HurricaneDij's Annual Top 50 NBA Players List (Year 13)

[HurricaneDij39]

For those that haven't figured it out yet by Year 13 - My rankings are not a lifetime achievement award. For instance, if this was 2016, Stephen Curry would be unquestionably ranked higher than James Harden (@CitySushi ). However, a 32-year-old Steph Curry coming off a season in which he played in all of five games is not worthy of such a high ranking.

*Last year's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (1)
2. Kawhi Leonard (2) – His emergence as a facilitator for the Clippers allows him to hold off LeBron James, the greatest player of this generation, for the #2 spot – At least for 2020.
3. LeBron James (4)
4. James Harden (3)
5. Anthony Davis (8)
6. Kevin Durant (5)
7. Luka Doncic (21)
8. Stephen Curry (6)
9. Damian Lillard (7)
10. Russell Westbrook (10)
11. Joel Embiid (12)
12. Zion Williamson (NR)
13. Nikola Jokic (11)
14. Pascal Siakam (35)
15. Paul George (9)
16. Jayson Tatum (45)
17. Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
18. Kyrie Irving (14)
19. Jimmy Butler (16)
20. Ben Simmons (15)
21. Klay Thompson (17)
22. Donovan Mitchell (19)
23. Bradley Beal (20)
24. Trae Young (42)
25. Brandon Ingram (NR)
26. Khris Middleton (27)
27. Kemba Walker (18)
28. Rudy Gobert (23)
29. Chris Paul (25)
30. Devin Booker (34)
31. Jamal Murray (31)
32. Victor Oladipo (29)
33. Ja Morant (NR)
34. Nikola Vucevic (22)
35. Kyle Lowry (40)
36. Domantas Sabonis (NR)
37. LaMarcus Aldridge (26)
38. Bam Adebayo (NR)
39. Blake Griffin (24)
40. C.J. McCollum (30)
41. Kristaps Porzingis (NR)
42. Draymond Green (28)
43. Jrue Holiday (36)
44. D’Angelo Russell (39)
45. Jaylen Brown (NR)
46. Tobias Harris (38)
47. D’Aaron Fox (44)
48. Malcolm Brogdon (46)
49. Eric Bledsoe (49)
50. Dennis Schroder (NR)

Honorable Mention: Gordon Hayward, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, John Collins, Terry Rozier, Evan Fournier, John Wall, Malik Beasley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Andrew Wiggins, DeAndre Ayton, Robert Covington, DeMar DeRozan.

Dropped from last year’s list: DeRozan, Mike Conley, Drummond, Buddy Hield, Love, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, John Collins.

My Reach Pick: Malik Beasley, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - The Denver Nuggets have allowed for both Beasley and Donovan Mitchell get away for the sake of keeping Gary Harris in the lineup. As the career of Harris continues to plateau, time will only tell if these decisions will cost them a title in the next five years. In Minnesota after the trade deadline, Beasley averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while connecting on 42.6 percent from three. An absolute steal by Gersson Rosas. While most of that production had come without D-Lo and KAT in the lineup, Malik's production after the deadline will at worst prove him to be a quality floor spacer. Add in the fact that Beasley will be well-rested and well-compensated in the bank by the time the 2020-21 season rolls around and there's a ton to like here.

 

[CitySushi]

For those that haven't figured it out yet by Year 13 - My rankings are not a lifetime achievement award. For instance, if this was 2016, Stephen Curry would be unquestionably ranked higher than James Harden (@CitySushi ). However, a 32-year-old Steph Curry coming off a season in which he played in all of five games is not worthy of such a high ranking.

*Last year's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (1)
2. Kawhi Leonard (2) – His emergence as a facilitator for the Clippers allows him to hold off LeBron James, the greatest player of this generation, for the #2 spot – At least for 2020.
3. LeBron James (4)
4. James Harden (3)
5. Anthony Davis (8)
6. Kevin Durant (5)
7. Luka Doncic (21)
8. Stephen Curry (6)
9. Damian Lillard (7)
10. Russell Westbrook (10)
11. Joel Embiid (12)
12. Zion Williamson (NR)
13. Nikola Jokic (11)
14. Pascal Siakam (35)
15. Paul George (9)
16. Jayson Tatum (45)
17. Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
18. Kyrie Irving (14)
19. Jimmy Butler (16)
20. Ben Simmons (15)
21. Klay Thompson (17)
22. Donovan Mitchell (19)
23. Bradley Beal (20)
24. Trae Young (42)
25. Brandon Ingram (NR)
26. Khris Middleton (27)
27. Kemba Walker (18)
28. Rudy Gobert (23)
29. Chris Paul (25)
30. Devin Booker (34)
31. Jamal Murray (31)
32. Victor Oladipo (29)
33. Ja Morant (NR)
34. Nikola Vucevic (22)
35. Kyle Lowry (40)
36. Domantas Sabonis (NR)
37. LaMarcus Aldridge (26)
38. Bam Adebayo (NR)
39. Blake Griffin (24)
40. C.J. McCollum (30)
41. Kristaps Porzingis (NR)
42. Draymond Green (28)
43. Jrue Holiday (36)
44. D’Angelo Russell (39)
45. Jaylen Brown (NR)
46. Tobias Harris (38)
47. D’Aaron Fox (44)
48. Malcolm Brogdon (46)
49. Eric Bledsoe (49)
50. Dennis Schroder (NR)

Honorable Mention: Gordon Hayward, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, John Collins, Terry Rozier, Evan Fournier, John Wall, Malik Beasley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Andrew Wiggins, DeAndre Ayton, Robert Covington, DeMar DeRozan.

Dropped from last year’s list: DeRozan, Mike Conley, Drummond, Buddy Hield, Love, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, John Collins.

My Reach Pick: Malik Beasley, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - The Denver Nuggets have allowed for both Beasley and Donovan Mitchell get away for the sake of keeping Gary Harris in the lineup. As the career of Harris continues to plateau, time will only tell if these decisions will cost them a title in the next five years. In Minnesota after the trade deadline, Beasley averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while connecting on 42.6 percent from three. An absolute steal by Gersson Rosas. While most of that production had come without D-Lo and KAT in the lineup, Malik's production after the deadline will at worst prove him to be a quality floor spacer. Add in the fact that Beasley will be well-rested and well-compensated in the bank by the time the 2020-21 season rolls around and there's a ton to like here.

Won't try to turn this into a Harden vs. Curry thread, so I'll keep it to myself. Not a huge issue, but I still wouldn't put Harden above Curry. We can discuss this later if you want, but no big deal.

Even with some uncertainty around KD's return, I wouldn't put Harden above him or AD. Harden for me fits in about the 6-8 range or so.

I actually have no real issues until we get into the 30's range. The top 30 to me have some spots where I think a player might be a spot or two higher or lower but nothing egregious.

Bam is ranked too low if you have Vucevic at 34. He's better than Vucevic and Sabonis, both of whom I like as players.

There's no way Schroeder should be ranked above his own teammate Shai. Just no way.

IMO, Fox, Bledsoe and Schroeder shouldn't have made this list. There are plenty of other players that are very talented and will have better years than them next year. John Wall will for sure be a top 50 player next year. John Collins and Shai should both be on here. I mean in all fairness I'd probably have all three of the guys I just mentioned on the list above Draymond.

Overall very solid list, but disagree from about 34 on in a lot of spots.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Won't try to turn this into a Harden vs. Curry thread, so I'll keep it to myself. Not a huge issue, but I still wouldn't put Harden above Curry. We can discuss this later if you want, but no big deal.

Even with some uncertainty around KD's return, I wouldn't put Harden above him or AD. Harden for me fits in about the 6-8 range or so.

I actually have no real issues until we get into the 30's range. The top 30 to me have some spots where I think a player might be a spot or two higher or lower but nothing egregious.

Bam is ranked too low if you have Vucevic at 34. He's better than Vucevic and Sabonis, both of whom I like as players.

There's no way Schroeder should be ranked above his own teammate Shai. Just no way.

