Although only 16 teams make it to the NBA Playoffs, great players can be found everywhere. (And for what it’s worth, the only other players with at least a 19.5-6.5-6.0 statline with better than 45% shooting were Luka, LeBron, Russ, and Jokic.). He scored 30 or more points in six of Denver’s 19 playoff games, putting up multiple 40- and 50-point showings, and also averaged nearly two more assists per contest. 11 of the 12 Dream Team roster players would become NBA Hall of Famers and 10 named to the NBA’s Greatest 50 players of all time (sure to change in more recent years). For Malone, this is even more the case because of his two NBA Finals defeats at the hands of MJ and company. After playing 26.6 minutes per game largely as a reserve with the Nuggets, the versatile forward signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Pistons this offseason. 32 pick in the 2019 draft to the Pacers for cash considerations. He’s downright gleeful to feed his teammates. He still remains a valuable piece on any team he joins. Despite losing in the first-round of last year’s postseason, the Jazz are again banking on roster continuity to pay dividends. His age and shot profile suggests he can be an impactful force for years to come. Is Gordon still an up-and-coming player, or has he hit his ceiling? You start with the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis but the fact they added Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell over the offseason gives them an even better squad than last season. Simply put, Robinson’s presence is the difference between a historic offense and a middling one. The former No. Brown has always been a heady player, thriving within his means and not trying to take on the mantle of No. Washington remains on the fringe of the playoff race entering 2020–21, but they could sport one of the league’s most exciting offenses. “We have two superstars in Nikola and Jamal,” head coach Mike Malone said this past September. Durant has said he’ll spend time at center this season. How much longer James will hold the top spot is anyone’s guess, and going into this season, there are plenty of comers. Gordon is a bit past his prime, and Houston likely regrets extending his contract. ), Ultimately, there’s a reason why Leonard, before the age of 30, has gotten the best of guys like Durant, Steph, LeBron, and Giannis in the playoffs—it’s because he’s really damn good. But Harris is still just 26, and the established value of his skill set bodes well. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans. But a bounce-back would do plenty for his value, and the short-term health of the Pacers. But just because Baylor technically never won a title in his 14 years with the Lakers, two of which he spent in Minneapolis, don’t let that cloud how incredible of an offensive force he was and GOAT candidate during the league’s early days. He averaged 16.5 points and 7.1 assists in 2019–20 and will again play a central role in orchestrating a Pacers attack that features not only Sabonis, but also T.J. Warren, Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo. And when bumped into starting duty during the postseason, he took his game to another level, leading the team in scoring until his injury in Game 1 of the Finals. SI NBA writers Rohan Nadkarni, Michael Shapiro and Ben Pickman provided valuable feedback and contributed to the player entries. He remains outside any All-Star conversation, but Dinwiddie can be a passable engine for an NBA offense. His evolving jumper—40.1 percent from three in 2019–20—creates legitimate spacing in pick-and-pop scenarios, and Collins is downright lethal as a roll man. — M.S. He’s a dominant force with the ball in his hands, sporting the league’s deepest bag of tricks off the dribble. Bill Russell is grossly disrespected when talking about the greats. —AD, There’s really only one thing Kawhi Leonard has left to accomplish in his career. While Lopez played just 26.7 minutes per game in the regular season, his minutes increased to 32.8 per game in the playoffs. A Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2001, Julius Erving introduced his former teammate before Malone’s enshrinement speech and Dr. J joked with the audience that evening, “Just think about the sound of that name. He’s always been able to simply shoot over you when he wants to, and he makes those shots most of the time. That’s how incredible Paul was, all while being a clutch-time assassin for a team that was a Lu Dort three away from upsetting the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, CP3’s career numbers blow Nash’s out of the water. So for better or worse, here are the best 30 players in NBA history, assiduously ranked. Few rookie guards have ever shown up quite so ballsy and unafraid, and while he’s still learning to curb turnovers and