Ranking Top 5 NBA Stars at Every Position: Does Anyone Want the Center Crown?
Usually, it's pretty easy to tell who's at the top of each positional hierarchy in the NBA.
If you had to guess, you could probably tell me right now that [redacted, just in case they're still spoilers for some] will end up finishing at No. 1 for point guard, shooting guard, small forward and power forward, respectively. They're all MVP candidates, and it isn't hard to see what makes them so dominant.
But center is another story as the regular season comes to a close.
With veterans failing to live up to their reputations, DeMarcus Cousins falling from the top spot into the injured portion of these rankings and plenty of young guns on the rise, anarchy reigns supreme at the biggest spot in a traditional basketball lineup.
And we wouldn't have it any other way during April, as injuries, runs at playoff spots and competitions for top lottery odds always make the month a rather crazy one. Plenty has changed since the last edition (published prior to the games played on the first day of the month), even if many of the top guys are holding steady in their pole positions.
After all, we're looking largely at play since that previous update while trying to determine which players have excelled most in all facets of the game. Recency is quite important, as always, but so too is the overall body of work from this season.
Injured Players
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Before delving into the rankings, 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 relevant period between updates of this series, he's automatically ineligible for the remainder of this slideshow.
As a result, DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Serge Ibaka, Paul Millsap, Carmelo Anthony, Wesley Matthews and Kobe Bryant will not appear, although they would at least be considered if the injury imp didn't dictate otherwise.
Point Guard No. 5: John Wall (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
2 of 26
Team: Washington Wizards
Age: 24
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 17.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, 20.1 PER
Since April 1: 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.3 blocks
John Wall has been masterful for the surging Washington Wizards, a team that's finally getting hot at a crucial point in the season. It's not easy to dish out 14 assists per game while still dropping slightly more than 15 points in the average outing, but this 24-year-old has done so in April.
However, Wall has been far from perfect. In particular, two aspects of his resume are holding him back.
Including an April 1 outing against the Philadelphia 76ers, this point guard has only had six opportunities to make an impression since the last edition of these rankings. He sat out during two of them—the Wizards beat the Sixers and lost to the Brooklyn Nets—trying to get in some rest before the NBA's second season begins.
Additionally, turnovers have been an issue. Though his heavy involvement makes this more palatable, it's not exactly a positive that he's averaged 6.3 cough-ups during the relevant stretch.
Honorable Mentions (and a bonus): Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson, Damian Lillard, Jeff Teague
Point Guard No. 4: Kyrie Irving (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
3 of 26
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 23
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 21.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, 21.5 PER
Since April 1: 22.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals, 0.3 blocks
Kyrie Irving cannot miss.
In April, the dynamic 23-year-old has knocked down half of his shots from the field, and that's arguably the least impressive part of his slash line. After all, he's drilled 87 percent of his looks from the charity stripe while hitting his triples at a 56.5 percent clip.
That's all good for a scorching true shooting percentage of 67.3 percent. For perspective, the only superior season-long marks belong to Kyle Korver and Tyson Chandler, neither of whom has spent nearly as much time lofting up tough attempts.
Throw in more of a concerted effort on the defensive end, and it's easy to see why Irving is moving back up the ranks.
Point Guard No. 3: Russell Westbrook (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
4 of 26
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 26
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 28.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 2.1 steals, 0.2 blocks, 28.8 PER
Since April 1: 31.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.1 blocks
Having Russell Westbrook at No. 3 is not supposed to be an insult, especially considering the simple fact that all three of the top point guards here are going to feature quite prominently on end-of-season MVP ballots.
This uber-athletic floor general has been sensational in recent weeks. No one can keep him out of the lane as he attacks the basket again and again, and his finishes are nothing short of superb. Beyond that, he's continuing to rebound with aplomb while keeping everyone involved in the crippled Oklahoma City Thunder lineup.
Frankly, it's tough to find things worth complaining about. His turnovers aren't too egregious, since he's carrying such a historically heavy burden. His shooting numbers may be merely mediocre, but is it really a better option to ask his lackluster teammates to get more involved?
