Top 10 Players in the NBA
Following a thrilling All-Star Weekend that saw Patrick Beverley, Stephen Curry, Zach LaVine and Russell Westbrook shine brightest, the various events helped remind fans that youth is taking over today’s NBA. Following a decade of a relatively stable top 10 players featuring the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki, the 2014-2015 NBA season has been one of great transition.
With young players like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and John Wall taking giant leaps toward superstardom, the debate over the top 10 players in the league gets more difficult by the day. But with the regular season over halfway done, let’s dive in and try.
Honorable Mentions
1 of 11
John Wall, G, Washington Wizards
During his breakout 2013-2014 season, John Wall quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s elite point guards. Currently leading the league with 10.1 assists per game, Wall continues to prove himself as one of the best playmakers in the league. Also shooting a career-high 46.1 percent from the field, he has greatly improved from the Rajon Rondo-like defense that opposing teams used to get away with.
However, the biggest knock on Wall continues to be his turnovers. Averaging an unacceptable 3.7 turnovers per game, he needs to cut down on the bad decisions if the Wizards are to be legitimate title contenders. With his deadly blend of size, speed and athleticism, improvements in decision-making and shooting will boost Wall into the NBA’s top 10 for years to come.
At a time when true centers are at a premium, Marc Gasol has proved to be the top two-way 5 in the NBA. The defensively stout Memphis Grizzlies allow the fewest points per game (95.7) and are ranked fifth in defensive efficiency. Leading the team with 89 blocks (1.7 per game), and second with 8.1 rebounds per game, Gasol is a major reason for the Grizzlies’ success on the defensive end.
However, it has been his development on the offensive end that has helped the Grizzlies take a big step forward this season. Averaging a career-high 18.3 points per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, Gasol has helped the Grizzlies to their highest offensive efficiency rating (10th) since the 2006-07 season.
As a dynamic post-up or pick-and-pop scorer, Gasol’s offensive diversity and elite rim-protecting abilities cement him as one of the few superstar centers in today’s NBA.
Playing in a time when power forward is arguably the deepest position in the NBA, LaMarcus Aldridge has had the misfortune of being overshadowed by young superstars (Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin) and veterans (Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki) his entire career. Regardless of the lack of attention he has received, Aldridge is quietly putting together an MVP-caliber season as one of only three players averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Helping prove that last year’s success was no fluke, the Trail Blazers currently sit fourth in the competitive Western Conference standings at 36-18. Averaging a career-high 23.4 points per game, Aldridge’s ability to knock down the three-pointer has become an important addition to his arsenal. His deadly post-up game and 42.4 percent clip from beyond the arc make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. But with younger competition already ahead of him and a lack of athleticism or defensive prowess, it’ll be difficult for him to ever crack the NBA’s top 10.
Another member of the 20-10 club, DeMarcus Cousins has established himself offensively as the most dominant center in the league. Averaging 23.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, he has proved to be worth his four-year, $66 million contract.
While results on the court have been phenomenal, as he earned his first All-Star selection, Cousins’ attitude has become his biggest weakness. It's no surprise that Cousins has been tossed around in trade rumors, most recently involving the Celtics, according to NBA.com's Sam Smith. However, at only 24 years old, he is an absolute force on the basketball court and worth the headaches that the Kings front office has to deal with.
As long as Cousins can stay healthy, he will continue to be the most dominant inside force the league has seen since Shaquille O'Neal.
10. Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
2 of 11
In only his third season, Damian Lillard has already proved himself to be the franchise superstar the Trail Blazers so desperately coveted. Averaging 21.4 points and 6.2 assists per game, the Weber State product has teamed with LaMarcus Aldridge to form one of the deadliest duos in the league.
The constant hedging on pick-and-rolls has made life more difficult for the feared three-point shooter while giving Aldridge easier looks. This added attention has resulted in a 33.9 percent clip from beyond the arc, a career low, as Lillard has shown a tendency to force up contested threes.
However, his overall field-goal percentage of 43.3 percent is a career high, indicating his improved mid-range game and ability to score at the rim. Averaging 7.2 three-point attempts per game, he can afford to cut down on threes and focus on driving to the rim more. Listed by NBA.com at seventh in the league with 9.7 drives per game, Lillard’s 52.7 percent clip on these drives is a strong indication that he is most effective when finishing at the rim.
