qualification: player has to be a current star, a declining star still significantly productive or projected to become a star; player's strengths must clearly outweigh weaknesses.
Point Guards
1. Steph Curry - they say the greatest players change the DNA of the game. the MVP's preference and efficiency from long range both defeats and demoralises. his habit of going on 8-, 9-point spurts at pace redefines "unplayable". the undersized guard doesn't need a body when you can't catch him. as if owning the best shot in the sport weren't enough, Curry is one of the best ball handlers too, a versatility that scares the hell out of opponents. he is still some distance from being a premier floor general and can be lackadaisical at times.
2. Russell Westbrook - a freak of nature, Westbrook always had the tools, but when he improved his efficiency, it instantly made him an MVP-level player. couple that with a relentless will and a clutch mentality. Westbrook quite simply does it all on the floor and only if you nitpick, he still doesn't come across as a natural playmaker.
3. Chris Paul - they say if you are playing one-on-one, you pick Westbrook or Irving; if five-on-five, it is unanimously Paul. even as other point guards rise in a point guard-heavy league, there is a reason Paul remains the Team USA starter. the best floor general since Steve Nash, Paul's shot-making has also often been underestimated, retaining the ability to take over games when necessary. analysts generally agree he has no weakness.
4. Kyrie Irving - often the smallest but brightest on the court, Kyrie is among the best finishers around. his ball-handling is right up there and he can also hurt you from distance. unfortunately Kyrie is a weak defender and he usually needs to dominate the ball to be effective. a true superstar of the league.
5. John Wall - for a long time all style and no substance, the explosive and athletic Wall has developed maturity around the rim and now plays every game like it is his last. it is one thing defending an opponent physically superior, it is another defending a team with a playmaker on steroids. when he takes off, literally no one in the league can catch him. supremely confident, bordering cocky. possibly has not reached his ceiling. with still-suspect shooting, if you collapse your defence and force Wall, you may just stop him.
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Shooting Guards
1. James Harden - easily the most single-minded scorer since Carmelo Anthony. his arsenal of weapons -- the unstoppable Euro step, premier shot-making and an unrivalled ability to draw fouls -- means opponents only seek damage control because you cannot shut him out. his style is an advantage in a league made for individuality. his defence remains horrendous.
2. Jimmy Butler - of that rare breed who can score and stop, Butler is fearless. he is strong in drives and cuts, and gifted at making buckets. also charged with marking the league's best players. equally comfortable being team-first or me-first.
3. Dwyane Wade - he has slowed and plays fewer minutes, but on any given night Wade can still give you an MVP performance. he had a variety of moves when he was "Flash" -- with experience he is still beating opponents with a variety of moves. allow Wade anywhere around the paint and he is virtually unstoppable. he remains a shooting guard who cannot convert 3s.
4. DeMar DeRozan - a natural scorer anywhere inside the arc who has fulfilled his potential simply by becoming more efficient. like Wade, he is not known for his perimeter shooting. DeRozan brings intensity at both ends of the floor. grew into a number-one option, which is always a huge sign of improvement.
5. Klay Thompson - Klay is the definition of simplicity. he is able to rank with other flashy wings because of his efficiency. shoots 3s for a living with a quick and high release, but surprisingly, gets a substantial amount of points near the rim too. ignore him and he could score loads in a hurry, but he is essentially a shooter so he can go cold. Klay is bigger than most 2s and is a dependable defender, but for a 2, he is also not the quickest nor most athletic. perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Golden State's system and playing alongside Steph Curry, and the verdict is still out on whether he is a reliable number-one option.
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Small Forwards
1. LeBron James - still the most dominant player in the sport, and even after an 11-year career, still one of the fittest. a once-in-a-generation athlete who can play 1 through 5. the God-blessed physique, the talent and eventually the mental fortitude -- it's no wonder people talk about him as possibly the greatest ever. the irony is that the mentality has proven to be both a strength and a weakness - he clearly understands he's the best, yet at times it reduces him to a diva.
2. Kevin Durant - for a long time considered 'the best after LeBron'. this former MVP finds ever more ways to score and his efficiency combined with his high release leaves him almost unguardable. his desire is also at the highest level. a solid one-on-one defender, although for his length he should do a better job crashing the boards.
3. Carmelo Anthony - the classmate always in LeBron James' shadow, Carmelo is still nevertheless one of the most devastating scorers throughout his career, trailing only James for points among players who are not in their twilight. equally comfortable on the wing or in the block, face up or back in, Anthony is perhaps the league's best isolation player. his defensive game is sometimes overlooked.
4. Paul George - the fact that he went from role player to MVP candidate shows he has no ceiling (the volume shooter does need that room to improve his efficiency). the perfect physical specimen of a wing -- long, tough, quick and athletic. George can opt between blowing past you or firing 3s. he can also play multiple positions. on one end of the floor, George is one of the sport's best defenders; on the other, on his day, he is unstoppable. a true superstar of the league.
5. Kawhi Leonard - a player on the brink of MVP level, Leonard is one of those rare athletes who can fill up the stat sheet. his giant hands come to mind first, giving him not just a high release like Kevin Durant, but making him the first wing since 2004 to win DPOY. furthermore, there are very few defenders who can contest both the perimeter and the paint. Leonard is hardworking on court and off it, improving from 29% on 3s to around an unreal 50%. he always looks comfortable and is an excellent rebounder for a 3. his new burden as San Antonio's number-one option is taking a toll, and to become an elite wing, he needs another jump in his scoring repertoire.
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Power Forwards
1. Anthony Davis - seen as the most important player since LeBron James, in three years Davis is already the number-one power forward. his length and athleticism make him almost unplayable. apart from shoot 3s, there is nothing Davis can't do and he legitimately is able to lead a team in all categories. if all these were still not frightening, Davis also can probably beat most centres at their job.
2. Blake Griffin - the human highlight reel himself. above the rim Griffin is unguardable. with the quickness, brains and ball-handling, he is a 1 in the body of a 4. he has also improved his mid-range so much it is a certain bucket if he gets open. furthermore, he never slacks off. Griffin is big on highlights, small on details. he has an awkward post game and an awkward jumper, but he gets it done. it continues to puzzle how he is so athletic at one end but cannot really protect the rim. still not the best at creating his own shots, which could blemish his eventual legacy.
3. Chris Bosh - the best personification of a stretch-4 after Dirk Nowitzki, Bosh is a highly-productive player of whom you cannot ask for more. he has the ability to score from any situation and count on him for a clutch play. his length is freaky and he has excelled even as a centre. Bosh has declined as a rebounder but apart from that has scarily no real weakness.
4. LaMarcus Aldridge - arguably the league's best 4 for a few years. a guaranteed producer from mid-range and one of the best stroke among big men. if there were one criticism it is his lack of intensity. he often avoids the battles in the paint. he has played in a conducive environment all career so it remains to be seen if he can be as effective at Spurs.
5. Draymond Green - Draymond is quite good at everything. he has range, he can pass, he can defend, he is active, he has basketball IQ and he has an attitude. he is so valuable in this day and age because he is the epitome of quick ball, small ball and rotation. he is comfortable playing 3, 4, 5 and would even gladly play guard. a triple-double threat. being a master of not one trade may undermine him in the long run.
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Centres
1. DeMarcus Cousins - in an era where skills are required of even the centre, Cousins is number one. probably the most complete 5 in the game, he even started making 3s this season. his temperament continues to be an issue and only if you nitpick, Cousins racks up rebounds on the easier end.
2. Andre Drummond - since sorting out his offensive game, Drummond has been almost unstoppable in just his fourth season. still, he has no range and operates exclusively on the inside. combining body and athleticism, he is possibly the best rebounder in the game currently. remains an elite rim protector. a free-throw liability.
3. Brook Lopez - the best offensive 5 alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Lopez' sole responsibility is to score, which makes up for his mediocrity at the other end of the floor. he has bags of moves, and if you could emerge as a number-one option during the Nets' superstar era featuring Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, you're not too bad. Lopez also has the frame and a great mid-range shot.
4. Marc Gasol - you don't get a more reliable centre. Gasol is all-rounded -- he can post up, he can shoot, he can defend. he also happens to be the best passing big man in the sport. he can make a flashy point-guard assist or smash you up. Gasol will not give you 30-15 but he is productive every night. he is intelligent, humble and has a soft touch for a big man -- all the makings of a rare breed. not many players develop to become better than their own brother but Gasol did.
5. Hassan Whiteside - many players with talent fall off the radar, very few return with such statement. plucked from the wilderness, Miami now has the most feared shot blocker in the game and one of its best offensive rebounders. Whiteside has all the physical attributes, is absurdly confident but that attitude can be detrimental. offensively he is a put-back guy with no range. Whiteside is also not as strong as other centres.