But the point is there are slight gripes, especially since the Thunder have struggled to look like a good team in many of their recent contests.
You can't say the same about the two players ahead of him.
Point Guard No. 2: Chris Paul (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
5 of 26
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 29
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 19.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.2 blocks, 25.9 PER
Since April 1: 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 12.3 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.2 blocks
Chris Paul may actually be the perfect point guard, and he's still not coming in at No. 1 in these rankings.
He's played fantastic defense for the Los Angeles Clippers, serving as a strong first line of defense who rarely allows much penetration into the paint. And at the same time, he's functioned as the clear-cut leader of the NBA's best offense, scoring with ease and efficiency while he moves toward yet another assist crown.
According to my FATS projections (based on historical similarities and explained in full here), LAC has played like a 25.6-win team with Paul on the bench since April 1. But when he plays during the current month, the team morphs into a two-way juggernaut.
First, it's worth noting that the Paul-led Clippers have posted a 56.8 effective field-goal percentage while holding the opposition to 45.9 over that stretch, per NBA.com's statistical databases. But bringing in far more than just shooting efficiency, they've played like a 60.6-win squad with him on the floor.
How's that for making an impact?
Point Guard No. 1: Stephen Curry (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
6 of 26
Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 27
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 28.0 PER
Since April 1: 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.1 steals
All hail the king of three-pointers.
In fact, as part of the worship, let's just take a look at what Stephen Curry has done from beyond the arc during each of his April outings:
- April 2 against the Phoenix Suns: 6-of-11
- April 4 against the Dallas Mavericks: 1-of-4
- April 5 against the San Antonio Spurs: 5-of-10
- April 7 against the New Orleans Pelicans: 5-of-8
- April 9 against the Portland Trail Blazers: 8-of-13
- April 11 against the Minnesota Timberwolves: 5-of-11
- April 13 against the Memphis Grizzlies: 3-of-6
I mean...what? That's disgustingly good. Perhaps even better than hitting, say, 77 consecutive triples in practice.
Overall, he's taking nine deep attempts per game and hitting them at a 52.4 percent clip. Is it any wonder he's broken his own three-point record with room to spare?
Shooting Guard No. 5: Dwyane Wade (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
7 of 26
Team: Miami Heat
Age: 33
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.3 blocks, 21.4 PER
Since April 1: 19.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks
Now that many of the league's best shooting guards are healthy again, it's harder to maintain a firm grasp on one of the position's top spots. That's the unfortunate reality for Dwyane Wade, who has still been quite good but has also been subject to a few off performances in the last two weeks.
First, he played just below 13 minutes in a blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he was struggling with his shot before exiting with only six points. But one week later, in a loss to the Chicago Bulls, he was far worse.
Wade's final line that night saw him record just nine points, three rebounds and three assists. He also coughed up the ball five times and shot a cringe-worthy 4-of-20 from the field.
One miserable outing like that matters quite a bit in a close competition that's heavily fueled by recency.
Honorable Mentions: Bradley Beal, Victor Oladipo, J.J. Redick
Shooting Guard No. 4: DeMar DeRozan (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
8 of 26
Team: Toronto Raptors
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 20.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.2 blocks, 17.4 PER
Since April 1: 25.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks
Especially with Kyle Lowry injured, the Toronto Raptors desperately needed someone to shoulder a heavier scoring burden. That someone would be DeMar DeRozan, who has been quite good on the offensive end in the last few weeks.
Over his past six games, the 25-year-old 2-guard has averaged 25.5 points, and he's been quite efficient in the process. Not only has he knocked down 47.7 percent of his shots from the field, but he's also hit 35.7 percent of his tries from downtown and relentlessly attacked the rim before hitting his freebies at an 85.7 percent clip.
The key?
DeRozan seems to be figuring out that he should convert his mid-range attempts into aggressive drives or shots that come from a few steps back. After all, the former leaves the door open to free-throw opportunities, while the latter attempts are worth an extra point. It's working out nicely during the stretch run, and the Raptors have to boast a bit more confidence now that they're winning games again.