defend with intent, it matters that Morant cares less about showmanship and more about making the right play, rarely shooting just to shoot or passing for the sake of it. Anunoby is kind of the platonic ideal of a three-and-D guy. —ZF, Before he was known as The Logo, his teammates called him Mr. We all know Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and at least a handful of other stars can mess around and get a triple-double practically whenever they want. Volume scorers are perhaps the trickiest players to place in an exercise like this, and there may be no better example than LaVine, who placed 11th in the league with a career-high 25.5 points per game. Beverley is one of the most relentless on-ball defenders in the NBA, and he relishes his role as someone who exists to annoy superstars and anger opposing fanbases. Harris has emerged as an effective three-point shooter in recent seasons, canning 39.3% of triples over the last three seasons on fairly significant volume. Best Points Guards of All Time. —ZO, Let’s get this out the way first: this isn’t a reactionary decision to Kobe Bryant's passing. Between some inevitable physical decline, his limited impact on defense and a drop in efficiency, there’s some slight regression taking place. Not only did he relish the role of playing point guard again, he told SI in December 2019 his body felt transformed after changing his diet and workout regimen after the trade from Houston. Like Kareem’s skyhook, Bill’s knack for keeping balls in play after a block is a lost art as players would rather swat it into the stands and flex on their opponent instead of making the right play. Rubio entered the NBA as one of the most-hyped international players ever. He was truly a one of a kind and easily one of the most entertaining players—on and off-the-court—that the NBA has ever seen. From the high-flying dunks to the clutch mid-range jumpers off that patented D Wade pump fake, there was moment after moment where No. © Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Can he command games as a scorer? It’s not just that Simmons is a poor shooter. “Who do I think was the greatest? Yet there’s no denying his historic talent. Let’s hope Harris earns a greater share of playmaking duties in 2020–21, allowing his impressive offensive arsenal to shine. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 18.9 points last year on 49.3% shooting, grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game. Yet it’s not only Gordon’s shooting that makes him a valuable asset. Covington is largely an ideal three-and-D forward, especially on the defensive end. —J.W. His block on Jayson Tatum at the end of Game 1 of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals was not only picture perfect, it told the story of how special Adebayo is. Turner provides quality versatility, but his offensive skill set does leave something to be desired at times. Russell enters the year hoping to lead the Timberwolves to just their second postseason appearance since 2003–04, in what will be his first full season with the franchise. Duncan grew up in the US Virgin Islands. But Portland’s second banana remains a quality one, having helped drive the Blazers to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying someone who is still a masterful bucket getter. —ZF, Dr. J was everyone’s Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan. 2 since 2005? The 1972-73 New York Knicks were the embodiment of an absolute team. He’s a 7' guard. If he brings home another title in Brooklyn, he could be pushing top 10 by the end of his career. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. It’s undeniable that Millsap’s best NBA days are behind him, but the 35-year-old power forward still remains an important part of Denver’s roster heading into the 2020–21 NBA season. Which NBA team has the best roster? Other times, the Kentucky product looked lost and unable to snap out of various funks. It’s not necessarily the scoring totals that makes the Harden experience so jarring. In a contract year at age 35, Aldridge will look to continue meshing with San Antonio’s young guards and serving as a strong pick-and-roll partner with fellow veteran DeMar Derozan. And the best part? But of course, there’s the offensive component. Clearly enough, the Nuggets’ magical postseason run—which saw the franchise overcome two 3–1 series deficits—would not have happened without Murray’s stellar play. A little lottery luck has gone a long way, leading to plenty of optimism surrounding Taylor Jenkins’ squad. —J.W. The 28-year-old guard’s future with the franchise also appears to be in doubt, with trade rumors circulating. Simmons sports the athletic profile to be a top-10 player. It’s the playoff excellence that helps elevate Duncan above the more physically and athletically gifted