Every year at this time -- because of the passion, competitiveness and excitement of the NBA Playoffs -- I feel the urge to rank the best basketball players in the world. Of course, the obvious issue is that there are about 70-80 all-star caliber players in the league right now. I've never seen a talent base like this.
And then there's the age-old question...what makes one player better than another? How do we distinguish between polar opposite superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry? What about the differences between Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook? And exactly how much weight should we place on the postseason?
Well, this is what I wrote in last year's rankings:
1. With the exception of the unselfish, ball movement offenses of the Warriors and Spurs, most NBA teams rely on one-on-one play down the stretch of tight games. So, can this player use the drive/pass/shoot threat to effectively manipulate opposing defenses at crunchtime? Can this star lead his team to victory with controlled, high-percentage, high-IQ plays under pressure?
2. Does this player have a positive impact on the on-and-off court culture of his club? Basketball is a team game and rhythm sport, so a selfish star can spiral a team in the wrong direction. A good attitude is contagious. That's a cold you want to catch.
3. Is this player consistently healthy?
(I'm not even going to mention physical ability because that's a given on this list, right? Well, I guess I just mentioned it anyway.)
And much of that is still true, but I'd like to add the following:
The regular season isn't real. It's one, long 82-game illusion. Look at some of these trends:
1. In the 2015/16 regular season, Curry shot 50.4% from the floor. In the playoffs, he dropped down to 43.8%.
2. In the 2016/17 regular season, James Harden shot 44% from the floor. In the playoffs, he dropped down to 41%. His three-point shooting dropped from 34.7% to 27.8%.
3. In the 2017/18 regular season, Westbrook shot 44.9% from the floor. In 4 playoff games against the feisty Jazz, he is shooting 36.7%.
So what's the explanation for this phenomenon? Well, the easy way out is to say that they are choking -- and let's be honest, Curry, Harden and Westbrook have ALL displayed some mental issues/blocks in the playoffs -- but the reality lies somewhere in here:
1. NBA players make millions and millions of dollars. Eighty-two regular season games, plus travel -- that's asking a lot. Yes, these guys have some of the best strength-and-conditioning coaches in the world, but that doesn't change the fact that basketball is a physically taxing game. That means, not surprisingly, guys take nights off. Sometimes, during the regular season, they are merely going through the motions. The result is that super-talented players like Westbrook, Harden and Curry can easily pad their stats against minimal defensive effort. Very simply, in the playoffs, that minimal effort transitions to MAXIMUM.
2. Not only are they playing against a higher level of defensive effort, they are also contending with a higher level of overall play. We're talking about the best teams and players in the world, here.
3. High-leverage games usually mean more minutes on the floor. That can sometimes lead to fatigue at exactly the wrong times. And of course, pressure, pressure, pressure.
So hell yeahhhh the playoffs matter! The regular season isn't real NBA basketball. Stars should be evaluated under pressure against max-effort D.
Anyway, enough foreplay, let's get into my list...
I've written about these guys so many times in the past, that this is LIST ONLY. If you'd like to read some past analysis, go here:
2016-17 NBA Top 25 Players (year end)
2016-17 NBA Top 100 Players (beginning of season)
HONORABLE MENTION (in no particular order)
Nikola Mirotic, PF, Pelicans
Jaylen Brown, SF, Celtics
Enes Kanter, C, Knicks
DeAndre Jordan, C, Clippers
Isaiah Thomas, PG, Lakers
Dario Saric, PF, 76ers
Nikola Vucevic, C, Magic
JOHNNY FRO'S TOP 50 NBA PLAYERS AS OF APRIL 25, 2018
50. Aaron Gordon, F, Magic
49. Dwight Howard, C, Hornets
48. Al Horford, C, Celtics
47. Lou Williams, G, Clippers
46. Tobias Harris, F, Clippers
45. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Timberwolves
44. Mike Conley, PG, Grizzlies
43. Clint Capela, C, Rockets
42. Gordon Hayward, G/F, Celtics
41. Ricky Rubio, PG, Jazz
40. Paul Millsap, PF, Nuggets
39. Rudy Gobert, C, Jazz
38. Goran Dragic, PG, Heat
37. Kevin Love, PF, Cavs
36. Kristaps Porzingis, PF, Knicks
35. Blake Griffin, PF, Pistons
34. Kyle Lowry, PG, Raptors
33. Khris Middleton, G/F, Bucks
32. C.J. McCollum, SG, Blazers
31. Marc Gasol, C, Grizzlies
30. Bradley Beal, SG, Wizards
29. Kemba Walker, PG, Hornets
28. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Timberwolves
27. Draymond Green, PF, Warriors
26. Devin Booker, G/F, Suns
25. Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets
24. Andre Drummond, C, Pistons
23. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Pelicans
22. Klay Thompson, SG, Warriors
21. Donovan Mitchell, SG, Jazz
20. Jrue Holiday, PG, Pelicans
19. Victor Oladipo, SG, Pacers
18. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Spurs
17. Jimmy Butler, G/F, Timberwolves
16. Kawhi Leonard, SF, Spurs
15. Paul George, SF, Thunder
14. Ben Simmons, G/F, 76ers
13. Joel Embiid, C, 76ers
12. DeMar DeRozan, SG, Raptors
11. Damian Lillard, PG, Blazers
10. John Wall, PG, Wizards
9. Kyrie Irving, PG, Celtics
8. Chris Paul, PG, Rockets
7. Russell Westbrook, PG, Thunder
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo, G/F/C, Bucks
5. Anthony Davis, PF, Pelicans
4. Stephen Curry, PG, Warriors
3. James Harden, G, Rockets
2. Kevin Durant, F, Warriors
1. LeBron James, G/F
ALL COMPLAINTS ARE WELCOMED AND ENCOURAGED!!
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