Top 100 NBA players — 75. Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks’ efficiency has dipped amid injuries this season, but when right, he’s an integral part of Memphis’ contending core. He’s the team’s most polished scorer next to Ja Morant, and he thusly plays an important role in crunch time. He’s also one of the league’s most underrated wing defenders — a strong-bodied, physical presence at the point of attack.
Top 100 NBA players — 74. Bojan Bogdanovic, Jazz
The Jazz are starting to come apart at the seams, but Bojan Bogdanovic’s production is steadfast. He fulfills his specific role at the highest level — hitting 3s at a high volume, taking advantage of mismatches at the four spot, and playing respectable defense. His spacing is important to Utah’s offense, and when called upon in years past, we have seen him step up on big stages. He plays winning basketball.
Top 100 NBA players — 73. Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
The Sixers’ second-year guard has officially made the leap from “exciting young prospect” to high-level starter and key member of a potential championship contender. Maxey’s speed and finesse around the rim are supernatural. He just defies physics on drives to the cup. He has also developed rather quickly into an elite spot-up shooter, making it all the more difficult for defenders to anticipate his actions off the catch. He’s special.
Top 100 NBA players — 72. Miles Bridges, Hornets
We aren’t talking about Miles Bridges enough in the Most Improved Player conversation. His rise came out of nowhere. Last season, he was an excellent reserve who graced the NBA highlight reels every couple weeks. Now, he’s dropping highlights all the same, while also leading Charlotte in scoring and doing so with admirable efficiency. He’s the perfect high-flying running mate for LaMelo Ball, and he’s going to get a rather large payday in the near future.
Top 100 NBA players — 71. Norman Powell, Clippers
The Clippers committed highway robbery at the trade deadline, acquiring Normal Powell for pennies on the dollar and setting themselves up nicely for a postseason push — be it this season, or next season, when the roster is healthy. Powell is an absurdly efficient complementary scorer, with dynamic bouts of shot-making and some playmaking juice on the side. He can defend up or down a position generally, and he continues to look good in just about every setting he’s placed in.