MARRIAGE STORY: Baumbach's Timely Musing on Modern Love (and Divorce)

Photo Credit: IMDb

I recently reviewed Martin Scorsese's The Irishman, and now we turn our attention to another Netflix Oscar contender, Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story. Which is the stronger contender for Best Picture? Let's find out...

Part 1: An Introduction to Genius

You could say that writer/director Noah Baumbach was born into the business. His father, Jonathan Baumbach - who passed away in March - was a novelist and film critic and his mother, Georgia Brown, is also a well-regarded critic. Noah has 14 directorial credits on IMDb, many of which contain autobiographical elements. His breakthrough film, The Squid and the Whale, was famously influenced by his parents' divorce, which occurred during his childhood. The Squid and the Whale is framed from the perspective of a child of divorce. 

Well, here we are again. Noah's divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh was quite public back in September of 2013, and now (as a result?) we have the superb Marriage Story, which could just have easily been titled Divorce Story. Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) is an actress and Charlie (Adam Driver) is a director. Hmm. 

And Baumbach hits all the right notes in the opening sequences of Marriage Story. Often in a romance - I'm hesitant to call this a "romantic comedy", though it kind of is - the character building occurs gradually. Sometimes there's no character building at all. Sometimes in a romance we have "man" and "woman" in movie land, and we're expected to know exactly what those labels entail. But that couldn't be further from the truth in Marriage Story, the work of a far more thoughtful filmmaker. 

Instead, Baumbach opens with a bang - a virtuoso sequence during which both protagonists are described in great detail. Nicole is describing Charlie in a letter she penned, and vice-versa. Unfortunately, we quickly learn these letters were written as reminders of why they fell in love in the first place; Nicole and Charlie are sitting on opposite sides of the room with a mediator, talking divorce.

And these letters are storytelling genius because we become more invested in Nicole and Charlie than we normally would be at such an early stage of a romance. Sometimes we have to wait and see whom we like better; but not here, not in Marriage Story.

In Marriage Story, we get the picture right out of the gate - Nicole and Charlie are good, normal, complicated people. Like anybody else. Sure, their professions are often romanticized - actress and director - but these two characters are just people. They both have their own selfish needs. Each complements the other. They have things in common, and drastic differences of opinion. They are a young couple with an 8-year old son in the middle; just trying to figure it all out together, or apart.

The first part of Marriage Story isn't about figuring out whom we side with; no, it's about trying to figure out how these two nice, talented people just couldn't make it work.

Part 2: Less Plot, More Character

Marriage Story isn't a plot movie. There aren't any dramatic twists - Scar Jo doesn't turn out to be a superhero and Driver isn't a psycho stalker in waiting. Nicole and Charlie are getting divorced, and Henry's (Azhy Robertson) fate is hanging in the balance. 

Enter three attorneys: Nora Fanshaw, Jay Marotta and Bert Spitz - they are Laura Dern, Ray Liotta and Alan Alda, respectively. All three are fantastic. The comparisons to Kramer vs. Kramer are (somewhat) warranted, and I love that film, too. This is a movie about a custody battle, and Dern, Liotta and Alda all bring different styles and perspectives to that battle. 

Dern makes Nora a hyperized power attorney; she knows the ins and outs of her business and exploits them whenever necessary. Her two sides come out in the respective battles with Jay and Bert; the latter begins as Charlie's attorney, and his aww shucks demeanor extinguishes Nora's fire. She knows Bert is a lamb. In the end, she and Nicole are going to win, so she concedes some of the minor negotiation points. 

But that version of Nora quickly goes out the window when Jay takes over for Bert. Jay is a shark, and apparently Nora is too (when she needs to be). Dern and Liotta are electrifying in the courtroom. They attack one another with vigor and vitriol, and it's a real pleasure to behold. I buy Jay Marotta and Nora Fanshaw as high-powered attorneys who existed before the opening credits of Marriage Story. Yes, these are showy performances, but the characters feel lived in. Great work by all three. Alda is more understated, but wise, knowledgeable and funny. His timing is as superb as ever.

This movie belongs to Baumbach, Johansson and Driver, but you could argue that Dern, Alda and Liotta carry us through the middle of the story. As an aside to that point, many movies start and end strong while slogging through the middle (Act II, the body, what have you); so it's a testament to Marriage Story that Baumbach allows these colorful attorneys to give us some space from Nicole and Charlie, so we don't get bogged down or oversaturated by two particular characters.

Part 3: Marriage Story or The Irishman?

Relationships are fascinating to me. So many little idiosyncrasies and tiny details rolled into one, singular entity. So many compromises, or lack thereof. Marriage Story exists within those margins; Nicole and Charlie definitely admire one another and are both great parents, so what exactly is going on here?

Those questions many of us have contemplated are the areas in which Marriage Story shines. Sometimes its tone is a little all over the place - two screwball segments immediately come to mind, one of which lands in a major way - but Marriage Story's heart is in the right place.

Scar Jo is quite clearly a better and more well-rounded performer than Driver, but the latter remains interesting despite deficiencies. Sometimes he seems blank. Maybe that's Driver or the way he sees Charlie. Either way, it's an intriguing performance that can also seem aloof. At some points, Charlie is far too oblivious to the direction his divorce is headed. His naivety can be offensive because he's supposedly a pretty smart and talented guy. But hey, I nitpick.

Johansson is pretty special; it's interesting to chart her career. Lost in Translation introduced us to her in an understated capacity, but of course the film itself was an awards darling. Then, as she matured over the course of a few years, she stood on the shoulders of her sex symbol status; Vicky Cristina Barcelona and He's Just Not That Into You immediately pop to mind. But was that really her? Maybe she's always been a chameleon evolving with the times. Her was a great role for her, and we never see her face. Now, in Marriage Story, she seems a symbol of our time. Her look is completely different. She's an independent career woman suffocated by the shadow of an auteur ex-husband. Early on I wondered if she was a one-trick pony, but that wonder's long gone now. For the most part, Scarlett Johansson can be whomever she wants to be. That's as close to saying "she's a great actress" as I'm willing to go.

In the head to head, Marriage Story and The Irishman are dramatically different. Neither are plot-driven, but The Irishman follows a somewhat traditional mob story arc. Marriage Story, as you've probably come to realize by now, is character-driven and character-centric. I like the characters in both films. I like the performances in both films, too. We're really splitting hairs, here.

In the end, Marriage Story combines conflict, heartbreak and sudden bursts of humor. Here's perhaps my greatest compliment of the film: when the closing credits began to roll, I thought, that's too bad, I'd like to spend some more time with these characters.

Isn't that what it's all about?

** John Frascella's Score: 9 out of 10 **

MY UP-TO-DATE ARCHIVE OF ALL REVIEWS AND SCORES

(The Top 200 series will continue, but the list below includes ALL of my past reviews and scores.)

1. Inglourious Basterds (10/10) - Review Coming Soon
2. The Irishman (9.5/10)
3. Up in the Air (9.5/10)
4. Steve Jobs (9.5/10)
5. Django Unchained (9.5/10) - Review Coming Soon
6. Collateral (9.5/10)
7. No Country for Old Men (9.5/10)
8. The Wrestler (9.5/10)
9. The Drop (9.5/10)
10. Zodiac (9.5/10)
11. Kramer vs. Kramer (9.5/10)
12. Margin Call (9/10)
13. Office Space (9/10)
14. The Hateful Eight (9/10) - Review Coming Soon
15. Marriage Story (9/10)
16. Hannah and Her Sisters (9/10)
17. Mystic River (9/10)
18. L.A. Confidential (9/10)
19. Lady Bird (9/10)
20. Stay (9/10)
21. Gone Girl (9/10)
22. Nocturnal Animals (9/10)
23. 45 Years (9/10)
24. The Edge of Seventeen (9/10)
25. Bernie (9/10)
26. Lucky Number Slevin (9/10)
27. Tape (9/10)
28. A Perfect Murder (9/10)
29. Wanderlust (8.5/10)

30. War Dogs (8.5/10)
31. The Founder (8.5/10)
32. Jackie Brown (8.5/10) - Future Review
33. In Bruges (8.5/10)

34. Split (8.5/10)

35. Bad Moms (8.5/10)

36. Basquiat (8.5/10)
37. Love, Actually (8.5/10)

38. Moonlight (8/10)
39. Pretty Woman (8/10)
40. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (7.5/10) - No Review Available
41. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (7.5/10) - No Review Available
42. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (7.5/10)

43. The Revenant (7.5/10)
44. The Good Shepherd (7.5/10)

45. The Shallows (7.5/10)
46. Focus (7.5/10) 

47. The Night Before (7.5/10)
48. The Walk (7/10)

49. 10 Cloverfield Lane (7/10)
50. Loving (7/10) - No review available
51. Death Proof (7/10) - No review available
52. Hail, Caesar! (7/10) - No review available
53. Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (6.5/10)
54. A Most Violent Year (6.5/10) - No review available
55. The Shape of Water (6/10) - discussed in this review
56. The Boy (6/10) - No review available
57. The Accountant (6/10) - No review available
58. Bridge of Spies (6/10) - No review available
59. The Firm (6/10) - No review available
60. Muhammad Ali: Say My Name (6/10) - No review available

61. Joy (5.5/10)
62. Taking Lives (5.5/10) - No review available

63. La La Land (5.5/10)
64. Pulp Fiction (5.5/10) - Future Review
65. The Visit (5/10) - discussed in this review
66. The Mule (5/10) - No review available
67. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (5/10)
68. Make Love Great Again (5/10) - No review available
69. Molly's Game (5/10)
70. Set It Up (5/10)
71. Get a Job (5/10) - No review available
72. The Interpreter (5/10) - No review available
73. Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (5/10) - No review available
74. Reservoir Dogs (4.5/10) - Future Review
75. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (4.5/10) - No review available
76. Brooklyn (4.5/10) - discussed in this review, and this review
77. Ocean's 8 (4/10)
78. Everything Must Go (4/10) - No review available
79. Why Him? (3.5/10) - No review available
80. The Program (3/10)
81. Open Water 3: Cage Dive (3/10) - No review available
82. Pitch Perfect 3 (2/10)
83. Shut In (2/10) - No review available
84. Premonition (2/10) - No review available

85. Rings (1.5/10)
86. Mother's Day (1.5/10)
87. I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (0/10) - No review available

THE IRISHMAN: Scorsese's Sensational Swan Song

Photo Credit: IMDb

Recently, legendary director Martin Scorsese took heavy fire for proclaiming that Marvel movies are "not cinema." Now, Mr. Scorsese is 77 years old, but he isn't losing it in any way. He's no dummy. He's astutely aware of the current climate of public discourse, and you can be certain that he expected backlash from such a statement. And you can see some of Mr. Scorsese - defiant and unapologetic - in one of the lead characters of his instant classic, The Irishman; Al Pacino's Jimmy Hoffa seems to know where his mouth will take him, but he goes there anyway. He's been doing things his way for an awfully long time.

