Below is a ranking of the top 20 offensive players in the league during the regular season. These players were selected based on the fact that they played over 70 games and appeared on an All-NBA team or were top 20 in the league in scoring. This is not a ranking of the top 20 players for the whole NBA, just a ranking of the top 20 offensive players.
To make this ranking I computed a players offensive efficiency using Offensive, Player Efficiency (OPE), a formula I created. The OPE formula is: (field goals made + 1.5* 3 pt field goals made + free throws made) / (field goal attempts + free throw attempts + turnovers - offensive rebounds).
20. Baron Davis, Golden State warriors. OPE rating: .506 . While Davis enjoyed one of his better years scoring 21.8 ppg and handing out 7.6 apg it was done in a typically inefficient manner. Davis has too many turnovers and shot above 42% from the field for only the second time in his career.
19. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks. OPE rating: .520. While Johnson had a great year leading the Hawks to the playoffs his scoring production fell this year as he struggled from the field finishing the season at only 43%.
18. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz. OPE rating: .529. Deron Williams enjoyed his finest season in the pros and in some categories he is a very efficient player, shooting over 50% from the field. However, Williams struggles with high turnovers, is a poor rebounder, and does not get to the free throw line often.
17. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns. OPE rating: .541. Nash's production dipped slightly this year from his MVP worthy seasons as has his efficiency. While, Nash continues to shoot high percentages from the floor, he struggled with turnovers, rebounded poorly and had his fewest free throw attempts per game since the 1999-2000 season.
16. Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers. OPE rating: .553. James had an amazing year averaging more than 30 ppg 7 rpg and 7 apg. However, he continues to shoot a lot of threes at a very low percentage, and still struggles from the foul line
15. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets. OPE rating: .550. Iverson's position here is little surprise as he continues to score at a high rate averaging over 26 ppg. His efficiency is bolstered by the fact that he shot his highest percentage from the field since 1997-98 and attempts a high number of free throws
14. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets. OPE rating: .554. While Paul's scoring numbers have improved each year his efficiency has taken a hit as his game has gone further away from the basket. In each year Paul's three pointers per game have increase while his free throws per game have decreased.
13. Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks. OPE rating: .558. Without much attention or fanfare Redd continues to score at a high rate season after season. This year was no different as he scored over 22 ppg.
12. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics. OPE rating: .565. Pierce's numbers fell as he had to share shots with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. However, he was still an offensive force scoring almost 20 ppg and had his best season behind the arc since 2000-01.
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