s ridiculously good. Shooting is so valuable in today’s NBA that I have to put Buddy here.
77: Malik Beasley (Prediction: N/A)
At the 2020 trade deadline, Malik Beasley was traded to the Timberwolves. He was averaging 21 points and shooting 43% from three before COVID shut down the season. He was able to keep up that production in his first full season in Minnesota. He averaged 20 points per game, and shot 40% from three (he shot 9 threes a game. That’s Buddy Hield type efficiency). He was the third best player in Minnesota this year. If he played for a more competitive team, he would be even higher.
76: Dejounte Murray (Prediction: 93)
Dejounte is one of my five favorite players in the NBA. I love his game and I love watching him play. He’s an excellent defender. He’s a triple double threat every night (7 RPG and 5 APG). He’s a knockdown mid range shooter (48% between 16 ft and the 3PT line, 45% from 10-16 ft. 40% of his total shots come from those two areas). The only “weakness” in his game is that he’s an inconsistent three point shooter (He’s not bad at threes though. 32% isn’t awful). Dejounte is the 76th best player now, but next season he’s gonna be even better.
75: Jarrett Allen (Prediction: 103)
I disrespected Jarrett Allen with my preseason prediction. I don’t know what I was thinking. At just 23 years old, he’s one of the better rim protectors in the NBA. He’s averaged 1+ BPG every season of his career (1.4 BPG in 2021). He grabs you a lot of rebounds, as he was 13th in the league in rebounds per game (10) and 8th in offensive rebounds per game (3). He’s an efficient scorer in the paint (62% from the field, which was 6th best in the league). Jarrett does everything you want from a center, and he does it at a high level.
74: Jordan Clarkson (Prediction: N/A)
There’s one thing that Jordan Clarkson brings to a basketball team, and that’s scoring. He was the Lou Williams of the 2021 season (the guy who comes off the bench and scores a ton of points), and that’s why he won 6MOY. Unfortunately, both below average efficiency (42% from the field, 35% from three) and the lack of any other way to contribute when he’s not scoring means Jordan falls down here on my list.
73: Marcus Smart (Prediction: 54)
For the five seasons prior to the 2021 season, Marcus Smart’s defensive rating never was above 110, and his defensive RAPTOR never fell below +1.9. He’s a defensive superstar. But, according to those stats, he had a down year on D in 2021. His defensive rating was 113, which is about average. His defensive RAPTOR was -0.1, also around average. The eye test says otherwise, but those stats do matter. The eye test is the reason he’s still this high on my list. He hustles harder than anybody on the court, and it shows. He has a knack for poking the ball loose from players trying to post him up. Marcus’s offense is below average (although he’s a solid playmaker), but he’s still a high value player when he’s on the court and he earned this spot on the list.
72: Myles Turner (Prediction: 97)
For most of his career, Myles has been known as one of the premier 3&D centers in the NBA. He’s not an excellent three point shooter (33% in 2021, 35% for his career), but he’s good for a center. He is an excellent rim protector. He averaged an absurd 3.4 blocks per game this season, which led the league (it’s the second time he’s led the league in BPG). His career BPG average is 2.2. That level of rim protection puts him here on my list.
71: Brook Lopez (Prediction: 71)\
I promise I didn’t rank Brook the same as his prediction on purpose. It just happened. Brook was the starting center on the championship, and he had a big impact. He’s another 3&D center. He stretches the floor (34% from three in the regular season, 32% in the playoffs), he protects the rim (1.5 BPG in both the regular season and the playoffs), and he even plays decent perimeter defense at times. He’s the anchor for the Bucks, and he’s the 71st best player in the NBA.
70: R.J. Barrett (Prediction: N/A)
The Knicks as a whole were a surprise in 2021, but so was R.J. Barrett. He was the third pick in the draft, and didn’t make an All-Rookie team. In his sophomore season, he improved a ton. He scored the ball more (14.3 PPG in 2020, 17.6 in 2021), and that was due to his efficiency improving (40/32/61 splits in 2020, 44/40/75 splits in 2021). In 2021, R.J. showed us why he was picked so high in the draft. He lands at 70 right now and will probably be higher in 2022.
69: OG Anunoby (Prediction: 55)
I did say in my prediction article that 55 was a risky pick for OG. He didn’t play up to that level, but he still had a great season. He averaged 16 PPG (48% from the field, 40% from three), 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He played really good, versatile defense (his defensive RAPTOR was 2.3, which tied with Giannis and Jimmy Butler). I like OG’s game a lot, and he’s a top 70 player in the NBA.
68: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Prediction: 82)
If you remember last offseason, the Bucks trade for Bogdan fell through due to tampering. I like Donte DiVincenzo, and I think he’s really good, but I would love it if the Bucks had Bogey. He’s a high volume, high efficiency shooter (44% on 8 attempts per game on threes in 2021). He improved on defense this year, and now plays reliable on-ball defense (In his first three seasons, he never had a positive defensive RAPTOR. In 2021, he was +1.5. The eye test proves his defensive skill as well). Bogey is a very valuable role player to have on your team, and Atlanta is lucky to have him. He didn’t perform very well in the playoffs, or he would place any higher on this list.