The Irishman opens along the same path - as Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) plots out an important road trip, he whips out a map and rattles off a multi-part route. Moments later, characters bicker over cigarette smoke. In an early flashback, two men do some old-fashioned work under the hood of an American car. Sure, we're entering the world of a period piece, but maps, cigarettes and handiwork are clear symbols of a time gone by. But was it a better time?

Sheeran is The Irishman's anti-hero, and one could argue that the central plot of the film is the charting of Sheeran's career - from steak truck driver, to mob errand boy, to hit man, to right-hand man for two extremely powerful men, Hoffa and mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci, a revelation). But there's far more at play - The Irishman is a mob movie; the resolution of an infamous murder mystery; a story about family, selfishness, life itself and perhaps most evidently, Mr. Scorsese's allegorical look into the mirror of his own life and career. 

PART 1: The Honeymoon Phase

Early in The Irishman, it's pure joy to see De Niro and Pesci back together in a Scorsese film. How can we not be reminded of their classic duos in Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino? There's so much history there. The trio, including Scorsese, just feels right. And sure enough, Robbie Robertson's score plays right along, with cheery pop classics that bring smiles to our faces. The old gang's back together. This is great. 

And the references to those mob classics, and others, are abound. The back of a meat truck reminds us of Frankie Carbone's demise in Goodfellas; a baptism immediately evokes a pivotal moment in The Godfather; the dashboard of a car hearkens back to a memorable explosion in Casino and a list of things you need to "go to Russell for" mimics Paulie's "fuck you, pay me" list in Goodfellas. Scorsese hits all the key notes. Most of the references are welcome. 

And in the early going, we get exactly what we expect - gunshots, explosions and bloodshed. And with the cheery music in the background, it all seems kind of fun. Scorsese has that gift - he connects us with his anti-heroes. Often, we end up rooting for them. When Tommy gets whacked in Goodfellas, don't we feel kind of bad for him and Jimmy Conway, who kicks over a phone booth in simmering frustration and sadness?

Well, why? These are murderers. Thieves. Felons. How does Scorsese do it? He draws us into their worlds and makes us wanna hang with these gangsters. At the very least, we want to see what they'll do next. Alfred Hitchcock may have been the master of audience complicity, but Scorsese can't be far behind.

And he delivers again here, with Sheeran, who seems to have killed more people than he can even remember. Somehow, there are many moments in The Irishman where we end up feeling bad for Sheeran. Obviously that's also a testament to De Niro's complicated performance; but we'll get back to that later.

Also toward the end of the first hour, we're introduced to Hoffa, whom Pacino portrays with an all-knowing smile. Pacino sinks his teeth into the role, and although we may remember the real Hoffa as a powerful man with obvious mob ties, Pacino plays him with a softness. He fights for his men in the Teamsters Union. He loves his wife and spoils Sheeran's introverted daughter, Peggy (played by Lucy Gallina as a child and Anna Paquin as an adult). He doesn't seem as hardened as Sheeran, Bufalino, or other heavy-hitters like Angelo Bruno (Harvey Keitel), Skinny Razor (Bobby Cannavale), Tony Provenzano (Stephen Graham) or "Fat Tony" Salerno (Domenick Lombardozzi).

At least in Scorsese's version of the story, Hoffa's hands weren't as dirty as you'd think.

And we get more of the same types of payoffs, with Pacino and De Niro seeming warm and fuzzy together; a stark contrast to their "beef" days of The Godfather or Heat. Remember when it was such a big deal that Pacino and De Niro actually shared a scene together in Heat? That seems like a distant memory in The Irishman, where Pacino and De Niro come across as lifelong friends with clear admiration for one another.

So, for at least the first half of the film, we revel in the reunions of Pesci, De Niro and Pacino - Pesci and De Niro even enjoy an extended scene speaking Italian - as Scorsese moves the story along swiftly with economical scenes and strong narrative momentum. Credit also belongs to screenwriter Steven Zaillian (Schindler's List, Gangs of New York, Moneyball), one of the undisputed best in the biz.

That's one of the things that separates Scorsese films from so many others - we don't double-take at any of the dialogue. Sure, Scorsese doesn't write the films, but he picks the right supporting players and oversees with aplomb. The dialogue sounds right. The writing and narrative actions always seem true to the characters. I never actively think...oh, I'm just watching a movie right now. That scene took me out of the movie. No, instead I get wrapped up in the worlds Scorsese builds. It happens so fast. Right from the get-go, his worlds wash over you.

The first half of The Irishman is a grand ol' time.

PART II: Familiar Faces Move the Story Along

Through the middle section of The Irishman, you might catch yourself thinking, ohhhh, that guy! More than a few times. 

Graham played Al Capone in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, which Scorsese executive produced. (De Niro also played Capone in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables; De Palma and Scorsese rose the directorial ranks as friends.) In The Irishman, as "Tony Pro", Graham proves a worthy adversary to Pacino's Hoffa; the two enjoy a couple of explosive-but-funny scenes laced with insults and political maneuvering. 

J.C. MacKenzie returns as the lawyer Bobby Kennedy uses to take down Hoffa - you may remember him as Scorsese's "Grenada" attorney in Wolf of Wall Street; Stephanie Kurtzuba pops up again as Irene Sheeran, Frank's second wife (she was Kimmy the stock broker in Wolf); Cannavale was also one of the electric stars of Boardwalk Empire, as well as Scorsese's Vinyl; obviously, Keitel starred in Scorsese classics like Mean Streets and Taxi Driver; Bo Dietl played himself in Wolf - here he's gangster Joe Glimco; Vinny Vella was blabber mouth Artie Piscano in Casino and John Cenatiempo is again a victim of extreme violence, like he was in The Departed. 

I think this cast of characters is significant for two reasons: (1) The obvious one is, like any good director or leader, Scorsese gravitates toward people he can trust; those who have delivered for him in the past, but more importantly (2) These are the bread crumbs leading down the path to the end of an illustrious career defined by classic crime movies. These are the faces along the way. Scorsese brings them all back as reliable performers, yes; but also as symbols and markers of time gone by. 

In my title I referred to The Irishman as Scorsese's swan song - and let's be real, this legend clearly has more great work ahead of him - but this is a Scorsese film, the way Scorsese films will be remembered in history. This is a film filled with references to America's past, which in turn includes the past works of Scorsese's Hall of Fame career. 

This transition into self-reference gathers momentum in Act III. 

PART III: A Sad, Breathtaking Conclusion

Those of you who've read my reviews in the past know I'm not one for plot summary. Why would I want to give away all the goods? You should see this movie!

So, let's talk around things. Kind of like gangsters when they say, did you take care of the thing with the guy? (Another De Niro movie, Analyze This.)

At some point in Act III, the music stops. This is as deliberate as deliberate gets. The party's over. The fun and games of killin' people and runnin' rackets ain't so fun anymore. The Irishman gets personal. Personal between three main characters, and personal for Scorsese. We're seeing the arc of a film, arc of a career and arc of a life. 

Things get really heavy toward the end. You'll feel the weight of it all. 

As we inch toward the conclusion, De Niro's performance becomes trickier to evaluate. As both an actor and man, he seems to have gotten warmer over the years. There's a twinkle in his eyes. He softened his image with the Meet the Parents and Analyze This franchises, along with family man roles in Silver Linings Playbook, Last Vegas, The Intern, Joy and Everybody's Fine. I'm forced to wonder...is Robert De Niro the gangster gone for good?

Earlier I emphatically stated that I get lost in Scorsese's cinematic worlds - and I do again in The Irishman - but one question lingers...why do I feel bad for Frank Sheeran in the end? Is it because I never bought De Niro as a guy who could have killed dozens of unsuspecting people in cold blood? That question alone makes it a weaker performance than both Pesci's and Pacino's. 

Pacino's good. He grandstands as usual, but this is a memorable performance. It's good to see him go out with a smile on his face. This might be the best part he gets for the rest of his unforgettable career. 

For me, Pesci is the star of the show. This is a truly mesmerizing performance, from start to finish. Pesci has command of the Russell Bufalino character. He seems to have command of his own life, too. He's the wisest man of the bunch. It comes through in both Russell the character and Joe the man. This is a Godfather-type performance. Pesci is all-knowing, all-seeing. He speaks softly and rarely makes a wrong move. He has sharp instincts for people, personalities and business. Everyone in the film accepts Russell's word as gospel. He's a natural-born leader of men. This is probably the most well-rounded performance of Pesci's career; particularly near the climax, when he ambushes another character with devastating news. Just...perfect. 

In the end, The Irishman has it all - perfect pacing for a three-and-a-half hour movie; interesting characters and ripped-from-the-headlines material; strong performances; world-class direction; blood, blasts and laughs, and perhaps most importantly, poignant musings on life itself. The Irishman is very reflective in its final 45 minutes. Just sit back and take it in. We're all headed down the same path. 

** John Frascella's Score: 9.5 out of 10 **

EDITOR'S NOTE: I took 4 pages of handwritten notes during this film. I've never done that before. In a future post, I will publish those notes, including observations about De Niro and Pacino's acting, Scorsese's specific directorial choices, mise en scene, John F. Kennedy Jr. and more.

MY UP-TO-DATE ARCHIVE OF ALL REVIEWS AND SCORES

(The Top 200 series will continue, but the list below includes ALL of my past reviews and scores.)

