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
Thurs October 27: 40 - 31
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
50
Andrew Bogut
- ESPN
rank 33 (7.31)
- SLAMonline
rank - 49
- CBS
rank 104 (67.37)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -62.2
- Sports
Illustrated #37
- Eye
on Basketball #37
- 12.8
pts, 11.1 reb, 2.0 ast, 49.5 FG%, 44.2 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Blocks per game #1
Bogut himself has admitted he'd never be the same, and would always feel "limitations" for his whole life after a dramatic elbow and wrist injury. Still, the former #1 pick led the NBA in blocks per game last year, while averaging a double-double.
---
49
Nené
- ESPN
rank 31 (7.41)
- CBS
rank 50 (75.75)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -41
- Player
Efficiency Rating #26
- Sports
Illustrated #24
- Eye
on Basketball #26
- 14.5
pts, 7.6 reb, 2.0 ast, 61.5 FG%, 71.1 FT%
Nené makes this list because of the relative lack of impactful big men in the NBA. He can score and defend, and shot 61.5% from the field last year, evident of his effective production.
---
48
Marc Gasol
- ESPN
rank 26 (7.51)
- SLAMonline
rank - 47
- CBS
rank 52 (75.41)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -52.5
- Sports
Illustrated #40
- Eye
on Basketball #31
- 11.7
pts, 7.0 reb, 2.5 ast, 52.7 FG%, 74.8 FT%
Marc Gasol makes this list because of his strong playoff showing last year in Memphis, where he battled the Duncan-led #1 Spurs in the opening round and triumphed. A variety of low-post moves, and efficient percentages make the younger Gasol brother worthy of top-50 status.
---
47
Andrew Bynum
- ESPN
rank 30 (7.45)
- SLAMonline
rank - 44
- CBS
rank 201 (52.45)
- 2k12
rank 40 (79)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -74.6
- Player
Efficiency Rating #21
- Sports
Illustrated #38
- PSD
Top 10 - #14
- Eye
on Basketball #25
- 11.3
pts, 9.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 57.4 FG%, 66.0 FT%
- 2010/11
Season Blocks #6
- Net
Production #10
- played
54 games
So far this is a very big-man heavy list, I realize. But good centres are really hard to come by. Bynum has been doubted for years, and always showed potential. He has an excellent upside, but his health is inconsistent. Skill-wise he should be ranked higher, but he needs to become more dependable.
---
46
Lamar Odom
- ESPN
rank 44 (6.94)
- SLAMonline
rank - 42
- CBS
rank 36 (79.17)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -66.3
- Player
Efficiency Rating #31
- Sports
Illustrated #33
- Eye
on Basketball #33
- 14.4
pts, 8.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 53.0 FG%, 67.5 FT%
Lamar Odom is so skilled he could do everything. This means he often middles about trying to be the glue for his team, when he could be leading them in scoring, assists and rebounds. The thing is, as long as Lamar is winning, he doesn't care how it happens statistically or hierarchically in his teams' structure.
---
45
John Wall
- ESPN
rank 40 (7.07)
- SLAMonline
rank - 25
- CBS
rank 53 (75.34)
- 2k12
rank 29 (82)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -40.6
- Sports
Illustrated #72
- Eye
on Basketball #41
- 16.4
pts, 4.6 reb, 8.3 ast, 40.9 FG%, 76.6 FT%
- 2010/11
Season 2nd Most Turnovers
Some sources have had Jimmy Zigs ranked higher, but I think he needs more time. He missed a fair chunk of his rookie season, but he has the size, explosiveness and quickness to be a dominant guard in the NBA. He has to cut down on the turnovers, and play up to his potential for a full season before he moves up this list.
---
44
Tyson Chandler
- ESPN
rank 37 (7.21)
- CBS
rank 87 (69.63)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -95.1
- Player
Efficiency Rating #48
- Sports
Illustrated #35
- Eye
on Basketball #34
- 10.1
pts, 9.4 reb, 0.4 ast, 65.4 FG%, 73.2 FT%
- 2010/11
True Shooting Percentage #1 (.697)
If last years' playoff run in Dallas was any indication, Chandler is an effective defensive centre who has been underrated much of his career. He shoots terrific percentages including the best "true shooting percentage" and is a rock on defense. Relish this spot, Tyson.
---
43
Carlos Boozer
- ESPN
rank 50 (6.70)
- SLAMonline
rank - 38
- CBS
rank 118 (65.13)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -63.6
- Player
Efficiency Rating #40
- Sports
Illustrated #45
- Eye
on Basketball #55
- 17.5
pts, 9.6 reb, 2.5 ast, 51.0 FG%, 70.1 FT%
Boozer underwhelmed in the playoffs, and missed the start of the season after injuring himself in a household accident, and this leaves his rank fairly low. People may have been unduly critical of him in the games he did play, but he is still a dominant player when he applies himself and imposes his will.
---
42
Al Horford
- ESPN
rank 25 (7.80)
- SLAMonline
rank - 32
- CBS
rank 18 (84.3)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -17.3
- Player
Efficiency Rating #23
- Sports
Illustrated #25
- Eye
on Basketball #24
- 15.3
pts, 9.3 reb, 3.5 ast, 55.7 FG%, 79.8 FT%
Horford comes in ahead of Boozer for his work ethic and percentages. Boozer is a more focal point of the Chicago offense than Horford is in Atlanta, but given a few more touches Horford would outscore Booz. Horford is also playing out of position as a centre, when he's closer to Boozer's size at the power-forward position.
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41
Gerald Wallace
- ESPN
rank 48 (6.82)
- SLAMonline
rank - 41
- CBS
rank 43 (77.18)
- 2k12
rank 23 (83)
- Yahoo
2011 Fantasy Draft Average Pick -25.5
- Sports
Illustrated #39
- Eye
on Basketball #40
- 15.7
pts, 8.0 reb, 2.4 ast, 45.4 FG%, 74.6 FT%
Gerald "Crash" Wallace always goes hard, and that motor is invaluable to a team with championship aspirations. He crashes the boards to get rebounds, can score as a slasher, and is an adequate defender in team and one-on-one situations.
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