UA-59049186-1 Top 100 NBA Players of 2016: 70-61 - Good if it Goes

Top 100 NBA Players of 2016: 70-61

  1. PG. Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves
  • 1 of the NBA’s premiere playmakers and an elite passer, he simply has the gift.
  • Incredibly unreliable and inconsistent shooter from everywhere on the floor.
  • Tenacious defender that always brings great energy and instincts to that end
  1. SF. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – Charlotte Hornets
  • Tenacious perimeter defender that can guard multiple positions and an elite wing rebounder.
  • At his best offensively slashing or driving, gets to the line at a good rate and finishes well.
  • Shooting? Was a notoriously bad shooter from the perimeter but looked much improved in the 7 games he played last year. Is it a blimp or a trend?
  1. PG. Goran Dragic – Miami Heat
  • Fearless, savvy PG that loves to attack and get into the paint, he’s a good finisher when he gets all the way to the rim and can make tough shots in the close range.
  • Not exactly pass-first, but a willing passer that typically makes sound decisions and has good vision. Can create for others.
  • Competitive defender that utilizes his size to his advantage.
  1. SF. Andrew Wiggins – Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Young scoring wing with star potential. Can create his own offense and has all the tools to be a very good defender.
  • Offensively his 3 point shot is still a work in progress, but he seems to have good enough mechanics to continue to get better. He already is proficient getting to the rack and finishing, posting up and utilizing the turnaround fade-away and scores best via ball screens and handoffs.
  • Not a good defender yet, but that appears to be more due to youth and inexperience than anything else. Should get better as he gets older.
  1. PG. Rajon Rondo – Chicago Bulls
  • Pass first (at times selfishly if that makes sense) point guard that can set his teammates up nicely. He simply makes passes that others can’t.
  • Declining defender but is a thief on the court, Rondo has been 1 of the best in the league at getting steals for years due to his length and instincts.
  • Shooting?: Known for his lackluster shooting in the past he had the best season of his life shooting the ball but is it sustainable or just a flash in the pan?
  1. C. Stevan Adams – Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Highly active and physical brute of a center that dominates the offensive glass and commands the interior defensively.
  • Improving offensive big that right now is most comfortable around the basket scoring on lobs, dump offs, offensive rebounds and as a dive man.
  • Good defender, right now most effective as a post defender as he is difficult to score on down low. Will not be moved very easily.
  1. PF. Ryan Anderson – Houston Rockets
  • Former stretch 4 turned legit scorer that no longer needs to camp out and wait for spot up Js; he can create his own offense.
  • Utilizes the fade away from the post from 1 leg (like Dirk) and has an effective step back fade from the perimeter. Has also become very crafty at getting to the rim or finding launch spots for his shots.
  • Utter non-factor on the defensive end (Should feel right at home in Houston)
  1. SG. Nicolas Batum – Charlotte Hornets
  • Jack-of-all-trades wing that plays on both ends of the court. Utilizes his long 6’8 frame well on defense. Not a lockdown defender but far from a slouch.
  • Offensively Batum can score it or create for others. He can handle the ball well for a guy his size and possesses good vision and passing instincts. Very good team oriented player.
  • As a scorer, Batum is respectable from 3, but the percentages scream he should do more inside the arc where he made an impressive 49% of his 2s.
  1. PF. Zach Randolph – Memphis Grizzlies
  • Former All-star whose game is starting to become less effective due to age and change of style in NBA play.
  • Big body 4 that loves to bang. Can score with his back to the basket or facing up.
  • Holds his own as an interior defender and can play within the scheme of his defense, but his lack of length and mobility keep him from being an impact player on that end.
  1. C. Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz
  • Elite rim protector with a freakish wing span and quick feet for his size.
  • Great rebounder on both ends, he can tower over opponents and just snatch the ball out of the air.
  • Incredibly limited offensively, but is functional as the dive man in PnR and as a lob or dump off target.

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