For numbers 100-41 of the top 100, click links below.

100-81|80-61|60-41

Now I say top 100, but this list is going to have 101 players on it, believe it or not there is a tie at #40.

Tied-#40: Steven Adams: Center for the Oklahoma City Thunder

His 13.9 PPG does not quite show his effectiveness on the court. Adam’s 7′ and 250 pound frame is a big piece of why he has been successful in the NBA. Sure he has made himself a top of the line center playing alongside the likes of Russell Westbrook and Paul George. But the success that both players have had is partly due to Adams. Adams was second in the NBA with screen assists. The rebounding numbers are not as high as what you may expect out of him, but without him on the floor, Westbrook probably struggles to average the 10+ boards he has averaged the past few years. The statistics aren’t eye popping, but his contributions outside of the scorecard are what put ‘Aquaman’ on the top 100.

Tied-#40: Tobias Harris: Forward for the Philadelphia 76ers

It may come as a shock, but the 76ers are Harris’s 5th team he has played on in his 8 year career. I say it is shocking because a career 16 point per game scorer on 47% shooting should find a spot on any NBA roster. For being #40 on the top 100, the stats may not be eye popping, but his pick-and-roll game and pull up jumpers are what make him very succesful in the NBA. Similar to Adams, if Harris wasn’t playing with the big names of Embiid, Simmons, or Horford, he may not be up in the top 40. But he is, and since he is, his floor spacing role is that much more important for a very big and paint dominant Sixers team.

#39: Kristaps Porzingis: Power Forward for the Dallas Mavericks

Finally getting healthy after a torn ACL, I expect Porzingis to make a HUGE impact playing alongside of Luka in Dallas. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

He is 7’3″ and is absolutely lights out behind the arc. Dallas will soon forget about Dirk, because they might have the second coming right here. Before getting injured in 2018, Kristaps was averaging over 20 PPG on 39% from behind the arc. He will only get better playing with Luka in Dallas too. Look forward to both Porzingis and Luka to improve their spot in next years top 100.

#38: De’Aaron Fox: Point Guard for the Sacramento Kings

I am going to preface this with the fact that the Kentucky product is only 21 heading into his third season. On top of that he has been very durable, Fox has played over 70 games both seasons, and 81 out of 82 last season. His statistics saw a jump from his rookie season to last season. His PPG jumped up from 11.6 to 17.3 and his APG almost doubled. So Fox have given no reason for fans to expect another jump in his 3rd season. Coming in at #38 Fox’s elite speed and playmaking ability is what puts him on this list. His 3 point shooting is still improving, but Fox’s court vision makes up for what is lacking in 3 pt shooting.

Like I said, he is only 21 and still improving, and cracking the top 40 could just be the start of a possible superstar career for the young point guard.

#37: D’Angelo Russell: Guard for the Golden State Warriors

Joining the Warriors can only improve D’Lo’s stock coming into the 2019-2020 season. He already has the make up of a star. The ball handling and shooting ability will fit hand and glove with the Warriors style of play. And coming out of his first >20 PPG season, Russell is progressing into the player we thought he would be out of Ohio State. At #37, Russell could improve his spot if he continues to improve on his PPG and improves his defense. Not being the number one option should improve Russell’s offensive numbers. He is finally progressing into the star we thought he’d be, and at age 23 in Golden State, should improve his spot in next year’s top 100.

#36: Khris Middleton: Forward for the Milwaukee Bucks

Playing alongside of an MVP helped Middleton’s case last year. Even if Khris did not play in Milwaukee with Giannis, he would still be a formidable offensive weapon in any NBA offense. A career 38.8% 3PT percentage makes Middleton a very good wing in modern NBA. The wing for the Bucks add versatility as well, as he has played as a shooting guard, small forward, and power forward. Middleton may not be elite at anything, but his ability to stretch the floor and defend different positions help Khris find a spot in the top 100.

#35: Nikola Vučević : Center for the Orlando Magic

Coming out of his first All Star season, Vučević should be primed for another All Star level season in Orlando. The center has averaged a double-double over his career for the Magic. At 28, he is in the midst of his prime, and continuing to improve his ability to stretch the floor at the 5. Vučević was a key piece of the 7 seed Magic last year and should continue to make the Magic a playoff contender for this upcoming season.