contemporary power forwards like Karl Malone and Kevin Garnett. Brooklyn’s apparent willingness to experiment, and his apparent lack of minutes restriction, bodes well for the state of his body. He couldn’t stop the stream of missed triples vs. Golden State in 2018, and he was outdueled by Steph Curry down the stretch one year later. After inking his new deal, the former second-round pick told reporters that he “couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.” He’ll be a key cog in the Nets’ present and future, and as the modern NBA continues to emphasize the importance of consistent three-point shooters, Harris’s value should only increase. Seemingly once a game, an opposing perimeter player will make the mistake of thinking they have a mismatch against Bam Adebayo. While his mobility has waned to a degree, Favors has proven he can take away easy looks at the rim and is hardly ever out of position. Mitchell draws plenty of defensive attention and can become a better creator for his teammates during his frequent forays into traffic. Perhaps Simmons will show some growth in 2020-21. While Holiday is not a point guard by nature, he can moonlight on the ball effectively and grab and go off the defensive glass. Instead of trying to force his way out to a contender, Paul, who turned 35 in May, went to work and put together one of the finest individual seasons of his career. It’s quite possible Lopez exemplifies the shift in the role of the modern big man better than any other player in the league. With Indiana last year, he recorded career-high 19.8 points per game while improving his field goal percentage from 48.6% to 53.6%. Bertāns’s nickname, the Latvian Laser, should move him up at least a few spots on our list, but that’s an argument for another day. Of course, there are concerns. For as great as players like LeBron, KD, or Kawhi are, when have you ever seen an opponent try to slow them down with a box-and-one? There will be nights he struggles to find the net, and others where one or two particularly inspired Smart shifts can swing the outcome of a game. He’s shown improvement in each of his four seasons, tallying career highs in points (18.7), rebounds (4.2), assists (4.4), three-point shooting (36.4%) and minutes (29.6) per game last season. But Booker nearly willed his way to the postseason, averaging 30.5 points per game on 50.3% shooting in Orlando. Even if he looks like his old self, he’ll be asked to mesh in a way he never has before, spotting up, cutting and making himself useful when the ball isn’t in his hands. His size (perhaps generously listed at 6’1”) means he won’t be regularly used on perimeter stars. Lillard recently said that his message to team president Neil Olshey was: “Let’s go for it.” The Blazers are just one full season removed from making the Western Conference finals, and it appears as if another berth in the league’s final four is fully possible, especially if Lillard shows even more improvement this season. We all know what he's done and will continue to do for at least a few more years. The 1964 NBA MVP, the 1961 Rookie of the Year, a 12-time All-Star, and an11-time All-NBA selection…I can keep going. He averaged 18.2 points per game for the Clips in 2020, playing 28.7 minutes a night off the bench. ESPN’s The Last Dance tried its best to encapsulate MJ’s stranglehold on the basketball world and still didn’t do it justice. 1992 Dream Team Roster Below is the full 1992 Dream Team roster, including players, coaches and staff. While he hasn’t played more than 70 games in a season since 2012–13, Gallinari was a solid contributor for the Thunder last year, averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists while averaging less than 30 minutes of action. Once Wade burst onto the scene in 2003 it was almost immediately clear that he was a special kind of player. He was truly ahead of his time. “We’re not where we are without Will,” new GM Calvin Booth recently said. So much of the conversation around Paul is about his large contract—and how he will definitely not opt out of the last year of his deal to give himself more flexibility. Let’s hope Murray truly takes the reins of San Antonio’s offense after an underwhelming offensive campaign in 2019–20. Ayton’s offensive skills jump off the screen in a variety of ways. —ZO, Flash! Maybe he’ll become the Nets’ true third star alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, or maybe he’ll get moved. — R.N. He remains one of the most impressive athletes in the NBA, and his ability to create for himself could still be meaningful to a winning team. SLIDE 1 of 10 ... but how many other win-now clubs are gauging the market of their entire roster?" And only it’s getting harder to doubt Butler’s will. Whether his preferred style of play—which has never involved much defense—can run conducive to team success is still the question hanging over his real value. He’ll get the opportunity to try and mesh with All-Star forward Kevin Love in the Cavs’ frontcourt as the franchise looks to develop lottery picks Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro alongside them. He also provides valuable scoring off the bounce, which is critical for a Utah offense that at times appears stuck in mud. D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite going to nine NBA Finals with the Lakers, West won only one title in 1972. —J.W. As Robinson rounds out his game, he will continue to [ahem] shoot up this list. Don’t let his injury history obscure his offensive value. 1 spot on this list when his career is over. Others argued it should be about the numbers and that awards don’t always end up belonging to the most deserved individual. (Nobody with that much of an offensive burden really is.) We may never see a 7'1", 365-pound big that was as explosive, athletic, and quick as Shaq. — M.S. While Adams rarely gets full credit for his services, he remains a king of positional nuance and, of course, a man of prodigious strength. As his game evolves, so will the expectations. Social media can be a blessing and a curse so please don’t buy into the nonsense that Bryant wasn’t as great as he was. Just because he’s stuck on an inconsequential Cleveland team doesn’t mean Kevin Love couldn’t have value for a franchise with higher aspirations in the present. — R.N, 12. As last season reminded us, in any contest with stakes, there’s not another player you’d take ahead of James. Technically, Baylor earned one since he was part of the 1971-72 Lakers squad that won it all, but he only played 9 games that season, retiring well before the playoffs started because of a nagging knee injury at age 37. Despite his scoring output dropping to its lowest mark since 2009–10 and his rebounding total dropping to its lowest mark since 2007–08, Millsap remains a steady defender who is capable of playing a productive, limited role on a high-quality team. #47: Kawhi Leonard was drafted and later traded by the Indiana Pacers, ending up with San Antonio who sent George Hill their way. —M.S. Strip away the aesthetic debate and a simple truth emerges regarding James Harden. They think he needs to prove something this upcoming season, that he has to show he can still be a superstar-level player without Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant by his side. Even with Jayson Tatum earning plaudits as Boston’s lead dog, there are moments when Walker looks like the best scorer on the team. There is an ageless quality to the way Aldridge plays basketball. — M.S. (He can also delight people—I distinctly remember Bill Hader got quite a kick at a Clippers game last season watching Beverley harass James Harden.) There are few guards in league history as purely gifted as the 2016 champion. Griffin isn’t exactly a knock-down shooter, but he posts solid percentages considering his significant leap in three-point volume. The numbers all show that Malone is easily a top 20 player in NBA history. While Ibaka might not be as much of a rim protector as he was when he was a spry 22-year-old blocking more than 3.5 shots per game, he remains a smart and more-than-capable force on the defensive end of the floor. —M.S. He was a two-time NBA MVP, appeared in 14 All-Star games, and made First Team All-NBA an insane 11 times. His versatility gave the Warriors fits in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs. 66. —B.P. Turner is a malleable offensive piece for the modern game. He also shot a career-high 61.7% from the field, remaining among the league’s more effective finishers, capable of overpowering a mismatch when necessary. Among the players expected to contribute in important roles is Ingles. Point guards weren’t supposed to be 6’5” scoring machines that could get a bucket from anywhere on the court like The Big O could. Dinwiddie could also be in for a sizable new contract next summer if he continues his progression. There’s certainly some hope built into this ranking, but we’re talking about one of the greatest scorers in league history, and a player whose size, skill and pure shooting ability give him a chance to age more than gracefully as he plays out his remaining prime years in Brooklyn. (If anything, the Clippers’ early playoff exit showed that Leonard could afford to be even more aggressive. His size makes him a frequent target on defense, and calls into question how effective he can really be in an ultra high-stakes playoff game. No guard has ever dominated the league like he did, which helps his case when you see him on the top of everyone’s list. The Admiral was able to do it all and then some. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Harrell was the third-leading scorer on the 2020 Clippers. 