Ranking Top 5 NBA Stars at Each Spot: Young Bigs Starting to Leave Major Marks
The NBA's young studs are arriving in frontcourts everywhere.
We're not just talking about Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, or else that verb would be in the past tense. After all, they've definitely already arrived as unquestioned studs. Instead, it's all about the rising stocks of dominant big men like Rudy Gobert, Nerlens Noel, Derrick Favors and Hassan Whiteside.
A few of those young contributors received honorable mentions in the last edition of these rankings, which came back on March 4. But have they done enough to earn featured spots this time around?
Though Gobert and Whiteside have been dominant while protecting the rim and hauling in nearly every missed shot in their vicinity, center is a rather stacked position. And the same is true for power forwards.
As always, the entirety of the 2014-15 campaign matters here, but recency comes into play rather heavily. We're interested in identifying the best players in the league who have shown up and thrived in recent weeks, asserting themselves as the most impactful at their position by excelling on both ends of the court.
So, does youth reign supreme in the mad month of March?
Injured Players
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Before delving into the rankings themselves, it's worth noting that injured players are not considered for any of the featured spots, and they will not be listed as honorable mentions.
If a player is expected to be out of action for a prolonged period or has missed too much time in the last few weeks, he's automatically ineligible for the remainder of this slideshow.
As a result, Paul George, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, Serge Ibaka, Jimmy Butler, Carmelo Anthony, Wesley Matthews, Klay Thompson and Kobe Bryant will not appear, although they would make the cut—or at least be considered—if the injury imp didn't dictate otherwise.
Point Guard No. 5: John Wall (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
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Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 24
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 17.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, 20.5 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks
It wasn't too long ago that John Wall looked as if he'd run completely out of gas, sputtering right along with his Washington Wizards. But clearly, that was only a temporary development. He's been a nonstop ball of energy in recent games, whether he's leading the charge on a fast-break opportunity or making a fourth-quarter dive into the crowd.
Head coach Randy Wittman has noticed, per Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post:
"I saw some rejuvenation in him in the Charlotte game. You get to 60, 62, 65 games, it’s almost there that little bit of a wall you hit. He hates missing games. He played every game last year. He takes pride in that. That's why you love the kid — when a kid loves to be on the floor and play no matter how bad he feels. But I saw some bounce back to him and that’s going to happen too.
"
Ever since Wittman praised his point guard prior to a March 12 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Wall has looked like a superstar. It's amazing what a few scheduled days off between games can do during the course of a grinding NBA season.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Bledsoe, Damian Lillard, Kyle Lowry
Point Guard No. 4: Kyrie Irving (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
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Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 22.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 21.8 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 26.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.1 blocks
Kyrie Irving has officially submitted his name in the competition for the elusive title of "NBA's most entertaining player." He won't be winning any major individual awards at the end of the season, but at least he's providing fans with moments of unmitigated excitement.
The best example thus far? A remarkable 57-point outburst against the San Antonio Spurs, one in which he couldn't miss down the stretch and led his Cleveland Cavaliers to a shocking, come-from-behind victory over the defending champs.
When Irving has it going, no one can guard him. The handles are too tight and creative. The shot is too quick and accurate.
But he's been more than a great scoring presence.
Even while dazzling fans with his dribble-based dominance, Irving is still making a concerted effort on the defensive end of the court. And while that's just gravy, it's an important topping all the same.
Point Guard No. 3: Russell Westbrook (Previous Ranking: No. 1C)
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Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 26
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 27.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.2 blocks, 29.7 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 33.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
Here's my main problem with Russell Westbrook's sudden surge into the MVP conversation. Even during his remarkable streak of triple-doubles and performances that come close to earning that designation, which began on Feb. 2, he hasn't made the Oklahoma City Thunder all that much better. His turnovers and penchant for commandeering the offense at the expense of involving his teammates has often been detrimental.
According to my FATS projections (based on historical similarities and explained in full here), the Thunder have played like a 46-win team with Westbrook on the bench since Feb. 2. But when the point guard plays, they're only performing like a 50-win squad.