Shooting Guard No. 3: Jimmy Butler (Previous Ranking: No. 5)
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Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, 21.2 PER
Since April 1: 18.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.3 blocks
It's safe to say that Jimmy Butler is back in business.
"In the end, though, Butler did too much for us to ignore," writes ESPN.com's Marc Stein while picking the Chicago Bulls 2-guard for Most Improved Player. "The way he hiked his scoring average from 13.1 PPG to 20.0 PPG, becoming an All-Star for the first time, and made himself a 46.2 percent shooter after shooting 39.7 percent last season nudged him past [Draymond] Green on this scorecard. Very narrowly."
But Butler's candidacy might have taken a nosedive if his midseason slump and injury last month had carried over into the stretch run, leaving a sour taste in voters' mouths as the 82-game campaign drew to a conclusion.
It didn't.
Not when Butler has continued to defend ferociously and serve as a huge scoring threat, even with Derrick Rose back in the lineup. Not with Butler knocking down 52.2 percent of his three-point attempts since returning from his elbow injury on March 23.
At this point, it's clear the 25-year-old is going to be around the top of these rankings for a long time.
Shooting Guard No. 2: Klay Thompson (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
10 of 26
Team: Golden State Warriors
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 21.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks, 20.6 PER
Since April 1: 20.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks
"The biggest thing with Klay is, if he just takes good shots, if he lets the game come to him, then he can get into a groove like that," Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after Klay Thompson's latest outburst, via ESPN.com's Ethan Sherwood Strauss. "He's obviously a phenomenal shooter. Where he gets himself in a little bit of trouble is when he starts taking off-balanced shots, quick shots that he doesn't need to take."
That came after the shooting guard exploded yet again.
This time, he dropped 42 points in just three quarters against the vaunted Memphis Grizzlies during a Sunday matchup, including a stunning 26 in the second period. Had he remained on the floor for the final 12 minutes, it's possible he could have ended up with his second 50-point showing, rather than "only" his fourth 40-point game.
How do you know you've become a truly great scorer?
"He only scored 26 (in the second quarter). I've seen 37. Whatever, Klay," Kerr joked after the game, per LetsGoWarriors.com's Twitter feed.
That's how.
Shooting Guard No. 1: James Harden (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
11 of 26
Team: Houston Rockets
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 27.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, 26.8 PER
Since April 1: 30.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
Ho hum.
Another edition of these rankings, and another No. 1 finish for the bearded shooting guard.
James Harden, who still remains an exceedingly justifiable choice for league MVP, simply refuses to slow down. He continues to do everything for the Houston Rockets, and his playing style hasn't changed as the wear and tear of an NBA season attempts to take its toll.
Would it be understandable if Harden slowed down and stopped seeking out so much contact, trying to protect his body rather than expose himself to even more physical harm? Sure, but that's not how this superstar plays.
At this point, the separation between Harden and the rest of the league's shooting guards is just ridiculous.
Small Forward No. 5: Tobias Harris (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
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Team: Orlando Magic
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, 16.7 PER
Since April 1: 18.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks
The group of elite small forwards is growing perilously thin.
Paul George still hasn't used enough minutes to vault into the rankings, though he's exceeded expectations with the playing time he has received while his activity is restricted. Rudy Gay has missed time for the Sacramento Kings, to the point that he's ineligible here. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony were ruled out for the season long ago, and now Gordon Hayward is falling into that same category.
Through sheer attrition, Tobias Harris gets to take over a featured spot.
Playing under James Borrego has worked out quite nicely for this 22-year-old. And yes, Harris is only 22, despite the fact it seems like he's been in the league for a long time.
He's been serving as a featured scorer for a while now, and he's only growing more comfortable in that role. In April, he's actually shooting 49 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from downtown and 75 percent at the charity stripe, which should bode well for his value going forward.
Maybe he's not just earning this spot due to a dearth of competition, after all.
