The top 50 players in the NBA — how many Sixers make the cut, and where do they fall?
The NBA season is almost here, and with it comes Philadelphia 76ers basketball. After a disappointing 2019-20 campaign, the Sixers are rebuilt and revamped. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have more shooting at their disposal, while Doc Rivers is expected to provide a schematic upgrade over his predecessor, Brett Brown.
While the Sixers’ standing in the East is uncertain, one thing is clear — Embiid and Simmons are two of the NBA’s best players. This article pits them against the best of the best in the NBA. More plainly, this functions as a ranking of the top 50 NBA players.
Honorable mentions: T.J. Warren, Tobias Harris, Malcolm Brogdon, Jusuf Nurkic, DeAndre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, D’Angelo Russell, Eric Bledsoe, Kevin Love, Bojan Bogdanovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Clint Capela
Top NBA player #50 — Nikola Vucevic
While Nikola Vucevic took a step back after his All-Star appearance in 2019-20, he still deserves credit for his role as Orlando’s top scorer and main offensive weapon. An old-fashioned big infused with modern skills, Vucevic can space the floor, punish defenders in the post, or thrive in the mid-range. He averaged 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds on 47.7 percent shooting last season.
Top NBA player #49 — Zach LaVine
There’s a lot to be said about Zach LaVine’s retched defense and his limitations when it comes to creating for others. At the end of the day, he’s still one of the NBA’s premier scorers — a dynamic, quick-twitch athlete with deep 3-point range, a deadly first step, and the athleticism to finish in traffic with acrobatic flourishes. He averaged 25.5 points per game last season and, at 25 years old, still has room to grow.
Top NBA player #48 — Blake Griffin
When healthy and operating at the top of his powers, Blake Griffin is much higher on this list. Unfortunately, his ability to stay on the court is the biggest question facing Detroit this season. Griffin is reaching the twilight of his career at 31, but when he’s on the floor, Griffin’s mix of strength, shooting touch, and basketball I.Q. at 6-foot-9 is tantalizing.
Top NBA player #47 — John Collins
One of the NBA’s most underrated talents, John Collins averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds last season as Trae Young’s number two in Atlanta. He needs to continue his growth defensively, but on offense, Collins is both a versatile perimeter scorer and a top-tier vertical threat. He can stretch the floor, face-up, or fill the lane and crash the offensive glass. There’s a lot to like.
Top NBA player #46 — Robert Covington
Injuries have dampened Robert Covington’s impact of late, but he’s still one of the premier NBA defenders. He covers more ground than most, not only creating turnovers, but protecting the rim and suffocating passing lanes. Offensive limitations aside, Covington has deep 3-point range and plenty of confidence.
Top NBA player #45 — Draymond Green
The Draymond Green of old was absent last season. As Golden State tries to return to contention, we could see a rejuvenated and more determined Green. That said, at 30 years old, Green’s limits as a shooter and scorer may finally be problematic — especially with Klay Thompson out of the rotation. If he loses another step or two defensively, Golden State will need to seriously ponder his future.
Top NBA player #44 — Fred VanVleet
The Raptors rewarded Fred VanVleet with hefty long-term contract. He will continue to anchor the backcourt next to Kyle Lowry, bombing deep 3s and providing Toronto’s second units with a deadly creator. He’s small, but built strong and boosted by a relentless toughness. He averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 assists as Toronto’s number three last season — no small feat.
Top NBA player #43 — Gordon Hayward
While the Hornets shelled out a rather ridiculous contract for his services, Gordon Hayward will still do a lot to help them on the court. He showed flashes of his old self last season, and even at more subdued levels, Hayward’s skill set is extremely valuable in the modern NBA. He’s a slick passer, capable three-level scorer, and a remarkably unselfish star. He will ease an important burden for LaMelo Ball.
Top NBA player #42 — Marcus Smart
Few perimeter defenders are more impactful than Marcus Smart. He only has one speed, and that speed is the gas peddle glued to the floor. Smart can essentially defend four positions at 6-foot-3, his hands are the stuff of legend, and he’s a mostly positive offensive player for good measure. If his 3-point stroke continues at a passable level, he will stick around a while.
Top NBA player #41 — Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis made his first All-Star appearance last season. Even in a system that didn’t maximize his skill set, Sabonis’ gifts as both a scorer and passer shined to the tune of 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Selfless and relentless, Sabonis fights hard for points in the paint, but can also stretch the floor and facilitate from the elbow. His All-Star appearance was no fluke.
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.
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.
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.
ar
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.
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.