That's simply not enough of an improvement, especially with OKC going only 4-5 during the last nine games Westbrook has suited up in.
The floor general has still been incredible. He's a one-man show playing with nitrous packs strapped to his spring-loaded sneakers, and there's no way to stay in front of him as he goes coast to coast. But let's tone down the praise a little bit, remembering that points, rebounds and assists per game are by no means the stats most indicative of historically valuable performances.
Point Guard No. 2: Chris Paul (Previous Ranking: No. 1A)
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Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 29
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 18.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.2 blocks, 24.7 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 19.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 2.2 steals
Chris Paul is mind-bogglingly good at running the show.
Without Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers avoided a significant drop-off because the 29-year-old floor general just upped his involvement in the offense. He was more of a scorer, using his deadly pull-up jumpers from the elbows and turning back the clock a few years as he continued to rack up assists and display an extreme aversion toward turnovers.
Paul is now averaging 2.4 cough-ups per game this season, and that's actually his worst mark since joining the Clippers in 2011. Oh, and he's still providing a dollar's worth of dimes when he steps onto the court.
For perspective, only three qualified players have ever averaged at least 10 assists and less than 2.5 turnovers. John Lucas did so in 1983-84 for the San Antonio Spurs, and he became the inaugural member of the ultra-exclusive fraternity. Six years later, Muggsy Bogues joined the club for the first of two times in his career. And Paul is the third member, now set to hit the mark for an NBA-record third season.
He's still more point god than point guard.
Point Guard No. 1: Stephen Curry (Previous Ranking: No. 1B)
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Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 27
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 23.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, 27.6 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 20.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
Look out, NBA.
Stephen Curry has been homing in on a near-perfect perimeter stroke throughout the season, and he's finally there. Over the summer, he experienced some uncharacteristic struggles from beyond the arc during FIBA play, and those carried over into the beginning of his current campaign with the Golden State Warriors.
But much like he did during the Three-Point Contest in New York City, he's heating up.
Since returning from a one-game absence and lighting up the Washington Wizards, he's taken 8.4 attempts per game from beyond the arc and knocked down 50.5 percent of them. Since the last edition of these rankings, he's firing away just as frequently, and his shooting percentage has dropped to "just" 49.2.
With that weapon added back into his arsenal in such deadly fashion, it's going to be even harder to cool him off during the stretch run. Only Steve Kerr will be able to do that if he decides to rest the MVP candidate in meaningless games, trying to keep him fresh for the league's second season.
Shooting Guard No. 5: Monta Ellis (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
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Team: Dallas Mavericks
Age: 29
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 19.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.3 blocks, 17.4 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 17.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.7 blocks
To be clear, Monta Ellis doesn't really deserve to work his way back into a featured spot, even though he's started to get off the schneid for the struggling Dallas Mavericks. This is more about health than anything else, as Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler and Wesley Matthews are now all in the section designated for injured players.
But at least Ellis has been finding the bottom of the net lately.
In March, the lightning-quick shooting guard has connected on just 40 percent of his looks from the field, 22.7 percent of his tries from beyond the arc and 65.5 percent of his charity shots. But during his last four outings, those numbers are 48.6, 35.7 and 55, respectively. The last is fluky, driven down by a weird 2-of-6 showing against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, but the other two percentages are at least encouraging.
Still, Ellis needs to keep trending in the right direction if he hopes to keep a top-five spot when Thompson and Butler eventually return. Right now, that's looking unlikely.
Honorable Mentions: Danny Green, J.J. Redick, Rodney Stuckey
Shooting Guard No. 4: Victor Oladipo (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
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Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 17.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.2 blocks, 16.2 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 22.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
"Were our rankings solely based on what's transpired since the last installment, Victor Oladipo would be more than an honorable mention," wrote Bleacher Report's Dan Favale while giving the Orlando Magic combo guard a mention, but not a featured spot in last week's edition of B/R's superstar rankings. "Since Feb. 15, the sophomore is playing like a seasoned All-Star, averaging 22.6 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. There isn't much else to say—except 'What?!?!?'"