1. Inglourious Basterds (10/10) - Review Coming Soon
2. The Irishman (9.5/10)
3. Up in the Air (9.5/10)
4. Steve Jobs (9.5/10)
5. Django Unchained (9.5/10) - Review Coming Soon
6. Collateral (9.5/10)
7. No Country for Old Men (9.5/10)
8. The Wrestler (9.5/10)
9. The Drop (9.5/10)
10. Zodiac (9.5/10)
11. Kramer vs. Kramer (9.5/10)
12. Margin Call (9/10)
13. Office Space (9/10)
14. The Hateful Eight (9/10) - Review Coming Soon
15. Hannah and Her Sisters (9/10)
16. Mystic River (9/10)
17. L.A. Confidential (9/10)
18. Lady Bird (9/10)
19. Stay (9/10)
20. Gone Girl (9/10)
21. Nocturnal Animals (9/10)
22. 45 Years (9/10)
23. The Edge of Seventeen (9/10)
24. Bernie (9/10)
25. Lucky Number Slevin (9/10)
26. Tape (9/10)
27. A Perfect Murder (9/10)
28. Wanderlust (8.5/10)

29. War Dogs (8.5/10)
30. The Founder (8.5/10)
31. Jackie Brown (8.5/10) - Future Review
32. In Bruges (8.5/10)

33. Split (8.5/10)

34. Bad Moms (8.5/10)

35. Basquiat (8.5/10)
36. Love, Actually (8.5/10)

37. Moonlight (8/10)
38. Pretty Woman (8/10)
39. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (7.5/10) - No Review Available
40. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (7.5/10) - No Review Available
41. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (7.5/10)

42. The Revenant (7.5/10)
43. The Good Shepherd (7.5/10)

44. The Shallows (7.5/10)
45. Focus (7.5/10) 

46. The Night Before (7.5/10)
47. The Walk (7/10)

48. 10 Cloverfield Lane (7/10)
49. Loving (7/10) - No review available
50. Death Proof (7/10) - No review available
51. Hail, Caesar! (7/10) - No review available
52. Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (6.5/10)
53. A Most Violent Year (6.5/10) - No review available
54. The Shape of Water (6/10) - discussed in this review
55. The Boy (6/10) - No review available
56. The Accountant (6/10) - No review available
57. Bridge of Spies (6/10) - No review available
58. The Firm (6/10) - No review available
59. Muhammad Ali: Say My Name (6/10) - No review available

60. Joy (5.5/10)
61. Taking Lives (5.5/10) - No review available

62. La La Land (5.5/10)
63. Pulp Fiction (5.5/10) - Future Review
64. The Visit (5/10) - discussed in this review
65. The Mule (5/10) - No review available
66. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (5/10)
67. Make Love Great Again (5/10) - No review available
68. Molly's Game (5/10)
69. Set It Up (5/10)
70. Get a Job (5/10) - No review available
71. The Interpreter (5/10) - No review available
72. Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (5/10) - No review available
73. Reservoir Dogs (4.5/10) - Future Review
74. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (4.5/10) - No review available
75. Brooklyn (4.5/10) - discussed in this review, and this review
76. Ocean's 8 (4/10)
77. Everything Must Go (4/10) - No review available
78. Why Him? (3.5/10) - No review available
79. The Program (3/10)
80. Open Water 3: Cage Dive (3/10) - No review available
81. Pitch Perfect 3 (2/10)
82. Shut In (2/10) - No review available
83. Premonition (2/10) - No review available

84. Rings (1.5/10)
85. Mother's Day (1.5/10)
86. I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (0/10) - No review available

NBA Top 50: Has Giannis Taken Command of the Throne?

Photo Credit: CBS Sports

A couple weeks ago I rolled out my Top 50 NFL Quarterbacks, but now it's time to toss the football away and pick up the rock. Before we get started, a special thanks to readers Yoni F., Raj Leventhal, Chris L., Sam Y., DJ T. and Scott S. for stirring up some fun sports chatter on FB. Thanks for reading, gentlemen!

Okay, on to the next one...

(**Editor's Note: I started this piece on Monday, November 18, so statistics may have changed.)

Tier 5: Honorable Mention

65. Evan Fournier, SG, Magic: An efficient and smooth player who quietly goes about his business. At nearly 20 a game, Fournier is averaging more points than many players ranked ahead of him on this list. It's easy to forget about him in that Orlando abyss, though.

64. Bojan Bogdanovic, SG/SF, Jazz: No one ever talks about this guy - but he's kind of a stud. Over the past three years, his PPG have jumped from 14.3 to 18 to 21.5; he's aging like fine wine. He often showed flashes of brilliance with my Nets many years ago; he was a leader in many ways for the Pacers and now he's a top-shelf weapon for a good Utah team. He's currently shooting 46% from three, which is pure insanity for his volume (7 attempts per game). I'm tellin' ya, don't sleep on this dude.

63. Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, Celtics: Jaylen struggled with injuries and inconsistency last season, but he's bounced back in a major way this year, averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. He's one of the key contributors for this scrappy, successful Celtics squad.

62. Kelly Oubre Jr., G/F, Suns: Oubre lost some rhythm toward the end of his tenure with the Wizards, but he's found a real home in Phoenix, where he's been welcomed and valued alongside young leader Devin Booker. Oubre is fast, quick, creates some havoc in transition and can guard multiple positions with a high level of skill. He's currently having a very efficient season, averaging roughly 17 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 48% from the floor and 79% from the line. 

61. Marcus Morris Sr., F, Knicks: After their "splash" signing of Julius Randle and drafting of talented R.J. Barrett, who knew Morris would be the best player on the Knicks? Personally, I have to say I'm not too surprised. Morris has always been a big shot maker - he plays well at crunch time, with grit, toughness and no fear. His run as a Knick isn't going to last long, of course, because many teams will be looking to bolster their rosters for playoff positioning. Morris will really help a contending team (hopefully my Nets). 

60. Devonte' Graham, G, Hornets: Initially I gave this spot to Terry Rozier, but the reality is that "Scary Terry" has been outshined by Graham, who has shocked many by averaging more points per game than Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, Tobias Harris and many other established, all-star caliber players. One of Frascella Sports' Senior Analysts, Frank Valeriano, has compared Graham to Lou Williams, and I think that's a superb comparison. Devonte' has come off the bench to lead the way for the surprisingly competitive Hornets, particularly at crunch time. 

59. Jabari Parker, F, Hawks: One of the most underappreciated players in the NBA. Since when is everybody so obsessed with defense? Jabari's "defensive deficiencies" played him out of favor in Milwaukee, then the same happened with Jim Boylan in Chicago. Is he that bad, as to completely ignore his incredibly efficient offensive production? For his career, Jabari is averaging 15 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the floor, despite averaging under 30 minutes of playing time. The guy is a microwave - put him in there and you get instantaneous offensive output. I think he's finally found a home in Atlanta, where his positives are being emphasized and negatives mostly ignored. He's averaging 17.2 points per game on 52% shooting, playing second fiddle to Trae Young's impressive performance on center stage. 

58. Tristan Thompson, C, Cavs: Man, I hate to say it but...that "Kardashian Curse" really does seem to have some weight to it. Kris Humphries - who was a very solid backup power forward - basically played his way out of the NBA after Kim, and Tristan was a forgotten man throughout his tumultuous relationship with Khloe. Now, after undoing his Kardashian relationship through his own misbehavior, Thompson has re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the paint. Generally I steer clear of the analytics craze, but I do like the NBA's "Efficiency" stat. That said, Tristan is 29th in efficiency, ahead of big names in Ben Simmons, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge (I guess that's a bad sign for Spurs fans). Thompson's currently averaging a double-double at around 15 and 10 on 53% shooting.

57. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Thunder: A rising star; particularly in terms of scoring and efficiency. Shai has quite possibly exceeded expectations early in OKC, and I wholly expect him to be in my top 50 next time around. He's wise beyond his years on the court, and he doesn't miss when you give him any space in the mid-range. A real savvy 21-year old player.

56. Danilo Gallinari, F, Thunder: You know what you're gonna get with Gallo - his offensive repertoire is well-defined, and when healthy he's one of the craftiest one-on-one players in the game. Gilgeous-Alexander will probably pass him next time around; but for now, Gallo gets the nod as the proven veteran averaging over 19 points per game for the second straight season.

55. Chris Paul, PG, Thunder: Paul's albatross of a contract will be awfully difficult for GM Sam Presti to move, but in the meantime the former has been an effective mentor to Gilgeous-Alexander. Gone are CP3's days as a top-10 player, but he's still holding his own at 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals a game, despite load management and minutes restrictions. CP's a crafty sorcerer out there.

54. Spencer Dinwiddie, PG, Nets: My dude always finds his way back into a featured role. In 17-18 he was initially behind Jeremy Lin and D'Angelo Russell, but he worked his way up to become one of the three candidates for Most Improved Player in the league (along with Victor Oladipo and Clint Capela). He also won the Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend. Last year he was behind Russell and Caris LeVert, but LeVert went down and Spence was again asked to step up in a major way. This year he began behind Kyrie Irving and LeVert, but again LeVert is down for the count (that's my fault; had him on my fantasy team both years), and Spence has re-emerged as a focal point of the Nets' offensive attack. He's a highly-skilled offensive player who is dangerous driving both left and right. He's also a big shot maker.

UPDATE: Kyrie also went down, so Spence has stepped into an even bigger role. He's been absolutely fantastic.

53. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kings: The next two young guards are really neck-and-neck, because No. 52 is a better individual scorer and go-to-guy for a bucket, but Fox is possibly the better all-around performer, one who makes plays for his teammates and creates havoc on the defensive end. Fox is a sparkplug and lightning rod, but he's currently down for the count with a Grade 3 left ankle sprain.

