Last time around, I only ranked the top 10 players in the world. This time, however, we're in the heat of playoff action and I'm pumped up! Let's go all the way. Top 100 it is.
NOTE: For the first time in 30 years of making this list, I am NOT looking up a single stat. Simply going off personal scouting, analysis and watching WAY too much NBA basketball. Synopses will be short and sweet to save time.
Okay, let's do this.
100. Zion Williamson, PF, Pelicans: Honestly, he's lucky to even make this list. How do you bail on your teammates when you have a real opportunity to knock off a 1-seed? You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't get out on the court and play hard for your teammates, you're simply not getting a high ranking from me.
99. Michael Porter Jr., SF, Nuggets: He's the third guy Denver needs behind Jokic and Jamal Murray, but they can't keep the latter on the court either. "MPJ" is a super talented young player, but he needs to get and stay healthy if he's ever going to climb my list.
98. Lauri Markkanen, PF, Cavs: I never really liked him in Chicago, but I think his all-around game improved in Cleveland. I can see him getting into my top 90 the next time around.
97. Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG, Hawks: "He's not just a shooter!" As I believe Reggie Miller exclaimed during a playoff broadcast. Like Zion and MPJ, here's another guy who always seems to have some sort of injury. Bogdan is a very confident perimeter player, but we haven't seen enough consistency from him to rank better than this.
96. Al Horford, PF/C, Celtics: The textbook definition of a "glue player". Tatum, Brown and Smart tend to get the media attention, but a veteran leader - and coach on the court, really - like Horford does wonders for a serious contender like the Celtics.
95. Bruce Brown, SF, Nets: Really emerged as the Nets' third-best player behind KD and Kyrie. "BB" improves drastically on a yearly basis.
94. Terry Rozier, G, Hornets: Puts up pretty good stats. Plays pretty solid D when he wants to. Good all-around player, not great.
93. Will Barton, SG/SF, Nuggets: Up and down kinda guy, always. But there's no question Barton is a "spark" player for Denver. Without both Murray and Porter, he's the Nuggets' second-best player a good portion of the time.
92. Gordon Hayward, SG/SF, Hornets: Just doesn't do it for me, anymore. He's supposedly a very good all-around player, but I simply don't see the direct impact on winning. He's probably wildly overpaid for his career. Used to rank in my top 60 consistently.
91. Russell Westbrook, PG, Lakers: Like Zion before him, Russ is probably lucky to make this list, too. Sure, he's got the stats. Who cares? Everywhere he goes, things seem to fall apart for that team. Lakers should hypothetically make the playoffs with LeBron, AD and Russ. I guess hypotheticals don't mean much in the NBA.
90. Herbert Jones, F, Pelicans: There's only about 10 defensive players in the NBA who stand out to me. Herbert Jones is undoubtedly one of those 10. Just a rookie, he was a real "move the needle" player for the young Pelicans this season. Could have a Marcus Smart-like impact in the future.
89. OG Anunoby, F, Raptors: A good all-around player. Plays hard thanks (in part) to outstanding coaching from day 1 from Nick Nurse. Would like to see more consistent health and game-to-game performance from OG.
88. Royce O'Neale, SF, Jazz: Another guy on that defensive list with Herbert Jones. Royce is also a very important "glue player" like the aforementioned Al Horford.
87. Gary Trent Jr., SG, Raptors: Continues to evolve as an offensive machine. Was a good pickup from the jump for Toronto.
86. Bojan Bogdanovic, F, Jazz: A steady veteran you can count on. Should have knocked down that 3 at the end against Dallas, though. Wide open. Makes that with his eyes closed, normally.
85. Harrison Barnes, F, Kings: You become a forgotten man when you play for the Sacramento Kings nowadays. Regardless, like Bojan, Barnes is a real solid, consistent vet. Stabilizing player who could have more impact on a better team.
84. Brandon Clarke, PF/C, Grizzlies: Making a name for himself this postseason, and well-deserved. Clarke has always been bouncy, athletic and active on the glass. Explosive leaper with good hands and nice touch around the rim.
83. Tyrese Haliburton, G, Pacers: Something seemed to click after the trade to Indiana. This is a kid who was sought after heading into his draft, and he displays a real veteran presence despite his youth. Haliburton is one of those natural leaders as a floor general. Will continue to improve production at this level.
82. Aaron Gordon, PF, Nuggets: Like Barton before him, "AG" often plays second fiddle to the great Nikola Jokic. Gordon is at his best when he stays in the paint and relentlessly attacks the rim. As we know from his off-the-chains dunk contest performances, the kid has outstanding body control in the air.