67: Mikal Bridges (Prediction: N/A)
Mikal emerged as the do-it-all starter for a Finals roster in 2021. He’s 6’6” with a 7’1” wingspan, which earned him the nickname “Inspector Go Go Gadget”. He uses those long arms to be an excellent defender. He grabs a ton of steals, and blocks shots too. Mikal is also a very efficient offensive player. He shot 54% from the field and 42% from three in 2021. Mikal was good in 2021, and I’m looking forward to seeing him grow even more in the next few seasons.
66: LaMelo Ball (Prediction: 110)
LaMelo had a lot of hype around his name headed into this season. I wasn’t sure if he would live up to it, but he did. He definitely has All-Star, maybe even All-NBA, potential. His playmaking is elite, and I mean that. He’s capable of scoring, but his jumpshot needs work. He’s a decent defender, and he grabs lots of steals (1.6 per game). LaMelo impressed me in his rookie year, and he earned this spot.
65: Andrew Wiggins (Prediction: 72)
Wiggins was known as a dude who just chucked up a lot of shots to score for a long time. If you think that after the 2021 season, you’re stuck in the past. Wiggins has bought into playing winning basketball. The big change was on defense. Wiggins was not a good defender in prior seasons (his 2020 defensive RAPTOR was -2.1, which is horrendous), but he put in the effort and became a positive one (he had the same defensive rating as Jrue Holiday. His defensive RAPTOR was +0.5). He also improved his efficiency, especially from three. He shot 38% from deep in 2021, a career high. That’s what taking high quality shots does for you. I’m super impressed by Andrew’s growth this season. He deserves this spot.
64: Derrick Rose (Prediction: 70)
D-Rose had himself another 6MOY level season in 2021. He averaged 15 PPG, 4 APG, and 1 SPG. Most impressive to me is his 3PT shooting. He shot a career high 39% from three (41% in 35 games with the Knicks, but just 33% in 15 games with the Pistons). As he continues to get older, and his athleticism decreases, consistent shooting will keep him in the league even longer. D-Rose was a significant part of the Knicks making the playoffs, and that’s what puts him this high on my list.
63: John Wall (Prediction: 34)
John Wall’s 2021 per game stats look good. 21 PPG, 7 APG, and 1 SPG are All-Star numbers. His efficiency stunk though. He shot just 40% from the field and 32% from three. Obviously, the achilles injury he suffered affected his game. It doesn’t help his case that the Rockets were at the bottom of the standings. When I made the prediction list, Harden was still in Houston. Any team with Harden is always in the playoffs, and so I thought Wall would be able to contribute to a good team. It’s not all Wall’s fault that he landed so far away from my prediction.
62: Kemba Walker (Prediction: 38)
2021 was another season where Kemba struggled to stay healthy. He only played in 57% of the Celtics games. However, it’s what he did in the games he played that lands him so far from my prediction. His averages of 19 PPG, 4 RPG, and 5 APG are good, but considering his shooting volume (16 FGA per game, 8 3PA per game), he wasn’t very efficient (42% from the field, 36% from three, and just 35% from the mid range). Kemba just wasn’t as effective as he once was, and that’s why he falls outside the top 50.
61: Caris LeVert (Prediction: 58)
Caris Levert’s season (and career) was on the line when a mass was discovered on his kidney after he was traded to Indiana. He was able to recover from that and ball up when he came back. In 35 games with Indiana, he averaged 21 PPG, 5 RPG, 5 APG, and 1.5 SPG. Those are All-Star stats. His efficiency wasn’t great (44% from the field, and just 32% from three in those games with Indiana), but he probably wasn’t completely himself after what happened. Caris’s offensive production lands him around where I predicted him to be.
60: Norman Powell (Prediction: 77)
I’m pretty sure I was higher on Norman more than most people headed into this season, but he outperformed even my expectations. He was on fire all year long. In 42 games with Toronto, he averaged 20 PPG and 1 SPG on 50/44/86 shooting splits. He slowed down a little in his 27 games with Portland (which makes sense, because he was sharing the ball with Dame and C.J.), averaging 17 PPG on 44/36/88 splits. Norman has proven himself as a bucket, and he’s still underrated. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in my top 50 next season.
59: Michael Porter Jr. (Prediction: 79)
You know how I feel about MPJ, so I’ll make this brief. He’s ridiculously efficient (44% from three on 6 attempts per game). He doesn’t do anything besides shoot on offense. He rebounds pretty well (7 per game). He still needs to improve on defense. He’s the 59th best player in the NBA.
