Ranking the top 50 NBA players in 2021
35. player. 69. . SF. New Orleans Pelicans. Brandon Ingram
Top 50 NBA players: #35 — Brandon Ingram
Zion has sucked up all the attention in New Orleans, but Brandon Ingram continues to build on last season’s All-Star campaign. He’s averaging 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 46.8 percent shooting — not bad for someone adjusting to a more secondary role on a roster still not tailored entirely to his skill set. Ingram covers a lot of ground offensively, and makes good use of his lanky frame on defense.
player. 24. . C. Chicago Bulls. Nikola Vucevic. 34
Top 50 NBA players: #34 — Nikola Vucevic
Before getting traded, Nikola Vucevic was the only bright spot for a dismal Magic team. Now he’s learning to complement Zach LaVine in Chicago, no doubt a jarring adjustment. The early signs are positive, though, with Vucevic’s blend of shooting, passing, and interior dominance well-suited to the Bulls roster. He’s averaging 24.2 points and 11.4 rebounds on 48.6 percent shooting this season.
. PF. Indiana Pacers. Domantas Sabonis. 33. player. 100
Top 50 NBA players: #33 — Domantas Sabonis
Domantas Sabonis has cemented his standing as one of the most skilled all-around big men in the NBA. He’s averaging 19.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists on 52.2 percent shooting. He’s a prolific post scorer, skilled passer, and a tenacious rebounder. He’s the hub of Indiana’s offense, and a better defender than his physical profile would suggest.
Jrue Holiday. 32. player. 89. . PG. Milwaukee Bucks
Top 50 NBA players: #32 — Jrue Holiday
The Bucks have justifiably committed to Jrue Holiday long-term. It took a minute for Holiday to figure out his role, but he’s undoubtedly integral to Milwaukee’s success — a gifted creator and cream-of-the-crop defender. In a tertiary role with the Bucks, Holiday is averaging 17.1 points and 5.4 assists on an impressive 50.6 percent shooting. He’s also averaging a career-high 1.7 steals per game.
73. . PG. Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray. 31. player
Top 50 NBA players: #31 — Jamal Murray
In what has been a much better season than advertised, Jamal Murray is averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 assists on 48.0 percent shooting. The Nuggets hinge largely on the wizardry of Nikola Jokic, but Murray’s production as a secondary scorer and facilitator is undeniably essential. He’s one of the NBA’s most gifted flamethrowers on the perimeter, not to mention a vastly improved defender.