ESPN recently released its ranking of the top 100 NBA players entering the 2019-20 season. While player rankings are almost always subjective and debatable, some of their rankings had those on social media scratching their heads. For example, Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star, was listed at No. 49. Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played a single NBA game, was at No. 42 ahead of some already-established stars.
Sports fans love debating about players at the very top of the game: the debate on whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan is better all-time has no foreseeable end in sight. So let’s break down ESPN’s top ten players of the 2019-20 season, and analyze if each player is too high, too low, or in the right spot.
#10: Paul George
Paul George’s previous ranking had him at #14, but ESPN thrust him into the top ten because of his shocking change of scenery over the summer. Playing alongside Kawhi Leonard in the Los Angeles Clippers’ system will showcase his offensive and defensive talents on a true contender. That’s the hope, at least. Health may be an issue, as George will have to miss some time to start the season recovering from two shoulder surgeries. But one of the best two-way players in the game is in a good place right now—in a big market with talented teammates, a good coach, and realistic title aspirations. Last year, he had an MVP-level season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, averaging 28 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while leading the league in steals. His stock will rise because of his new team, and his numbers should continue to impress.
Decision: Too low
#9: Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard often gets overlooked with so many elite guards in the Western Conference. And with the Portland Trail Blazers lacking star power, they don’t make the deep playoff runs necessary to truly establish Lillard as a top-five player. That being said, Lillard reminded everyone in last year’s playoffs of what he can do, most notably sending off OKC with a wave and a game-winner over Paul George. At number nine, Lillard is the second-highest point guard on the entire list, above players like Russell Westbrook (12th) and Kyrie Irving (11th). Lillard is an elite scorer and playmaker, but Westbrook is an offensive beast, having averaged a triple-double in three straight seasons–an impressive feat that’s not talked about enough. In addition, Westbrook just went to a team that lives for offense, and his motor and quickness will be invaluable in the Rockets’ system. If we’re doing a ranking of just point guards, with all due respect to the talent that is Damian Lillard, Westbrook should be ever so slightly higher than Lillard right now. But Dame is free to prove me wrong.
Decision: Too high
#8: Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid continues his rise to superstar status in his third year, averaging 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field. And he led a Philadelphia 76ers team that was a few lucky Kawhi bounces away from getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. His numbers dipped, however, in the postseason. In the playoffs, he averaged 20.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while 42% shooting from the field—all lower than his regular season numbers. If Embiid wants to solidify himself firmly as a top ten player in the NBA, he’ll have to continue his regular season domination into the postseason. Ben Simmons can be a bit of an enigma for the Sixers because of his lack of a jump shot, but this year, the team will go as far as Embiid’s strong shoulders can take them. He is on the cusp of superstardom, if not already there, with only playoff success standing in his way. It’s not far-fetched to envision a 30-point, 15-rebound per game season for Embiid. His spot this high is justified.
Decision: Just right
#7: Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic was in the MVP discussion last year en route to earning a two-seed for the Denver Nuggets in the crowded West. In each of his first four seasons, Jokic has increased his points, rebounds, and assists every year. Last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. There’s no reason to believe those numbers won’t continue to go up. The Nuggets run their offense through Jokic, allowing him get the ball at the top of the key or at the elbow and survey the court. They’ll run countless pick-and-rolls and dribble-handoffs with Jokic and allow him to take advantage of his elite vision and passing. The Nuggets didn’t make any splashy offseason moves, and return the core of their young, talented team from last year. With another year of chemistry and experience under their belts, including a tough playoff loss to the Blazers, expect Jokic and the Nuggets to have a strong season. And Jokic should, once again, be in that MVP discussion. Being ranked seventh is an honor, but Jokic has the potential to average close to a triple-double as a center, and lead a top offense to new heights.