58: Kristaps Porzingis (Prediction: 46)
Kristaps annoys me at points. His offensive game is limited to shooting threes and shooting fadeaways over smaller players instead of backing them down. Like bro, you’re 7’3”, use your freaking height! He’s a former All-Star turned glorified role player (injuries did play a part in this), and then he wants to complain about not being involved in the offense. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still good (otherwise he wouldn’t be this high), but his value caps out lower than Dallas wants it to.
57: Mike Conley (Prediction: N/A)
This is embarrassing. I can’t believe I didn’t have Conley anywhere on my prediction list. In my defense, he didn’t have a good 2020 season (for his standards). His play in 2020 led me to believe he couldn’t return back to his borderline All-Star self. I was wrong. He was an All-Star for the first time in his career (although his spot should have gone to DeMar! I will argue that until I die. Screw team success. DeMar is better!). He made the All-Star game by shooting efficiently, being a playmaker, and playing defense (and pity). After this year, I know better than to count Mike Conley out.
56: Jonas Valanciunas (Prediction: 66)
JV makes a big impact at the center position. He’s one of the best rebounders in the NBA (He finished 2nd in offensive RPG, 3rd in RPG, and 3rd in TRB%). He was just outside the top 10 in total screen assists and screen assists per game. He’s not an excellent shot blocker, but he protects the paint. He’s productive on offense (17 PPG, 59% from the field, 37% from three). Jonas is the type of center that every team wants on their roster.
55: Collin Sexton (Prediction: 75)
The eye test tells me Collin is a certified bucket. Just watch highlights from this game. He dropped 15 points in overtime to lead the Cavs to a win over the Nets. The problem is that he’s one dimensional on the court. He’s not a good passer (he averaged 4 APG, but when you have the ball as much as Collin did, you get assists naturally), and he’s not a good defender either (his -2.9 defensive RAPTOR was bottom 15 in the league). Collin is up for an extension soon, and he wants max money. In order to get that, he needs to prove that his scoring can result in winning basketball.
54: John Collins (Prediction: 47)
John Collins is underrated. He’s been a productive player his whole career, and this season he did it for a winning team. He scores (18 PPG in 2021), rebounds (7 RPG, which is impressive considering he’s competing with Clint Capela to get boards), and defends (+0.9 defensive RAPTOR, top 30 in block %). He’s become a knockdown midrange scorer (47% on long midrange, 55% on short midrange). This is probably the last time he’ll fall outside of the top 50 for the next 5+ seasons.
53: Gordon Hayward (Prediction: 53)
Staying healthy has become a problem for Gordon, but when he plays, he’s borderline top 50. He’s the veteran leader for the Hornets, and on the court he’s a productive scorer at all three levels (he shot an insane 64% on corner threes in 2021). Many people would probably call him the best player on the Hornets (I disagree, we’ll get to the best in a bit), and higher on their list. I simply think he’s not as good as the guys in the top 50.
52: Jerami Grant (Prediction: N/A)
Everybody was questioning what Detroit was thinking after they gave Jerami a 3 year contract worth $60 million. I don’t think anybody’s questioning it now. In his 2021 MIP runner-up campaign, Jerami showed that he can handle the workload of being a number one option. He scored at all three levels (although he wasn’t the most efficient, shooting 43% from the field and 35% from three. That’s what taking lots of difficult shots does to your percentages). He played solid defense (Eye test wise, at least. -0.4 defensive RAPTOR is just average). Jerami falls just outside the top 50 for 2021, and has the potential to be top 50 next year if the Pistons win some games.
51: Pascal Siakam (Prediction: 26)
Am I underrating Pascal? Potentially. Obviously I don’t think so, but I’ve seen lots of people on social media talk about how Pascal is underrated. I’m not on that train. He lost the title of best player on the Raptors. His stats look good (21 PPG, 7 RPG, 4.5 APG), but they aren’t special in today’s NBA where lots of guys score (especially because Pascal isn’t all that efficient. He shot 50% on twos and 30% on threes in 2021). In the end, Pascal just doesn’t impress me anymore. That doesn’t mean he’s bad, he just doesn’t stand out in a super talented NBA (I don’t mean he’s not “flashy” enough, because that doesn’t matter).
50: Deandre Ayton (Prediction: 45)
The first player in the top 50 is Deandre Ayton. He was my preseason pick for MIP, as I thought he was going to become an All-Star level player. His regular season play wasn’t up to that level (14 PPG, 10 RPG, and 1 BPG is good, but not All-Star good), but his playoff performance was spectacular. That’s why he’s up here on the list. He averaged 16 PPG, 12 RPG, and 1 BPG while shooting 66% from the field. His defensive RAPTOR in the playoffs was a ridiculous +3.7. He came to play every single night when it mattered most, and that’s what a top 50 player does.