Best NBA player #35 — Jaylen Brown
A talented wing too often buried in Boston’s loaded starting five, Jaylen Brown deserves credit for his development as both a scorer and defender. He came into the league as a raw project out of Cal, but has quickly transformed himself into a future All-Star and a reliable secondary option on a competitive team. Brown will take on even bigger duties in the absence of Gordon Hayward.
Best NBA player #34 — Ja Morant
Ja Morant’s rookie season exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. He’s already an elite facilitator, with plenty of finishing skills to round out his repertoire. A better 3-point spot would help, but Morant can get pretty much wherever he wants on the floor. He averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists and almost got Memphis to the playoffs in the West — as a rookie.
Best NBA player #33 — CJ McCollum
The Blazers continue to show dedication to the Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum duo. While the latter is by no means a perfect sidekick, McCollum does too much as a scorer and secondary playmaker to give up on for nothing. Guards who can create from scratch, torch defenses at every level, and still make life easier for teammates are not a dime a dozen.
Best NBA player #32 — Brandon Ingram
After getting out of the development hell known as Lakerland, Brandon Ingram realized his All-Star potential last season in New Orleans. At 6-foot-9, Ingram’s pterodactyl arms make him a difficult cover for opposing defenders. He can shoot over the top, glide to the rim, or facilitate out of the pick-and-roll. Ingram averaged 23.8 points last season and is a bonafide number two to Zion Williamson.
Best NBA player #31 — Russell Westbrook
Look, who knows where Russell Westbrook belongs on this list? He was truly special for stretches in Houston last season, but that was with a roster built around his unique limitations. The Wizards can accommodate Westbrook’s vanishing jump shot, but he’s still an erratic decision-maker and aloof defender who too often counterbalances the good with the bad. He’s a nightly triple-double threat, but also a threat to shoot his team out of the game.
Best NBA player #30 — Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal was the second-leading scorer in basketball last season, a fact overshadowed by Washington’s inability to win games. The Wizards were special offensively and historically bad defensively. Beal deserves partial credit for both. He needs to become a better defender, but his ability to put the ball in the basket is without question.
Best NBA player #29 — Rudy Gobert
This may be too low for Rudy Gobert. He’s a tricky bet in the modern NBA — a big who doesn’t space the floor and who often meets his match in bigs who can. That said, Gobert single-handedly guarantees a competent defense. He’s a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and a more than capable complementary star on offense.
Best NBA player #28 — Jrue Holiday
The Bucks moved mountains to get Jrue Holiday because, frankly, he’s worth it. Holiday is one of the NBA’s best defenders — period — and one heck of a point guard. Holiday positions Milwaukee atop the Eastern Conference. He will help anchor a league-best defense next to Giannis and Brook Lopez, while his contributions offensively will far outstrip his predecessor, Eric Bledsoe.
Best NBA player #27 — Karl-Anthony Towns
The Wolves are a beautiful mess, with the latest No. 1 overall pick, a boatload of self-confident scorers, and Ricky Rubio to tie the pieces together. It probably won’t work, but it should be fun to watch. Karl-Anthony Towns is the Wolves’ key to contending. He’s arguably the best offensive big in basketball, with a deadeye 3-point stroke and an equally proficient post game. If he can elevate his performance to the next level, Minnesota could make noise.
Best NBA player #26 — Trae Young
It hasn’t taken long for Trae Young to capture the imagination of NBA fans. He’s one of the league’s most formidable shooters, with endless range and impressive shot versatility. That alone makes him a headache for any defense. Add his wide-aperture passing lens, his sharp handles, and his willingness to finish among the trees inside, and Young becomes one of the league’s most potent offensive engines. He averaged 29.6 points and 9.3 assists as a sophomore. The future is bright.
Best NBA player #25 — Khris Middleton
Perpetually underrated, Khris Middleton is not a throwaway second star. He’s a perennial All-Star candidate who contributes to one of the NBA’s most efficient offensive attacks. If it weren’t for limited playing time due to Milwaukee’s tendency to wrap games up in the third quarter, Middleton’s counting stats would draw more attention. He’s deadly at every level, and a versatile wing defender, to boot.
Best NBA player #24 — Kyle Lowry
A cagey, rough-and-tumble point guard who has every intangible, Kyle Lowry has long deserved more credit than he receives. He’s a brilliant on-ball defender and a savant facilitator, operating as the key cog in Toronto’s smooth, movement-heavy offense. Lowry could stand to do more as a scorer sometimes, but that has more to do with attitude than talent. Lowry is a bucket when he wants to be.
Best NBA player #23 — Zion Williamson
Health is a question here, as well as sample size. We haven’t seen much of Zion Williamson in the NBA, but what we have seen is enough to instill confidence. If he’s on the floor, Williamson will probably cement New Orleans in the playoff race. He’s the most exciting rookie in recent memory — a 6-foot-6 linebacker who glides through air like a comic book hero. He almost doesn’t need spacing. Just enough room to squeeze into the paint and euro-step his opponent.
Best NBA player #22 — Pascal Siakam
A former Most Improved Player who almost won the award a second time last season, Pascal Siakam has filled the role of top scorer admirably in Toronto. Some limitations were laid bare in the postseason, but Siakam remains a skilled athlete at 6-foot-9. He leverages a good 3-point stroke into ample effectiveness as a slasher. He kills smaller or slower defenders on straight-line drives, and his defense is highly underrated.
Best NBA player #21 — Donovan Mitchell
And here begins my gauntlet of “guards who may or may not have totally over-performed in the Bubble who are either due for a breakout or due for a regression to the mean.” Donovan Mitchell looked the part of a future MVP candidate in the Bubble. Unfortunately, the Bubble was highly favorable to scorers, and he will need to prove his mettle outside the Bubble to maintain this high a ranking.
Top NBA player #20 — Devin Booker
The Suns came alive in the Bubble, as did Devin Booker. He seems primed for a leap — the kind of leap that could propel the newly dangerous Suns into playoff contention. Last season, Booker averaged 26.6 points and 6.5 assists. Now he gets to share the floor with and learn from Chris Paul. Phoenix’s immediate future is bright.
Top NBA player #19 — Jamal Murray
No player erupted in the Bubble quite like Jamal Murray. He elevated his game to a new level, and in the process helped Denver to the conference finals. Murray is already an elite shooter who can get his own at every level. He has also grown tremendously as a facilitator, averaging 6.6 assists in the playoffs. If his leap was real, the NBA has a new perennial All-Star.
Top NBA player #18 — Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving’s media persona is the object of criticism, but on the court, he’s still one of the NBA’s most electric players when healthy. Irving puts the ball on a string and torches defenders of every size and shape. He needs only a sliver of daylight to shoot, while his finishing package at the rim is unmatched for a 6-foot-3 guard. He also has championship experience — and Brooklyn is primed to make a real run.
Top NBA player #17 — Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons has unfortunately become the object of trade rumors involving a perennial MVP candidate. There aren’t too many players who are of comparable value to Simmons. The 24-year-old is already one of the best defenders in basketball, with the rare ability to guard all four positions. He is also an elite facilitator, generating more 3-point attempts for teammates than anyone not named Luka Doncic. Don’t get it twisted — he is a winning player in the modern NBA.
Top NBA player #16 — Bam Adebayo
The Heat surprised many with their run to the Finals last season. Bam Adebayo deserves credit as the defensive anchor and offensive linchpin he was — a brilliant facilitator and face-up scorer from the elbow who guarded all over the floor and gave the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis real trouble. Adebayo is on track to be a perennial Defensive Player of the Year consideration, and last season’s All-Star appearance was the first of many.
Top NBA player #15 — Paul George
All jokes aside, Paul George is still the ultimate 3-and-D superstar. He was the Clippers’ best player for stretches in the postseason, and while his shoulder injury was problematic in 2019-20, it’s safe to expect a healthy and revitalized George in 2020-21. He signed a max contract because he’s worth a max contract. An elite shooter, three-level scorer, and All-Defensive caliber wing are rarely packaged in the same player.
Top NBA player #14 — Chris Paul
Chris Paul took the Thunder to the brink of the second round after entering the season with throwaway expectations. He is getting older, and he’s not as quick as he was in his prime, but Paul remains the Point God. He can control the flow of a game like few others, and Phoenix has a real chance to make noise in the West because of his presence.
Top NBA player #13 — Jayson Tatum
The next true MVP candidate to emerge could be Jayson Tatum. An elite isolation scorer, blessed with tremendous athleticism and skill, Tatum has proven he can carry the Celtics to victory in tight games. He has also proven his mettle as one of the NBA’s top wing defenders, with the length and strength to guard all over the floor. The Celtics got a gem.
Top NBA player #12 — Joel Embiid
After last season ended in disappointment, Joel Embiid is in line for a bounce-back campaign. With more shooters at his side and a revamped offense under Doc Rivers, Embiid is set to operate with more space and purpose than he ever has. No player can physically dominate the interior like Embiid. He is one of a kind in the modern NBA. Expect a return to 2018-19 form.
