UA-59049186-1 Top 100 NBA Players of 2016: 40-31 - Good if it Goes

Top 100 NBA Players of 2016: 40-31

  1. PF. Kevin Love – Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Big body stretch 4 that also has some ability to go bang down low and dominate the glass.
  • Defensive liability: too slow and laterally challenged to defend on the perimeter, lacks the length to protect the rim and lacks the toughness to defend on the block.
  • Has been miscast as a primary spot up shooter which has dragged down his shooting %. Capable of scoring in the post and is very good scoring as a face-up player.
  1. C. Al Jefferson – Indiana Pacers
  • Elite low post scorer with a vast array of moves and ways to put the ball in the hole.
  • Average defender: past reputation of being a poor defender has long been disproved. Has occasional lapses and lack of length and quickness limit him but he competes and can guard his man.
  • Injury Prone: In 12 seasons in the NBA he’s only played more than 70 games in 6 of them. Injuries are starting to take their toll as he appears to be on the decline.
  1. C. Hassan Whiteside – Miami Heat
  • Intimidating rim protector that looks to swat everything in his sights
  • Dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor. Despite shot blocking ability, still has work to do in other parts of his game defensively to truly become elite.
  • Capable of contributing offensively as a dive or lob guy and can hit shots from mid-range. Not a back-to-back post up player.
  1. PG. Kemba Walker – Charlotte Hornets
  • Gunner of a PG with nice ball handling skills to create space needed to launch jumpers.
  • Not much of a pure PG, not advanced in creating for others, vision appears to be average at best.
  • Competent defender that tries and utilizes his quickness to keep things in front of him.
  1. PG. Mike Conley – Memphis Grizzlies
  • Effective 2-way PG that plays very smart. Only 1.5 turnovers per game last season.
  • Not overwhelming on offense but very crafty and knows how to get to favorable spots to score.
  • Had a down year defensively due to playing hurt some of the year but at 100% he’s a very good defender.
  1. C. DeAndre Jordan – Los Angles Clippers
  • Huge, demoralizing big that impacts games with his incredible power and athleticism. He’s a ferocious shot blocker and interior defender.
  • Dominant rebounder on both ends, an absolute beast on the glass, simply overpowers opponents.
  • Very limited offensively: terrible free throw shooter and jump shooter, and mediocre post game. Game is limited to finishes via PnR or dump offs and lob dunks.
  1. PF. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas Mavericks
  • 18-year great and future Hall-of-Famer that has still managed to duck father time.
  • Elite shooting big man that is still shooting at an incredibly high percentage from mid-range.
  • Not a great defender but athleticism was never a big factor in his game so he’s managed to still defend at a similar rate as he always has being a decent positional defender.
  1. PF. Derrick Favors – Utah Jazz
  • Very powerful big man at over 260 pounds that is very mobile for his size, moves well laterally.
  • Offensively, he thrives as 1 of the best PnR scorers in basketball and his improved mid-range shot out to 15 feet has made him a PnP threat as well.
  • Defensively, he’s very good and does a lot of different things. He protects the rim, bangs on the block and holds his own in PnR situations.
  1. C. Pau Gasol – San Antonio Spurs
  • Very skilled offensive big man. Elite passing big, fabulous foot work in the post, and is a good shooter with range out to the 3 point line.
  • Good interior defender, utilizes long frame to protect the rim, contest shots in the low post and is an elite defensive rebounder.
  • Slow-footed big that lacks ability to move laterally which limits him defensively.
  1. C. Karl-Anthony Towns – Minnesotta Timberwolves
  • Superstar in the making, showed an very advanced game for a 19 year old rookie
  • Skill set is as complete as it gets for an NBA center. He can score down low in the post, facing up, PnR/PnP, and has 3 point range. He’s already a great rebounder. Defensively he protects the rim and has the tools to defend on the perimeter.
  • Still needs to get a little stronger and continue to develop his low post game but as a rookie there really wasn’t very much to complain about last season.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *