Top 50 NBA players: Where do Sixers’ stars rank?
. C. Dallas Mavericks. Kristaps Porzingis. 40. player. 79
Best NBA player #40 — Kristaps Porzingis
Another player for whom injuries are a concern. Kristaps Porzingis’ long, spindly frame makes his prone to wear and tear. He already has major knee damage on his resume. When he’s on the court, however, Porzingis’ mix of 3-point shooting, rim-running, and rim protection is rivaled by no one. He even has spurts of self-creation very few players his size can match.
39. player. 84. . PG. Sacramento Kings. De'Aaron Fox
Best NBA player #39 — De’Aaron Fox
The Kings maxed out De’Aaron Fox for a reason. He’s the staple of a franchise in limbo, giving King fans something to cling onto in times of uncertainty. Fox’s end-to-end speed is reminiscent of prime John Wall. He’s a speedster, but also supremely skilled, with a capable 3-point stroke, feather-soft touch, and vision out of the pick-and-roll. He averaged 21.1 points and 6.8 assists last season. An All-Star appearance might be near in the future.
Indiana Pacers. Victor Oladipo. 38. player. 100. . SG
Best NBA player #38 — Victor Oladipo
This might strike some as a high valuation, but there’s reason to believe Victor Oladipo — ever the hard worker — can return to All-Star form. When he’s right, Oladipo is a decisive slasher, underrated playmaker, and one heck of a defender. He is central to Indiana’s competitive aspirations in the East.
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149. . PG. Oklahoma City Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 37. player
Best NBA player #37 — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder have all the picks a front office could want and a head start on their rebuild. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a bonafide star. He’s idiosyncratic, but with great length, pace, and a well-furnished skill set, Gilgeous-Alexander is already a master manipulator of NBA defenses. He operates at his own speed, creating for others at a high level, or long-stepping his way to points.
player. 18. . PG. Boston Celtics. Kemba Walker. 36
Best NBA player #36 — Kemba Walker
There are major concerns about the state of Kemba Walker’s knee. He’s already a defensive liability, and if he loses a step, his offensive potency diminishes considerably. That said, when healthy and going at full speed, not many ball-handlers are more difficult to stay in front of. Walker can shake just about anyone, with deep pull-up range and a vast array of finishes at the rim.