While these outlets were generating buzz, I was becoming inspired.
Who really was the best?
Everybody has an opinion, so I've gathered some of the best of them and grouped it with other relevant information. Each player is listed with relevant rankings from various trusted basketball outlets, statistical information for the top 5 categories (pts, reb, ast, FG%, FT%) and an indication if they finished in the top 10 in another category like blocks, 3FG%, or turnovers.
I also looked at advanced statistical measures such as PER, Net Production, and Simple Rating which are relatively explained in the links.
For some players, certain ranking systems do not apply, and are simply not listed.
In all, this was an attempt to be unbiased, to gather and reflect on existing sources, and ultimately form an educated opinion that is at once objective, and also completely my own.
SLAM's list is for "projected production in the upcoming '11/12 season," and this means that steady regular season production is a factor. The good teams have always paced themselves, and Kobe could still go for 30, but he knows he doesn't need to. Plus, you're speculating on fantasy and future.
My list is based on right now. If the lockout were to end, and instead of a season all we got was a Finals. Who would you pick to lead your team? Who could have the most impact in just a series, when all the chips are down?
Please engage me on this, I want to hear your thoughts. No list is permanent, and subject to change.
Wed October 26: 50 - 41
50 - Andrew Bogut
49 - Nené
48 - Marc Gasol
47 - Andrew Bynum
46 - Lamar Odom
45 - John Wall
44 - Tyson Chandler
43 - Carlos Boozer
42 - Al Horford
41 - Gerald Wallace
Thurs October 27: 40 - 31
40 - David West
39 - Jason Kidd
38 - Josh Smith
37 - Stephen Curry
36 - Joachim Noah
35 - Eric Gordon
34 - Kevin Garnett
33 - Tim Duncan
32 - Tony Parker
31 - Al Jefferson
Fri October 28: 30 - 21
Sat October 29: 20 - 16
Sun October 30: 15 - 11
Mon October 31: 10 - 6
Tues November 1: 5 - 1
30
Ray Allen
- ESPN
rank 35 (7.27)
- SLAMonline
rank - 48
- CBS
rank 31 (79.97)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -53
- Sports
Illustrated #48
- Eye
on Basketball #49
- 360special
All-Time rank - 34
- 16.5
pts, 3.4 reb, 2.7 ast, 49.1 FG%, 88.1 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Total 3’s #5
- 2010/11
Season 3P% - #2
A Ray Allen jumpshot is one of the hardest plays to defend in basketball. He comes off that screen, curls, cradles the ball, sets his feet perfectly, rises effortlessly, and strokes it. The ball often makes a splashing noise as it sinks into the hoop. This one weapon makes him a top-30 player, because he deploys it with veteran savvy and historic percentages.
---
29
Kevin Martin
- ESPN
rank 42 (6.98)
- SLAMonline
rank - 45
- CBS
rank 27 (81.64)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -35.3
- Player
Efficiency Rating #19
- Sports
Illustrated #42
- Eye
on Basketball #32
- 23.4
pts, 3.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 43.6 FG%, 88.8 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Total 3’s #3
Kevin Martin is a weapon from deep, and scored 23.4 points per game last season. He's also incredibly efficient. Often he is left out of "best player" talks because he's been in the shadows of an underperforming Kings team and an imploding Rockets team. Regardless, he's a man you wouldn't want to leave off the scouting report.
---
28
Tyreke Evans
- ESPN
rank 47 (6.82)
- SLAMonline
rank - 27
- CBS
rank 132 (62.69)
- 2k12
rank 36 (80)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -56
- Sports
Illustrated #36
- Eye
on Basketball #50
- 17.8
pts, 4.8 reb, 5.6 ast, 40.9 FG%, 77.1 FT%
- 2010/11
Season 10th Most Turnovers
- 22
years old, played only 57 games in 10/11
'Reke was coming off a Rookie of the Year season, but injuries forced him into a sophomore slump. After averaging at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in his freshman year in the L, he dropped off slightly, but looks to be in good health now and should dramatically improve his offensive output this coming season should he move to the SG position with the Kings' drafting of Jimmer Fredette.
---
27
Andre Iguodala
- ESPN
rank 34 (7.29)
- SLAMonline
rank - 34
- CBS
rank 55 (74.73)
- 2k12
rank 14 (85)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -44.9
- Sports
Illustrated #30
- Eye
on Basketball #30
- 14.1
pts, 5.8 reb, 6.3 ast, 44.5 FG%, 69.3 FT%
Iggy ended up this high on the list for playing aggressive defense. He brings the kind of intensity on both ends of the court that I would want to have on a team with Championship aspirations. He hustles and rebounds, AND scores. Though his distance shooting could use some improvement, Iguodala makes up for it with exciting cuts to the rim and above defenders.