Honorable Mentions: Trevor Ariza, DeMarre Carroll, Khris Middleton
Small Forward No. 4: Tyreke Evans (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mention)
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Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.5 blocks, 17.5 PER
Since April 1: 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks
It's still tough to call Tyreke Evans a true small forward, as he's often lined up at the 2 and handled the responsibilities of a player who typically suits up as a 1. But he has to qualify somewhere, and we've been calling him a forward throughout the duration of the 2014-15 season.
That's lucky for Evans, because the thinned-out class and struggles of his positional counterparts have made him stand out even more.
Though it's Anthony Davis who draws nearly all the attention by the bayou—and Jrue Holiday's return also stole some headlines—Evans has been a consistently solid force for a team still in the playoff hunt. Without him probing the defense, keeping his head up and seeking out the most advantageous offensive play, the New Orleans Pelicans would have locked up a lottery spot long ago.
It's no fluke that the Pelicans have outscored opponents by 2.8 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor and been outscored by 1.9 when he sits throughout the season.
Small Forward No. 3: Andrew Wiggins (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 20
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 16.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks, 13.8 PER
Since April 1: 23.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks
Andrew Wiggins just isn't going to slow down.
The prohibitive favorite for Rookie of the Year is taking advantage of the injuries that have torn apart the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup in recent days, accepting more offensive responsibility and flat-out thriving.
He's still not much of a rebounder, and his ability to distribute the ball is only now improving. He also doesn't take many three-point attempts, though that's primarily due to the occasionally archaic teachings of Flip Saunders. But was anyone expecting perfection from a first-year player who can't legally consume alcohol in the country just south of his homeland?
Wiggins has already figured out how to pick apart defenses, and he's spent April in constant attack mode. He's taking double-digit free throws during his average outing, which has more than made up for the lack of range on his jumper.
He's only going to keep developing, and now he's working with a rather impressive starting point. If you still have any doubts he's already become a star, just ask Omer Asik how he feels.
Small Forward No. 2: Kawhi Leonard (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
15 of 26
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 23
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 16.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.7 blocks, 22.2 PER
Since April 1: 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 3.1 steals, 0.3 blocks
Kawhi Leonard just continues to blossom.
Somehow, he's getting even better on the defensive end, growing even more confident when he's trying to rip the ball away from the opposition and consistently making all the right decisions with his rotations and help. And that comes as he keeps proving himself on offense, driving a San Antonio Spurs unit that's only getting increasingly deadly during the stretch run as the team gears up for yet another deep postseason charge.
Per FATS, the Spurs have been significantly better when he's on the floor during April.
Without Leonard, San Antonio has played like a 48.5-win team throughout the relevant stretch. Seems strong, right? It is, but not when compared to this next number.
When Leonard is on the floor, the Spurs suddenly morph into a 57-win wrecking ball, one that resembles the franchise's dominant teams of old—ones that have gone on late-season blitzkriegs. Fifty-seven is actually misleadingly low, as San Antonio has had a strange profile that defies comparison, and it fares better than most of its top matches in the most important categories.
Gregg Popovich has given Leonard plenty of freedom on the offensive end, and the results have quite obviously been fantastic.
Going from great to historically excellent isn't an easy jump, but that's the one this small forward's presence has triggered. And remember, that's even tougher on a San Antonio squad that still emphasizes system play and balance.
Small Forward No. 1: LeBron James (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
16 of 26
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Age: 30
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 25.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks, 26.0 PER
Since April 1: 19.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.2 blocks
As Grantland's Zach Lowe writes while picking each of the NBA's major individual awards—spoiler: LeBron James is at No. 4 on his MVP ballot—this Cleveland Cavaliers forward is still the best player in the world:
"LeBron remains the league's best overall player. The Cavaliers collapsed during his break, though that was before David Griffin rebuilt the roster. But Harden and Curry put up comparable numbers and played damn near the whole season; LeBron loses points for his little LeBattical, a mini vacation to rest some aches, escape the media madness, and perhaps address the fact that he came to camp not quite in pristine condition.
"
He's not focused on his scoring at this stage of the season, but that hasn't kept him from having a major impact.