52. Buddy Hield, SG, Kings: Buddy has emerged as one of the game's best scorers, averaging over 20 PPG last year, and nearly that again this season. He hasn't done much else, though, and when everyone is healthy in Sacramento, he can sometimes get lost in the guard shuffle with Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

51. Zach LaVine, G, Bulls: LaVine has taken a major step back this year, after last season's breakout where he averaged roughly 24, 5 and 5. He looked like a go-to-guy on the rise, particularly in the weaker Eastern Conference. This year everything has changed - LaVine's field goal percentage has dropped from 46.7 to 40.9, and I have to blame the Bulls' Analytics Department for that. The Bulls asked LaVine to stop taking mid-range jumpers, which makes absolutely no sense with a player coming off the best season of his life. Why rattle his cage? You signed him to a four-year, $80 million deal and he delivered right out of the gate. LaVine has looked completely out of sorts, and his Bulls have struggled mightily to the tune of an ugly 5-10 record. So much for those three-point analytics.

Tier 4: Into the Top 50 with Potential All-Stars

50. Jayson Tatum, F, Celtics: I think he's a bit overrated, just in the sense that many expect him to be a front-line all-around superstar. His stats have improved a bit thus far this season, but he seems like a second fiddle kinda guy. Tatum helps his team in many ways on both ends of the floor, but I don't think he necessarily wants to be a ball-dominant go-to-guy. I think he projects as a (sometimes) all-star and solid No. 2 option going forward.

49. Fred VanVleet, G, Raptors: This dude went HAM in the NBA Finals. In the end, isn't that what it's all about? VanVleet's an unimposing little guy out there, but he has the heart of a lion with an aggressive attack mindset. The Raptors are currently 9-4 sans Kawhi Leonard, and VanVleet deserves a lot of the credit, averaging career highs in points, assists, steals and rebounds. He's emerged as an on and off-court leader for Nick Nurse - who also happens to be one of the best coaches in the NBA - especially when Kyle Lowry and OG Anunoby have missed time with injuries. VanVleet may not look the part, but he's a killer out there.

48. Jamal Murray, PG, Nuggets: Jamal played well in his first postseason, averaging 21, 5 and 5 while grinding through two hotly-contested series vs. the Spurs and Blazers. He's poised for a 22-year old floor general, but he needs to exert himself with more consistency during the regular season. You can see him coasting out there; leaning on Nikola Jokic and Denver's deep bench. Jamal's a talented point guard and young leader.

47. Ja Morant, PG, Grizzlies: The NBA's most impressive rookie has looked like a slightly better version of De'Aaron Fox thus far - lightning-quick and explosive on the move. The Grizzlies' 5 wins look a lot different than Chicago's - this was expected to be a tank year for Memphis, but they've been surprisingly competitive against some quality teams, thanks to Morant and promising rookie coach Taylor Jenkins. This isn't the Grizzlies' time yet, but Morant looks like an exciting young talent to build around.

46. Kristaps Porzingis, F/C, Mavs: Porzingis still looks gingerly some nights; nevertheless, he's served as a fine right-hand man to the incredible Luka Doncic, who has been absolutely setting the world on fire. When healthy, Porzingis has showcased his full arsenal of skills, averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. As he feels more and more secure in his health, we may see a slight bump in the point and rebound categories. The Mavs have a duo to build upon, here.

45. Montrezl Harrell, F/C, Clippers: One of the best pick-and-roll receivers in the game. Reminiscent of pick-and-roll duos of the past - namely Jason Kidd/Kenyon Martin and Steve Nash/Amare Stoudemire - Lou Williams and Harrell make beautiful music together on the basketball court. And you know what? Harrell is a Doc Rivers' kinda guy. He's mean. He's relentless. And he's not worried about anybody's feelings when smashing two-handed hammer dunks on their heads. Montrezl is an old-school big man who is extremely entertaining to watch.

44. Andrew Wiggins, G/F, Wolves: One of the NBA's great enigmas - Wiggins was emerging as an elite scorer in this league, before Tom Thibodeau and Jimmy Butler combined to completely destroy his confidence. Now, an NBA star shouldn't be so sensitive to a few harsh words; nonetheless, the negativity stunted Wiggins' growth as a pro. But things have changed quickly under young head coach Ryan Saunders; the Wolves are currently holding down the 8th seed in the crowded Western Conference, and Wiggins is 9th in scoring, ahead of studs like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid. In short, Wiggins is back with a vengeance. If he keeps this up he'll contend for my top 30.

43. Clint Capela, C, Rockets: A steady force throughout James Harden's regular season run of dominance. Capela does everything Harden and Russell Westbrook need him to do - set screens, catch-and-finish, rebound, block shots and draw big defenders away from driving lanes - and he's currently 12th in overall efficiency, ahead of Trae Young, Nikola Jokic and even rising star Pascal Siakam. Yes, Capela is a "traditional" big (non-shooter), but he's absolutely one of the best.

42. Eric Bledsoe, G, Bucks: One of the elite defensive guards in the world; a brick-house bulldog who is rarely deterred by a blind-side screen. Bledsoe ignites the fast break with his tipped passes and steals, and he goes right after the rim in transition. He's recently stepped into an even bigger role for Milwaukee, with Khris Middleton sidelined by a thigh injury. Bledsoe is a good, solid all-around basketball player.

UPDATE: Middleton has since returned from injury.

41. Rudy Gobert, C, Jazz: Honestly, I'm never really too impressed by Gobert when I watch him play, but the Jazz are consistently good and he's often up for the Defensive Player of the Year award. What he provides is defensive stability and consistency for a team defined by grit and grind. He's far from flashy on the offensive end, but his impact comes steadily in defense and rebounding. Rudy's what you might call a "quiet" star.

40. Tobias Harris, F, 76ers: All right, so maybe that 5-year, $180 million contract was a little over the top, but Harris - like the recently-mentioned Bledsoe and Porzingis - is a Swiss army knife who helps his team in a variety of different ways. When asked, Tobias can rebound like a legitimate power forward. If needed, he scores like a go-to wing at the small forward position. He's flexible within the lineup and provides quality contributions on both ends of the floor, though he's better known for his offensive acumen.

39. Gordon Hayward, G/F, Celtics: So much for the "Luck of the Irish" - Gordon hasn't been able to catch a break since signing a lucrative deal with the Boston Celtics. Just as he was beginning to look like his old self, he went down again, this time with a broken hand. When healthy, he's a savvy all-around player who can shoot, drive, create for his teammates, rebound and defend. Hopefully he comes back better than ever.

38. Nikola Vucevic, C, Magic: A veteran double-double machine who is currently out with both a sprained ankle and "painful bone bruise." This is looking like a lost season for the lowly Magic.

37. Ben Simmons, G/F, 76ers: He simply isn't improving. Simmons was touted as the possible next coming of LeBron James, and we see the similarities - a big, long, hybrid guard who creates for his teammates and contributes on both ends of the floor - but the former is currently averaging just 12 PPG, even with Jimmy Butler out of the picture. I think Simmons is a very good defender, but he disappears offensively at closing time. I'm ranking him just slightly ahead of Tobias because of his all-around contributions, but it's awfully close, if not for the simple fact that Tobias can actually give you a bucket in the final two or three minutes of a tight game. It's obvious...Simmons doesn't have the killer instinct necessary to be an undisputed superstar.

36. Domantas Sabonis, F/C, Pacers: Right now, he's probably the most underrated basketball player in the world. Sabonis has the good basketball genes from his father, Arvydas, though he may already be a better player than his daddy ever was. Sabonis is a monster in the paint, but he also displays the finesse passing skills his father made famous. The prodigal son is currently averaging 19 points, 14 rebounds and 4 rebounds per game for Nate McMillan's scrappy Pacers team. For me? Sabonis is a top-five MVP candidate through 16 games. A 23-year old rising star.

35. CJ McCollum, G, Blazers: Portland's frontcourt is in shambles this season, but it can always count on CJ and Dame in the backcourt. Look at CJ's games played over the past 4 seasons: 70, 81, 81 and 80. This kid is durable, and he brings it every night. I'd like to see him use his scoring prowess to open up more easy opportunities for his teammates, but I'm not going to nitpick a steady scorer who stays healthy and fully earns his money.

34. Lou Williams, G, Clippers: Like Sabonis, "Lou Will" is absolutely one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He torched the Warriors in the postseason; and yeah, those were the big bad Warriors, not the 3-15 clowns of today. Sweet Lou is a savage in the pick-and-roll - he can come off the screen and finish all the way at the rim, bounce a pocket pass to Harrell for the slam or drain a jumper. There's no answer for him in the pick-and-roll. Lou is simply a joy to watch - he's crafty and deadly, despite being listed at just 6'1", 174 (which means he's really 5'10", 160). He's always had a killer's mentality on the court.

33. Brandon Ingram, F, Pelicans: Here's one of the most naturally gifted players in the game. At 6'7" with a center's wingspan, when I first saw Ingram's draft highlights, I quickly understood the wishful comparisons to Kevin Durant. Well, Durant's a one-of-a-kind talent, but guess what? Ingram, at just 22 years old, is already emerging as an all-star caliber performer at the game's highest level. He's currently among the league leaders at 26 PPG, to go along with 7 rebounds and an impressive 50.6% from the floor. Prior to injury last season, he played very well for the Lakers, too. Some scoffed at the Anthony Davis deal, but Ingram might be the real deal.

32. D'Angelo Russell, PG, Warriors: "D-Lo" is a really difficult player to rank; I mean, really, he led an overachieving team of misfits to the playoffs as the Nets' short-lived "franchise player." He looked like a legitimate, ball-dominant all-star as a Net. Now, with the Warriors, it's nearly impossible to judge him. He's currently out with a right thumb sprain, and it's blatantly obvious that Golden State is tanking. D-Lo isn't in the Warriors' long-term plans, either. I think as we go forward he'd be a great fit for the Knicks, Pistons, Bulls, Magic, Spurs, Thunder or T'Wolves. In the right landing spot, he'll thrive again.

31. Khris Middleton, G/F, Bucks: A glue player for one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. As previously mentioned, Middleton is currently down with a thigh injury; but on the whole, he's been asked to do a lot more for Milwaukee this season due to Malcolm Brogdon's defection to the conference-rival Pacers. Middleton's the right-hand man to one of the game's true megastars (Giannis, duh); a two-way player who is calm and collected on both ends of the floor. The Bucks will need Middleton to deliver in the playoffs this season.

UPDATE: Same one as before.

