Each NBA Team's Most Balanced Player
Every team in the league needs that one guy who does a little bit of everything. Sometimes, it's a big man who hedges on ball screens and dives with vigor to the rim after setting them. Sometimes, it's the point guard who will get back on defense and slap the floor to fire up his team. Sometimes, it's the all-world athlete who takes on any defensive challenge.
The fact is, in hoops, you can't win a championship with a bunch of designated hitters. So, without further ado, let's give it up for the guys who lay it on the line on both ends of the floor. Here's my take on each team's most balanced player.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
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A lot of NBA fans credited Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer for the team's improbable jump from 38 wins in 2013-14 to 60 wins in 2014-15. While the coach was terrific in implementing his rapid ball-movement system last season, the biggest difference was the return of two-way terror Al Horford.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, Horford led the Hawks in blocks, finished second in assists per game among the starting five and created matchup nightmares for opposing big men with his deft shooting ability. Nearly 39 percent of Horford's shot attempts came from 16 feet and beyond.
All season, the "undersized" center (6'10", 245 lbs) dragged opposing centers away from the hoop—creating massive driving lanes for point guards Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder.
Boston Celtics: Jae Crowder
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Swingman Jae Crowder blossomed in Beantown last season after a midseason trade sent him from Big D to the Northeast. Though he shot just 28 percent from beyond the arc for the Celtics last season, he somehow helped balance the floor offensively and achieved an offensive rating of 108, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Crowder was a beast on defense. He often drew the toughest assignments on the team. Crowder was a rare bench player who averaged more minutes per game in the playoffs than the regular season. That was mostly due to his assignment in Boston's lone series—LeBron James.
Brooklyn Nets: Brook Lopez
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It's hard to call Brook Lopez balanced. He's 7 feet tall and 260 pounds, and he's never even averaged nine boards per game. Grab a rebound, Brook!
But...nobody else really fits. Check out the team's stat page from last season. Lopez and new Trail Blazer Mason Plumlee were the only two guys on the roster whose offensive rating was higher than their defensive rating, per Basketball Reference.
Lopez has a unique offensive skill set—especially for a modern center. He can knock down jump shots from anywhere within 19 feet, but he can also back down defenders and score in the post.
It'll be interesting to see how much playing time he gets as the Eastern Conference trends toward small-ball lineups. He doesn't have the same light feet that Al Horford and Tristan Thompson display when they switch onto guards.
Charlotte Hornets: Nicolas Batum
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Charlotte isn't exactly chock full of two-way guys. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shines defensively but sacrifices spacing offensively. Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson are good offensively but struggle to stay with their man on D.
This offseason Charlotte flipped Noah Vonleh and Gerald Henderson to Portland for Nicolas Batum. The 6'8" small forward is coming off his worst season with the Blazers, but he should still fill a desperate need for the Hornets. They had zero outside scoring on the wing; Batum is a career 36 percent three-point shooter.
He also has the length and quickness to defend most players. His unique skill set has helped him achieve a positive plus/minus in six of his seven seasons in the league.
Editor's note: The original slide stated Gerald Henderson was with Charlotte, but he was involved in the Batum trade. We regret the error.
Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler
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A great two-way player, a fantastic head of lettuce and a dapper dresser to boot. Some might call Jimmy Butler the total package.
The shooting guard from Marquette emerged as a star last season. Right now, Butler is way better than backcourt mate Derrick Rose.
Butler ranked sixth in the league last season in numberFire.com's nERD metric, which measure efficiency. He led the league in minutes per game, he just got paid, and he's not even 26, so his best days are likely ahead of him.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
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Okay, I'll admit it. After the first round of the playoffs, I thought Anthony Davis had officially arrived as the best player in the league.
Nope!
It's still LeBron James. What else can we say about the guy who plays every position on the floor better than average? He's been a top-of-the-line passer since '03. He grabs boards when the Cavaliers go small. He shoots threes (though not well in the most recent playoffs) when that's what his team needs.
This past season, LeBron's defense wasn't as dominant as it had been on those late-ought Cavs teams or the four-year run in Miami. But he was still a plus defender—he dug his feet in when his team needed it.