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Point Guards
1. Steph Curry - they say the greatest players change the DNA of the game. the MVP's preference and efficiency from long range both defeats and demoralises. his habit of going on 8-, 9-point spurts at pace redefines "unplayable". the undersized guard doesn't need a body when you can't catch him. as if owning the best shot in the sport weren't enough, Curry is one of the best ball handlers too, a versatility that scares the hell out of opponents. he is still some distance from being a premier floor general and can be lackadaisical at times.
2. Russell Westbrook - a freak of nature, Westbrook always had the tools, but when he improved his efficiency, it instantly made him an MVP-level player. couple that with a relentless will and a clutch mentality. Westbrook quite simply does it all on the floor and only if you nitpick, he still doesn't come across as a natural playmaker.
3. Chris Paul - they say if you are playing one-on-one, you pick Westbrook or Irving; if five-on-five, it is unanimously Paul. even as other point guards rise in a point guard-heavy league, there is a reason Paul remains the Team USA starter. the best floor general since Steve Nash, Paul's shot-making has also often been underestimated, retaining the ability to take over games when necessary. analysts generally agree he has no weakness.
4. Kyrie Irving - often the smallest but brightest on the court, Kyrie is among the best finishers around. his ball-handling is right up there and he can also hurt you from distance. unfortunately Kyrie is a weak defender and he usually needs to dominate the ball to be effective. a true superstar of the league.
5. John Wall - for a long time all style and no substance, the explosive and athletic Wall has developed maturity around the rim and now plays every game like it is his last. it is one thing defending an opponent physically superior, it is another defending a team with a playmaker on steroids. when he takes off, literally no one in the league can catch him. supremely confident, bordering cocky. possibly has not reached his ceiling. with still-suspect shooting, if you collapse your defence and force Wall, you may just stop him.
6...
Shooting Guards
1. James Harden - easily the most single-minded scorer since Carmelo Anthony. his arsenal of weapons -- the unstoppable Euro step, premier shot-making and an unrivalled ability to draw fouls -- means opponents only seek damage control because you cannot shut him out. his style is an advantage in a league made for individuality. his defence remains horrendous.
2. Jimmy Butler - of that rare breed who can score and stop, Butler is fearless. he is strong in drives and cuts, and gifted at making buckets. also charged with marking the league's best players. equally comfortable being team-first or me-first.
3. Dwyane Wade - he has slowed and plays fewer minutes, but on any given night Wade can still give you an MVP performance. he had a variety of moves when he was "Flash" -- with experience he is still beating opponents with a variety of moves. allow Wade anywhere around the paint and he is virtually unstoppable. he remains a shooting guard who cannot convert 3s.
4. DeMar DeRozan - a natural scorer anywhere inside the arc who has fulfilled his potential simply by becoming more efficient. like Wade, he is not known for his perimeter shooting. DeRozan brings intensity at both ends of the floor. grew into a number-one option, which is always a huge sign of improvement.
5. Klay Thompson - Klay is the definition of simplicity. he is able to rank with other flashy wings because of his efficiency. shoots 3s for a living with a quick and high release, but surprisingly, gets a substantial amount of points near the rim too. ignore him and he could score loads in a hurry, but he is essentially a shooter so he can go cold. Klay is bigger than most 2s and is a dependable defender, but for a 2, he is also not the quickest nor most athletic. perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Golden State's system and playing alongside Steph Curry, and the verdict is still out on whether he is a reliable number-one option.
6...
Small Forwards
1. LeBron James - still the most dominant player in the sport, and even after an 11-year career, still one of the fittest. a once-in-a-generation athlete who can play 1 through 5. the God-blessed physique, the talent and eventually the mental fortitude -- it's no wonder people talk about him as possibly the greatest ever. the irony is that the mentality has proven to be both a strength and a weakness - he clearly understands he's the best, yet at times it reduces him to a diva.
2. Kevin Durant - for a long time considered 'the best after LeBron'. this former MVP finds ever more ways to score and his efficiency combined with his high release leaves him almost unguardable. his desire is also at the highest level. a solid one-on-one defender, although for his length he should do a better job crashing the boards.
3. Carmelo Anthony - the classmate always in LeBron James' shadow, Carmelo is still nevertheless one of the most devastating scorers throughout his career, trailing only James for points among players who are not in their twilight. equally comfortable on the wing or in the block, face up or back in, Anthony is perhaps the league's best isolation player. his defensive game is sometimes overlooked.
4. Paul George - the fact that he went from role player to MVP candidate shows he has no ceiling (the volume shooter does need that room to improve his efficiency). the perfect physical specimen of a wing -- long, tough, quick and athletic. George can opt between blowing past you or firing 3s. he can also play multiple positions. on one end of the floor, George is one of the sport's best defenders; on the other, on his day, he is unstoppable. a true superstar of the league.
5. Kawhi Leonard - a player on the brink of MVP level, Leonard is one of those rare athletes who can fill up the stat sheet. his giant hands come to mind first, giving him not just a high release like Kevin Durant, but making him the first wing since 2004 to win DPOY. furthermore, there are very few defenders who can contest both the perimeter and the paint. Leonard is hardworking on court and off it, improving from 29% on 3s to around an unreal 50%. he always looks comfortable and is an excellent rebounder for a 3. his new burden as San Antonio's number-one option is taking a toll, and to become an elite wing, he needs another jump in his scoring repertoire.
6...
Power Forwards
1. Anthony Davis - seen as the most important player since LeBron James, in three years Davis is already the number-one power forward. his length and athleticism make him almost unplayable. apart from shoot 3s, there is nothing Davis can't do and he legitimately is able to lead a team in all categories. if all these were still not frightening, Davis also can probably beat most centres at their job.
2. Blake Griffin - the human highlight reel himself. above the rim Griffin is unguardable. with the quickness, brains and ball-handling, he is a 1 in the body of a 4. he has also improved his mid-range so much it is a certain bucket if he gets open. furthermore, he never slacks off. Griffin is big on highlights, small on details. he has an awkward post game and an awkward jumper, but he gets it done. it continues to puzzle how he is so athletic at one end but cannot really protect the rim. still not the best at creating his own shots, which could blemish his eventual legacy.
3. Chris Bosh - the best personification of a stretch-4 after Dirk Nowitzki, Bosh is a highly-productive player of whom you cannot ask for more. he has the ability to score from any situation and count on him for a clutch play. his length is freaky and he has excelled even as a centre. Bosh has declined as a rebounder but apart from that has scarily no real weakness.
4. LaMarcus Aldridge - arguably the league's best 4 for a few years. a guaranteed producer from mid-range and one of the best stroke among big men. if there were one criticism it is his lack of intensity. he often avoids the battles in the paint. he has played in a conducive environment all career so it remains to be seen if he can be as effective at Spurs.
5. Draymond Green - Draymond is quite good at everything. he has range, he can pass, he can defend, he is active, he has basketball IQ and he has an attitude. he is so valuable in this day and age because he is the epitome of quick ball, small ball and rotation. he is comfortable playing 3, 4, 5 and would even gladly play guard. a triple-double threat. being a master of not one trade may undermine him in the long run.
6...
Centres
1. DeMarcus Cousins - in an era where skills are required of even the centre, Cousins is number one. probably the most complete 5 in the game, he even started making 3s this season. his temperament continues to be an issue and only if you nitpick, Cousins racks up rebounds on the easier end.
2. Andre Drummond - since sorting out his offensive game, Drummond has been almost unstoppable in just his fourth season. still, he has no range and operates exclusively on the inside. combining body and athleticism, he is possibly the best rebounder in the game currently. remains an elite rim protector. a free-throw liability.
3. Brook Lopez - the best offensive 5 alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Lopez' sole responsibility is to score, which makes up for his mediocrity at the other end of the floor. he has bags of moves, and if you could emerge as a number-one option during the Nets' superstar era featuring Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, you're not too bad. Lopez also has the frame and a great mid-range shot.
4. Marc Gasol - you don't get a more reliable centre. Gasol is all-rounded -- he can post up, he can shoot, he can defend. he also happens to be the best passing big man in the sport. he can make a flashy point-guard assist or smash you up. Gasol will not give you 30-15 but he is productive every night. he is intelligent, humble and has a soft touch for a big man -- all the makings of a rare breed. not many players develop to become better than their own brother but Gasol did.
5. Hassan Whiteside - many players with talent fall off the radar, very few return with such statement. plucked from the wilderness, Miami now has the most feared shot blocker in the game and one of its best offensive rebounders. Whiteside has all the physical attributes, is absurdly confident but that attitude can be detrimental. offensively he is a put-back guy with no range. Whiteside is also not as strong as other centres.
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