30. Jrue Holiday, G, Pelicans: It always seems to be a bumpy road with Jrue, doesn't it? Look at his games played in the past six seasons: 67, 81, 67, 65, 40 and 34. He simply isn't durable enough to be a star. On the bright side, he's a smart offensive player with some crafty moves - working his way around and behind screens - and he's a lights-out defender of both point and shooting guards. Jrue Holiday is a very talented two-way player, but you can't rely on him to remain healthy throughout the long grind of an NBA season.

29. Malcolm Brogdon, G, Pacers: These Pacers are flooded with underrated players. Brogdon opened his career as Rookie of the Year, then developed into a key piece on a rising Milwaukee Bucks squad. My gut tells me the Bucks aren't quite as dangerous without Brogdon, but the reality is that they are currently at 16-3 atop the Eastern Conference. Either way, Nate McMillan is awfully happy to have Brogdon, now. He's emerged as a true go-to player for Indiana, creating much more than Darren Collison ever could at the point guard position. Brogdon plays hard on both ends and continues to improve on a yearly basis. He displays effective leadership qualities, too.

28. Kyle Lowry, G, Raptors: Lowry got unlucky with a fractured thumb early this season, but that's exactly the type of injury he would get because he's constantly diving on loose balls and sticking his hand into tight passing lanes. Lowry's a grinder - an undersized point guard who has made a great career for himself by always playing hard and never backing down from bigger, more gifted opponents. I was happy he got his championship last year, after many years of coming up short with DeMar DeRozan as his running mate. Lowry sprinted out of the gate this season, relishing increased usage with Kawhi Leonard out of the picture. When Lowry returns soon, his impact won't be entirely about stats; it's the tone he sets - Nick Nurse, Lowry and Pascal Siakam are all about hustle, effort and winning those 50-50 balls. Lowry's a true leader and I love the way his Raptors compete on a nightly basis.

UPDATE: Lowry is expected back this week.

27. Kevin Love, PF/C, Cavs: Last season was one to forget for K-Love, but he's bounced back nicely this year; he looks like his old self - scoring, rebounding and creating matchup problems on the offensive end of the floor. The crafty vet is averaging 17 and 11, despite playing just 31 minutes per game. He's pacing 20 and 13 in a different situation; the Cavs will likely be tanking again, thus they are clearly managing his minutes. I wonder if a contender will take a chance on his hefty contract.

26. Klay Thompson, SG/SF, Warriors: One of the greatest shooters in the history of the NBA. Unfortunately, Klay went down with that devastating torn ACL in the playoffs, but perhaps we'll see him at some point during the second half of this season. It's a tough situation for the Warriors - do you keep Klay on the sidelines, even if he's ready to return in the coming months? It's tank time, all the way for Golden State. We'll see how they handle this potentially messy situation. Regardless, when he does return to the hardwood, I hope Klay will be as good as new. He's hit a ton of big shots in his career, and he's an elite defender of shooting guards and smaller small forwards.

25. DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, Spurs: You know...I really don't understand these San Antonio Spurs. I've watched them play a handful of times this season, and they look decent enough - moving the ball, playing together and looking like a Popovich-coached team. And yet they are 7-13, behind even the Thunder, who aren't intending to win much. On paper, DeRozan's having another excellent season, averaging 22 PPG on outstanding 52% shooting. He's a durable guy. A reliable guy. Yet he simply can't seem to carry the load for an upper-echelon team. It's an intangible kind of thing. I can't quite put my finger on it. In my experience, if I had to guess, I'd say it's that he doesn't close tight games like the LeBron James', Kawhi Leonard's, or even the Damian Lillard's of the world. We know that was one of DeRozan's roadblocks in Toronto, and it certainly seems to be continuing in San Antonio.

24. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Spurs: A pro's pro. As consistent as they come. He's looking less spry in his 14th season in the NBA, but you still know what you're gonna get from him on a nightly basis. "LA" is one of the elite post players of the past 20 years. He rebounds and blocks shots, too (his blocks are actually up this season). Maybe we should blame the Spurs' youngsters - Dejounte Murray, Derrick White and Bryn Forbes - instead of the steady vets, DD and LA.

23. Kemba Walker, PG, Celtics: He hasn't looked as good as recent years, and you have to wonder if leading an ineffective Team USA took a physical toll on him prior to the NBA season. On the bright side, the Celtics seem to be getting along better with Kemba as their leader - as opposed to the increasingly controversial Kyrie Irving - as they have sprinted out of the gate to a comfortable 13-5 record. Kemba appears to be turning the corner now, anyway - he just dropped a monster game on my Nets, and his springy legs seemed to be coming back.

22. Russell Westbrook, PG, Rockets: Russ has provided a nice spark for the Rockets, after stumbling out to a slow start last year with Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony causing friction among the troops. The Rockets are 12-6 this time around, and Westbrook and James Harden continue to show that they know how to play together; they played together on the Thunder, Team USA and multiple all-star teams. This isn't their first rodeo. This experiment will become more and more interesting as the season progresses; without the Monstar-level Warriors, the West is anybody's best guess. The Lakers and Clippers are the frontrunners in the minds of most, but can we really count out a team with Harden and Westbrook? We haven't seen these versions of the Lakers or Clippers win in the playoffs yet, have we? If Westbrook can deliver in the postseason, he goes back into my top 15.

Tier 3: Rising Stars and [Very] Near Superstars

21. Pascal Siakam, F, Raptors: Two words: Player. Development. The Raptors' organization is just awesome. For years, I think a lot of us thought, in basketball, guys are who they are. Sure, they can work on their shooting and try to improve some of their individual skills, but how often do players really morph or jump to an unexpected level? Well, just a few years ago, Siakam was simply a hustle player known for attacking the offensive glass from the weak side - now? He's averaging 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 80% from the foul line. I have never seen a player develop into a superstar this quickly. I honestly find it astonishing. Siakam deserves all the credit in the world for his willingness to listen and work tirelessly, and the Raptors' Player Development team is truly working miracles out here. My hat's off to everyone involved in this magical story. 

20. Jimmy Butler, SG/SF, Heat: He's just a Pat Riley/Erik Spoelstra kinda guy, isn't he? Riley and Spo are old school, and we know Jimmy's exactly the same way - just ask Karl-Anthony Towns or Andrew Wiggins about their experiences with Mr. Butler. Jimmy has set the tone for this impressionable Miami team, and it's working out to the tune of a surprising 13-5 record. Butler was the right man for this leadership position, on both ends of the floor. The Heat are bringing it every night, and that's a testament to the three hard-nosed guys at the top. 

19. Trae Young, PG, Hawks: Individually, Trae's been better than No. 19 this season, but his Hawks are 4-15 in the weaker conference and we don't know how long it'll be until we see him in a postseason game. When you get into the top 20 and we're talkin' superstars, winning when it matters is what separates the best of the best. Regardless, Trae has been a monster this season, averaging 28 points and 8.4 assists per game. His assists are third-best in the league, behind only LeBron and Luka. Trae's been a joy to watch, and I'm sure we'll be seeing him in my top 15 in the very near future. 

18. Donovan Mitchell, SG, Jazz: Still just 23 years old, "Spida" is a sneaky good leader. How do the Jazz do it in the West? Two years ago they won 48 games. Last year they bumped up to 50, and this season they are solid again at 12-7, despite an especially crowded West. And yet, no one ever talks about the Jazz because they aren't flashy. They quietly go about their business, just like Mitchell and Gobert, their offensive and defensive leaders, respectively. Spida's already been in the postseason a couple times, and he's shown surprising poise for a youngster. He can slash, shoot, get to the line and facilitate for his teammates. His future burns brightly. 

17. Andre Drummond, C, Pistons: This guy is just demolishing all comers in the paint. Andre is averaging an astonishing 17.1 rebounds per game - just completely out of this world. Capela's second best, yet he's nearly 3 RPG behind! Drummond's been one of the best players in the East for some time now, and finally everyone is taking notice. Eighteen points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks per game...yikes. Beast. Plain and simple. 

16. Bradley Beal, G, Wizards: One of the elite individual offensive players in the game. Playing alongside floor general John Wall, Beal was initially thought of as more of a shooter, but when Wall's not around, we all get to see Beal's beautiful all-around repertoire. He has fantastic footwork - Beal's never in a hurry out there, and it shows when he gathers himself coming off screens to knock down silky mid-range jumpers. Then, the next time, he comes off that very same screen and slips a nice bounce pass to a big down low. I'm not gonna lie - I thought these Wizards would be lucky to win 15 games, but Beal's a real leader who has his unproven guys playing pesky ball out there. If they really want to try - instead of tanking - I do think Beal could lead the Wizards to a shocking postseason berth. He's that good. 

15. Devin Booker, SG/SF, Suns: A handful of years back, I specifically remember that LeBron tapped Booker as a star to watch in the coming years. And, let's be real - LeBron is a pure basketball savant. He knows talent when he sees it. A few years later, Booker is delivering on that promise to the tune of 25 PPG on 51% shooting - pretty damn impressive for a 23-year old kid who takes a lot of jumpers. Booker just has the look - like Beal, he doesn't rush through his moves. He controls his footwork and works his way into high-percentage looks. As a bonus, somehow, his Suns are holding down the 8-seed in the West. The sky's the limit for Booker; I'd just like to see him facilitate more, like LeBron, Luka or Harden - scorers who also look to feed their teammates and keep them happy, and in rhythm. 

14. Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets: His numbers have dipped this season, but "The Joker" remains an uber-talented big who makes everyone around him better. He's already one of the best passing bigs in the history of the game, and there's no ego to the way he plays out there. I think he'd be in the top 10 if he could exert any sort of dominance on the defensive end. He simply isn't there yet. For now, he's an all-around offensive machine who keeps the Nuggets' train chuggin'.

13. Joel Embiid, C, 76ers: A throwback to the days of Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson, Embiid is one of the last of a dying breed: a true center. Yes, he likes to shoot threes and attempt long perimeter twos, but Jo-Jo has a legitimate, low-post, back-to-the-basket game. If he gets deep position, you're toast. You either have to put your hands straight up passively, or hack and risk the strong possibility of an and-1. When engaged defensively, he's an absolute eraser in the shotblocking department. We just need to see him take that next step as a leader and closer in the postseason. 

