Here are my NBA positional ranks going into the new year. This is about their value right now. For example, Anthony Davis might be rated low now, but I full expect him to become a superstar over the next 5 years (He had a draft grade of 93 from me). Who are the best right now?
PG
1 Chris Paul- Is making a case to be the MVP this year.
2 Russell Westbrook- A match-up nightmare, still developing his outside shot and BBall IQ, but he is a sensational player.
3 Rajon Rondo- The best playmaker since Steve Nash. His 11.1 apg are impressive.
4 Kyrie Irving- Yeah he's already a top 5 PG. In 5 years, he'll be the best 1 guard in the league.
5 Deron Williams- Might be starting a slight decline, though is still scary good. He does not have as much responsibility with Joe Johnson sharing a backcourt.
6 Derrick Rose- This is probably too low, but he won't play a game until at least March. If his healing gets him back to 100%, I'll eat my crow for placing him this low.
7 Tony Parker- Still gets it done. Still not an outside shooter, he might be the smartest PG in the league.
8 Stephen Curry- Averaging 20 and 6 assists for a good Golden State squad. Well worth his recent extension.
9 Jrue Holiday- Averaging almost 19 pts and almost 9 assists. Given the Bynum injury, the Sixers needed someone to step up and Holiday has been the guy. Worth his extension as well.
10 Damian Lillard- Has been incredibly impressive as a rookie, and is going to get better. Super quick and boasting deep range he has been a stud for Portland. He needs to improve his court vision to go up the list.
For the future- Eric Bledsoe- Needs an opportunity to start, and he wont disappoint.
SG
1 Kobe Bryant- Might be his last year atop the list, but he is still scoring well, averaging 30 points a game. If only his scoring could translate to more wins...
2 Dwayne Wade- Playing second fiddle in Miami, Wade is still averaging 20 a game. At age 30 now, his skills, athleticism especially, are starting to decline.
3 James Harden- Has been exactly what Houston needed, though he has not fit well with Lin (who has been average). In 5 years, he could be number 1 on this list.
4 Manu Ginobili- The go-to guy in San Antonio still. His scoring numbers are down to only 11.6 points per game, but he plays well when it matters. Expect good things in the playoffs.
5 Joe Johnson- The Nets are good! Johnson has been scoring well, albeit in an inefficient manner. I still would not want to be on the hook for his contract though.
6 Jamal Crawford- The Clippers are leading the west, mainly due to Crawford's strong play. His ball handling and outside shooting have been what they needed. Could this be the season for his 1st all-star appearance?
7 OJ Mayo- He is having a career year in Dallas, scoring almost 20 a game. Dallas is not winning many games though. The addition of Nowitzki should help this.
8 DeMar Derozan- I am still skeptical of his big contract. He is very athletic, but cannot shoot, and is only an ok defender. That said he is scoring 18 a game in a relatively efficient manner.
9 Wesley Matthews- Shoots and defends above the league average, and has completed more 2's than last year. He is part of the reason Portland is at .500 so far this year.
10 Klay Thompson- Might be the best shooter in the league, but is still a below-average defender and ball handler. Without him, though, Golden State would not be achieving the same success.
For the future- Shabazz Muhammed- In 5 years he will be a 20ppg scorer.
SF
1 Lebron James- The greatest player of the decade. He does everything, and would be number 1 for any position.
2 Kevin Durant- If Lebron is 1, then Durant is 1a. He means everything to the Thunder, averaging nearly 29 a game and a career best 8 rebounds.
3 Carmelo Anthony- Number 3 on the list, he is a definite MVP candidate. I expect his numbers to fall some, but he is why the Knicks are tops in the east right now.
4 Paul Pierce- Pierce is aging well. I would not have guessed Pierce would score 20 a game, but he has done so thus far. The Celtics need some more youth, but Pierce has been stellar.
5 Rudy Gay- Memphis' hot start was helped by Rudy Gay's nice start. His shooting percentages are down, but he excels at creating his own shot.
6 Nicolas Batum- Batum is proving his worth given his contract as well. Averaging career bests in every category, Batum is having a breakout year.
7 Josh Smith- Where will he end up next season? Houston would be a good fit, but their assets need to develop more. Smith is still one of the best defenders in the game, and useful on offense when he isn't shooting from the outside.
8 Andre Iguodala- His numbers are down since Denver acquired him, but he is still a great athlete and defender. He needs to increase his efficiency to help Denver rise in the standings.