Top NBA player #11 — Anthony Davis
Officially an NBA champion and one of two MVP candidates on the Lakers roster, Anthony Davis has finally earned his respect in LA. He is one of the top rim protectors on the planet, as well as a versatile offensive threat. He can bully small defenders in the post, torch slow-footed bigs off the dribble, or bomb away from 3-point range. He led the Lakers in scoring over LeBron James last season.
Top NBA player #10 — Damian Lillard
Dame Time. The Blazers point guard established his dominance in the Bubble, helping the Blazers overcome a sizable deficit to appear in the postseason and even steal a game from the eventual champs. Lillard’s deep range, explosive first step, and ability to change speeds makes him impossible to contain. He averaged 30.0 points and 8.0 assists last season. Not shabby.
Top NBA player #9 — Jimmy Butler
Quietly one of the NBA’s most unselfish stars, Jimmy Butler is truly content to sit back and watch his teammates succeed. When he does decide to flip the switch, however, few players can take over a game like Butler. He has a propensity for clutch buckets unrivaled by any star in basketball. He gets it done when the game is on the line, and he’s one heck of a defender, too.
Top NBA player #8 — Nikola Jokic
The Nuggets’ conference finals appearance was more than a Clippers collapse. It was a Nuggets victory, in large part because of Nikola Jokic’s efforts as both a scorer and facilitator. He is one of the league’s top passers as a 7-footer, with 360-degree court vision and a canon for an arm. Jokic is a patient and unsexy scorer, but he does it at a high level. He pokes and plods his way to buckets, with the occasional trick shot only Jokic would even dare attempt. He is the NBA’s best center until someone knocks him off his pedestal.
Top NBA player #7 — Kevin Durant
Look, Kevin Durant is tough to gauge. If he’s back to 100 percent, as if the Achilles pop never happened, then he belongs in the top five. If he’s irrevocably slowed down, then it’s impossible to pinpoint his exact location on this list. That said, Durant looked spry in Brooklyn’s preseason games. He is also one of the best shooters in basketball which, as a 7-footer, is hard to stop. Even a restricted Durant is probably better than most.
Top NBA player #6 — Stephen Curry
Like Durant, we haven’t seen a consistently healthy and engaged Curry for some time now. It’s hard to know how Golden State would look, and more specifically, it’s hard to know whether Curry can truly reach the MVP heights of yesteryear. That said, Curry is the best shooter in NBA history, a relentless off-ball mover, and an equally elite creator on the ball. Odds are he will do damage when given the opportunity.
Top NBA player #5 — Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard’s degenerative leg condition is worrisome. The Clippers’ playoff collapse went well beyond him, but Leonard looked slow and out of sorts in crucial stretches — the opposite of what we came to expect during Toronto’s championship run the season prior. That said, Leonard made huge strides as a facilitator last season. He played some of his best basketball in a Clippers uniform. Hopefully proper rest helps him get back to that form.
Top NBA player #4 — Luka Doncic
The early favorite for MVP is Luka Doncic. The 21-year-old has defied even the highest expectations, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in just his second year. The Mavs are on the brink of a breakout, with Doncic’s supercharged shot creation at the center of it all. He is simultaneously the best passer and one of the best isolation scorers in basketball.
Top NBA player #3 — James Harden
James Harden, too, is both an elite facilitator and an elite isolation scorer. The Rockets have built their entire system around Harden’s skill set for years. He has sneaky strength, a deadly step-back, and a penchant for foul-drawing that makes him virtually unguardable. Harden can force his way to the rim, or shoot over the top from 3-point range. He averaged 34.3 points and 7.5 assists in what one could justifiably call a “down year.”
Top NBA player #2 — Giannis Antetokounmpo
Officially signed to a five-year supermax extension, Giannis Antetokounmpo will keep Milwaukee in the title conversation for years to come. A 7-footer with unmatched strength, length, and explosiveness, Antetokounmpo is a freight train once he gets downhill. Lack of a jump shot aside, it’s virtually impossible to keep him from the rim. Few defenders are strong enough, and those who are are seldom quick enough. Add in great court vision, and Giannis is the two-time MVP for a reason.
Top NBA player #1 — LeBron James
This spot could justifiably belong to Giannis. That said, there’s no player more trustworthy in critical moments than LeBron James. He will elevate his performance and rise to the occasion, especially in the playoffs — it’s a given. Last season, the 35-year-old James averaged a career-high 10.2 assists per game. He’s still evolving in year 16. At this point, it’s impossible to predict a decline. He may very well make All-Star games until he’s 40.
Do you agree with this list? Disagree? Be sure to make your voice heard in the comments!