Tier 2: Superstars

12. Kyrie Irving, PG, Nets: At this point, he's probably become the most controversial player in the game; but the reality is this: prior to injury this season, he was playing the absolute best ball of his career. 29 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 threes per game? Say whaaaaat? We'll see if he can keep that up upon return. Again, when we get to the superstars, they have to have that track record. Kyrie is a Game 7 hero of the NBA Finals. We know he doesn't waiver under pressure; in fact, he relishes the moment. If the Brooklyn Nets ever get both Kyrie and Kevin Durant healthy, we know they will be one of the two or three frontrunners to win the East on a yearly basis. Kyrie's bottomless bag of offensive tricks make him a nightmare to defend at crunchtime.

11. Paul George, F, Los Angeles Clippers: It's the same ol' beef with me and PG - go look at his postseason numbers in critical make-or-break games. The Thunder could have worked, if he was better when it mattered (playing alongside Westbrook). He showed some strong clutchability in Indiana, but it's completely disappeared in recent years. Kawhi will take the ball in crucial situations for the Clips, but he better hope PG is ready, if and when he gets doubled. On the bright side, we all know the positives with Paul: he's a two-way machine who displays all-around ability on both ends of the floor. Ya just gotta do it when it matters most. 

10. Anthony Davis, PF/C, Lakers: I'm just tired of this guy being "hurt" all the time. Is he really "hurt" every, single time? I think we all know he's soft. If he was tougher and could stay healthy, he'd easily be a staple in the top five. There's nothing he can't do on a basketball court. He's one of the most spectacular two-way talents the NBA has ever seen. But ya know what? Put up or shut up. Stay on the court. Go out there and win a championship with LeBron...then maybe you can get to where you belong on this list. 

9. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, T'Wolves: Young head coach Ryan Saunders has done a fantastic job building his offense around "KAT" - he's getting more touches and looks than ever before. And unlike Davis, Towns is a model of health and stability - 82 games, followed by 82, 82 and 77. That's unheard of in today's NBA full of "rest" and "load management". KAT is a two-way, all-around beast who deserves to be showered with praise for his consistency and unwillingness to sit out. He sets a great example for other young players around the league. 

8. Damian Lillard, PG, Blazers: This poor guy can't get any help from his front office. The Blazers were so close! Getting to the Western Conference Finals and falling to the stacked Warriors; and how does management respond? With Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver? GTFO. We talked about stability and durability with Towns, and we have it here again with Dame: 82, 82, 82, 75, 75, 73 and 80 in games played. That's a horse. That's a leader. Dame's a killer in the clutch, and I'd take him on my team any day of the week. Get this guy some help, Portland!

7. Stephen Curry, PG, Warriors: Like Klay, hopefully he'll come back better than ever. But, I'm not gonna lie...it's fun that the Warriors suck this season. 

6. Luka Doncic, G/F, Mavs: He might be having the best start to a season in the history of the NBA. He's truly been THAT good. 31 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds per game. What is that? I mean, seriously, what is that? Who does that? Luka is playing around in LeBron/Oscar Robertson Hall of Fame territory with those numbers, and watching him play is pure magic. I'm not going to jump the gun and put him in Tier 1 just yet, because we haven't seen him in the playoffs and it's still very early in his NBA career...but all signs point to Luka being one of the game's megastars for many, many years to come. 

Tier 1: Megastars

5. Kevin Durant, F, Nets: He's better than James Harden, but he needs to come back healthy before I can move him off this spot. 

4. James Harden, G, Rockets: What more can be said about "The Beard" at this point? We all know the deal - he's one of the greatest regular season players of all time, but he hasn't been able to deliver in the postseason, particularly at the end of tight games. Isn't that what being a true megastar is all about? He's probably top 2 in stats, but not in heart or crunchtime efficiency. 

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Plays Every Position Well, Bucks: "The Greek Freak" is right. Freak is the only word for this kid, who is averaging 31 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists on 56% shooting. Just. Frightening. Same story, here...if he can dominate all the way through the NBA Finals, he'll take over the No. 1 spot on my list. It's right there for the taking...

2. Kawhi Leonard, G/F, Clippers: Right now, he's probably the best all-around player in the world, but I'm sick and tired of this "load management" shit. He sat out an entire season and screwed the Spurs, the organization that drafted and cultivated him. He brought a miraculous championship to Toronto, then left them flat. Now he only plays half the games in a Clipper uniform. I'm tired of this soft shit. Kawhi is the best closer in the game, but families pay hundreds, if not thousands for tickets. Show up for the fans. Show up for your teammates. Play for someone other than yourself, for once. I'd want the ball in Kawhi's hands with the season on the line, but will he be there when The Moment arrives?

1. LeBron James, Also Plays Every Position, Lakers: This is his 17th season in the NBA. He's 34 years old. He's been through 15 long postseason runs. And yet...he's leading the league at 11 assists per game. He's still averaging 25 points on 50% shooting, despite playing a career-low 34.8 minutes per night. His Lakers are leading the way in the deeper and more difficult conference. LeBron James is a marvel. There's never been an athlete like him. He may not have always been the most clutch, or the most unflappable under the utmost pressure, but he's always been the most consistent. He's there, playing at an extremely high level, night in and night out. He's always shared the rock with his teammates, despite being the most talented player on the court at all times. LeBron James has always played basketball the right way, on both ends of the court. He's like Michael Jordan in that way. 

LeBron deserves this No. 1 spot...because Kawhi Leonard is a punk. LeBron's a warrior, and the throne belongs to him. 

Frascella's Top 50 QBs: How High Can Lamar Jackson Fly?

Photo Credit: NFL.com/NFL 100

Ah, what a lovely holiday tradition. As Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa approach and snow flurries begin to tumble through the air, it's time for me to rank the players at the most important position in professional sports. Before we begin our countdown, see how these gunslingers fared in recent years:

Frascella's 2018 QB Rankings
2017 Rankings
2016 Rankings

Tier 6: Barely Good Enough to Make the List

50. Ryan Finley, Bengals: The Andy Dalton Era is finally over in Cincinnati, and Finley has been tapped to pick up the pieces. All reports refer to him as a "game manager", and he looked to be exactly that in his first start as a Bengal. Long term, it's unlikely this kid is the answer for Cincy. They'll be looking to score big in the next draft...

49. Josh McCown, Eagles: My Jets should have locked him up as a long-term mentor to Sam Darnold; maybe as a coach and not a player. McCown has been one of the best backups in the biz for a long, long time, and he'll be remembered as a pro's pro with a sparkling reputation among both players and coaches. 

48. Mike Glennon, Raiders: Two highlights of the season for Mike: (1) Jon Gruden intentionally mispronouncing his name as Glenn-ON (instead of "Glen-en") for laughs on Hard Knocks and (2) He's currently leading the NFL with a 147.2 passer rating on 3 regular season pass attempts. Big things, Mikey...big things!

47. Tyrod Taylor, Chargers: I'm not gonna lie - I didn't even realize he made it onto an NFL roster this season. That said, Tyrod's been a pretty solid pro throughout his career, flexing between a back-end starter and front-end backup. We all know he's at his best when making athletic plays with his legs. 

46. Brian Hoyer, Colts: Errrr, how can I put this gently? He hasn't looked very sharp filling in for Jacoby Brissett. The once-solid Colts have stumbled, and Hoyer made a number of shockingly bad throws in two games under center. Like his three predecessors on this list, Hoyer has earned his money as a backup over time, but he doesn't appear to be effective any longer. Indy needs Brissett, and it needs him now. 

45. Matt Schaub, Falcons: In recent years I've made fun of Schaub for his age, but he didn't look half bad filling in for Matt Ryan - I was impressed! Obviously most of his arm strength is gone, but he's a smart veteran quarterback with tons and tons of film study experience. He knows where to go with the ball before the snap. 

44. Devlin Hodges, Steelers: Here's an interesting story about Mike Tomlin's fight to keep Hodges on his roster. Josh Dobbs was a higher selection with more of a "pedigree," but Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner knew if $hit hit the fan and they were down to their third-string QB, Hodges gave them a better chance to win. Well, the worst-case scenario came to fruition, and Hodges held his own when he was forced to hold down Pittsburgh's fort. Well done, Coach T. 

43. Joe Flacco, Broncos: I still can't tell if John Elway really thought Flacco could be an answer to his prayers. Flacco was clearly done in Baltimore, which forced John Harbaugh's switch to Lamar Jackson and ultimately saved his job. The conclusion? At this point in his lengthy career, Flacco can cost you your job. He stinks. It's Brandon Allen's opportunity in Denver, now. 

42. Taysom Hill, Saints: The best third-stringer in the game; is that like being the fastest in a snail sprint? Speaking of snails, Hill is the polar opposite - one of the fastest and most explosive quarterbacks in the game. He's known for his versatility and ability to appear as a competent wide receiver in complex Sean Payton packages, but this kid can also play his natural position. I got a good, long look at him during a preseason game against the Jets, and he showcased a complete arsenal under center. Payton calls Taysom the next Steve Young. 

41. Brandon Allen, Broncos: Too early to say much, but the 27-year old tossed for 193 yards, two touchdowns and no picks in his first start against the bumbling Browns. He looked halfway decent; then again, it's awfully hard to look as bad as Flacco. 

40. Chase Daniel, Bears: I know Chicago's fans are calling for Mitch Trubisky's head, but let's not get carried away here - Daniel is no world-beater. He's definitely a competent NFL backup, but have you really watched him play? He misses clean looks, just like Trubisky. The Bears are better off sticking out the year with Mitch - and maybe some of next year - and hoping he turns a corner, mentally and/or physically (preferably both). Turning to a career-long backup simply isn't the answer right now. He's always been a backup for a reason (well, many reasons). 

39. Jeff Driskel, Lions: I don't know, I like this kid! I was pretty impressed when he filled in for Dalton in Cincy, and now I approve of him as Matt Stafford's backup in Detroit. Driskel doesn't look too afraid out there - he tries to make some plays with his legs, extends plays and executes some difficult mid-range throws. He's a pretty talented kid and very serviceable pro backup. This is exactly where he belongs on the list, as a slightly better version of Chase Daniel. 