Perhaps the most impressive balancing act of LeBron's 2014-15 season was his ability to balance playing, coaching and running a front office at the same time.
Editor's note: This slide was adjusted after further consideration.
Dallas Mavericks: Wesley Matthews
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The Blazers 2014-15 season went out the window when Wes Matthews went down late last year. Matthews had made it a personal issue with just about every other shooting guard in the league. He was a defensive safety net for Damian Lillard, who is my pick for worst defensive point guard in the league.
Oh yeah, Matthews made 173 three-pointers last season on 39 percent shooting. He finished ninth in the league in made threes despite playing in just 60 games. He deserved every penny of that contract with Dallas.
Denver Nuggets: Kenneth Faried
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The Nuggets were terrible last year. I actually am often disappointed in Kenneth Faried's defense as a whole. He's a subpar defender of true big men.
But realistically, who the heck was I going to put in his place? Emmanuel Mudiay? The jury is still out. Wilson Chandler? Does he even care?
Faried was the only Nugget who posted a defensive rating less than 110 and an offensive rating better than 105, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Editor's note: This slide originally stated Ty Lawson was on the Nuggets. We regret the error.
Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
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This is a big year for Andre Drummond. We saw him shine on the glass when frontcourt mate Greg Monroe was out with an injury last season. Now, with Monroe in Milwaukee, the paint is reserved for Drummond.
He should flourish in a system where he's surrounded by shooters and slashers. Drummond posted a stout defensive rating of 100 last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com. He averaged nine rebounds per 100 possessions. That's an astounding rate.
If Drummond can improve his free-throw shooting from 39 percent to, I don't know, 54 percent, maybe he'll move into a class with the best two-way centers in the league. For now, he's a liability at the end of games and when playing smart teams such as the San Antonio Spurs.
Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
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The Warriors have a ton of balanced guys. Klay Thompson combines stellar outside shooting with tough on-ball defense. Andre Iguodala just won the Finals MVP for his defensive effort. Even Harrison Barnes showed his versatility when he guarded Zach Randolph in the Memphis series.
But the answer is Draymond Green. The Warriors were great with him at power forward this season and even better when he played center. Granted, he had all-world offensive talent around him and often was left wide open for those patented slowly executed top-of-the-key threes. But Green's improved passing, finishing and confidence were the missing ingredients for the newly crowned NBA champions.
His defense speaks for itself. Green finished second in the league in Defensive Player of the Year voting because of his ability to guard anybody.
Houston Rockets: Trevor Ariza
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Trevor Ariza came over from Washington and fit right into the Rockets' plan. Shoot a ton of threes? No problem. Play aggressive defense and disrupt opposing wings with your ridiculous length? Check. Get out in transition and finish at the rim? I can do that!
Ariza was third on the team in scoring, second in made threes and tied for first in steals. He helped the Rockets move up from 13th in defensive rating in 2013-14 to eighth in 2014-15.
Ariza will be an important cog in the Rockets' layups, free throws and long-range offense...until general manager Daryl Morey inevitably shops him in an attempt to land a third superstar.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George
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I hope Paul George comes back and plays like he did before his horrific leg injury. He's my favorite defensive player in the league and goes hard to the rim.
Two years ago, George posted a massive plus-10 differential per 100 possessions, according to Basketball-Reference.com. He did that while averaging over 36 minutes per game and hounding opposing wings.
Please let this season be a return to glory for the 25-year-old from Palmdale, California.
Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Paul
13 of 30The Clippers had two amazing candidates for this crown. DeAndre Jordan was a monster on both ends of the floor last season, but this Kirk Goldsberry article from Grantland.com sealed the deal for Chris Paul. Not only does he force opposing point guards to shoot a low percentage, he rarely allows them to even shoot!
If you're not playing the Thunder or Cavaliers, point guard is the toughest position in the league to defend. CP3 does it better than anyone. He also shoots a ridiculous percentage from everywhere on the floor and completely controls the game and the refs no matter where he is on the floor. He might be the most balanced player in the league.
Los Angeles Lakers: Roy Hibbert
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The Lakers stunk it up last season. They were the 29th-best defensive team in the league, according to Basketball-Reference.com, and that's without defensive sieve Kobe Bryant suiting up particularly often.