18. That’s a pretty large gap for a two-time MVP. He dishes dimes from every conceivable angle, throwing looping passes to cutters and lasers to perimeter shooters. Four-time NBA scoring champion. His contract may dampen his value on the trade market, but Barnes remains an effective player nearly a decade into his career. But despite an underwhelming tenure in Chicago thus far, Porter remains an intriguing piece for this season and beyond. In joining L.A., he will similarly be expected to play a key role for a team with title aspirations, and he will bring Los Angeles much-needed frontcourt flexibility. Harden’s postseason failures have been noted ad nauseum, and while there is some context necessary, it’s hard to shake the feeling that there is a gear missing with the season on the line. What’s crystal clear is that his superstardom is concrete, and that there’s assuredly more to come. LeBron led the NBA in assists for the first time as a 35-year-old, and it didn’t happen by accident. Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers: Five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA MVP, 12-time NBA All-Star, two-time Hall of Fame inductee; Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks: NBA champion, NBA MVP, 12-time NBA All-Star, two-time Hall of Fame inductee; Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics: Six-time NBA champion, NBA MVP, 12-time NBA … —M.S. Tatum bumped up his efficiency last season, and what’s frightening for opponents is how he should only improve from here. All Rights Reserved. — R.N. With the understanding Toronto planned to vigorously defend its title, Lowry had a remarkable 2020. Jokic should be unafraid to let it fly. He won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008, the same year he won his only championship in Boston and made the All-Defensive team 12 times. At times, it still feels as though there’s something missing despite Vučević’s impressive point totals. A true GOAT. There are few players in league history quite like Porzingis when he’s healthy. Valančiūnas remains a key cog for the Grizzlies as they look to snap a three-year playoff drought. But the tenets of Conley’s game—heady play, dangerous jump shooting, and comfort under pressure—remain sharp as ever. In each of his final two seasons with the Suns, he averaged more than 18 points per game. He has developed into a productive player, capable of playing both on- and off-ball, and he should elevate his close friend and franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns. Conley got off to a rocky start in Utah, adjusting alongside another ball-dominant guard in Donovan Mitchell and appearing in just 47 games due to injuries. Harris was often the lone spot-up option on the floor. He’s top 10 all-time in rebounds, blocks, win shares, and defensive win shares. So who will lead San Antonio forward? You’re not supposed to win NBA Finals MVP awards 14 years apart, but Abdul-Jabbar did. “I think that’s a big difference.” Siakam will continue working on his outside shot as he looks to develop a more well-rounded game. Scott Brooks has the luxury of being able to play … He looked like Dirk Nowitzki at times with his midrange jumper during the postseason. Bledsoe provides the Pelicans with defensive physicality and will certainly help orchestrate New Orleans’ offense, anchored by Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. Brooklyn’s point guard remains one of the game’s top scorers, and, paired with Kevin Durant, it’s possible we’ll see him hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2021. He earned just about every individual honor a superstar can earn, most especially six MVPs (one more than Russell and Jordan) and he’s still the only player in league history to win an MVP despite his team not making the playoffs. SI Fantasy analyst Michael Fabiano logs the impact of the fantasy noteworthy moves during the 2021 NFL offseason. He can bully smaller defenders on the block. 21 on our list. After signing a four-year, $85 million contract in the offseason—and with Lowry on an expiring deal—it’s clear VanVleet is a cornerstone of the Raptors’ future. The arena on Biscayne will always reside in Wade County. Houston’s leading man is arguably the greatest scorer of the century, and at this point in his career, Harden remains a walking playoff berth. His rebound percentage and free-throw rates fell last year compared to 2018–19. —M.S. He helped revolutionize the power forward position even more so than Tim Duncan did (he’s a center! — R.N, Despite being just 22 years old and having never played in a playoff game, Fox appears well suited as the future of the Kings’ franchise. Complete listing of all NBA Players and team rosters. Everywhere Chris Paul goes, winning follows. But decisions had to be made before