38. Matt Moore, Chiefs: Andy Reid is a genius. Moore looked completely finished in stop-and-go stints in Miami, but hey, Reid, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will make ya look like a completely different guy. By his standards, Moore shined while filling in for the great Pat Mahomes, and who knows? Maybe he extended his NFL career by performing so admirably. 

Tier 5: Talented Enough to Start in this League?

37. Andy Dalton, Bengals: His run as Cincinnati's starter is over, but he was a first-string QB throughout that tenure. Dalton never jumped from average-to-really good, but he's experienced and has shown flashes of high-quality professional play. There are 32 NFL teams - if you wanna tell me Dalton should be a starter somewhere, I'm not gonna disagree with you. Could see him ranked anywhere within this tier. 

36. Eli Manning, Giants: Don't worry, Giants fans - his son (or twin?) is playing quarterback for you now. Actually, if you look at Eli's numbers from last season, he wasn't half bad. In terms of washed up former starters who won Super Bowls, he's still definitely better than "Joe Cool". 

35. Baker Mayfield, Browns: Yeeeeeesh. Yiiiiiiikes. Colin Cowherd is deservedly having a field day with this kid. The two have been feuding throughout Baker's stint in the limelight, and Colin is certainly getting the best of him these days. The Browns have been the NFL's biggest disappointment, and Mayfield has arguably been the worst individual player in the game. Nine touchdowns to 12 picks? Ewwww. Gross. Right now, he's not a starter in this league - that's why I have him ranked 35th. 

34. Mitchell Trubisky, Bears: Imagine taking Trubisky over Mahomes and Deshaun Watson? Ouchhhhh. Chicago has a good, young HC in Matt Nagy, but long term, Mitch probably isn't the quarterback for the job. My friends and I always discuss the following: the night Trubisky was drafted, most of his "highlights" were of him throwing picks in the endzone. That's never a good sign for a No. 2 overall selection in the draft. Sure, he showed a flash or two last season, but his throwing has always been wildly inconsistent. Honestly, that's probably too generous - he has been consistent...consistently inaccurate and lacking in improvement in all facets of the game. 

33. Marcus Mariota, Titans: He put up some incredible redzone numbers early in his career, but Mariota's game simply never improved. He plateaued, plain and simple. Ryan Tannehill has bypassed him in Tennessee with more versatility and pure all-around ability. Like I said about Dalton, Mariota could probably start somewhere - but it's clear you aren't winning Super Bowls with this young man. 

32. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins: The NFL quarterback equivalent of Fool's Gold - when FitzMagic is in the air, you think, hey, this guy can really play! Then, after 2 or 3 head-scratching picks, you remember that Fitz has never made the playoffs in his lengthy pro career. So yeah, you can win some games with him, but you'll lose just as many, or more. 

31. Sam Darnold, Jets: This kid gives me headaches. Migraines. I lose sleep. When he's on, he looks like Tony Romo with a nuclear missile for an arm. When he's off, he looks like Fitzpatrick on the worst day of his career. Darnold's still just 22 years old, so we have a Jekyll and Hyde situation on our hands. Adam Gase's job is now secure for another year, so he'll have to continue to work with Darnold on a personal level. Some things are obvious for Sammy D: (1) He needs to cut way back on his turnovers, (2) He needs to hang in the pocket more against the pass rush and (3) He needs to play consistently well over the span of a bunch of games in a row. Darnold is still a project. I think he has superstar natural ability, but that's just part of the picture for an NFL quarterback. Darnold needs to settle down and put it all together over the course of the next 1-2 seasons. 

30. Mason Rudolph, Steelers: Everyone keeps calling him a "game manager" and "placeholder," but the Steelers are winning tight games and the kid has a 93.0 QB rating, with 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He's in a tough situation, and he's gettin' the job done. Mason has moxie. 

29. Gardner Minshew, Jaguars: Speaking of Moxie...this mustache man told the Jags' brass (I'm paraphrasing): Yeah, I'm really short and don't have a strong arm, but I'm gonna be a stud in this league. Gotta admire this kid, right? He's shown an awful lot of poise in the pocket, and he really put the Jags to the test as Nick Foles returned to the fray. Who is the right man for the job? Foles is a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, while Minshew is a sixth-round no-name. That's how good this kid has been - he shows pocket presence, accuracy and most importantly, balls. Unfortunately, he played his worst game of the season at the absolute worst time. 

28. Teddy Bridgewater, Saints: Overall, a wonderful comeback story. Teddy could certainly start for a few teams, and he showed that again during his stint filling in for Drew Brees. He's a savvy QB who isn't going to kill you with ill-timed turnovers. My hat's off to ya, Teddy!

27. Josh Allen, Bills: It's amazing how distracting a team's record can be, right? Like Trubisky, Allen hasn't developed much as a passer, but the Bills are 6-3 and the Bears - last year's media darling - are just 4-5. Sure, there are 52 players involved, but that record does matter when it comes to ranking QBs. When Trubisky is bad, he costs Chicago wins. When Allen is having an off day, he doesn't bury his team in the ground. In fact, Allen has more rushing yards than Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott and even RB Kenyan Drake. He seems a long way off as a pocket passer, but as a playmaker, he does just enough to get the job done. I think in future years we'll see Darnold (and maybe Minshew) bypass him on my list.

Tier 4: Grab Bag! Who Knows What You're Gonna Get?

26. Cam Newton, Panthers: Cam's been one of the most impactful QBs in the game for quite some time now, but it feels like that run is slowly-but-surely coming to an end. He's been placed on IR with an unrelenting foot injury, while youngster Kyle Allen has emerged as a legitimate NFL starter. In the last two seasons or so, I really feel like Cam has been holding a talented Panthers' team back. Here's what I wrote about him in my preseason predictions:

"Cam Newton is declining...I like the young receivers in D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel, but Cam is holding on to the ball longer and longer...I'm not sure how Carolina moves forward as a franchise."

Well, now we know how the Panthers move forward: with Allen spreading the ball around to Moore, Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and veteran leader Greg Olsen. Cam will likely find a new home next season.

25. Jameis Winston, Bucs: My gut tells me Jameis has improved under Bruce Arians, but the stats beg to differ: 17 TDs to 14 INTs is a poor ratio, and his 83.8 QB rating is lower than Flacco, Trubisky, Hodges and Mariota. I really do like the way Winston throws the ball; the problem is he throws it to the wrong jerseys too often.

24. Daniel Jones, Giants: Oh boy...in New York, the Jones vs. Darnold debate rages on. I'm a Jets fan, but I'm currently ranking Jones ahead of Darnold for these reasons: (1) From the outset, Jones has shown no hesitation in terms of the way he wants to play; he displays confidence in his abilities and isn't afraid to do more than what people expect of him; (2) His stats are clearly better than Darnold's: 15/8 TD to INT for Jones, compared to Darnold's ugly 7/9 split and 88.0 to 74.5 in passer rating; (3) Jones has been more decisive in running the ball when protection breaks down; (4) I do think the Manning family endorsement matters - say what you want about Peyton and Eli (Peyton blew a lot of playoff opportunities, Eli was never an elite regular season QB), but they won four combined Super Bowls. The Mannings have always said Jones has the goods, and they are authorities on knowing what it takes to be successful. Jones is a smart kid who is already showing signs of accelerated development.

23. Kyle Allen, Panthers: I've been a big supporter of this kid from the get-go - I like the way he stands in the pocket and delivers balls on time. He's only 23 years old, but he shows poise, toughness and advanced football acumen. At 5-4 the Panthers are two games back in the crowded NFC Wild Card chase, so maybe this isn't their year; but going forward, I like their chances with Allen calling the signals. I think he has the right combination of ability and mental fortitude. Next year I see him in the 13-to-18 range on my list.

22. Case Keenum, Redskins: Here he is...the most underappreciated quarterback in the NFL. In 2017 with the Vikings, he threw for 3,547 yards with 22 TDs and only 7 INTs, leading Minnesota to the NFC Championship Game in the process. So what does he get for that? He gets tossed aside for Kirk Cousins, who has never won anything. Then Keenum goes to Denver - a mediocre offensive situation at best - and bumps his yardage up to 3,890; yes, his efficiency tapered off significantly, but it was his first year with a new coach and surrounding personnel. He was still definitely better than Flacco, who the Broncos decided to go with this year. Now, in Washington, his 9 TD to 4 INT split is a minor miracle (rookie Dwayne Haskins has 0 TD/4 INT and Colt McCoy had 0 TD/1 INT with the same teammates), not to mention a QB rating that is higher than Carson Wentz, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers. Look...Keenum is no superstar, but he's a more-than-serviceable NFL starting quarterback. Poor guy can never get any love!

21. Ryan Tannehill, Titans: My UPS guy is a Titans fan, and his feedback sounds something like this: How about this guy Tannehill? Tannehill, baby! He looks good, Johnny; he looks good. And ya know what? Dom is right. Tannehill has thoroughly outplayed Mariota, despite meh weapons and a plodding team better known for stout defense on its home turf. Tannehill's been a higher rated passer (104.4, wow) than Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan? Go figure. He simply looks to be at a stage in his enigmatic career where he's finally putting it all together.

20. Nick Foles, Jaguars: He torched the Patriots in the Super Bowl. He's one of my favorite people in the whole entire universe. Okay, maybe I'm not always unbiased.

19. Kyler Murray, Cardinals: The Cardinals may have looked like the worst offensive team in NFL history during the preseason, but rookies Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray were merely concealing their best tricks. Murray has been impressive and the Cards have been competitive, despite a number of missed games for Christian Kirk and on-and-off injuries to top running backs David Johnson and electric Chase Edmonds. As an aside, the pickup of Kenyan Drake was a real smart move - sure, Arizona isn't going to make the playoffs in Kingsbury's first year on the job, but the organization didn't want to hinder Murray's development by starting him without weapons. It was the type of move that rising organizations make. In the meantime, Murray has shown flashes of greatness - when he's on, the pundits make the obvious comparisons to Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson. There's still an awful lot of development to go, though.