As a knockdown shooter who is now being overplayed on the perimeter, Lillard must continue to blow by opponents and get into the lane. If he can force opponents to give him space on the perimeter, his three-point percentage should rise back to the high 30s, and a potential scoring title could be in his future.
9. Kyrie Irving, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
3 of 11
Following a crazy offseason that brought LeBron James and Kevin Love to Cleveland, it was unclear how the new Big Three would mesh. While Love still appears to be struggling with his new role, Irving has excelled as of late.
Averaging 24.9 points over his last 11 games, he has established himself as the clear second option in the Cavaliers’ pecking order. Irving’s skills were on full display in late January, as he scored 38 points against the Detroit Pistons and then a career-high 55 against the Portland Trail Blazers the next night. Completely outplaying fellow point guard Damian Lillard, Irving's 11 three-pointers were a reminder that the 2013 Three-Point Contest win was no fluke.
No longer expected to be the playmaker and floor general with LeBron now by his side, Irving has shined in his new role. Shooting a career-high 41.2 percent from deep, his ability as a spot-up shooter has been imperative to Cleveland’s ability to space the floor.
While Irving lacks the explosiveness and athleticism of Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, his second-to-none ball-handling skills and deadly jumper have elevated him to the NBA’s elite. Extremely crafty with the ability to score with either hand, he uses unconventional methods to score against bigger defenders in the paint.
With last year’s Finals proving the importance of LeBron having a strong supporting cast, Irving's continued success will be important if the Cavaliers are to win their first-ever NBA championship.
8. Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
4 of 11
Fresh off an All-Star MVP performance, Westbrook has been the main reason the Oklahoma City Thunder are even in the playoff hunt. Posting a 28.86 player efficiency rating—good for second in the league—Westbrook is having a breakout season, averaging 26.0 points, 7.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game.
With a ferociousness that few players in today’s league can match, Westbrook is one of the few NBA point guards who are a nightmare on both ends of the floor. Arguably the best on-ball defender of all NBA point guards, he is currently second in the league with 2.15 steals per game.
While his tunnel vision and poor shot selection have been well-documented throughout his career, Kevin Durant’s absence has alleviated these usual criticisms.
Carrying the Thunder to a 27-14 record in games he has played in, the UCLA native has proved that he belongs in the discussion of the NBA’s best point guards. With Kevin Durant’s 2016 free agency looming, Westbrook has made quite the case that he is capable of being the star player on an NBA franchise.
If not for Stephen Curry and James Harden’s play thus far, Russell Westbrook’s name would be at the top of the MVP discussion.
7. Blake Griffin, F, Los Angeles Clippers
5 of 11
Currently out with a staph infection in his right elbow, Griffin’s absence could dramatically alter the Clippers’ playoff positioning. After his breakout 2013-2014 season, many have claimed that Griffin has regressed in his fifth year.
Arguably a top-three player by last season’s end, Griffin’s production has decreased as a result of DeAndre Jordan’s development. With Griffin teaming in the frontcourt with the league’s leading rebounder, Jordan has been Griffin’s toughest opponent when it comes to pulling down boards.
Averaging a career-low 7.5 rebounds per game and shooting a career-worst 50.1 percent from the field, Griffin hasn’t been as dominant as in years past. However, ranking in the top 10 in player efficiency rating while leading the Clippers with 22.5 points per game makes “regression” claims seem a bit overblown.
Despite the less impressive stat line, other areas of Griffin’s game have greatly improved. Now becoming more accustomed to double-teams, he has become a better passer from the post and is averaging a career-high 5.1 assists per game.
A major reason for his emergence as a superstar last season was the development of a strong mid-range game, which he has extended to the three-point line this season. Shooting a respectable 38.1 percent, Griffin’s ability to knock it down from beyond the arc has been key to the team's floor spacing.
With an elbow injury keeping him out for the foreseeable future, the Clippers will feel Griffin’s absence as they try to hang onto a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.
6. Chris Paul, G, Los Angeles Clippers
6 of 11
It appears the younger point guards are finally closing the gap on Chris Paul, who had carried the title of best 1-guard for the past five seasons. While Paul doesn’t have the speed or athleticism of his younger competition, his basketball IQ still separates him from the rest of the pack.
With the best floor vision in the league, Paul currently leads the league with an absurd 4.35 assist-to-turnover ratio. His ability to protect the basketball and create opportunities for his team is a major reason the Clippers are ranked first in the NBA in offensive efficiency.
Only averaging 17.8 points per game, Paul’s lower scoring average is a result of his preference of being a distributor instead of a scorer. His innate ability to know when his team needs a basket makes him one of the best closers in the game.
Not relying on explosiveness to make plays, Paul’s unique style based on change of pace and quickness still perplexes opponents. With a potent mid-range game that makes guarding the pick-and-roll nearly impossible, Paul could average 25 points per night if he wanted to. But as one of the last pass-first point guards in today’s NBA, Paul’s gift of setting up teammates is being overlooked.
While he doesn’t play with the same flash as some of his younger counterparts, if he can carry his Blake Griffin-less Clippers to the playoffs, don’t be surprised to hear his name in the MVP discussion at season’s end.
5. James Harden, G, Houston Rockets
7 of 11
Erasing any doubt as to whether or not he is a max contract-worthy player, James Harden has asserted himself as the undisputed top shooting guard in the NBA. Even with Dwight Howard absent for 23 of the Rockets’ 55 games, Harden’s tremendous play has lifted Houston to third place in the Western Conference with a record of 37-18.
Leading the league with 27.4 points per game, Harden is also averaging career highs of 6.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Forced to take on a greater playmaking role with the departure of Chandler Parsons, he has excelled.
As the centerpiece of Houston’s offense, Harden’s ability to drive and kick or create contact at the rim has been vital to Houston’s success. Leading the league with 9.4 free throws per game and shooting 87 percent from the charity stripe has helped Harden to a career-high 27.16 player efficiency rating.
While Harden’s skills on offense have always earned him high praise, the biggest critique has always been his inconsistent effort on defense. However, he has greatly improved this year, averaging a career-high 2.0 steals per game on a Rockets team ranked fourth in defensive efficiency. While still not a defensive stopper by any means, Harden is no longer the defensive liability that he used to be.
The Oklahoma City Thunder front office still dreams of what could have been with a Westbrook-Harden-Durant nucleus. Playing without co-superstar Dwight Howard, Harden has proved his ability to carry a team on his own and is more than worthy of this year’s MVP award.
4. Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors
8 of 11
Guiding the Golden State Warriors to the best record in the league at 43-9, Curry has been the likely MVP thus far. Elevating his game to the level of superstardom this season, his legendary showing at the Three-Point Contest cannot even be considered surprising.
As the most dangerous shooter in the league, many people have completely overlooked Curry’s drastic improvement on defense. Ranked third among all point guards with a defensive real plus-minus of 1.41, while leading the league with 2.19 steals per game, Curry is a surprisingly big reason for Golden State’s stout defense.
Seen as a “tweener” guard entering the league, Curry has done a tremendous job of developing into a more traditional point guard. While he is still a shoot-first point guard, Curry has improved his playmaking skills since entering the league. Averaging 7.9 assists, his reduction in turnovers and focus on finding his teammates have led to a career-best 2.60 assist-to-turnover ratio.
While Curry has improved his decision-making, it is his scoring that currently makes him the best point guard in the NBA. Making more impossible, off-balance, contested three-pointers than the rest of the league combined, he dazzles with quickness, amazing ball-handling skills and perhaps the fastest jump shot of all time, according to David Fleming of ESPN The Magazine.
While he still isn’t the prototypical point guard by any means, Curry’s unorthodox game continues to propel him to new heights. Constantly leaving opposing defenses dumbfounded, the current front-runner for this year’s MVP has a great chance to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy as well.
3. Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
9 of 11
As the reigning MVP, Durant has had some rough luck this season. Incredibly efficient while playing this season, Durant’s biggest issue has been staying on the floor consistently. With no previous injury history, Durant has only played in 27 of the Thunder’s 55 games.