9 Paul George- Danny Granger's injury has allowed George to step up and score 17 points per game. He is still improving, and could become a cornerstone for the Pacers.
10 Danny Granger- Amazing that he finds himself behind George. Still a potent scorer, Granger is not the defender that George is, and is most likely done improving.
For the future- Evan Turner- Has been a great playmaker next to Holiday, and is shooting the ball better than expected. Only an average athlete, he is finally showing some of the promise
PF
1 Kevin Love- Love has only recently returned from injury, but he should soon become a 22 and 12 player again, as long as his frustrations with his front office don't get in the way.
2 LaMarcus Aldridge- He is the best big in the league at creating his own shot. He is not the rebounder that others on this list are, but he may be the best scorer (He leads all PF in scoring)
3 Blake Griffin- I wanna see him jump over the Kia from nose to trunk. Griffin is averaging 18 a game, and is 2nd in efficiency. Expect nothing but improvement, especially in the low post.
4 Tim Duncan- He has been amazing for San Antonio. Benjamin Button effect? Duncan is averaging 17 and 10, to go with 2.5 blocks. Age was supposed to catch up with SA, but Duncan is defying odds.
5 David Lee- Averaging 20 and 11, Lee could be on his way to a first all-star appearance, though he only places 5th at PF on this list. Still a marginal defender, Lee is excelling in Oakland.
6 Zach Randolph- Plays below the rim, but is a phenomenal rebounder, putting up almost 13 a game. Athletically Z-Bo struggles, but he has found his niche. He knows what to do.
7 Kevin Garnett- Age might be catching up to KG. His numbers are down some, but they are affected by Miami's acquisition of Ray Allen. Come playoff time (if they make it...) KG will step up.
8 Ryan Anderson- If it isn't Klay Thompson, Anderson might be the most feared shooter in the league. His rebounding numbers are down, as he comes off the bench, but he is highly sought after by many teams.
9 Serge Ibaka- The best shot blocker in the game, Ibaka is scoring more for OKC this season. His rebounding numbers are up as well. He is feared inside.
10 Anthony Davis- The future top shot blocker. Davis is still learning how to play in the league, but he is averaging 14 and 8 in a very efficient manner. A superstar in waiting.
For the future: Nerlens Noel- Offensively Noel will enter the league very raw. He reminds me of Serge Ibaka, though, as he is a great shot blocker, and could average double digits in rebounds after a few years of seasoning.
C
1 Dwight Howard- His tenure has been average in LA so far, but he is still averaging 18 and 12. He is the best center in the league, and probably will be for at least the next few years.
2 Tyson Chandler- The reigning defensive player of the year is having another good season in New York. Efficient, Chandler is averaging 12 and 10, but helps the team beyond statistics, as many other players on the squad are not good defenders.
3 Joakim Noah- Noah is the best passing big man in the game (No, David Kahn, it isn't Darko). He is averaging a double double for Chicago, and the offense runs through him in the absence of Rose.
4 Chris Bosh- He is listed under center because he plays it for Miami, though he is more of a power forward. His scoring is solid and rebounding numbers down, though that's to be expected next to Lebron James.
5 Pau Gasol- He is having a disappointing season. Pau needs a change in
scenery, where he will most likely be reverted back to the center
position. He can still be an 18/10 player in the right system.
6 Anderson Varejao- He has over-performed this season. I am not sure he
can keep up these numbers long term (or even just next season), but he
is averaging 14 and 14. He deserves a better team.
7 Al Jefferson- This is most likely his last year in Utah. He is only the go to guy on a bad team, and would be better suited as a #2 or #3 scoring option. He is solid in the low post, and averages 16/10.
8 Marc Gasol- The other Gasol is still in the middle in Memphis. His rebounding numbers are average, as Randolph and Gay grab a good amount. Marc has a great low post game.
9 Al Horford- Horford is solid. A 15/10 player, he would be better suited at the 4. He is not great athletically, but excels playing beneath the rim.
10 Greg Monroe- Monroe beats out Brook Lopez for this last spot. Both better offensive players, Monroe is a better rebounder, and has a solid mid-range jumpshot. He still has great potential as well.
For the future: DeMarcus Cousins- One of the biggest enigmas in the league, Cousins must learn how to be a better teammate, and be more coachable. His career could end before its ready, just as great players like Marbury, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady, if he does not clean up his act. On the court, he has talent that cannot be ignored. As noted in the last post, Sacramento should add another very good post to help mentor Cousins.
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If I left anyone out, post in the comments!
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