49: Clint Capela (Prediction: 89)
Clint Capela stuffed the stat sheet in 2021. He averaged 15 PPG, 14 RPG (that led the league), and 2 BPG. He’s the best rebounder in the league, and also protects the rim at an elite level (defensive RAPTOR of +5.2, which was second in the league behind Rudy Gobert). Besides his lack of a jumpshot, Clint Capela is the ideal center.
48: D’Angelo Russell (Prediction: 31)
D’Lo is one of the clutchest players in the league (statistically, at least. I wouldn’t put him up there with the Dames and the KDs of the world). In 42 games, he made 15 Clutch² shots (shots that were crucial to the outcome of the game, specifically a buzzer beater or a near buzzer beater). He made 67% of his Clutch² attempts. Beyond his clutch performance, D’Lo scores at a high level in general. In just 28 minutes per game, he averaged 19 PPG. He shot 39% from three on 7 attempts per game, which is really good. D’Lo isn’t a good defender, but his offensive makes up for that. He’s still a top 50 player in the league, and I feel like people ignore that.
47: Terry Rozier III (Prediction: N/A)
Terry Rozier was the best player on the Charlotte Hornets in 2021. He was their go-to guy when they needed a basket, and he always delivered. He averaged 20 PPG, and shot 40% from three (8 attempts per game. That’s elite efficiency). He got a big extension recently, and he deserved it. All-Star level players get All-Star level money.
46: Draymond Green (Prediction: 88)
Draymond is one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. Some people understand the value he brings and why he’s good, and some people only pay attention to stats and think he’s trash. I wasn’t on the Draymond train prior to this season, but I have been enlightened. Draymond is a vital part of the Warriors offense, because he helps the best shooter ever get open. He’s an elite defender, and a great leader. If you ever need proof on why Draymond is good, ignore the stats and watch a game.
45: Kyle Lowry(Prediction: 33)
In my prediction article, I said that Lowry would take a step back in 2021 and let Freddy and Siakam be the guys. I wasn’t really right. His numbers from 2021 are identical to his numbers from 2020 (besides two less free throws made per game in 2021), although he was more efficient in 2021. So Kyle was still himself, but other guys got better and he falls to 45.
44: Christian Wood (Prediction: 63)
In 2020, after Andre Drummond was traded, Christian Wood became the starter for Detroit. In 12 starts before the shutdown, he averaged 22 PPG and 9 RPG on really good efficiency (56% from the field, 41% from three). When Houston paid him in the 2020 offseason, they were counting on him to keep playing like that for an entire season. Christian delivered. He was a legitimate All-Star candidate before his injury. In his three fully healthy months, Christian averaged 23 PPG, 10 RPG, and 1.4 BPG (overall he averaged 21 PPG, 10 RPG, and 1.2 BPG). Christian stretches the floor and protects the rim at a high level. He’s now a certified top 50 player.
43: Fred VanVleet (Prediction: 50)
Fred (or, as Drake calls him, Federico), took the mantle of best player on the Raptors in 2021. Freddy gets it done on both ends. He averaged 20 PPG and 6 APG, and shot 37% from three on 9 attempts per game (he even made 11 threes in a game). He averaged 1.7 SPG, and had a defensive RAPTOR of +2.3. Because Freddy plays in Toronto, I’ll throw in a Drake line to describe him: “I’ve been hot since the birth of my son”. Ever since his son was born, Freddy’s been on fire. 2021 was his hottest season yet.
42: C.J. McCollum (Prediction: 41)
For years, C.J. has been Dame’s scoring sidekick. In 2021, he averaged a career high 23.1 PPG. He did it efficiently, shooting 46% from the field and 40% from three (9 attempts per game). We know C.J. is a bucket, but he doesn’t do much else. He’s average at best on defense. He’s good enough of a scorer to crack the top 50, but he probably won’t ever be higher as he exits his prime
41: Tobias Harris (Prediction: 62)
For the first time in his career, Tobias was legitimately an All-Star level player (He was close in the 2018-19 season, but not quite there). He was the second scoring option on the first seed in the Eastern Conference, and he did that job very well. He averaged 19 PPG on 51% from the field, 39% from three, and 89% from the free throw line. That’s very close to 50/40/90. Tobi also improved on defense this season, and showed he is capable of being a solid defender. He can play some defense in the post and on the perimeter. Tobias is a very solid, reliable player who will help you win.
40: Malcolm Brogdon (Prediction: 52)
Even though his efficiency is down from his 50/40/90 year, Malcolm has improved significantly since his time with the Bucks. In 2021, he averaged 21 PPG, 5 RPG, and 6 APG. He shot 39% from three on 7 attempts per game. Unlike his Bucks days, he’s creating shots from deep rather than just hitting them off the catch (just 66% of his threes were assisted). He had a serious case for being an All-Star this year, and he’s become a legitimate top 50 player in the league.