Oladipo has struggled with his shot in recent games, but he's still moving in the right direction for the young Magic, developing nicely on both ends of the floor. He was highly regarded for his defensive skills when coming out of Indiana, and James Borrego has had more success bringing forth that type of play from the 22-year-old than any other coach has since Tom Crean.
In 16 games with Borrego at the helm, Oladipo's defensive rating has been 107. Under Jacque Vaughn, his mark was a less solid 109, though, admittedly, neither number is anything to write home about.
The tools have always been there for Oladipo. Now, he's figuring out how to use them properly.
Shooting Guard No. 3: DeMar DeRozan (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
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Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.2 blocks, 16.1 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 23.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks
DeMar DeRozan is another beneficiary of the overall injury woes being experienced by the NBA's 2-guards, but he's at least playing better basketball while the Toronto Raptors tread water at the top of the Eastern Conference's middle-class morass.
This 25-year-old shooting guard has taken it upon himself to score more and involve himself as a distributor for the Raptors. The former isn't always a great thing, as he has an annoying tendency to fancy himself a deadly mid-range marksman, but the latter is generally a positive.
DeRozan is averaging a strong 3.6 assists in Raptors victories. But that number drops to only 2.5 when Toronto fails to come out on the winning end of a contest.
In other words, it's a good thing that he has posted 4.8 dimes per game over his last five appearances heading into a Wednesday night affair with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Shooting Guard No. 2: Dwyane Wade (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
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Team: Miami Heat
Age: 33
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 21.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, 22.5 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 28.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
Dwyane Wade is playing inspired basketball, even if he looks like a completely different player than he did in his athletic prime. Now, the shooting guard is relying on an old-man game. There are still devastating slashes to the basket, but they're often accompanied by well-timed head fakes and plenty of savvy trickery.
Regardless of his style, he's been remarkably effective in all aspects since a one-game rest against the Washington Wizards. In the five contests after that night off, the future Hall of Famer has averaged 29.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting a scorching 56.7 percent from the field.
Wade was particularly inspired against his old running mate, torching LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night by dropping 32 points on only 18 shots from the field. Apparently, he's not giving up on the playoff chase in the Eastern Conference, doing everything he can both on and off the court to inspire his teammates.
Shooting Guard No. 1: James Harden (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
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Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 26.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks, 26.6 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.3 blocks
It's just not even close, as James Harden continues to run away with this No. 1 spot and build his case for league MVP. Though his defense is still solid—nothing special, just solid—it's his offensive repertoire that keeps dazzling.
Somehow, Harden uses the same types of moves night in and night out, daring defenders to figure out how to stop him. They just can't do it, as he's too slithery, too adept at drawing contact and way too great at using unorthodox angles to give the opposition situations they're not entirely used to dealing with.
The bearded shooting guard may not be leading the league in scoring any longer, thanks to Russell Westbrook's remarkable tear, but he's still been quite efficient. Thanks to his ability to get to the stripe, he's scoring 26.9 points per game with a 60.5 true shooting percentage.
Harden currently has one of the 30 best per-game scoring averages in NBA history by a player with a true shooting percentage above 60. And he's doing that while rebounding like he's a small forward and dishing out dimes like a pass-first point guard.
Small Forward No. 5: Khris Middleton (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
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Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Age: 23
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.2 blocks, 16.3 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 21.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals
Khris Middleton isn't typically thought of as a star. But he's quickly earning that celestial status as he continues putting up gaudy numbers for the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring with aplomb as he uses his sneaky athleticism and strong stroke from the outside. As Ben Leibowitz wrote for Sports Illustrated, he's turning into a two-way force:
"With the former second-round pick on the floor defending, Bucks opponents post a defensive rating of just 97.6 (compared with a mark of 106.3 when he's on the bench). For the Bucks' opponents, the same scenario plays out in effective field goal percentage, rebound percentage and assist percentage—they’re simply better when Middleton isn’t playing.