IMO, Fox, Bledsoe and Schroeder shouldn't have made this list. There are plenty of other players that are very talented and will have better years than them next year. John Wall will for sure be a top 50 player next year. John Collins and Shai should both be on here. I mean in all fairness I'd probably have all three of the guys I just mentioned on the list above Draymond.

Overall very solid list, but disagree from about 34 on in a lot of spots.

Yeah I agree on the Steph/AD/KD vs Harden.

Mine would be a little different. I think since it is 2020, I would have Lebron at 2 but not a big deal imo

1. Giannis
2. Lebron
3. Kawhi
4. KD
5. AD
6. Steph
7. Harden
8. Luka
9. Lillard
10. RW

 

[trojanfan12]

@dtgold88 gonna be pissed when he finds out Kevin Love was dropped off the list.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm a Clippers fan and I wouldn't put Kawhi above LeBron yet.

But, it's coming.

For all the load management complaints with Kawhi, he's only played 4 games fewer this year.

* Clippers have played a few more games *

But, James averaging double the assists keeps him ahead for me.

Gonna need to see KD back before I have an opinion on his ranking.

Overall, not bad at all.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

For those that haven't figured it out yet by Year 13 - My rankings are not a lifetime achievement award. For instance, if this was 2016, Stephen Curry would be unquestionably ranked higher than James Harden (@CitySushi ). However, a 32-year-old Steph Curry coming off a season in which he played in all of five games is not worthy of such a high ranking.

*Last year's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (1)
2. Kawhi Leonard (2) – His emergence as a facilitator for the Clippers allows him to hold off LeBron James, the greatest player of this generation, for the #2 spot – At least for 2020.
3. LeBron James (4)
4. James Harden (3)
5. Anthony Davis (8)
6. Kevin Durant (5)
7. Luka Doncic (21)
8. Stephen Curry (6)
9. Damian Lillard (7)
10. Russell Westbrook (10)
11. Joel Embiid (12)
12. Zion Williamson (NR)
13. Nikola Jokic (11)
14. Pascal Siakam (35)
15. Paul George (9)
16. Jayson Tatum (45)
17. Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
18. Kyrie Irving (14)
19. Jimmy Butler (16)
20. Ben Simmons (15)
21. Klay Thompson (17)
22. Donovan Mitchell (19)
23. Bradley Beal (20)
24. Trae Young (42)
25. Brandon Ingram (NR)
26. Khris Middleton (27)
27. Kemba Walker (18)
28. Rudy Gobert (23)
29. Chris Paul (25)
30. Devin Booker (34)
31. Jamal Murray (31)
32. Victor Oladipo (29)
33. Ja Morant (NR)
34. Nikola Vucevic (22)
35. Kyle Lowry (40)
36. Domantas Sabonis (NR)
37. LaMarcus Aldridge (26)
38. Bam Adebayo (NR)
39. Blake Griffin (24)
40. C.J. McCollum (30)
41. Kristaps Porzingis (NR)
42. Draymond Green (28)
43. Jrue Holiday (36)
44. D’Angelo Russell (39)
45. Jaylen Brown (NR)
46. Tobias Harris (38)
47. D’Aaron Fox (44)
48. Malcolm Brogdon (46)
49. Eric Bledsoe (49)
50. Dennis Schroder (NR)

Honorable Mention: Gordon Hayward, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, John Collins, Terry Rozier, Evan Fournier, John Wall, Malik Beasley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Andrew Wiggins, DeAndre Ayton, Robert Covington, DeMar DeRozan.

Dropped from last year’s list: DeRozan, Mike Conley, Drummond, Buddy Hield, Love, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, John Collins.

My Reach Pick: Malik Beasley, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - The Denver Nuggets have allowed for both Beasley and Donovan Mitchell get away for the sake of keeping Gary Harris in the lineup. As the career of Harris continues to plateau, time will only tell if these decisions will cost them a title in the next five years. In Minnesota after the trade deadline, Beasley averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while connecting on 42.6 percent from three. An absolute steal by Gersson Rosas. While most of that production had come without D-Lo and KAT in the lineup, Malik's production after the deadline will at worst prove him to be a quality floor spacer. Add in the fact that Beasley will be well-rested and well-compensated in the bank by the time the 2020-21 season rolls around and there's a ton to like here.