39: Ben Simmons (Prediction: 21)
I won’t bore you with the same thing everybody else has been saying about Ben Simmons. Yes, he can’t score, and his unwillingness to change that is a problem. That’s why he’s all the way down here. He’s still an elite defender, and a high level playmaker, but the unfortunate truth is that he won’t return to his top 30 self if he’s not able to put the ball in the basket
38: Ja Morant (Prediction: 32)
Ja had a successful sophomore season. He’s already able to lead his team to the playoffs, and he’s only 22. He passes and gets to the rim at a high level. The next step for him is to improve his jumper. Ja will be top 25 in the near future, but for now he’s in the 30s.
37: Jrue Holiday (Prediction: 36)
Jrue was the starting point guard on the team that won the championship. He made multiple clutch defensive plays in big time moments. I would love to put him higher, but it’s hard to ignore his playoff scoring struggles. He had big games when it mattered, but overall in the playoffs he shot just 41% from the field and 30% from three. He did step up his playmaking, and averaged 9 assists per game in the playoffs. This might be the highest he’ll be for the rest of his career, but he definitely earned it.
36: Jamal Murray (Prediction: 29)
Jamal had a career scoring year in 2021, which is exactly what we expected. He averaged 21 PPG, and shot 48% from the field and 41% from three. That earns him a spot up here. I just wish he could be a better playmaker or defender, because right now he’s sort of one dimensional. That’s how he can become an All-Star. For now, he falls short of the lofty expectations everybody had for him prior to the year.
35: DeMar DeRozan (Prediction: 39)
DeMar is still one of the most disrespected players in the NBA. How did he not make the All-Star game over Mike Conley? I’ll be mad about that for a while. DeMar is still one of the top mid-range scorers in the NBA, but he’s become a playmaker as well. Advanced numbers hate his defense, but when I watch him play he’s not as bad as the numbers suggest. DeMar is still an All-Star player, and I’m tired of people saying he isn’t.
34: De’Aaron Fox (Prediction: 43)
De’Aaron Fox has become one of my favorite players who isn’t on the Bucks or the Spurs. He’s one of the fastest players in the league, and he uses that speed to get to the basket whenever he wants. He showed a strong mid-range game last season, and a consistent three point shot is next. De’Aaron played at an All-Star level in 2021, and the moment the Kings are a competent team he’ll officially become one.
33: Brandon Ingram (Prediction: 24)
Brandon Ingram is an elite scorer. People forgot about him this year, but he’s just as good as he was in his All-Star season. Just like DeMar and De’Aaron, BI is a victim of playing for an “irrelevant” team. I didn’t forget about him, and he lands just outside the top 30.
32: Nikola Vucevic (Prediction: 40)
Vucevic has cemented himself as a top 5-6 center (until Deandre Ayton comes for his spot). He’s a three level scorer (68% on close shots, 44% on long mid-rangers, 40% on threes). He rebounds a lot (12 RPG in 2021, which was top 5 in the league). He doesn’t block a ton of shots, but he’s still a positive interior defender. Nikola Vucevic does it all.
31: Domantas Sabonis (Prediction: 42)
Sabonis is one of the most unique guys in the league. He has the closest playstyle to Jokic’s in today’s NBA. Domantas is a high post maestro. He was second in the league in passes made, because he’s a good passer (7 APG). He’s also one of the better post scorers in the league. In my prediction article, I said his 2020 All-Star game would be his last. Now, he’s become a perennial guy.
30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Prediction: 44)
In 2021, Shai showed why he can be one of the best guards in the league one day. In just his third season, he became the clear cut number one option. He excelled in that role. His efficiency was elite. He shot 42% from three, far and away a career high. He was one of the most efficient guards when it comes to scoring at the rim. Shai’s really good, and he’s another one of my favorite non Bucks/Spurs.
29: Rudy Gobert (Prediction: 35)
Love him or hate him, Rudy Gobert is still the best rim protector in the NBA. His 2021 defensive RAPTOR of +7.9 is ridiculously good, and 2.7 BPG was second in the league. I don’t have much else to say about him, but his elite defense puts him in the top 30.
28: Zion Williamson (Prediction: 37)
Zion earns this spot by pure force. He averaged 27 PPG, and basically all those points came from barreling his way into the paint. The fact that he’s only 21 and is already basically unstoppable is very impressive. Zion won’t be outside the top 30 for the next 5+ years.
27: Zach LaVine (Prediction: 30)
Zach LaVine is a bucket. He shot 42% from three, which is elite considering he shot 8 a game and half of those were unassisted. He has the potential to be top 20 next year, when his elite scoring leads to winning. For now, he’s top 30.
26: Bam Adebayo (Prediction: 25)
Bam was once again the most versatile big in 2021. He guards everybody, he makes plays, scores in the paint, and rebounds. I feel like it was a quiet season for Bam (I didn’t see much love or hate for him on social media this year. People were comparing him and Deandre Ayton though, which is disrespectful to Bam), but he was better than his All-Star year. He’ll break into the top 20 very soon.
25: Jaylen Brown (Prediction: 28)
Jaylen Brown made his first All-Star game in 2021, and became a top 25 player. His two-way ability is awesome. He’s a smooth scorer at all three levels, and he guards the opposing team’s best player every night. Just like Bam, Jaylen will be a top 20 guy very soon (maybe even top 15 one day).
24: Julius Randle (Prediction: 109)
What a season for Julius Randle. Best story of the year. He went from a dude who could fill the stat sheet and make no impact on winning basketball and a boneheaded ball-stopper to the best player on the 4 seed. He made the All-NBA second team. That’s wild, and I never would have guessed that before the season. Literally never. The improvement Julius made is amazing. He became a shooter, a playmaker, and a defender in one season. Julius clearly put in the work to get better, and it paid off.
23: Russell Westbrook (Prediction: 20)
Russ had a historic season. He had 38 triple doubles, and passed Oscar Robertson to become the all time leader in that category. He averaged 22 PPG, 12 APG (well, 11.7, but I round up. He was the league leader in APG), and 11 RPG. Unfortunately, his numbers just didn’t result in much winning. The Wizards roster wasn’t great, but it wasn’t all his teammates’ fault. In the playoffs, he shot a woeful 33% from the field and 25% from three. He’s a floor raiser, but not a ceiling raiser. Russ’s ability to fill the stat sheet gives him a spot in the top 25, but I can’t put him any higher.
22: Khris Middleton (Prediction: 27)
Kash Money Middleton shut up the haters in 2021. There were countless times where I saw people on social media saying Khris couldn’t be the number two guy on a championship roster. Those takes aged horribly. Khris is a top 5 clutch guy in the NBA (the only guys I’m taking over him clutch performance wise are KD, Dame, and Luka). He always steps up when needed. Khris Middleton is really that dude, and I’m gassed to call him a top 25 player.
21: Trae Young (Prediction: 23)
Trae became the villain of the 2021 season during the playoffs. He’s the most hated man in NYC, and he loves it. I don’t hate him, but I don’t like him either. I won’t ever look at him the same after the way he flopped in the Hawks vs Bucks series. That doesn’t take away from how good he is. Trae is going to be a top point guard for years to come.
20: Karl-Anthony Towns (Prediction: 19)
KAT is still a top 3 center in the league, and people act like he isn’t. He’s the best shooter the center position has ever had. It seems like he wants to stay in Minnesota, but they need to win something soon because KAT deserves it.
19: Bradley Beal (Prediction: 16)
Bradley Beal lost his spot as a top 3 shooting guard, and probably won’t get it back for the foreseeable future. It’s not because he got worse, because he didn’t. He’s still an elite scorer, and 31 PPG proves that. Some other guys got better, and that’s why Beal falls to the bottom of the top 20.
18: Devin Booker (Prediction: 18)
D-Book had an excellent season. With Chris Paul on the team, Book could focus on scoring. He is (I feel like I might be using this word a little much, but every time I use it it’s justified) an elite scorer (even if his scoring is inflated by all the flopping he does). His mid range game is up there with the best, and he’s a three point threat as well (he shot just 34%, but he’s obviously better than the percentage suggests). Booker established himself as a top 20 guy, and could legitimately be top 10 in the near future. (P.S: I will NEVER forget when Book clearly picked up his 6th foul and they didn’t call it. That was an atrocity.)
17: Donovan Mitchell (Prediction: 17)
That’s right, I still think Donovan Mitchell is better than Booker. I believe that Donovan could have led that Suns team to the Finals just like Book did. He’s been a winner his whole NBA career, leading his team to the playoffs since his rookie season. Donovan vs Booker will be a fun discussion for seasons to come.
16: Kyrie Irving (Prediction: 15)
Kyrie just had the best season of his career. He averaged 27 PPG and 6 APG, and joined the exclusive 50/40/90 club. He is one of the flashiest/most exciting guys to watch. That’s why I think people overrate him sometimes. Kyrie isn’t the second best point guard, or even the third or fourth (as in he’s not better than Dame, Luka, or CP3), because he’s a sidekick. He’s an excellent player, but he’s not going to be your number one guy. That’s why he lands just outside the top 15.
15: Jimmy Butler (Prediction: 10)
Jimmy is one of the best leaders in the NBA. He’s built to be your franchise guy. He’s an extremely hard worker, he’s very unselfish, and he helps everybody around him get better. He’s a lockdown defender, great passer, and can score (21 PPG, 7 RPG, 7 APG, and 2 SPG is an elite statline). Jimmy’s game is full of grit and hustle, and I love that. That’s why he’s still in the top 15 after his atrocious playoff performance vs the Bucks.
14: Chris Paul (Prediction: 22)
CP3 is a franchise altering point guard. If he’s on your team, you’re making the playoffs. We saw that in 2020 when he was with the Thunder. In 2021, we saw him lead the young and hungry Suns all the way to the Finals. He’s another one of the top leaders in the league. Even at age 36, his passing, scoring, and defensive abilities are still on point (In my opinion, he’s the second best mid range scorer behind KD). Chris Paul is a textbook point guard, and he’s a top 15 player in the league.