However, in those 27 games, Durant has looked like his usual self. Although his scoring total has dropped tremendously from last season’s 32.0 points per game to 25.4 points this season, the decrease is due to Westbrook’s increased usage and Durant's decrease in minutes. Playing a career-low 33.8 minutes per game, Durant’s seemingly unimpressive stat line is actually almost identical to last year’s numbers per 40 minutes.
Shooting at a more efficient rate than last year’s MVP season, Durant has shown when on the floor that he is still the best scorer in the league. Too lengthy for small forwards and too quick for power forwards, Durant’s dominant post-up game and 40.3 percent clip from the three-point line make him virtually unstoppable.
Burdened by playing in LeBron’s shadow his entire career, Durant’s common “second-best player in the league” title seems to be wearing on him. No longer the happy-go-lucky youngster from his early playing days, Durant’s new edge seems to be a step in the right direction toward capturing his first NBA championship.
If the Thunder are to capture their first title though, Durant will need to be more than just a scorer. While he has improved his passing over the course of his career, the constant double-teams he faces means he should be averaging more than a meager 4.1 assists per game.
Despite Westbrook’s breakout season, there still is no denying who the Thunder’s go-to player is. As the centerpiece of the Oklahoma City offense, the Thunder's title hopes will be dependent on Durant’s ability to score and create for his teammates.
As long as Durant gets fully healthy come playoff time, Oklahoma City will be a team that no one in the Western Conference wants to face.
2. Anthony Davis, F/C, New Orleans Pelicans
10 of 11
With the expectations of Kevin Durant being the heir apparent to LeBron James as the best player in the NBA, Anthony Davis has raised doubts to that prediction. Even though many predicted The Brow would take a big step forward this season, few were expecting averages of 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
Entering the NBA primarily known as a rim protector, Davis has actually exceeded expectations on the defensive end. Leading the league in blocks for the second consecutive season, he combines ridiculous athleticism and timing to alter shots without fouling.
Now having established himself as the best defender in the NBA, the development of Davis’ offensive game is what has catapulted him to superstardom. As a point guard in high school before a massive growth spurt, it seems as if there is nothing on the court that Davis can’t do. Able to lead the fast break, post-up or pick-and-pop, the NBA has never seen such a unique combination of size, athleticism and skill.
Leading the league with a player efficiency rating of 31.32, Davis is on pace for the seventh highest PER in an individual season ever. At only 21 years old, the only thing that can slow Davis down is his own body. Battling through injuries that caused him to miss the All-Star Game, ESPN.com reports Davis just re-aggravated his right shoulder, essentially ending the Pelicans’ playoff hopes this season.
With one of the greatest statistical seasons in NBA history, Davis would firmly be in the MVP discussion if the Pelicans were legitimate Western Conference contenders. Already so dominant at such a young age, it seems likely that he will have a few MVP trophies by the end of his career.
1. LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
11 of 11
Having held the title of best basketball player on the planet for a few years, LeBron James continues to dominate the competition. Despite people’s claims that he has lost a step or has already peaked, he is still averaging 26.0 points, 7.3 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Even though this has become a routine stat line for LeBron, it’s difficult to say that someone posting a 25.81 PER is having a down year. But having won four of the last six regular season MVP awards, LeBron’s consistent brilliance has led fans to become tougher critics.
Shooting under 50 percent from the field for the first time since the 2008-2009 season, LeBron has not been as efficient as in recent years. With him having grown accustomed to Chris Bosh bringing his defender out to the perimeter in Miami, Cleveland’s lack of a floor-spacing center makes finishing at the rim much more difficult.
With this arguably being the most challenging season of LeBron’s career thus far, Cleveland’s growing pains have been eerily similar to the ones he faced in his first year with Miami. Adjusting his game to better mesh with his teammates, LeBron seems to be figuring it out as his Cavaliers are winners of 15 of their last 17.
As the main playmaker and scorer for Cleveland, James’ ability to pass or score from anywhere on the floor is unrivaled. While he may not be as explosive or athletic as when he first entered the league, LeBron’s basketball IQ and floor vision will keep him among the NBA’s elite for years to come.
LeBron’s current title of “best basketball player on the planet” is indisputable, but until he brings a title back to Cleveland, “greatest of all time” is still up for debate.
Advanced stats courtesy of ESPN.com and TeamRankings.com unless otherwise noted.