Pretty good list.

Can't wait to see where guys like SGA, Morant and my reach pick Coby White rank down the road.

 

[CitySushi]

Pretty good list.

Can't wait to see where guys like SGA, Morant and my reach pick Coby White rank down the road.

I’m a big SGA and Ja fan. Those guys play really hard and I see them taking a nice leap next year. SGA in particular really impressed me.

Also think Spencer Dinwiddie should be an honorable mention. He played really well last year.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm a Clippers fan and I wouldn't put Kawhi above LeBron yet.

But, it's coming.

For all the load management complaints with Kawhi, he's only played 4 games fewer this year.

* Clippers have played a few more games *

But, James averaging double the assists keeps him ahead for me.

Gonna need to see KD back before I have an opinion on his ranking.

Overall, not bad at all.

Yeah, I kind of see it both ways.

Before the Covid, some folks were saying Lebron was the best PG in the league. That was a bit much, but him leading the league in assists at his age is pretty amazing.

But, Lebron ain't playing a lot of defense these days, so Kawhi makes up for the assist deficit on that end.

I'd probably still give a slight edge to Lebron, because he wasn't really doing the load management thing, but can't really argue against Kawhi.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah, I kind of see it both ways.

Before the Covid, some folks were saying Lebron was the best PG in the league. That was a bit much, but him leading the league in assists at his age is pretty amazing.

But, Lebron ain't playing a lot of defense these days, so Kawhi makes up for the assist deficit on that end.

I'd probably still give a slight edge to Lebron, because he wasn't really doing the load management thing, but can't really argue against Kawhi.

To me if they were even the load management for me would put Lebron ahead.

Kawhi is 28 and he is under load management.
Lebron is 35 and not under load management.

Something is wrong here lol.

 

[trojanfan12]

To me if they were even the load management for me would put Lebron ahead.

Kawhi is 28 and he is under load management.
Lebron is 35 and not under load management.

Something is wrong here lol.

If I'm being honest, before this forced load management, I was wishing Lebron would take more of a Kawhi approach. Apparently, he was trying to make some kind of point.

I'd rather he be rested and healthy for the playoffs.

Which has me wondering...

Maybe Lebron was starting to get tired and realized that he should have been taking some games off...so he paid the Chinese to release the Covid so he could rest up for the playoffs.

Could this all be Lebron's fault?

 

[Shanemansj13]

If I'm being honest, before this forced load management, I was wishing Lebron would take more of a Kawhi approach. Apparently, he was trying to make some kind of point.

I'd rather he be rested and healthy for the playoffs.

Which has me wondering...

Maybe Lebron was starting to get tired and realized that he should have been taking some games off...so he paid the Chinese to release the Covid so he could rest up for the playoffs.

Could this all be Lebron's fault?

LOL well in the end everyone is rested so idk I think it still hurts Lebron BUT then again playoffs Lebron is a bad man

 

[dtgold88]

If I'm being honest, before this forced load management, I was wishing Lebron would take more of a Kawhi approach. Apparently, he was trying to make some kind of point.

I'd rather he be rested and healthy for the playoffs.

Which has me wondering...

Maybe Lebron was starting to get tired and realized that he should have been taking some games off...so he paid the Chinese to release the Covid so he could rest up for the playoffs.

Could this all be Lebron's fault?

I still cannot believe MJ has failed to find a cure still.

 

[trojanfan12]

I still cannot believe MJ has failed to find a cure still.

Some GOAT he turned out to be.

 

[CitySushi]

If I'm being honest, before this forced load management, I was wishing Lebron would take more of a Kawhi approach. Apparently, he was trying to make some kind of point.

I'd rather he be rested and healthy for the playoffs.

Which has me wondering...

Maybe Lebron was starting to get tired and realized that he should have been taking some games off...so he paid the Chinese to release the Covid so he could rest up for the playoffs.