13: Anthony Davis (Prediction: 4)
Injuries derailed what I thought would be a huge season for AD. Even when he played, you could tell the injuries affected him. He averaged just 22 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 SPG, and 1.6 BPG (Those are All-Star stats, but it’s a down year for AD). He was still a top 3 defender in the league. Overall, AD was still impactful enough when he was healthy to get a spot in the top 15 (he was the hardest player to rank overall).
12: Paul George (Prediction: 14)
Playoff P stepped up big in the 2021 playoffs. When Kawhi got injured, Paul kept the Clippers going all the way to the WCF. He got clutch buckets and played good defense every game. Overall, it was a helluva season for PG13, and I think he deserves everybody’s respect again.
11: Jayson Tatum (Prediction: 11)
Putting Tatum over PG13 was a tough decision to make, but it’s the right one. I think Tatum became a superstar in 2021, and his playoff performance backs that up. He dropped 50 in a playoff game, and averaged 31 PPG overall. He averaged 26 PPG in the regular season, and had a 60 piece. Jayson Tatum is really that guy, and he could be top 5 in the next three seasons.
10: Joel Embiid (Prediction: 13)
Joel Embiid had an MVP level season. That’s why he’s top 10. He’s a force on offense and defense. You know that I don’t like him very much, so I don’t have much else to say. Embiid is a top big in the league.
9: Nikola Jokic (Prediction: 12)
What? The MVP at 9? That’s too low! No, it’s not. MVP doesn’t mean best player. That doesn’t mean Jokic didn’t have an elite season. He is the best center in the NBA, and probably the best passer as well. He averaged a career high in PPG (26) and APG (8) in 2021. He was an easy choice for the top 10.
8: Damian Lillard (Prediction: 9)
2021 was another elite year for Dame. Everybody knows what he does by now, so I’ll keep this short. In the playoffs, Dame had a game where he dropped 55 points by making 12 threes. He also had 10 assists that game. That’s the player Dame is.
7: Luka Doncic (Prediction: 7)
It took a solid amount of thinking to decide Luka is better than Dame, but I made the right choice. Luka is the best young player in the league. He’s a top passer and scorer in the league, and he’s just 22 years old. It’s likely that he’ll be top 3 in the next 3 years, but he lands at 7 for now.
6: James Harden (Prediction: 8)
After years of being ball dominant, Harden joined a team where he needed to share the ball. People questioned the fit, but it worked almost seamlessly. He proved that he’s an excellent passer, as he averaged 11 APG. The only thing keeping Harden out of the top 5 is his performance against the Bucks in the playoffs. He averaged just 11 PPG on a disgusting 31% from the field and 19% from three. I know he was injured, but because he chose to play, it’s not an excuse.
5: Kawhi Leonard (Prediction: 3)
Kawhi played exactly like I thought he would in 2021. He falls short of the top 3 because other guys overperformed by prediction, not because he underperformed. The Klaw was still a basketball robot in 2021.
4: LeBron James (Prediction: 1)
LeBron didn’t regress in 2021. When he played, he played like the best player in the world. He was just overall outperformed by the three guys above him. The top 4 is a lot of fun, because all 4 have a very strong case for being the best player in the league.
3: Stephen Curry (Prediction: 6)
Steph had an MVP level year. He did everything he could to drag the Warriors to the playoffs, but they fell short. He led the league in scoring while facing double and even triple teams every night. The best shooter to ever touch a basketball was the third best player in 2021.
2: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Prediction: 5)
I really wanted to put Giannis at 1. He’s everything I would want in my franchise player. He’s a dominant force on the court, his work ethic is second to none, he’s a great teammate and person, he’s loyal to his team, and so much more. Giannis led the Bucks to a championship. I feel like he should be the face of the league, but too many people give him unnecessary hate. Everybody’s just salty he didn’t join their favorite team (Heat, Warriors, etc.) to form a super team. Giannis stayed loyal and won a championship the hard way. I really hate that I had to put him at 2, but he’ll be number one in the near future.
1: Kevin Durant (Prediction: 2)
Kevin Durant is unguardable. Same goes for Giannis and Steph, but KD takes it to another level. He’s the greatest scorer of all time. I think this is the first time he’s been the best player in the world, so congrats to him.
So, that’s my top 100 list. I hope you enjoyed it, because it took me ages to write. Did you agree with my list? If not, let me know on Twitter what you would change.
I’ve got my 2022 prediction top 100 on the way, so look forward to that. I’ve got some other stuff that will come out before that.
(All highlights and stats in this article are from the 2020-21 season.)
Miles Bridges is best known around the league for his dunking ability. I’m sure you’ve seen his dunks before, but if you haven’t, here’s one of my favorites.
