2019-2020 Top 100 NBA Players: 20-11
New Addition
(Last Year’s Rating Difference)
20. Jimmy Butler (Miami) SF/SG: Jimmy Butler had a lot of personal drama last year but that didn’t stop his play on the court. He had another solid season with Minnesota/Philly and has now moved on to Miami. Butler is clearly the best player on the team but he now needs to show he can make lesser players better. (-5)
19. Klay Thompson (Golden State) SG/SF: Klay Thompson has been one of the best and most consistent players in all of basketball over the past 6 years. But for the 1st time in his career, Thompson will be recovering from a major injury. He is expected to be back some point during February and hopefully will return to his old ways. It will be interesting to see how he gels with D’Angelo Russell. (=)
18. Kemba Walker (Boston) PG: For the 1st time in his career, Kemba Walker will not be a Charlotte Hornet. But in his 8th and final season, he made the All-NBA 3rd Team and scored a career high 26 points. Now with Boston, Walker will be surrounded by the most talent of his career. He should have another spectacular year and now hopefully a deep playoff run to go with it. (+15)
17. Donovan Mitchell (Utah) SG: Donovan Mitchell has emerged as one of the best guards in basketball in his 1st 2 seasons. He really saved the Jazz when Gordon Hayward left in free agency. Now in his 3rd year, Mitchell needs to become more of a dynamic player instead of just a scorer. He’s got the right mindset to become great, he just needs to show it in the playoffs. (+6)
16. Luka Doncic (Dallas) SF/SG: In my opinion, Luka Doncic had the best rookie season since LeBron James entered the league. At just 19 years old, Doncic averaged 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. He’s skilled, athletic, and has basketball IQ way beyond his years. Doncic does need to shoot better but that will come with time. It also helps to be teaming up with young stud Porzingis. (+93)
15. Blake Griffin (Detroit) PF: After being traded from the Clippers, it looked like Griffin’s career was on the downswing. But in his 1st full season with the Pistons, Griffin reinvented himself. He shot a career high 36% from 3 and scored a career high 25 points per game. Now hopefully the Pistons can get him some help. (+6)
14. Russell Westbrook (Houston) PG: Russell Westbrook is arguably the greatest player in the history of the Thunder/Sonics organization. But he has now moved on to Houston to team up with former teammate James Harden. For this to work, Westbrook will have to become less of a scorer and more a passer. Westbrook has all the talent in the world but he needs to take a step back if Houston wants to get over the hump. (-11)
13. Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) C: Karl-Anthony Towns has had an impressive 1st 4 seasons with the Timberwolves. During those 4 seasons, he has career averages of 22 points and 12 rebounds a game. Unfortunately, the Wolves have only won 1 playoff game during that time. At somepoint, Towns needs to put up these great stats in meaningful games. (-2)
12. Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn) PG: Kyrie Irving had a bad past year as most Celtics did. While his stats were fantastic, Kyrie was a horrible leader on a team that should have competed for a ring. Now with Brooklyn, he’ll be be in a similar spot with KD out for the year. He’s the best player on a talented but young team. For Brooklyn’s sake, he better be able to handle it better. (-3)
11. Nikola Jokic (Denver) C: Nikola Jokic is the most skilled big man in all of basketball. He posted career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals (20-11-7-1.4). At 24 years, old, he’s the star on a team on the rise. Jokic does need to work on his defense but he already looks like a perennial MVP candidate for years to come. (+3)
Steve Santoro