Could this all be Lebron's fault?

James Harden would NEVER take off a game during the regular season. He waits for the post-season for that to happen.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I still cannot believe MJ has failed to find a cure still.

This version of you is delightful..lol

 

[Wamu]

LOL well in the end everyone is rested so idk I think it still hurts Lebron BUT then again playoffs Lebron is a bad man

Playoff LeBron's really overrated if you only pay attention to his turnovers per game.

 

[Wamu]

Some GOAT he turned out to be.

How can a player that failed in the playoffs 7 times & didn't get the Wizrads to playoffs be called the GOAT?

 

[Wamu]

For those that haven't figured it out yet by Year 13 - My rankings are not a lifetime achievement award. For instance, if this was 2016, Stephen Curry would be unquestionably ranked higher than James Harden (@CitySushi ). However, a 32-year-old Steph Curry coming off a season in which he played in all of five games is not worthy of such a high ranking.

*Last year's ranking in parenthesis.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (1)
2. Kawhi Leonard (2) – His emergence as a facilitator for the Clippers allows him to hold off LeBron James, the greatest player of this generation, for the #2 spot – At least for 2020.
3. LeBron James (4)
4. James Harden (3)
5. Anthony Davis (8)
6. Kevin Durant (5)
7. Luka Doncic (21)
8. Stephen Curry (6)
9. Damian Lillard (7)
10. Russell Westbrook (10)
11. Joel Embiid (12)
12. Zion Williamson (NR)
13. Nikola Jokic (11)
14. Pascal Siakam (35)
15. Paul George (9)
16. Jayson Tatum (45)
17. Karl-Anthony Towns (13)
18. Kyrie Irving (14)
19. Jimmy Butler (16)
20. Ben Simmons (15)
21. Klay Thompson (17)
22. Donovan Mitchell (19)
23. Bradley Beal (20)
24. Trae Young (42)
25. Brandon Ingram (NR)
26. Khris Middleton (27)
27. Kemba Walker (18)
28. Rudy Gobert (23)
29. Chris Paul (25)
30. Devin Booker (34)
31. Jamal Murray (31)
32. Victor Oladipo (29)
33. Ja Morant (NR)
34. Nikola Vucevic (22)
35. Kyle Lowry (40)
36. Domantas Sabonis (NR)
37. LaMarcus Aldridge (26)
38. Bam Adebayo (NR)
39. Blake Griffin (24)
40. C.J. McCollum (30)
41. Kristaps Porzingis (NR)
42. Draymond Green (28)
43. Jrue Holiday (36)
44. D’Angelo Russell (39)
45. Jaylen Brown (NR)
46. Tobias Harris (38)
47. D’Aaron Fox (44)
48. Malcolm Brogdon (46)
49. Eric Bledsoe (49)
50. Dennis Schroder (NR)

Honorable Mention: Gordon Hayward, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, John Collins, Terry Rozier, Evan Fournier, John Wall, Malik Beasley, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Andrew Wiggins, DeAndre Ayton, Robert Covington, DeMar DeRozan.

Dropped from last year’s list: DeRozan, Mike Conley, Drummond, Buddy Hield, Love, Clint Capela, Steven Adams, John Collins.

My Reach Pick: Malik Beasley, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves - The Denver Nuggets have allowed for both Beasley and Donovan Mitchell get away for the sake of keeping Gary Harris in the lineup. As the career of Harris continues to plateau, time will only tell if these decisions will cost them a title in the next five years. In Minnesota after the trade deadline, Beasley averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while connecting on 42.6 percent from three. An absolute steal by Gersson Rosas. While most of that production had come without D-Lo and KAT in the lineup, Malik's production after the deadline will at worst prove him to be a quality floor spacer. Add in the fact that Beasley will be well-rested and well-compensated in the bank by the time the 2020-21 season rolls around and there's a ton to like here.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I'm a Clippers fan and I wouldn't put Kawhi above LeBron yet.

But, it's coming.

 

[logic]

Playoff LeBron's really overrated if you only pay attention to his turnovers per game.

And his finals record---what a loser.