#34: Luka Dončić: Guard/Forward for the Dallas Mavericks

The 2018-2019 Rookie of the Year deserves a top 35 spot for sure. Photo Credits to sbnation.com

He was a 19 year old in the NBA, winning awards, and averaging 21.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 6 APG. Luka definitely deserves a spot in the top 100. At 6’7″, Dončić was the primary ball handler in Dallas and was the driving force behind Dallas’s success last year. The only thing holding this star back is his age, at only 20, not only can he not drink a beer legally, he has to show me that he can adjust what the rest of the league throws at him. For now he stays at #34, but he should have no problem progressing into at least the top 25 this upcoming season.

#33: Donovan Mitchell: Shooting Guard for the Utah Jazz

Mitchell is one of the many up and coming dynamic scorers in the NBA. In both his years in Utah, he has averaged over 20 PPG. As a shooting guard, Mitchell’s rebounding and playmaking is strong as well, averaging about 4 APG and 4 RPG in his career. So what is holding Mitchell back from becoming one of the top 25? His efficiency and postseason play. Mitchell has yet to shoot over 45% from the field, and his FG% in last years playoffs was less than 35%. His slashing and shooting ability make him a very tough guy to defend, but his efficiency needs to improve before he makes a jump for next year’s top 100.

#32: C.J. McCollum: Shooting Guard for the Portland Trail Blazers

Far from ESPN’s ranking of him at #13, but McCollum certainly deserves a spot in the top 40. Sure C.J. can score with the best of them, averaging over 20 PPG the last 4 years, but his defense is what keeps him from ESPN’s ranking for me. On top of that, his playmaking ability lacks, a career 2.9 APG shows that. But his isolation play and 3 point shooting is what makes him a elite second option and #32.

#31: Devin Booker: Shooting Guard for the Phoenix Suns

Playing on the Suns has been both a negative and a positive for Booker. The positive being, Booker has progressed into one of the best scorers in the league for lack of a better option in Phoenix. But the negative is, he is playing for the Suns and he lacks the national exposure that some of the other guys on this list have. Averaging 26.6 PPG and 6.8 APG last year, Devin Booker has proved to be an elite offensive option. His defense is still improving, but his shooting and scoring ability alone puts him at #31 in my top 100.

#30: Demar Derozan: Guard/Forward for the San Antonio Spurs

A mid range expert, Derozan is a career 19.9 PPG scorer. His stats don’t jump off the page as much as Devin Booker or C.J. McCollum. But what puts him above both of those players is his consistency. Year in year out Derozan will be around 20 PPG, 4 APG, and 4 RPG, and in a league with inexperienced talent, Derozan provides a steady hand on offense.

#29: Kyle Lowry: Point Guard for the Toronto Raptors

Coming out of a season where he won his first career NBA Finals, Lowry finds a spot at #29. Photo Credits to clutchpoints.com

Since joining Toronto in 2012, Kyle Lowry has made 5 All Star teams, and made the playoffs 6 out of his 7 seasons playing for the Raptors. There is no coincidence those Raptors teams have had the success they had. Sure there were players like Demar Derozan and Kawhi Leonard who were the star of the teams. But Lowry provided consistency scoring and playmaking as a 2nd or 3rd option determining on each year. Only averaging over 20 PPG twice in his long 13 year career, Lowry has never been a great scorer, but the experience and consistency have made every team he’s been a point guard for successful.

#28: Pascal Siakam: Power Forward for the Toronto Raptors

Last year’s most improved player, Pascal Siakam should expect an expanded role in Toronto without Kawhi there. He is one of the best movers off the ball in the NBA, and that was a big part in his 16.9 PPG average last year. Before last year, Siakam was seen as an energy guy that could hit the boards well. But Siakam improved his jump shot and shot creating over last offseason. His improvements showed in his percentages. A FG% of 55% and 37% from 3PT made Siakam a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. His lengthy frame, quickness, strength, and knack for rebounding the basketball make him from an unknown commodity to #28 on this top 100.

#27: Jrue Holiday: Guard for the New Orleans Pelicans

Perimeter defenders are scarce in today’s NBA, but if you can find one better than Holiday please let me know. With his stout defense, Holiday also put up a stat line of 21.2 PPG, 7.7 APG, and 5 RPG last year. Jrue is one of the best, if not the best combo guard in the NBA. His quickness, strength, and quick hands make opposing guards shutter, and his improving scoring ability has vaulted him into the top 30.

#26: Mike Conley Jr.: Point Guard for the Utah Jazz

With career averages of 14.9 PPG and 5.7 APG, Conley may not have the eye popping counting numbers, but if you want consistency and experience at the point guard position look no further than Conley. The reasoning behind Conley at #26 is very similar to Kyle Lowry’s reasoning. Conley knows how to get it done offensively, but what separates him from Lowry is his defensive ability. He has always been a grinder and now on a better team, Conley will have an opportunity to show why he is one of the best point guards in the NBA.

#25: Kemba Walker: Point Guard for the Boston Celtics

The Charlotte Hornets went 36-46 last year with a below average roster. The star on that team was Walker. I’d like to think he was a big factor in keeping Charlotte in the playoff race last year. Fast forward to this year, he joins a Celtics team that he will be taking some of Kyrie’s shots, but not all of them, which is music to the rest of the Celtics’ ears. His ability running the pick and roll will benefit the recently signed Enes Kanter in Boston as well. A career 20 PPG scorer, Walker’s shot creating is on par with the Kyries of the world.

On a new team that are playoff contenders, Kemba will not be forced to shoulder the load. On top of that, more games will be nationally televised for the Celtics than the Hornets, and the world may now see why Kemba cracked the top 25.

#24: Rudy Gobert: Center for the Utah Jazz

One of the best defensive centers in the NBA, Rudy Gobert has been a fixture in the top 5 for blocks per game. He is a 2 time Defensive Player of the Year, and well deserving, as he is the defensive anchor when on the court for the Jazz. A reach of 9’7″ makes him one of the toughest defenders to shoot over no matter what position.

Gobert has been seen as the best defender twice now, and an anchor for a playoff team, why only 24? Well his offensive ability isn’t which of a modern center. His back to the basket ability is average, but he does not supply any scoring ability playing alongside of Mitchell. The new acquisitions of Bogdanovic and Conley will certainly take even more of an offensive load off of Gobert’s shoulders. This will allow for Gobert to focus even more on defense, which could lead to a 3 time DPOY.

#23: Chris Paul: Point Guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder

Chris Paul certainly looks nice in the orange and blue, but how long will he be wearing the Thunder jersey? Photo Credits to oklahoman.com

The days of ‘Point God’ may be over, but CP3 still makes for a very effective point guard in today’s in NBA. Not only does he supply the consistency and experience that I talked about with Lowry and Conley, but he also has the eye popping numbers as well. Career averages of 18.5 PPG, 9.7 APG, and 2.2 SPG, should put him on the top 100 alone. Injuries have slowed done the 34 year old, but when healthy Paul is one of the best point guards in the NBA. Even with the injury bug, Paul managed to rank third in points created by assist. Now some of that is the Rockets’ system, but Paul still deserves some respect for that. Now on the rebuilding Thunder, a trade may be imminent for the veteran, but he still deserves some respect when it comes to rankings.

#22: LaMarcus Aldridge: Power Forward/Center for the San Antonio Spurs

Consistency, consistency, consistency. There are no wasted or bad shots taken by Aldridge. And in a league dominated by pick-and-roll offense, there are few big man better running it. He does not play a sexy style of basketball, that is for sure. But what he plays is successful basketball. He will always be around 20 PPG and 10 RPG on consistent shooting. Defensively he may not be elite, but he is no slouch when it comes to defending opposing big men. Like I said, it’s not sexy by any means, he does not take many 3’s, he’s not a huge dunker, he’s not the most athletic. But what he does, consistent scoring, supply experience on both sides of the ball, and his rebounding. All of that makes Aldridge deserving of the #22 spot.

#21: Draymond Green: Power Forward/Center for the Golden State Warriors

Keeping Green out of the top 20 pains me, as Green is one of the best hustle guys in the NBA. And I’ve said throughout the top 100 that I love the grit and grind guys. Now his stats are not overwhelming, but what he supplies to Golden State can not be displayed on a score sheet outside of one stat, the W. As a big man, Green is an incredible playmaker, now he does play with the Splash Brothers, but a career average of 5 APG is nothing to scoff at for a big man. Sure he can be a bit emotional, but the energy, defense, and playmaking he supplies is a key piece of what making the Warriors into the powerhouse they’ve become.

What keeps him out of the top 20 is a combination of things. One is his scoring ability. Sure it is not his game, but Draymond is not the most efficient scorer by any means. If he is going to attempt 8 shots a game, I’d say he better hit at least 45% of them, because those shots could go to two of the best shooters in NBA history. The other that keeps him at 21 is his emotional nature. I am a fan of emotional players, but when it might be a factor in driving one of the all time greats off your team, it may be too much.

Top 25 makes Green one of the elite players in the NBA, but getting into the top 20 or top 15 could be possible if he averages a triple-double, which could be very possible this upcoming season as GSW is without Klay or KD for the Warriors.

Top 20 is coming soon…….

Featured Image. Straightforward Sports | linkedin. Photo Credits to straightforwardsports.com

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