After all, how many players are capable of averaging 19 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, a steal and a block for even a short stretch? That's a rhetorical question, but the answer certainly isn't a large one, and we know for a fact that James is capable of joining that club.
He's done exactly that in April.
Power Forward No. 5: Pau Gasol (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
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Team: Chicago Bulls
Age: 34
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.9 blocks, 22.8 PER
Since April 1: 18.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.3 steals, 1.4 blocks
"This season has been extremely positive individually," Pau Gasol told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune while revealing that he's been closely monitoring statistics during his career year. "I'm just happy that I'm playing at this level and accomplishing things I haven't done in the past, which is pretty remarkable at this stage of my career. I just want to continue to work and stay focused and extend my level of play as long as I can."
It's really not possible to oversell just how impressive it is for a future Hall of Famer to have one of the best seasons of his life at 34 years old. But that's exactly what's happening for the older Gasol brother, who has stayed remarkably healthy throughout his first year with the Chicago Bulls, even setting a new high-water mark for rebounds per game (11.8).
And he hasn't declined as the season drags on.
Not in the slightest. Instead, he keeps churning out double-doubles for the Windy City residents, which has allowed him to remain in the featured portion of a deep power forward class.
Honorable Mentions: Draymond Green, Kenneth Faried, Dirk Nowitzki
Power Forward No. 4: Tim Duncan (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
18 of 26
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Age: 38
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 13.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.0 blocks, 22.6 PER
Since April 1: 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 blocks
Speaking of players who refuse to go away...
Sometimes, I have trouble deciding. When Tim Duncan and Father Time play bingo at a local retirement home, is the latter happy that the former is on such good terms with him? Or is he secretly bitter that he's been unable to wreck Duncan's career, as he's done for so many other aging veterans?
Regardless, Duncan keeps soldiering on.
April has already seen him win Player of the Week for the Western Conference—the 23rd time he's received such a designation in his legendary career. The last three times he earned the award? March of 2014, November of 2012 and November of 2009.
How's that for turning back the clocks?
So long as this soon-to-be 39-year-old is still providing fantastic two-way production, the Spurs are always going to be a title threat. And he's doing exactly that during the stretch run.
Power Forward No. 3: LaMarcus Aldridge (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
19 of 26
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Age: 29
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 23.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, 22.9 PER
Since April 1: 23.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks
When he's completely healthy, LaMarcus Aldridge remains the second-best power forward in basketball, as he's been for so much of the current season. But that's not the case right now, since Aldridge's bumps and bruises have piled up, leading to him missing some action in the relevant time period.
A foot injury has kept him out for each of the Portland Trail Blazers' last two outings, and Rip City hasn't been able to get over the hump without him—or without so many other players who typically make up Terry Stotts' rotation, for that matter.
Aldridge has been phenomenal when he steps onto the court, much to the surprise of absolutely no one. But in such a tight competition for the No. 2 spot in this positional countdown, missing back-to-back games isn't a recipe for success.
Still, Portland fans can take solace in the fact that Aldridge not pushing his limits right now is going to result in two things: a move back up the rankings for him in the future and the Blazers looking more competitive during the playoffs.
Power Forward No. 2: Blake Griffin (Previous Ranking: No. 3)
20 of 26
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 26
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 22.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.5 blocks, 22.7 PER
Since April 1: 20.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.8 blocks
Trivia time!
Question: How many frontcourt players have managed to average 20 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists over the course of a season?
Answer: Only 23 such campaigns have been recorded throughout NBA history, and they come from only six players:
- Larry Bird (six times)
- Wilt Chamberlain (twice)
- John Havlicek (four times)
- Grant Hill (three times)
- LeBron James (seven times)
- Scottie Pippen (once)
Blake Griffin isn't joining that exclusive group this season, but heading into a Tuesday night showdown with the Phoenix Suns, he had put up those rare numbers in April.