Moreover, Middleton is draining 42.6% of his three-pointers and averaging career highs in points, rebounds and steals despite playing fewer minutes on average compared to a season ago. Add in the fact that he’s still just 23 years old and it’s clear the Texas A&M product has become a valuable commodity.
"
Get used to seeing Middleton's name and "star" used in the same sentence. He's not going anywhere.
Well, he might go somewhere else if the Bucks don't desire his services next year. The former Aggie is a restricted free agent this summer, and he's going to command a rather large salary from someone who's paid attention to his stunning development.
Honorable Mentions: Rudy Gay, Tobias Harris, Andrew Wiggins
Small Forward No. 4: Tyreke Evans (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 16.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 17.2 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 blocks
To be clear, Tyreke Evans is only listed as a small forward because we don't have a category for swingmen who run the point because their starting floor general is out with an injury. But whatever position he's playing, he's been quite effective for the New Orleans Pelicans, who remain alive in the hunt for No. 8.
Evans has been tremendous as a distributor, getting into the lane and always keeping his head up as he seeks out the most advantageous play. If he can't finish around the rim, he'll kick the ball out or find a cutter, and he's displayed nothing but confidence seeking out Eric Gordon for long-range bombs.
Any guesses at how many players in the league are averaging at least 16 points, five boards and six dimes this season? Just five:
- Eric Bledsoe
- Tyreke Evans
- James Harden
- LeBron James
- Russell Westbrook
Perhaps it's time for the world to give this Memphis product a bit more attention. The other names on that list—with the possible exception of Bledsoe, who's buried by the bevy of great point guards—certainly get enough.
Small Forward No. 3: Gordon Hayward (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
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Team: Utah Jazz
Age: 24
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 19.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 20.3 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 20.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
Gordon Hayward just keeps developing as a standout scorer for the Utah Jazz.
Lest we forget, the former Butler star struggled mightily during his first season as a No. 1 option. Without the protection offered to him by Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, he was the subject of too much defensive attention. But now, he's slicking his hair back and going to work with confidence, just as he has throughout the season.
Since March 4, he's not just averaging 20.2 points per game. He's doing so while knocking down 48.1 percent of his shots from the field, drilling 52.2 percent of his looks from three-point range and converting his free-throw attempts at a 76.7 percent clip.
He just keeps getting better, and the improvement is not coming at the expense of other aspects of his game. Sure, he hasn't been quite as involved as a distributor, but that's partially due to the development of the Utah Jazz's young guards, and we can't just overlook the part he's played in the massive defensive turnaround.
Small Forward No. 2: Kawhi Leonard (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
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Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 23
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 15.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, 20.8 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.2 blocks
If there was any doubt about Kawhi Leonard's ability to earn a max contract, there shouldn't be now. Over the last few weeks, he's shown off a massively expanded offensive arsenal, one that allows him to rain in points with his jumpers and creative floaters from inside the paint. His touch has improved mightily, and he's carrying himself like a No. 1 option for the first extended period since he left the ranks of collegiate basketball.
During his rookie season out of San Diego State, Leonard had just a single game in which he topped 20 points—a 24-spot against the Portland Trail Blazers in a blowout loss on Feb. 21, 2012. As a sophomore, he broke past that barrier five times toward the end of the season, and he got there on just three occasions throughout the 2013-14 campaign.
This year? Leonard already has 14 games with at least 20 points—more than the other three go-rounds combined. Since the last day of February, he's hit the mark in six of his seven outings, which would already be a career high if that were the only stretch that mattered.
Not too shabby from a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Small Forward No. 1: LeBron James (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
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Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 30
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 26.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, 26.2 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 24.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.6 blocks
Apparently, LeBron James doesn't have to wear a headband in order to dominate a basketball game. With his receding hairline exposed for all the world to see, he's kept throwing up big performances for the Cleveland Cavaliers, even if he's inexplicably fallen in love with fadeaway jumpers from mid-range zones. And remember, those are shots that the efficiency-loving James wouldn't even take in his worst nightmares during most years.
But where this four-time MVP deserves the most credit is for his adaptability. James recognizes the need to get Kevin Love involved. He knows that Kyrie Irving is flat-out balling on the offensive end, and he's taken it upon himself to serve as more of a pass-first player than ever before.
On the season, he's averaging 7.4 assists, which is more than he's posted in any season but his final campaign with the Cavs before leaving for South Beach. And recently, he's taken his pass-happy ways to an extreme, averaging 7.7 assists after the All-Star break and 8.9 since March 4.
Kudos to the 30-year-old for playing the part of team-first chameleon.
Power Forward No. 5: Nerlens Noel (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
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Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 20
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.9 blocks, 13.7 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 12.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 3.3 steals, 1.7 blocks
It's not too soon for Nerlens Noel's ascension to earn him a featured spot among the league's best power forwards, though he's admittedly played quite a bit for the Philadelphia 76ers throughout the season. Lately, he's been a revelation, terrorizing any offensive player who dares challenge him, jumping passing lanes and—perhaps most importantly—displaying loads of confidence on the offensive end.
The flat-top-bearing big man is actually calling for the ball now. He wants to score for the Sixers, not sit and watch as his teammates keep pushing toward the worst point-producing season in NBA history, and that passion is helping him out immensely.
Still though, his defense makes you jump out of your seat. And, as Favale explains, he's holding some pretty historic company right now:
"He's so much more than blocked shots. He's aggressive and composed on the glass, and he's able to play the passing lanes and force turnovers off the dribble, allowing him to switch onto ball-handlers much smaller than himself.
In the event his numbers hold steady, Noel will post the third-best defensive box plus/minus of any NBA rookier ever, trailing only Manute Bol and Mark Eaton. On top of that, he would be just the second rookie to ever finish the season averaging at least nine points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks.
At that point, he would share a piece of history with a 24-year-old David Robinson who, legend has it, turned into a halfway decent player.
"
What does all of that mean?
Well, the Sixers should probably hold onto him this summer, even if an opposing general manager calls Sam Hinkie and offers one of the top picks in the 2015 NBA draft. Of course, if it's a package of second-round picks being dangled, that changes everything.
Honorable Mentions: Tim Duncan, Derrick Favors, Zach Randolph
Power Forward No. 4: Paul Millsap (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Team: Atlanta Hawks
Age: 30
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 16.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.9 blocks, 19.9 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks
Paul Millsap continues to be the barometer by which the Eastern Conference-best Atlanta Hawks are often measured. And that's due to more than the fact that the Hawks have a convincing win over the Philadelphia 76ers, a loss to the Sixers and a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Lakers under their wings when he sits.
Just look at his per-game averages, shooting percentages and ratings in wins and losses this season:
| Wins | 17.7 | 8.2 | 3.2 | 49.7 | 40.8 | 111 | 97 |
| Losses | 13.8 | 7.2 | 2.4 | 41.5 | 12.1 | 93 | 111 |
That's quite the difference.
So much of what the Hawks do on both ends of the court requires Millsap to be at his best. His versatility and ever-changing style keeps defenses on their toes, and his energy and switching prowess helps Atlanta compress the paint and still cover the passing lanes.
Millsap doesn't put up the huge statistics boasted by other top-notch power forwards, but he sure has a huge impact.
Power Forward No. 3: Pau Gasol (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
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Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 34
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 18.4 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 steals, 2.0 blocks, 22.4 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 20.0 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.1 steals, 1.3 blocks
Pau Gasol refuses to slow down, even though the Chicago Bulls were supposed to be signing a washed-up version of him this offseason. So much for that, as he's been a two-way presence throughout the season who may finally appear on an MVP ballot for the first time in his career.
The Spanish 7-footer isn't perfect. He's a ball-stopping presence who picks and chooses when he wants to protect the paint. But with injuries plaguing them yet again, the Bulls will surely take what they can get, as Gasol has been the steadiest force in the lineup all year long.