81. Lonzo Ball, PG, Bulls: He was sorely missed by Chicago this postseason. The Bulls have a nice foursome when Lonzo-LaVine-DeRozan-Vucevic are out there together. Too bad we didn't get to see it against the defending-champion Bucks.
80. Victor Oladipo, G, Heat: Definitely one of the most difficult players to rank in the entire league. Damn, Jimmy Butler has a lot of control in Miami. He doesn't like Oladipo, and didn't want to take the court with him, so Spo and Riley actually obliged for the first two games of the playoffs? That's wild, to me. When 'Dipo did play, he controlled the entire game on the offensive end. Great driver, surprisingly great passer, good finisher. Good tempo.
79. Bobby Portis, PF/C, Bucks: Definitely one of the most underrated players in the game. I told my Knicks' fan friends that New York really botched things with Portis. He's a winning player on one of the absolute best teams in the game. Without Middleton in the playoffs, Portis has stepped up in a major way, unsurprisingly. Confident player with an aggressive attack mindset.
78. Kristaps Porzingis, PF/C, Wizards: Kinda feels like Gordon Hayward in a way, right? Has all the skills, in theory. But where do you get with him, in terms of the Win column? Mavs seemed to play better almost immediately without him. Has top-50 talent, but not results.
77. Myles Turner, C, Pacers: One of the more talented, young two-ways centers in the game right now. Would benefit from better surroundings, like the aforementioned Harrison Barnes in that sense. Turner is a defensive eraser.
76. Andrew Wiggins, F, Warriors: I kinda like the way he's settled into his role with the Warriors, now. He looks smooth and calm, and he finally seems to know who he is. Good roster fit.
75. Spencer Dinwiddie, G, Mavs: He's a low percentage shooter, but an impact player at the very same time. Dinwiddie was one of the players who turned the Nets from a last-place team to a playoff team. Now, he goes to Dallas and plays a nice third fiddle to Luka and Brunson. When those three are on the floor to close the game, it's very difficult to match up because of the dribble-drive attacks from three spots. Tricky and solid trade by the Mavs.
74. Dorian Finney-Smith, F, Mavs: One of the most improved players I've seen this season, if not the most improved. I credit both "DFS" and head coach Jason Kidd. You can see that J-Kidd has given these young Mavs confidence. "DFS" couldn't shoot much in the past, now he's virtually automatic when open from three. He could always defend, but now he added clutch shots on top of that.
73. De'Andre Hunter, F, Hawks: You can get lost in the crowd on this team. Cam Reddish disappeared into oblivion far quicker than anticipated. But De'Andre made his name this postseason. He's on the "all breakout" team with Brandon Clarke, Finney-Smith, Brunson, etc. No question Hunter was Atlanta's best player vs. the extremely tough Miami D. Hunter was MUCH better than star Trae Young.
72. Scottie Barnes, F, Raptors: Was consistently a top three rookie in the game this year, from what I saw. And he can actually be kind of a "point forward" when VanVleet is down with injury. Scottie is a versatile youngster who plays aggressively.
71. Jaren Jackson Jr., PF, Grizzlies: Absolutely has the potential to be a top-50 player in this league. Just had a monster game against the Warriors in Game 1 of their hotly-contested playoff series. He's big, he's long, he can shoot it and pretty much do it all. Just disappears for long stretches of time, unfortunately. Finished in the top five for Defensive Player of the Year.
70. Tyler Herro, G, Heat: One of the best bench players in the league. Quick off the bounce and can score in bunches before you can even blink.
69. Jordan Clarkson, G, Jazz: See synopsis for Tyler Herro. Same idea.
68. Reggie Jackson, PG, Clippers: I've always found it interesting that Paul George views Reggie Jackson as an extremely strong player. That's "his guy," so to speak. Reggie does have some toughness and moxie. Can create a lot offensively against the right defender. Let's just say Pat Bev isn't the "right defender".
67. Fred VanVleet, PG, Raptors: Generally a clutch player and pretty good leader for Toronto.
66. Patrick Beverley, G, Wolves: Speak of the Devil... this guy still creates havoc on a basketball court. He's with Herbert Jones and Royce O'Neale on my standout defender list, thus far. Wherever Pat Bev goes, that team gets tougher and performs better in the Win column.
65. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kings: Feels kinda like a new age Russell Westbrook. That's a good and bad thing, of course. Probably a top-50 talent, but there's been no correlation or translation to victories.
64. Robert Williams III, C, Celtics: The best, most dynamic and most skilled shotblocker in the league... according to John Frascella. You simply can't go into this guy's paint. He's like a bouncier Mutombo, just needs to stay healthy and maintain and steady diet of minutes.
63. RJ Barrett, SG/SF, Knicks: Showed a significant amount of improvement this year. Right now, it's simply a two-man show with RJB and Julius Randle. The lowly Knicks don't have much to offer these days.
62. Dillon Brooks, SG/SF, Grizzlies: Ja Morant is the unquestioned leader and motor for the young and hungry Grizzlies, but Brooks and Desmond Bane are his trusted "wingmen". Brooks has some truly awful shooting nights, but this kid always seems to bounce back hard and fast. He's a tough kid who doesn't back down from any competition. Very resilient athletic disposition.
61. Malcolm Brogdon, PG, Pacers: A good, steady floor general. Not spectacular but can do a lot for you out there on the hardwood.
60. Collin Sexton, G, Cavs: Maybe we used to think he was better than backcourt mate Darius Garland, but you have to remain on the court to argue your case. Garland has clearly surpassed him, for now.
59. Kyle Lowry, PG, Heat: A fearless veteran leader. Brings a winning culture and the right attitude. "Little Engine" that's easy to root for.
58. Cade Cunningham, G, Pistons: A rising superstar in fantasy basketball circles. Kid has it all; too bad the Pistons really suck. Wish we could see more of "CC" on national TV.
57. Evan Mobley, PF/C, Cavs: Very hard to knock this kid in any way, shape or form. Just 20 years old, he's long, athletic and doesn't seem to second guess his own game. Was very productive right from the get-go.
56. Tyrese Maxey, PG, Sixers: The guy who lets James Harden breathe a sigh of relief. (Well, not now, with Embiid sidelined.) Harden doesn't wanna be The Guy. He doesn't even wanna be The Next Guy. He just wants to be One of the Top Four Guys. And that's what Maxey allows him to do with his speed, quickness and aggressiveness. Harden can be in The Core Four with Maxey, Embiid and Tobias Harris for Doc Rivers.
55. Miles Bridges, F, Hornets: Formed a promising 1-2 punch with LaMelo Ball all season. Bridges is versatile and fierce.
54. Clint Capela, C, Hawks: The Hawks certainly missed him at less than 100% in their ugly playoff loss to the Heat. An old school, close-to-rim center who can rebound and block shots with the best of 'em.
53. D'Angelo Russell, PG, Wolves: Wasn't expecting him to get completely outshined by Anthony Edwards so quickly into the latter's career. Still, D-Lo creates a nice trio with Edwards and KAT.
52. Kawhi Leonard, F, Clippers: Just a joke at this point. He forced his way out of San Antonio on bad terms, the organization that drafted and developed him through multiple championship runs. He one-and-doned the unfortunate Raptors. Then he goes to the Clippers as a "savior" and basically never plays. Is this guy still in the NBA at this point?
51. Jamal Murray, PG, Nuggets: Is one of the "Legends of the Bubble" along with T.J. Warren, but that was quite a bit of time ago now. Denver desperately needs Jamal back at 100% next season. You could see how thin on talent they were against the Warriors this postseason.
50. Tobias Harris, PF, Sixers: Just is who he is at this point. A good all-around player. Pretty consistent, I'd say.
49. Rudy Gobert, C, Jazz: I've been thinking a lot... has the most important defensive position in basketball changed? Like, how valuable is a standstill shotblocker in the paint these days? Marcus Smart won Defensive Player of the Year and Mikal Bridges came in second. These are wings, guards we are talkin' about, here. I still like Gobert, Robert Williams III, Myles Turner etc. but the correlation to wins and losses probably isn't what it used to be. You have to be able to stretch the floor on the offensive end, and you have to be able to switch everybody defensively. Gobert, by nature, is pretty stuck in the paint.
48. Draymond Green, PF/C, Warriors: Add another to my Top Defenders' list. So far we have: Herbert Jones, Royce O'Neale, Patrick Beverley, Robert Williams III, Rudy Gobert and now Draymond. Dray tends to be one of the most polarizing players in the league - is he one of the greatest and most important defenders and glue players of all time? Or is he merely swimming in the career wakes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and even Kevin Durant? I think 48 is about right for Dray. I split the middle.
47. Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, Suns: The Better Draymond, right now. We look at elite teams, then we look at their top defenders - Bridges essentially ended the season for the Pelicans. He can swipe the ball from you mid-dribble. His arms are so long in passing lanes. He sneaks up on you and just glides as he picks your pocket. He's also been shooting the lights out in the playoffs. Doin' it all, for sure.
46. Pascal Siakam, PF/C, Raptors: "The best player on the Raptors" is sort of a dubious distinction. I guess sometimes it is VanVleet. Sometimes Barnes. Sometimes Trent or OG. But most of the time it is Pascal Siakam, a good two-way basketball player.
45. Julius Randle, PF/C, Knicks: Was "a story" last year during a surprisingly good season for the Knicks. This year? A total afterthought. Went from top 30 to barely making my top 50. I can see arguments for him outside the top 50, honestly.
44. Jordan Poole, SG, Warriors: Love this kid. Talk about looking at your surroundings and totally understanding how to exploit a situation. Poole knows how to play with the floor spacing provided by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Wiggins. He slips into driving lanes and attacks the rim with reckless abandon. He can also hit near-halfcourt threes with seeming ease. Poole is a dangerous all-around offensive weapon on a steady incline.
43. Zach LaVine, G, Bulls: Feels kinda "blah" when both DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic are out there for the Bulls. Not the same "wow" factor when he's getting decidedly less usage.
42. Jarrett Allen, C, Cavs: Quietly developing into one of the most efficient basketball players in the entire world. No one seemed to mention it, but... the Cavs would have made the playoffs with "The Fro". They could have beaten the Nets in that playin game, or could have beaten the Hawks in the following. Jarrett Allen was sorely missed on both ends of the floor. A monster in fantasy basketball, too.
41. Dejounte Murray, PG, Spurs: Here's another one of those elite defenders, for me. Dejounte, on both ends of the floor, singlehandedly carried the Spurs to the playin game against the Pelicans. He sucked in that particular game, but was pretty great all season long.
40. Anthony Davis, PF/C, Lakers: Like Zion Williamson and Kawhi Leonard, I'm sorry but, enough is enough. It's always something with this guy. I feel like he won his championship and now he's pretty much checked out, both mentally and physically.
39. Jalen Brunson, G, Mavs: The best player in the playoffs, possibly? Look, people are too quick to write teams off when stars get hurt. Luka goes down? Oh, the Mavs have no shot against the Jazz now. Middleton goes down? Oh, the Celtics are gonna take the Bucks down now. Like... chill. These are professional basketball players at the game's highest level. Guys like Brunson come out of nowhere and step up. Boy is about to get PAID next time around! He's just been an absolute joy to watch. Big balls in the clutch.
38. Desmond Bane, SG/SF, Grizzlies: Quietly one of the best wings in the game. No. 2 man to Ja Morant, as the Grizzlies won a ton of games and finished as the No. 2 seed this season.
37. Klay Thompson, SG, Warriors: Not all the way back yet, but he's certainly getting there. When he's all the way back he'll be very close to my top 25, where he normally belongs.
36. Jrue Holiday, PG, Bucks: Didn't flinch when Middleton went down. He's a solid, steady right-hand man for the great Giannis. Jrue's a pro's pro.
35. Marcus Smart, G, Celtics: Defensive Player of the Year, and completely well-deserved. Can be a big shot maker when you ask him to be, too. He's like a younger, more athletic, more impactful Patrick Beverley. It's nearly impossible to find an impact defender like Marcus. Sets the tone for his entire team.
34. Jonas Valanciunas, C, Pelicans: Consistently one of the most underrated basketball players in the world... even by his own team! Willie Green did a horrendous job managing Big V's minutes in the opening round series against the Suns. Jonas should have been playing way, way more, especially at crunch time. He's huge, he's fierce and he has incredibly soft hands akin to Nikola Jokic very close to the rim.
33. Bradley Beal, SG, Wizards: He sort of feels like Westbrook and De'Aaron Fox, but better. Is Beal really ever going to make an impact on this league? He's one of the most deadly individual scorers in the world. Let's see some Wins.
32. Nikola Vucevic, C, Bulls: Ho hum. As solid and steady as they come. Just goes about his business quietly.
31. Domantas Sabonis, PF/C, Kings: Oh no, not No Man's Land! I feel bad for Sabonis that he landed in Sacramento. In my heart, I feel Sabonis is a winning player. Would love to see him on a legitimate contender. I know my Nets tried to acquire him, to no avail.