Enter Roy Hibbert. The 7'2" center should bring some balance to the defense. He's revolutionized the game with the "verticality rule," and he'll certainly help when opposing point guards are driving to the hoop virtually unopposed all season.
The Georgetown graduate has averaged more than 10 points per game each of the last six seasons and hit over 82 percent of his freebies. He'll bring leadership and balance to a franchise in transition.
Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
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Mike Conley is a very good two-way point guard, but the answer is Marc Gasol. Pau's younger brother has blossomed into a defensive floor general. Per Basketball-Reference.com, the two-time All-Star posted five straight defensive ratings under 103.
He can cover for Zach Randolph when he's chasing an undersized big and can also wall off the rim in a pinch.
On offense, Gasol is a tough matchup. His jumper practically touches the rafters before torpedoing back down through the center of the net, and you can't foul him on the block because he drops in nearly 80 percent of his free throws. He's also a deft passer and a plus rebounder, even from the elbow.
Miami Heat: Chris Bosh
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Chris Bosh was having a monster year before he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung. He was incredible on the defensive end for those Miami teams that challenged for the title (and won two) every season. He is willing to body up big men and has the quickness and desire to challenge jump shots.
His rebounding has suffered since being asked by coach Erik Spoelstra to spread the floor in an effort to help with driving lanes. But he did get the most important rebound in NBA history...so there's that.
Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton
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Khris Middleton emerged as the second best shooting guard in the Midwest last season (unless you count Houston as the Midwest, which I definitely do not.) He averaged 13.4 points per game on 40.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Per Basketball-Reference.com, he was plus-seven per 100 possessions for the up-and-coming Bucks. He'll be an important piece for this team for years to come.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Andrew Wiggins
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It's hard to call any one player balanced on a team that allowed the most points per game and the most points per 100 possessions, according to Basketball-Reference.com. But if I have to, I'll go with the reigning Rookie of the Year.
Andrew Wiggins showed signs that he might one day be an elite defender. In some singular possessions, he'd move his feet, stay down on pump fakes and challenge shots at the appropriate hour. Most of the time, he was undisciplined. It'll be interesting to see how well he plays when a proper defensive big man such as Karl-Anthony Towns helps wall off the rim behind him.
New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
19 of 30From the toughest choice in the league to the easiest. Bold statement alert: Anthony Davis will be the best offensive player and the best defensive player in the league next season.
Davis led the league in blocks last season. He also averaged just two turnovers per 100 possessions! That is insane! He was plus-22 per 100 possessions last season, per Basketball-Reference.com, and I expect that number to skyrocket with new coach Alvin Gentry and another year of experience. Oh yeah, he's still just 22 freakin' years old!
New York Knicks: Robin Lopez
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Robin Lopez was a valuable offensive cog for the Blazers these past two seasons. In fact, he led the league in offensive rating in 2013-14, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
Lopez is plus-nine per 100 possessions throughout his career. But the real question is, will he sleep on his brother's futon now that they both play in New York City?
Oklahoma City Thunder: Serge Ibaka
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Russell Westbrook can play engaged defense but goes too hard on offense to be truly considered. Kevin Durant is an offensive savant. He's good on the other end, but it just can't compare. Enes Kanter is the possibly the least competent defensive center in the league.
That leaves us with...Serge Ibaka. The man from the Congo has incredible timing on his shot blocking. He has to be on the floor when Kanter is playing—otherwise, it would be a layup line. He also adapted quite well to the offense the Thunder run. He hangs out about 20 or so feet from the hoop and pours in mid-range jumpers.
Ibaka needs to be healthy in the playoffs for the Thunder to challenge for a title. His defensive presence and floor spacing are valuable commodities.
Orlando Magic: Victor Oladipo
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The Magic are desperately trying to be relevant for the first time since the Dwight Howard trade. It'll take a considerable leap from their athletic shooting guard. Victor Oladipo can certainly play in the league. He is engaged on defense and should soon blossom into the defensive stopper he was touted as coming out of Indiana.