Decision: Too low
#6: Stephen Curry
The two-time MVP, still in his prime, now has the keys to a Warriors offense that won’t have Kevin Durant. The new-look, younger Warriors will be led by Stephen Curry, who is somehow, at 31 years old, the oldest member of the team. Curry will be joined by D’Angelo Russell, and together, they hope to lead an offense that will be without Klay Thompson for most of the season. The last time Curry was the undisputed leader of the team, in 2016 before KD, Curry won the MVP unanimously. And so many basketball pundits have Curry towards the top of their MVP prediction lists for the upcoming season. Expect Curry to put up some explosive offensive numbers, even if the Warriors may not be a title contender. He may even end up winning his third MVP along the way.
Decision: Too low
#5: Anthony Davis
A six-time All-Star, Anthony Davis finally has a change of scenery. As one of the best big men in the game–and some would argue he’s the best–Davis joins LeBron James on a Los Angeles Lakers team that has title aspirations. With James and role players like Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green, the Lakers already have arguably more talent than any New Orleans Pelicans team Davis has been a part of. Now playing with expectations and talent around him, Davis is looking to return the Lakers to the top of the Western Conference mountain. He owns career averages of 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks a game, and is still 26 years old.
Decision: Just right
#4: James Harden
Coming off of an MVP-level season, James Harden continues to dominate. He averaged 36.1 points per game last season, and was the first player since Kobe Bryant in the 2005-06 season to average over 35 PPG. Harden’s season was also the seventh-highest scoring season in NBA history. He’s already won one MVP and arguably could have won a couple more. In addition, he’s increased his three’s made per game every year in each of his 10 years in the league. Last year, his 378 made triples rank second all-time, second only to Curry’s once-untouchable 402 three’s in 2015-16. Now with the more athletic Russell Westbrook as his running mate instead of Chris Paul, Harden and the Rockets hope to produce another year of explosive offense—and they just might produce the most prolific offense in the NBA.
Decision: Too low
#3: LeBron James
Let’s clarify: this is merely a ranking of players for their performances in the upcoming 2019-20 season. ESPN was not ranking players based on their all-time status or their reputation (see: Klay Thompson at #49). That being said, LeBron James is still, somehow, an elite player. Turning 35 in December, James has continued to defy Father Time and hasn’t seen his production dip. But age and injuries will take its toll eventually. And this could be the year he starts to slow, even if just a little. Last season, injuries forced LeBron to play in only 55 games. If injuries strike again, mixed with planned load management, age, and the wear on his body, his production could finally see a small dip. By season’s end, LeBron will still be in the conversation for the greatest player of all time, but his production and consistency from the year likely won’t be worthy of number three on this list.
Decision: Too high
#2: Kawhi Leonard
Life has been good for Kawhi Leonard. After getting traded out of San Antonio, Leonard rode a load management plan to a relatively light regular season (60 games), and then dominated in the playoffs. His Game 7 game-winner against the Philadelphia 76ers stands as one of the most iconic moments in last year’s playoffs, and maybe in playoff history. After a successful lone season bringing Toronto its first championship, Leonard chose to head west to play for the Clippers alongside Paul George. Now, with one of the most talented rosters in the league, Leonard hopes to win another title and lead a Clippers team that boasts potentially a strong offense and an elite defense. But if Doc Rivers decides to go the load management route, Leonard could see his number of games hover around the same place it was in Toronto. He’ll be one of the best players in the league in the playoffs, but he won’t be in the regular season MVP conversation. His 2018-19 per-game numbers of 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists wouldn’t warrant strong MVP talk anyway. Number three or four may be a more fitting spot for Leonard.
Decision: Too high
#1: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo has improved every year since he’s entered the NBA, and there’s no reason to think he’ll stop now. After winning his first MVP last year, Giannis will look to build on a season where he averaged 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds while shooting 57.8% from the field. And his full range of impact can’t be discussed without talking about the spacing he brings to the Milwaukee Bucks. His length and quickness can get him to the rim almost at will, and the Bucks’ three-point shooting skyrocketed as a result of Giannis and coach Mike Budenholzer’s five-out offense. Now with a tough playoff loss as motivation, Giannis will likely be a perennial MVP candidate moving forward, and he’ll be the leader of a Bucks team hoping to make another deep playoff run. He’s a safe bet to be one of the best players in the NBA now and for years to come.
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