30. James Harden, G, Sixers: Like the aforementioned Draymond Green, here is one of the most polarizing players in the game. It's clear he doesn't want the ball when the game is on the line in the playoffs. He has consistently fallen in the rankings due to this. But... he's still one of the best passers and playmakers in the world. That's good enough for (just barely) the top 30 for me.
29. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, PG, Thunder: There are some good players on bad teams who might be part of the problem - Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Westbrook, Porzingis, Fox to name some - and there are others who are potentially winning players elsewhere, like Harrison Barnes, Myles Turner, Cunningham and Sabonis. That said, "SGA" is unquestionably in that second group. He is a fantastic all-around point guard with a superb mind for the game. Great control and tempo as a floor general.
28. Bam Adebayo, C, Heat: Second-best player on the No. 1 seed in the East. Elite defender and explosive two-way big man.
27. CJ McCollum, G, Pelicans: On the bright side? He singlehandedly turned the Pelicans' season around and led them to the playoffs. On the downside? He probably played them out of the postseason due to horribly selfish play. No one passes less than this guy in the NBA right now.
26. Deandre Ayton, C, Suns: I love this kid. Still just 23 years of age, he plays with such poise and control. Smart player. High-percentage player. Would take this kid on my team any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
25. Darius Garland, PG, Cavs: To me? He was one of the best and most dominant players in the NBA this season. Outside of maybe Ja Morant, he was both the fastest and quickest with the rock in his hands. Garland had defenders on skates the entire season, from start to finish. You simply can't teach the kind of explosiveness that Garland has. He just needs to take control more down the stretch and learn how to close big games when the pressure is really on.
24. LaMelo Ball, PG, Hornets: It's just so hard to find all-around offensive performers. I'm talkin' real triple double threats. When I think "triple double" right now, I think Giannis, Luka, Jokic, LeBron and then LaMelo. That's a helluva honor within itself.
23. Donovan Mitchell, SG, Jazz: The Jazz may dismantle what they've accumulated, but "Spida" consistently gets them to the postseason and is a versatile offensive performer. Utah can't get over the hump, so he finally drops outside of my top 20.
22. Khris Middleton, SG/SF, Bucks: Always very Scottie Pippen-esque in my mind. One of the most sneakily valuable players in the entire league.
21. Jaylen Brown, SG/SF, Celtics: A premier right-hand man for Jayson Tatum. Yes, the Celtics have two of the best individual defensive players in the game - Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III - but Brown and Tatum also set the tone as star players who refuse to play only one side of the ball. Jaylen and Jayson get down into the trenches and lock down, defensively.
20. Kyrie Irving, G, Nets: Still one of the top 10 individual offensive players in the game. But he misses too many games. Creates far too much controversy. And... gets swept by the Celtics after all that, anyway!
19. Brandon Ingram, SG/SF, Pelicans: Always one of the most improved basketball players on the planet. Kid just gets better and better, year after year after year. If you watched the playoffs closely, you can see how an offense can run effectively through Ingram. It didn't always work against the Suns - because they are a 1-seed and one of the top three or four defensive squads in the game - but Ingram can control the game by driving, kicking, shooting midrange or threes. He showcases a real all-around arsenal.
18. Anthony Edwards, SG/SF, Wolves: Here's the thing with Edwards: He can get to any spot he wants on the floor. He's big, he's strong, he's long, he's fast and utterly explosive. And the kid has NO fear. He does certainly appear to be a superstar in the making. He's the type of rare player who dictates whatever he wants on an NBA floor. He's just too talented to be stopped. He can only stop himself right now.
17. Paul George, SF, Clippers: Starting to feel like one of those "enough is enough" guys. Should probably be a top 10 player based on two-way talent and productivity, but something always seems to go wrong. 17 is about right, basically.
16. Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Wolves: Loving his improvement in the postseason this time around. Can't go much higher than 16 though, because... is he really the best player on Minnesota? A lot of times it truly did appear to be Edwards.
15. DeMar DeRozan, SF, Bulls: A steady, consistent veteran who had an outstanding all-around season start to finish. Great to watch.
14. Trae Young, PG, Hawks: Had basically the worst series I've ever seen in the postseason. The Heat made him seem like a player who belonged below the G-League. Still, he got the Hawks into the playoffs with some clutch performances preceding the Heat debacle.