He had plenty more like that this season. He had 82 total dunks in the 2021 season, which was 21st most in the league.
But Miles is more than a dunker. That’s what this article is about. Miles is a smooth, highly skilled player who will be an All-Star one day. Let’s take a dive into his game.
Shooting
Miles has a nice looking jumpshot, and is a capable shooter. He shot 40% from three on 4.4 attempts per game this season (32% of this three point attempts came from the corner, and he made 44% of those shots). His season high was 6 3PM, and he made 3 or more in 18 games.
He can hit shots off the catch, but he also can create a shot. 18% of his threes were unassisted this season.
Here you see Miles use a nice stepback to create space to hit the three.
Here’s another nice move. Miles pops off the screen, fakes the drive, and then steps back for the three.
Because Miles is so good at driving to the hoop and finishing, defenders have to respect that when guarding him. That’s why I love the moves he used in the clips. He faked like he was going to drive, and then hit the open shot. The ability to get to the basket and hit jumpshots makes you a lot harder to guard because the defender doesn’t know what you’re going to do.
Miles isn’t a very good mid-range shooter (just 23% on shots between 16 feet and the 3PT line), but only 3% of his shots came from that range.
Here’s a nice pull up shot off the fake. His stroke looks good. I think he could be a better mid range shooter if he shot more.
Miles doesn’t need a mid-range shot, because it’s not used often in today’s NBA. However, being a consistent threat from all three levels would take his scoring to the next level. Just look at guys like Tatum, Middleton, and Ingram.
Finishing
This article is about how he’s more than just a dunker, so I have to talk about his ability to finish in general. He’s versatile with the way he finishes.
He can be crafty.
He’s electric in transition.
Just one of many fun transition finishes for Miles. You can find plenty more on YouTube
He’s not only a lob catcher in transition. Here’s a nice eurostep.
Miles is also a strong finisher who plays through contact. Here he finishes the layup despite taking contact throughout his drive.
Rebounding
Miles uses his high vertical to grab rebounds. He averaged 6 rebounds per game, and had double digit rebounds in 11 games.
Watch this play. Miles is at the three point line when Hayward puts up the shot. He swoops in out of nowhere past Mikal Bridges for the sweet putback dunk.
Playmaking
Because Miles played with multiple players that use the ball a lot (LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward), he rarely got the opportunity to show his playmaking abilities.
But, when those guys weren’t playing, Miles showed what he can do. His season high in assists (6) came in a game where LaMelo and Hayward were injured. In the month of April, Miles averaged 3 assists per game (9 games with 3 or more assists).
Here’s some good passes Miles has made:
The pass you just watched reminded me of something, so I’m throwing it in for fun. Here’s me throwing an absolute dot of a pass.
There’s a reason why my teammate who made the highlight reel I got this from captioned this “Patrick Mahomes”
Ok, back to Miles Bridges
Miles isn’t an excellent playmaker (lots of his assists come off of handoffs), but passes like the ones in this article show me he is a capable one. Capable is a good start, and he will get better when he has the ball in his hands more.
Defense
Miles is a solid defensive player. His overall defensive RAPTOR is +0.2 (That means he’s a positive defender. Read this article to learn about what RAPTOR is), and his on/off defensive RAPTOR is +1.0 (meaning the Hornets are better defensively when Miles is on the floor).
The eye test also shows Miles can play defense. Here, he’s guarding Kawhi Leonard. Miles stays in front of Kawhi, doesn’t fall for the pump fake, and forces the miss.
Here Miles plays great help defense and forces Tatum into a tough fadeaway.
Here, Miles shows good lateral quickness as he keeps up with Steph and forces him into a tough shot.
Here Miles is in good help position and blocks Giannis (not an easy task).
Miles often uses his speed and vertical to block shots.
Fit in Charlotte
There’s one thing holding Miles back right now, and that’s the loaded frontcourt in Charlotte.
Gordon Hayward, P.J. Washington, Kelly Oubre, Cody Martin, and Jalen McDaniels are all players that will be getting minutes at the forward position this season. That means less playing time for Miles. The big problem is Kelly Oubre. He and Miles are very similar players. I like his skillset in Charlotte, but I don’t like his fit because Miles is already there.
I would like to see more small ball lineups in Charlotte a lot this year. LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, and P.J. Washington played 53 minutes together in 2021. In those minutes, they outscored opponents by 6.5 points (per 100 possesions).
In conclusion, Miles Bridges does it all. That versatility shows me he has a bright future ahead of him. Soon, he will be the starter in Charlotte. When that happens, I think he will be an All-Star.
So, did you enjoy this dive into Miles Bridges’s game? Let me know! If you did, I will totally do an article like this for other players in the future. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
(I just made you read an article about Miles Bridges with only a couple dunks included. So, now that you’re done, here’s a compilation of his best dunks.)
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The Bench Mob Blog 