"Do whatever it takes. You're facing adversity, a lot of important guys are not able to play," the big man told CSNChicago.com's Vincent Goodwill after a March 11 contest with the Philadelphia 76ers. "With the guys we got, gotta leave everything on the floor and that's what we're doing. Sometimes it works out better, sometimes it works out worse. We gotta give ourselves a chance, we gotta battle."
As Goodwill suggests, this could be tough on the veteran toward the very end of the season and during the playoffs, but it's hard to knock him for giving maximum effort and playing heavy minutes in a depleted rotation.
Power Forward No. 2: LaMarcus Aldridge (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
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Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 29
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 23.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, 22.3 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 23.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
Can you imagine where the Portland Trail Blazers would be if LaMarcus Aldridge had opted to surgically repair his thumb during the season rather than gutting it out and continuing to put up monstrous numbers? Now, they're still near the top of the Western Conference standings as Aldridge and Damian Lillard keep building more chemistry with one another.
This power forward, as it turns out, is pretty darn valuable.
Though the defense takes a slight step in the negative direction when he's on the floor—despite Aldridge's individual improvements, guys like Joel Freeland and Meyers Leonard are doing better at protecting the rim—his offensive capabilities push this team into the upper echelon.
Without Aldridge, Rip City scores only 101.6 points per 100 possessions. That offensive rating, were it maintained throughout the season, would beat just the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. But when the power forward is on the floor, Portland's scoring efficiency skyrockets to 111. That would be the No. 3 mark in the league, trailing only the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Aldridge may not be earning any MVP buzz, but the Blazers probably don't want to imagine life without him.
Power Forward No. 1: Anthony Davis (Previous Ranking: Injured)
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Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 24.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.9 blocks, 31.6 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 30.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 5.0 blocks
Apparently this Anthony Davis guy is going to be pretty damn good as a 22-year-old.
His first game after his birthday may have come in a loss to the resurgent Denver Nuggets, but it's hard to pin the blame on his increasingly sturdy shoulders. During the double-overtime contest, the unibrowed power forward went for 36 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and nine blocks while only turning the ball over twice and shooting 16-of-28 from the field.
Those counting stats are unique in that they haven't been matched by anyone during the recorded portion of NBA history. Basketball-Reference's Player Game Finder goes back to 1985-86, and Davis is the very first person to post those numbers. In fact, only three other players have posted 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks: Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing and now Davis.
So, yeah. Davis is going to be a special 22-year-old big man.
Then again, he could completely stagnate and still rather easily be the best player at his position.
Center No. 5: Nikola Vucevic (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 24
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 19.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, 22.1 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 17.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.4 blocks
James Borrego has already changed Nikola Vucevic simply by giving him more defensive responsibilities and asking him to show a bit more movement on the point-preventing end.
Under Jacque Vaughn, the 24-year-old big man posted a defensive rating of 107. He was progressing as a rim-protecting big who deterred shots rather than block them, but a lack of mobility limited him rather severely.
Since Borrego took over as the interim head coach, however, Vucevic has had a defensive rating of 107 or worse only four times in 14 appearances. His overall mark? A much more impressive 103.
Unfortunately, this additional exertion seems to have taken a toll on the center. He's been slightly less involved on the offensive end of the floor, choosing to pass rather than attack the basket on more possessions and struggling a bit with his shot.
It's a process, though. Expecting overnight leaps was always going to be a foolish endeavor. And ultimately, any type of production Vucevic has provided this season has still given the Magic a huge boost.
Honorable Mentions: Andre Drummond, Al Horford, Hassan Whiteside
Center No. 4: Rudy Gobert (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
23 of 26
Team: Utah Jazz
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 7.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 2.3 blocks, 21.9 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 10.1 points, 17.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.4 blocks
Rudy Gobert is providing a masterclass on how to impact a basketball game without scoring. Granted, he's posting double-digit outings lately—and doing so in remarkably efficient fashion as he dives to the basket and uses his Pterodactyl arms to finish plays—but that's not where he's providing the most value.