13. Damian Lillard, PG, Blazers: Since when do we have a season where Damian Lillard is a forgotten man? One of the best and most reliable players of his generation. Hope to see him back stronger and better than ever next year.
12. LeBron James, G/F/C, Lakers: As the minutes and games dial back, we finally have to drop him outside of the top 10. He just isn't going to play as much as he used to, and his Lakers missed the playoffs altogether.
11. Chris Paul, PG, Suns: Did he just go 14-for-14 in a playoff closeout game? Like, what is that? One of the top five point guards of all time in my opinion, and he's still goin' damn strong. I hope he finally gets That Ring this year.
10. Devin Booker, SG, Suns: If my memory serves, he'll be the first player all time to average 25, 5 and 5 on a 1-seed to NOT win league MVP. One of the game's great young players, particularly on the offensive end. Just an endless barrage of offensive maneuvers.
9. Kevin Durant, F, Nets: Got manhandled by the Celtics, plain and simple. I used to think he was the best basketball player in the world. Now he's BARELY top 10.
8. Jimmy Butler, SG/SF, Heat: Yeah, it's pretty clear... Jimmy Butler is the most underrated player in the NBA. No. 1 seed? Nobody cares. Best player on the team? Nobody cares because Jimmy "isn't a nice guy." Who gives a shit? Butler is a winning player who sets the tone on both ends of the floor. No Jimmy Butler team is ever going to play soft. That's saying an awful lot, nowadays.
7. Ja Morant, PG, Grizzlies: THE story of the season, to me. Does it all - scores, assists, steals and racks up all of the most awesome highlights. Did you have the Grizz as a 2-seed before the season? GTFO. Ja Morant has singlehandedly accelerated the progression of a franchise that was supposed to be "a few seasons away." What an absolutely electric young player. Great for the league.
6. Jayson Tatum, F, Celtics: A fantastic two-way player with quiet toughness. Never gets rattled. Just 24 years old... and hands down, one of the best leaders in the game.
5. Joel Embiid, C, Sixers: What a disaster with that Siakam cheapshot. I feel so bad for Embiid, Doc Rivers and the Philly faithful. For once, I'll be rooting for them. I hope they can withstand the injury. Bad timing, bad luck, just awful. Embiid has been an absolute f'n monster this year. A true superstar.
4. Stephen Curry, G, Warriors: Impacts absolutely everything on the floor. The threat that opens everything up for everybody else. I CANNOT BELIEVE that Steph Curry is 34 years old, now. He's moving around and playing like he's 25 right now, for real.
3. Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets: Maybe the most efficient player in the history of the game? The big fella is just astonishing. We just need to get him Jamal Murray, Michael Porter, Aaron Gordon, Will Barton, Monte Morris and others at exactly the same time in the postseason. Maybe one more big gun, too.
2. Luka Doncic, G, Mavs: Killer instinct in the clutch. Killer instinct when his team is ahead on the scoreboard (goes for the jugular). Cocky, brash, doesn't back down from anybody. Luka Doncic is my kinda basketball player.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, G/F/C, Bucks: The Celtics just learned who they are f'n with. Don't mess with The Greek Freak. Remember when the Mavs passed on Giannis to trade down and get Shane Larkin? Just... yikes. All-time yikes. Giannis is the best player in the world right now, hands down.
I hope you enjoyed these rankings... or didn't! If you didn't, I'm certainly always open for a friendly debate @LegendSports7 on Twitter.
Bonus Lists Based on Teasers in This Piece
My Top 10 Defensive Players in the NBA
10. Royce O'Neale
9. Dejounte Murray
8. Patrick Beverley
7. Rudy Gobert
6. Robert Williams III
5. Herbert Jones
4. Bam Adebayo
3. Draymond Green
2. Mikal Bridges
1. Marcus Smart
My "I've Had Enough" Fed Up Players
10. Bradley Beal
9. James Harden
8. Kristaps Porzingis
7. Gordon Hayward
6. Paul George
5. Anthony Davis
4. Russell Westbrook
3. Zion Williamson
2. Kawhi Leonard
1. Ben Simmons
My "I'd Love to Have That Guy on My Team" List
10. Jarrett Allen
9. Patrick Beverley
8. Jordan Poole
7. Jalen Brunson
6. Domantas Sabonis
5. Jonas Valanciunas
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Marcus Smart
2. Chris Paul
1. Deandre Ayton
John Frascella is a published sports author and Senior Writer for Aaron Torres Online. Follow him on Twitter @LegendSports7 for all things basketball, football and baseball.