---
26
Rudy Gay
- ESPN
rank 27 (7.48)
- SLAMonline
rank - 26
-
CBS rank 105 (67.28)
-
2k12 rank 12 (86)
-
Yahoo 2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -23.6
-
Sports Illustrated #28
-
Eye on Basketball #35
-
19.8 pts, 6.2 reb, 2.8 ast, 47.1 FG%, 80.5 FT%
Rudy Gay has enormous talent and a growing offensive game. He sank winning shots over Toronto and Miami last season before suffering a shoulder injury that forced him to the bench in a suit during his teams' historic first-round upset of the Spurs. Without him. His reputation took a hit. People actually said Gay's injury helped the Griz prevail, and that the team was better without him. Rudy will show them just how wrong they were.
---
25
Danny Granger
- ESPN
rank 36 (7.26)
- SLAMonline
rank - 24
- CBS
rank 23 (82.71)
- 2k12
rank 33 (81)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -24.7
- Sports
Illustrated #51
- Eye
on Basketball #38
- 20.5
pts, 5.4 reb, 2.6 ast, 42.5 FG%, 84.8 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Total 3’s #6
I always thought Danny Granger was great. Like Iguodala but a little taller and with a much better range on his shot. Like Rudy Gay but more with a more solidbuild, and more dependable three-point range. But, recently, I have heard him called a "ball-hog" and a "chucker." Still, he's an offensive force that can lead a team and ranks in the top half of my top 50.
---
24
Monta Ellis
- ESPN
rank 41 (7.05)
- SLAMonline
rank - 23
- CBS
rank 10 (88.89)
- 2k12
rank 23 (83)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -17.4
- Player
Efficiency Rating #43
- Sports
Illustrated #44
- Eye
on Basketball #39
- 24.1
pts, 3.5 reb, 5.6 ast, 45.1 FG%, 78.9 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Steals #3
Monta Ellis scores quite well, but much of it is the result of the Golden State Warriors free-wheeling offense. He started taking his game to another level this past year and proved his worth when everybody was ready to cast him aside for Steph Curry. Monta plays hard, and is one of the quickest guards in the league. He's a positional tweener that gets crucified for scoring when he should "play the right" way and focus on distributing. On a good team, Monta could break down defenses and set up teammates, or score when needed, and come up with the steal on defense.
---
23
Kevin Love
- ESPN
rank 16 (8.20)
- SLAMonline
rank - 16
- CBS
rank 12 (87.88)
- 2k12
rank 33 (81)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -5.2
- Player
Efficiency Rating #4
- Sports
Illustrated #21
- Eye
on Basketball #18
- 20.2
pts, 15.2 reb, 2.5 ast, 47.0 FG%, 85.0 FT%
- Net
Production #6
- Estimated
wins added – #10 – 16.7
This guy got a lot of love in this years' rankings, thanks to his hustle and rebounding prowess. He's still undersized, listed at 6'10", but made a big leap after his historic double-double streak and 30 point/ 30 rebound game. He's efficient and productive, and adds wins, but he only takes the easy shots. And he grabbed all these stats on the League's worst team. For now, Love seems to be a dependable, solid player, but not the face of a franchise.
---
22
Joe Johnson
- ESPN
rank 32 (7.33)
- SLAMonline
rank - 22
- CBS
rank 49 (75.93)
- 2k12
rank 19 (84)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -51.7
- Sports
Illustrated #32
- Eye
on Basketball #44
- 18.2
pts, 4.0 reb, 4.7 ast, 44.3 FG%, 80.2 FT%
Joe Johnson was an All-Star starter in 2010, and has averaged at least 20 points per game for the five seasons previous to 2010/11. JJ saw his numbers dip and his team fall short against the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Johnson is as anonymous as a top-tier player gets in the NBA, but his talent is undeniable.
---
21
Manu Ginobili
- ESPN
rank 18 (8.16)
- SLAMonline
rank - 28
- CBS
rank 38 (78.3)
- 2k12
rank 14 (85)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -34.2
- Player
Efficiency Rating #17
- Sports
Illustrated #16
- PSD
Top 10 - #11
- Eye
on Basketball #19
- 360special
All-Time rank – 61
- On-Court
Team Production #2 (+10.7)
- Simple
Rating – 11.3 (5th)
- 17.4
pts, 3.7 reb, 4.9 ast, 43.3FG%, 87.1 FT%
- Net
Production #7
- 2010/11
Season Total 3’s #7
It seems like people don't really know where to rank Ginobili right now. He's the best player on an aging team that were upset as the number one seed in last years' playoffs, and these types of lists often celebrate new, exciting talent that is "rising up the charts." Realistically Manu could be much higher than this. The advanced ratings show his value on the court, and in a clutch situation I want the ball in his hands.
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