Tier 3: The Crossroads at the End of Cast Away

At the end of Cast Away, Tom Hanks' character Chuck Noland reaches a crossroads in his life, both literally and metaphorically. A number of guys in Tier 3 are approaching the same situation...

18. Jared Goff, Rams: I mean, we're all aware of the storylines at this point, aren't we? The McVay Magic has worn off. Goff's limitations have been exposed. The Rams' promising run is over. And clearly, there's truth to all three threads. This situation is real simple, though: last year Goff looked like one of the top 10-12 QBs in the world; this year he looks like one of the worst starters out of 32 - so, it's all about the way he responds going forward. Can he turn it around? Or is this a downward spiral twisting toward oblivion? Only time will tell. For now, he has to sit in between the proven studs and unproven young talents. 

17. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers: "The Greek God" is probably the most difficult quarterback to rank - he's battled multiple injuries in the past, and to be honest, his stats aren't much to write home about. It's more of an intangible thing with Jimmy G. - his teammates seem to have a ton of faith in him. He makes guys believe. It's a relatively small sample size, but in starts with both the Patriots and 49ers, his team always seems to find a way to pull out the close win. These are good signs, but is "magic" a sustainable source of victories? Maybe it isn't magic at all. Maybe Kyle Shanahan is one of the absolute best coaches in football. 

16. Jacoby Brissett, Colts: I'm tellin ya...don't sleep on this kid! Brissett was once a third-string QB behind Brady and Garoppolo in New England, but now he's the undisputed heir apparent to the Artist Formerly Known As Andrew Luck. Brissett has a lot in common with his head coach Frank Reich - these guys are tough, resilient and they find ways to win. Brissett has a beautiful 14/3 ratio this season, with a solid 99.7 rating and superb leadership skills. He was once thought to be a scrambling QB, but his passing game has improved dramatically - and steadily - over time. I can't help but root for this guy, just like Keenum and Minshew. 

15. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Lot of questions, here...not too many answers: (1) Can he return healthy and effective? (2) Why did he look so bad, even before the early injury this season? (3) How much of Big Ben's past success can be attributed to the all-world presence of Antonio Brown? I guess we'll see what happens next year. For now, this is a Career Achievement ranking for a guy who was still pretty damn good last season. 

14. Derek Carr, Raiders: I'm very happy for both Carr and head coach Jon Gruden this season. Both guys have their players buying in. Carr has found a favorite target in impressive TE Darren Waller, and the former has returned to his Pro Bowl efficiency from a few seasons ago. The Raiders aren't a great team, but they play hard, they play together, and Carr is limiting turnovers and keeping them in games. 

13. Philip Rivers, Chargers: Finally, it appears The Decline has arrived. Rivers has been incredibly good for a long, long time. He's a gamer, and my hat's off to him for all that he's done. He doesn't have a strong or loose arm, yet he's 6th all time in passing yards with 57,472. Keep grindin', Phil!

12. Kirk Cousins, Vikings: Man, every year you look at this guy's final stats and think wow, he had a great year on paper. It's happening again this season, but how much does paper matter? Does it matter at all? Can Kirk Cousins win a playoff game? Can he win any big game at all? For me, it's put up or shut up this season. Dalvin Cook has been one of the most dominant players in the game. Mike Zimmer is itching for a championship. Adam Thielen (obv they need him at 100%) and Stefon Diggs are two of the best in the biz - it's time to do it when it matters, Kirk. Let's see what ya got...

11. Matthew Stafford, Lions: Stafford may have saved Matt Patricia's job this season, as the Lions have looked like a highly-competitive squad when healthy. Unfortunately, the Lions have been a cursed franchise over time, and the injuries continue piling up. Regardless, Stafford has always had "all the tools," and this year his 106.0 passer rating is through the roof. He's been sharp and focused. Just gotta keep him on the field, now. 

10. Carson Wentz, Eagles: Here's a very tricky one. I like Carson Wentz. He's battled back from some devastating injuries, and I like his spunk out there on the field. He hustles on and off the field, in and out of the huddle and I believe his coaches and players have a lot of faith in him on a weekly basis. But the Eagles are just 5-4. Wentz's 93.7 rating trails unsexy names like Keenum and Bridgewater. Honestly, I think the key for him is getting off to better starts. The Eagles have trailed early and often, and Wentz has to work with HC Doug Pederson and OC Mike Groh to come up with more effective scripted plays during early-game possessions. Wentz and his Eagles still have potential this season...will they reach that potential, or will the Cowboys take down the NFC East?

9. Matt Ryan, Falcons: Ah, The Great Enigma. Who is Matt Ryan? What has he accomplished? Is he one of the greatest statistical quarterbacks of all time? Sort of, yeah. Is he a soft loser? Kind of, sometimes, yeah. One of the problems with Ryan is that the Falcons' defense is seemingly always god awful, which leads to two sides of the coin: (1) The Falcons' D puts them in a hole, then Ryan racks up the yards and fantasy points and (2) The Falcons' D puts them in a hole, then Ryan racks up the yards and fantasy points. Yes, 1 and 2 are exactly the same. You see what I mean? There are two different ways of looking at that...is Ryan a great leader who brings his team back from multi-score deficits? Or is he one of the main reasons they fall into those deep holes? This year, it's clearly the second one, but in the past? I'm not so sure. Ryan's a smart guy; he prepares well and puts up big numbers - but he's not a superstar. He's like a higher octane Derek Carr. 

8. Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Dak has the right combination of stats and The Eye Test right now. He continues to improve as a passer, spreading the ball around the field and leaning on Amari Cooper in big spots, while maintaining his scrambling ability and overall competitiveness. Early in his career, the Cowboys seemed to tap him as a game manager, but Dak has slowly-but-surely proven to be more than that. Watch him take a snap these days...his footwork is clean and quick, and he gets the ball out before defenders can close on throwing lanes. He clearly wants to be more than a stopgap until Dallas' next great Franchise Quarterback. Most importantly, I put Prescott ahead of guys like Ryan and Cousins because he's a warrior. He goes after it. Also, he's been in the playoffs twice and has looked solid there, too, despite being just 23 and 25 years old in those moments. The arrow is pointing up, but "elite" is still a stretch. 

Tier 2: How About Another Film Title? Almost Famous

7. Drew Brees, Saints: Initially I had him ahead of the man at No. 6, but we have to live in the present, don't we? Sean Payton and his Saints were able to continue winning without Brees, and the latter has looked frail and shaky since returning. He's one of the greatest football players of all time and there's no way I'm dropping him outside of the top two tiers, but maybe some decline is finally kicking in?

6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens: The story of the season. We've heard all of the comparisons - Michael Vick, Russell Wilson, Randall Cunningham - but maybe we should let Lamar be his own entity. The Ravens were going nowhere fast last season; then Lamar, as a rookie, dug them out of a deep hole and delivered a trip to the postseason. He didn't do much passing last season, but his superhero scrambling twisted opposing defenses inside out. Now, as a sophomore, he's putting it all together. Personally, I'm surprised to see his passer rating above 100 (101.7, to be exact) and he's tossed 15 TDs with just 5 picks. What I'm not surprised to see is this: 702 yards on the ground - more than RBs Mark Ingram (his own teammate), Aaron Jones, Le'Veon Bell and Todd Gurley - and 6 rushing TDs. Jackson's run-pass threat gives defenses fits. And really, it all comes down to this...for all the tactical answers Bill Belichick seems to have - the Patriots' D is having the best fantasy season ever - they didn't have a single one for Lamar Jackson. The reality is this: if Jackson limits turnovers and makes timely throws, the Baltimore Ravens can win the Super Bowl.

5. Deshaun Watson, Texans: Here's another gamer. Watson hangs in the pocket and takes some massive hits, and you see how much respect that garners from teammates and opposing players. He's a total package kinda guy - smart, can make the throws, scramble and be a true leader - and he forms a sneaky good QB-coach combo with Bill O'Brien. These guys continue to find ways to win. Watson would be even more deadly if he could ever keep DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller healthy and on the field at the same time.

Tier 1: Legends - Past and Present

4. Tom Brady, Patriots: The guy is 42 years old. His 93.1 QB rating is worse than Brissett, Bridgewater, Garoppolo and Keenum. His 2,536 yards are less than rookie Kyler Murray and two kids who are really struggling (Goff and Winston). His 14 TDs are less than another rookie in Daniel Jones. And yet...he's still Tom F**king Brady. I've talked about this a couple times in this article...sometimes it's about not losing the game for your team. Brady wins every which way - sometimes he brings the Pats back and is the hero; other times, even if he shows his age and struggles, he does enough to put another in the "W" column. It's not all about stats. Tom Brady may not be as good as Lamar Jackson or Deshaun Watson right this very moment, but who do you want under center with the season on the line?

3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: I'm not gonna lie, this Rodgers/Matt LaFleur combination has worked out better than I expected. Again, Rodgers' split is incredible: 17 touchdowns and only 2 picks. And sure, the vet and young coach have bumped heads at times, but the Packers are 8-2 and have established a very nice run-pass balance. They were winning even without Davante Adams, who is one of the best all-around wide receivers in the game. Rodgers looks sharp. Green Bay has a shot to win it all this season. 

2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks

1. Pat Mahomes, Chiefs

Initially, I had Wilson atop my list; then I looked closer at the stats...due to injury, Mahomes has only attempted 291 passes this season; yet, he has 90 more yards than Brady on 64 less attempts. He also has 194 more yards than Watson on 11 less attempts. What do these comparisons tell us? Every Mahomes pass is a possible home run. He's the ultimate home run hitter at the quarterback position. Independent of the stats, Mahomes is pure magic. His ball placement is otherworldly. His all-around skillset is unparalleled. For me, Mahomes is the best in the world, but...

If you wanna make an argument for Russ, I'm not gonna fight ya. I love Russell Wilson. He's one of my favorite athletes of all time, and for his career, I think he's one of the most underrated in any sport. Again, ball placement - Russ drops dimes. He's become the master of small windows because of years and years of limited receiving corps. Doug Baldwin was his best and only buddy for quite some time, but now Russ is feasting off the combined effect of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on the outside, with Chris Carson softening up defensive interiors. 

Mahomes and Wilson are two of the best athletes in the world. Period.