deadline. Murray attempted fewer than two threes per game last season, and his reticence from beyond the arc isn’t an isolated statistic. He wasn’t guarding Tatum on that play—but Adebayo timed his release from his own man to be in perfect help position on Tatum, he had the athleticism to meet him at the rim, and then the awareness to keep the ball in bounds and in Miami’s possession. On the other end of the floor, Adebayo is a fulcrum in the Heat’s motion attack. Hield has the sixth-most threes in basketball over the last four seasons. In a Western Conference rich with talent, Aldridge’s ability to help shape San Antonio’s offense will be an important factor in determining if the Spurs can reach the postseason. Covington struggled mightily from three in the NBA bubble, and while that may be a small sample, he’s never been a truly knockdown shooter. As with any 7-footer, some physical decline is eventually in the cards, but at age 28, Gobert remains a tad more mobile than you think, his length proving a great equalizer in changing angles and effecting shots when he’s forced to defend in space. Defensively, you’re looking at a guy who’s a nine-time All-Defensive honoree and has led the league in steals six times. The big unknowns are to what degree he can amplify his playmaking skills (in two seasons as more of a secondary handler, his assist-to-turnover ratio is a respectable 1.8), and just how dangerous he’ll become shooting from distance. Tatum was bonkers, averaging 23.4 points, 3.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game. If your team doesn't have a big man that can shoot from 3, you're not winning anything. —B.P. Expect continued growth in Ingram’s second year with the Pelicans. We’ll never see Blake Griffin return to his Lob City form after an array of knee injuries, but the modern version of Griffin can still be downright delightful. And who do you give the nod to between three legendary point guards—Chris Paul, Steve Nash, and Jason Kidd—when there's only room for one? But the crafty Brogdon has outperformed expectations throughout the entirety of his career, and seems poised for a return to form with more help around him. —R.N. It’s a shame Griffin has largely faded from relevance as he toils away in Detroit. —J.W. He’s often unwilling to make any impact without the ball in his hands, far too content to rest with his hands on his hips in the half-court. For myself, I'll never forget Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals. He’s not the warmest personality by most accounts. Jokić isn’t a knock-down shooter, but his reticence appears to be hampering his percentages to a degree. —J.W. —M.S. He’s evolved into a punishing presence at the rim, averaging a healthy 1.06 points per possession on postups and 1.03 points per possession as a roll man in 2019–20. Some will love the rankings, others will loathe them. You can use any of the 16 categories available by ticking the categories on or off (below). He shifted between power forward and center in 2020, and he was the ultimate eraser for the Lakers. Robinson was a guy who really did it all, and his numbers prove that. —J.W. The only other players in the league to average that many points, assists, and rebounds per game while shooting at least 48% from the field last season were LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. He can lead a fast break. Embiid bullies smaller defenders and is too skilled for those who might be a closer physical comparison. Like Magic Johnson before him, Garnett raised the bar as to what a man of his size could do on the court. How many point guards, let alone 20-year-old rookies, could have led the collection of parts on Memphis’s roster to the cusp of playoff contention? Rob’s 2020 list provided a particularly valuable starting point. Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t physically dominant the way Wilt or Shaquille O’Neal was, but his fluidity was something special for someone of his gargantuan size. The 34-year-old averaged 19.4 points per game last season, the second-best mark on the club and his most since 2017. For you guys, know there’s still never been a player quite like him. Cláudio Castro agrees to honor the three-time World Cup winner. Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe and a series of … You think Kawhi Leonard doesn’t talk much," Popovich said. Who will be the NBA’s best players in the 2020–21 season? 2 spot in the coming seasons. It’s hard to imagine a better superstar alongside Jamal Murray in Denver. Also, his size makes him an easy target on defense. Only the game’s truest behemoths can gain an inch on Tucker in the post. He’s become an indispensable piece of one of the NBA’s better teams, and he’s earned first-team all-defense honors in consecutive years.
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