Doc Rivers has shown nothing but confidence in his 26-year-old power forward, allowing him to serve as an offensive hub and put his versatile skills on display. These aren't just the Los Angeles Clippers shooters making Griffin look good; he's hitting them right between the numbers and making their jobs a whole lot easier.
Now, the time he spent out of the lineup is but a distant memory.
Power Forward No. 1: Anthony Davis (Previous Ranking: No. 1)
21 of 26
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 24.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.9 blocks, 31.0 PER
Since April 1: 21.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 blocks
Who else is it going to be?
As ridiculous as Anthony Davis' line has been in November, he's done so much that doesn't show up in those five numbers you see above. And I'm not just talking about how he's kept the New Orleans Pelicans in the pole position for the Western Conference's No. 8 seed.
He's shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 75.9 percent from the line since April 1. During the same stretch, he's turning the ball over only 0.8 times per game, which is particularly crazy since he's been even more involved in the passing game.
Perhaps even more impressively, his offensive rating is 21 points higher than his defensive rating, which confirms what the eye test makes so easy to see: Davis is making one heck of a two-way impact for the Pelicans, playing some particularly ferocious defense as the games move into the do-or-die category.
This spot has been his whenever he's healthy, and he's exactly that right now.
Center No. 5: Hassan Whiteside (Previous Ranking: Unranked)
22 of 26
Team: Miami Heat
Age: 25
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 11.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 0.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.6 blocks, 26.2 PER
Since April 1: 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.5 steals, 3.2 blocks
It's finally time.
When he's spent a lot of time on the court for the Miami Heat, Hassan Whiteside has come close to grabbing a featured spot, but he's always fallen just short and landed in the honorable mentions (or worse). Not in this edition, as the combination of great performances from the 25-year-old breakout player and slippage from established centers has moved him into the No. 5 hole.
Whiteside just keeps displaying his great touch, even now that he's more involved than ever for the Miami Heat. He's become more than a hustle player who thrives when he's cleaning up the trash in South Beach, as Erik Spoelstra should—and apparently does—have plenty of confidence letting his big man go to work in the post.
Couple that with his consistent presence around the basket, swatting plenty of shots and altering countless others, and it's readily apparent how Whiteside has had such a big impact.
Honorable Mentions: Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, Brook Lopez
Center No. 4: Andre Drummond (Previous Ranking: No. 4)
23 of 26
Team: Detroit Pistons
Age: 21
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 13.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.9 blocks, 21.3 PER
Since April 1: 15.1 points, 15.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.3 steals, 2.6 blocks
It's tough to believe that Andre Drummond is still only 21 years old. He's certainly going to keep improving on the offensive and defensive ends of the court, but is he going to continue getting better on the glass as his body matures even more?
How's that for a terrifying thought?
As Stan Van Gundy recently told Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Drummond is already playing at an All-Star level:
"He has been [playing like an All-Star]; but of course the key is, what All-Stars do is they do it over a long period of time, night in and night out. It's one thing to have that level of ability and be able to do it night in and night out when people are keying on you.
That's the challenge for him going forward, but he's certainly been playing at that level over the last 20 games.
"
And as Ellis makes clear, Van Gundy's confidence in his big man is easy to see:
"Van Gundy emphasized feeding the center in the post early in the season. The results were mixed at best. Some shots would fail to draw iron. Drummond would be in such a hurry to score that his footwork would cause him to be off balance, so Van Gundy de-emphasized running the offense through him.
Now, Drummond is calm and patient, using his quickness against big centers. He overpowers smaller centers, and Van Gundy has returned to giving him consistent touches.
"
At this point, there's no reason to do anything else.
Center No. 3: Rudy Gobert (Previous Ranking: No. 5)
24 of 26
Team: Utah Jazz
Age: 22
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 8.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 2.3 blocks, 21.6 PER
Since April 1: 12.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.1 blocks
We've reached Rudy Gobert's newest place in the countdown, which can only mean one thing. It's now time for our biweekly check in on the French phenom's rim-protecting skills!
According to NBA.com's SportVU data, Gobert is no longer holding the opposition below 40 percent shooting at the rim. But he's quite close, keeping everyone to 40.1 percent, and that's a mark that still leads the league.