With his league-best rim-protecting skills, Gobert has spearheaded the Utah Jazz's rise to the top of the defensive leaderboards after the All-Star break. He's the main reason the Salt Lake City representatives have racked up wins in recent weeks, as his presence has completely changed how teams have even attempted to attack the hoop.
Gobert is somehow holding opponents to 38.9 percent shooting at the rim while facing 7.7 shots per game, via NBA.com's statistical databases. Not only is that rather easily the best mark in the league among everyone going up against at least five shots per game—Serge Ibaka is in second at 40.7 percent—but no one in 2013-14 could touch that percentage either.
And we still haven't even mentioned his rebounding.
Buoyed by three games with at least 20 boards—including two of his past three outings—Gobert is averaging 17.9 rebounds in March. That's just not even fair.
He may only be 22 years old, but he's already arrived as a star and is here to stay.
Center No. 3: DeAndre Jordan (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
24 of 26
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 26
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 11.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, 20.6 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 11.8 points, 17.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.2 blocks
Since the All-Star break came and went, DeAndre Jordan has been hugely impactful for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Per FATS, the team plays like a 37-win squad when he's sitting on the bench. The closest historical comparison stems from the 2003-04 Toronto Raptors, who went 33-49 during Chris Bosh's rookie season out of Georgia Tech.
But when Jordan is on the court, LAC suddenly resembles a 54-win team. This time, the top comparison comes from last year's Golden State Warriors, who would've had a great shot at making a deeper playoff run if injuries hadn't reared their ugly heads at the end of the season.
That's a pretty large impact, and it shouldn't be all that surprising for a great defensive player (not quite a DPOY-caliber one) who eats up rebounds like no other.
Center No. 2: DeMarcus Cousins (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
25 of 26
Team: Sacramento Kings
Age: 24
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 23.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 blocks
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 23.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
"I've been in basketball a long, long time, and I have to say he's the most talented big guy I have ever seen," Vlade Divac, now working with the Sacramento Kings, explained about DeMarcus Cousins earlier this week to The Association Press (per ESPN.com). "Shaq wasn't talented—he was just strong. I was talented, but I wasn't strong."
The implication is that Cousins is both, and it's not a false statement (it's also not the first time he's been mentioned in the same breath as Shaquille O'Neal this season). That combination of power and finesse is exactly what makes this 24-year-old so incredibly tough to guard, as he's fully capable of dazzling with fundamental excellence and making some mid-range jumpers or bowling over opponents en route to a thunderous dunk at the rim.
Cousins is still a weak defender, and he's been even more porous under the fast-paced systems and teachings of George Karl, but his immense offensive production is still more than enough to make him a valuable commodity.
"I want to see him be a leader of this team, truly the leader, and make everybody better," Divac explained. "He can do it with his passing, with the ability to score. He can do everything."
Now, "everything" needs to include a consistent defensive presence that leads to victories. Sac-Town could use a winning season before too long, after all.
Center No. 1: Marc Gasol (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
26 of 26
Team: Memphis Grizzlies
Age: 30
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 17.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 blocks, 21.9 PER
Per-Game Stats Since Last Edition: 15.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 blocks
"He is the team's namesake, after all, and he's back after a one-year injury hiatus. I've spent enough pixels lionizing the game's most splendid all-around big man, so let's just highlight two things here," Grantland.com's Zach Lowe writes about Marc Gasol—the man after whom the Marc Gasol All-Stars (a team of the most watchable players in the league) are named—before going on to feature his ability to run the break and see through decoy action from an opponent while protecting the rim.
There's a common thread here.
Gasol is one of the most entertaining players in the league. He's great at running the show in transition at full speed before making the right decisions. He's a master at figuring out what screens and cuts actually matter when he tries to anchor the Memphis Grizzlies defense.
None of those things lead to glamorous statistics.
Gasol doesn't care about those. He'd rather just play high-quality basketball and rack up wins, even if he doesn't have the numbers of other superstars.
And ultimately, that's what matters most.
Note: All stats, unless otherwise indicated, come from Basketball-Reference.com and are current heading into March 17's games.
