Top 100 NBA players: End-of-season rankings

Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Sixers(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Pascal Siakam, Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Pascal Siakam, Raptors (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

. PG. Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray. 35. player. 73

Top 100 NBA players — 35. Jamal Murray, Nuggets

Jamal Murray continues to rehab his ACL. Whether he returns this season or next season, Denver will be glad to have him back. He’s the perfect running mate for Nikola Jokic — a dynamic off-movement shooter who can also take over possessions and share the burden in crunch time. Murray’s Bubble blow-up feels like eons ago, but he has the shot-making chops to be a long-time All-Star.

Charlotte Hornets. LaMelo Ball. 34. player. 170. . PG

Top 100 NBA players — 34. LaMelo Ball, Hornets

LaMelo Ball made his first All-Star this season and is primed to make many more appearances among the crème de la crème of the Eastern Conference. Blending skill and style in near perfect unison, Ball is certainly fun to watch. He can make every pass in the book, and then invent some new passes no one had previously thought of. He has also come into his own as a go-to scorer, making stronger moves to the rim and sustaining his deep 3-point range.

33. player. 41. . PF. Golden State Warriors. Draymond Green

Top 100 NBA players — 33. Draymond Green, Warriors

Draymond Green was on the fast track to Defensive Player of the Year before injury knocked him out for a couple months. He’s still the NBA’s most unique defensive force when he’s right. Not many teams find the same success with small-ball centers that Golden State finds with Draymond, which is a testament to his singular versatility. On offense, Green is one of the league’s leading assist-getters. His basketball I.Q. and competitive fire unlock the best version of this Warriors team. They aren’t winning a title without Green being a primary force behind the run.

PF. Toronto Raptors. Pascal Siakam. 32. player. 81.

Top 100 NBA players — 32. Pascal Siakam, Raptors

Pascal Siakam was once the No. 2 option for a championship team. He has never been far from stardom, and now with the team more his than ever, he is showing just how far his brilliance extends. Toronto is a physical team, capable of winning with brute force and willpower. Siakam has had to cover the positional spectrum a bit due to injuries this season, but no matter where he’s slotted, you can generally count on a mismatch in his favor. Siakam’s size, speed, and touch are not common. He can just overwhelm defenders of all shapes and sizes once he gets a head full of steam.

PG. Toronto Raptors. Fred VanVleet. 31. player. 81.

Top 100 NBA players — 31. Fred VanVleet, Raptors

Fred VanVleet has assumed the mantle of starting point guard in Kyle Lowry’s absence, and he has done so brilliantly. The man is a star, straight-up. He’s a big shot-maker, an excellent facilitator out of the pick-and-roll, and perhaps the best 6-foot defender in the NBA. VanVleet has always been able to exceed expectations and punch above his weight (in the most literal sense), but now he’s on the front lines for a playoff team and he’s coming up big every night. There’s no more Lowry or Kawhi to lurk in the shadows of. VanVleet and Siakam are the Raptors. They deserve respect.