His offensive game came along nicely last season. Oladipo averaged 17.9 points per game on 34 percent three-point shooting. He also averaged more than four boards and four assists per game. Now Orlando just needs to start winning some of those contests.
Philadelphia 76ers: Nerlens Noel
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Who knows what the 76ers will look like in 365 days? They're firmly entrenched in year 246 of their 321-year rebuilding plan. They've had some setbacks (see Embiid, Joel.) But they've also discovered some pieces.
In the second half of last season, Nerlens Noel was the best defensive rookie (and a top-10 defensive player) in the league. He was top 10 in the league in steals and blocks. He also avoids foul trouble and scored nearly 10 points per game. That's not bad for a rookie with very little offensive notoriety.
Phoenix Suns: Tyson Chandler
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I waffled between Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler for a while, but I have a thing for bigs who get it done offensively without demanding the ball. Chandler never really shoots; he just finishes alley-oops. That's why he's shot over 62 percent from the floor in six of his past nine seasons.
He's also a perennial contender to lead the league in offensive rating (something he's accomplished in three of the past four seasons, with two different teams, per Basketball-Reference.com.)
Chandler is widely considered one of the best defensive big men in the league. He rotates seamlessly and challenges opposing shooters at the rim, often without fouling.
Portland Trail Blazers: Ed Davis
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Take a second and look at the various offensive and defensive ratings for last year's Lakers on Basketball- Reference.com. Everybody was a net negative except for Ed Davis, who finished the season with a plus-17 rating! How the heck did that happen?
Davis is a ball of energy offensively. He has touch around the hoop and grabs a ton of boards for his size. He can be lazy at times on the defensive end, but that might have had something to do with his surroundings. It'll be interesting to see if he gets more playing time in a crowded young frontcourt in the Pacific Northwest.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins
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It's safe to say DeMarcus Cousins was not pleased with the coaching situation in Sacramento last season. However, he still went out and did work on both ends of the floor. He has maintained a defensive rating of 101, well below league average, for two seasons now, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
He does that while the entire offense runs through him. Boogie averaged 24.1 points and 12.7 boards per game last season. I really hope he gets to play on the Olympic team next summer; he deserves the calming presence of coach Mike Krzyzewski after this mess in the state capital.
San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard
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The reigning Defensive Player of the Year gets the nod here. He's so good at pickpocketing that he we should call him Oliver Twist. Last season Kawhi Leonard led the league in steals per game with 2.3.
He also began to grow into an offensive stud. He developed a little one-on-one game last summer and displayed it in the last couple of months of the season. He showed a borderline unstoppable 15-foot turnaround jumper and pushed the rock in transition instead of seeking out a point guard to do that for him. Leonard and Paul George are probably the best two-way small forwards in the league that don't have MVP trophies on their mantels.
Toronto Raptors: DeMarre Carroll
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Nice offseason acquisition, Toronto! DeMarre Carroll is also in the conversation as one of the best swingmen in the league. He shot just shy of 40 percent from downtown and finished plus-13 per 100 possessions last season, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
It'll be interesting to see what GM Masai Ujiri and Toronto do with Carroll. Most of the national media believe he'll move to the power forward position in small-ball lineups. If so, opposing 4s better get their cardio in. They'll have to chase this guy all over the floor.
Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert
29 of 30Rudy Gobert, aka The French Rejection, aka The Stifle Tower, is a sick defensive player. But what most people don't realize is that like Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan, he's a monster on the offensive end. Last season he posted an offensive rating of 122, per Basketball-Reference.com.
There's a theme evolving here: If you're big, set screens, challenge for boards and play smart defense, you tend to make this list.
Washington Wizards: John Wall
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John Wall is the most important Wizard by far. He's the heir to Steve Nash as the best passing point guard in the league. (I say point guard because in my opinion, LeBron has been the best passer since his sophomore season in Cleveland.)
He is an athletic freak defensively but not in an overzealous Russell Westbrook-y way. Wall doesn't overcommit for steals like Allen Iverson used to. He plays sound perimeter defense with a couple of highlight-reel blocks and steals mixed in.
Wall is also wonderful to watch in transition. His jump shot has improved drastically, and he's an above-average celebrator.