Among the 121 players facing at least four attempts at the hoop per game, Serge Ibaka (40.8) and Andrew Bogut (40.9) come closest to matching Gobert's work. Behind them is Roy Hibbert (42.6), so you can see just how elite that trio has been while serving as the last lines of defense for their respective teams.
But Gobert is doing more than just swatting shots at the basket as he makes a dark-horse run at Most Improved Player. He's finishing on the other end, serving as an efficient source of points for the Utah Jazz with his follow-up attempts and work as a roll man. Plus, he's been a decent distributor and a strong screener, which makes him even more valuable on the offensive end.
Even with an incredible nickname like "The Stifle Tower," Gobert doesn't have the name recognition that so many other dominant centers enjoy. But he's still making as large an impact as any of them. That's where his most impressive stats of all come into play, and it's somewhat surprising they aren't built solely on the shoulders of his rim protection.
Gobert actually ranks in the top 15 for win shares (No. 15), win shares per 48 minutes (No. 9), box plus/minus (No. 8) and value over replacement player (No. 10). At this point, he needs to be considered an unquestioned star.
Center No. 2: Al Horford (Previous Ranking: Honorable Mentions)
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Team: Atlanta Hawks
Age: 28
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 15.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.3 blocks, 21.2 PER
Since April 1: 18.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.4 blocks
Al Horford's per-game numbers may not seem particularly impressive, but it's the well-rounded combination that makes him so special. This big man can fill just about any role for the Atlanta Hawks, often serving as the team's heart and soul with his ability to make key plays that many centers couldn't.
Averaging at least 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block on the season isn't easy. This year, only 13 players are matching or exceeding each of those numbers, as Horford has done in April. And let's not forget that he'd be among that group for the season as a whole if the Hawks weren't so good, as he's played less minutes in crunch time than he typically would, thereby pushing him just shy of the necessary steals landmark.
In many ways, Horford has taken over from Marc Gasol as the king of the no-stats All-Stars.
He doesn't care about putting up gaudy numbers; he just wants to rack up wins, even if doing so means sacrificing his own individual glory and promoting the success of his teammates.
Center No. 1: DeAndre Jordan (Previous Ranking: No. 2)
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Team: Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 26
2014-15 Per-Game Stats: 11.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, 21.0 PER
Since April 1: 14.5 points, 16.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 2.3 blocks
If I told you before the season started that an April ranking of the top five players at each position would feature DeAndre Jordan, Rudy Gobert, Al Horford, Hassan Whiteside and Andre Drummond at center, would you have believed me?
Chances are, you'd have had one of three reactions:
- "Wow, this guy is nuts."
- "LOLOLOLOL!"
- "When is the earliest you can hand in your letter of resignation?"
And I'd have agreed with you.
That's beyond crazy, but it's the reality we're looking at after a bunch of breakouts, injuries to prominent stars that are either currently affecting them (DeMarcus Cousins) or preventing them from playing too many minutes (Dwight Howard) and steep declines in recent weeks from established studs (Marc Gasol).
The point is that it's legitimately shocking Jordan is coming out on top, and it's almost happening through sheer attrition. That's not to discredit the remarkable efforts of the Los Angeles Clippers big man, as he's been utterly fantastic on both ends of the court, but rather to shine a light on how unique it is to have a de facto specialist rise to the top of his position.
At least he's damn good at his specialties—throwing the ball in the hoop from close range, playing interior defense, missing free throws, grabbing rebounds and pulling down even more rebounds. Let's put the last two in context, because it's hard to wrap your head around what 15 boards per game means historically.
If we run an era translation to adjust for changing pace, we can directly compare Jordan's per-game average to Wilt Chamberlain's record-setting 27.2 in 1960-61. He certainly wouldn't be matching that historic mark, but he would have averaged 20.6 boards, which would then be one of the 25 best marks of all time.
That's one way to function as a non-traditional star.
Note: All stats, unless otherwise indicated, come from Basketball-Reference.com and are current heading into April 14 games.
