Post by Skillz on Jul 19, 2011 21:43:16 GMT -5
The 40 Most Valuable Players in the League
Part 1 (40-21)
Yup. We haven’t done one of these in a while and with so much trading going on, let’s start some more debate on some of the leagues best players.
Players are valued based on talent, potential, age, and salary. Keep in mind that although this is totally subjective, it is in fact 100% true.
40. 136 Red Kerr PF 24 6'9'' 233 B+ C C- B+ A- A
Barely making the cut is Red Kerr, the Blazers power forward. Kerr has progressed nicely in TC’s but has yet to really show anything in games. He’s the kind of guy who could eventually turn into a franchise big, or at least a second or third piece on a playoff team.
39. 633 Jonas Valanciunas PF 33 6'11'' 260 A- B C B A C
Jonas is 33, but he is still one of the better bigs in the league. He’s seen a drop in production this year, but he is still a top 10 candidate amongst big men as a guy you’d want on your team come playoff time.
38. 498 Quentin Derrick PG 33 5'7'' 160 B A- A- A C D
In a similar light as Jonas, Quentin Derrick is still one of the league’s best players at 33 years old. He’s producing at an MVP level right now and despite his age, is still pretty valuable considering what he went for. One of the best players in league history.
37. 177 Kevin White SF 25 6'7'' 227 A- A- C+ B B+ D
White would have been considerably higher on this list a few years ago, but he has yet to prove that he can play to his ratings. White is still a terrific all-around player, but he does not score very efficiently and cannot be considered a superstar.
36. 223 Paul Arizin SG 28 6'5'' 203 B+ A B- B+ C B
Arizin is one of the more underappreciated players in the league. He’s not a big name, but he scores efficiently and is one of the reasons the Spurs are actually a decent team. He gets the nod over the more heralded White because of his %’s.
35. 464 Koni Bruton PF 27 6'9'' 237 B C C B+ A C
Bruton is another underappreciated player who isn’t mentioned much because he’s been on the Celtics and Hawks. He is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league and is a candidate for DPOY. Considering his age and contract, he is just a very valuable player.
34. 192 Julian Rooks PG 27 6'2'' 185 C+ A- A- A- C C
A top 10 point guard, Julian Rooks has emerged as the Nuggets best player. The problem? He’s probably best suited to be a teams 2nd or 3rd gun in an outside offense. Still, Rooks is a valuable asset who can do just about everything at the point guard spot.
33. 552 Jayson O'Keane PF 26 6'8'' 248 A C+ D+ C B+ D
O’Keane is not without flaws but he is one of the best pure scorers in the league. He can score inside and out, and is a 30/10 threat if an offense is catered towards him. He’s a decent shot blocker but horrible positional defender and ball handler.
32. 620 Lamont McGee PF 23 6'11'' 225 A- C- C A- A- A
McGee has pretty ratings and has had some huge TC’s but he has yet to prove that he can produce on a high level. And while I am sure McGee will get even better, it is already very telling that he can’t score efficiently (his poor volume is understandable considering the team he is on). I’m starting to think that McGee will fiddle out to be a 19/10/2 block type player who won’t be a superstar on a great team.
31. 231 Vince McCracken SG 28 6'5'' 203 B+ A- B B C+ B
McCracken was supposed to be one of the best players in the league. Unfortunately, he has not improved over the last couple of years, but still remains a vital piece to the Bulls title hopes. He’s in the same ballpark as a number of top shooting guards, but is not an elite player by any means.
30. 455 Tanner Thompson SG 25 6'5'' 206 B A B+ A- C B
Thompson is similar to McCracken, but 3 years younger and expiring. One would expect Thompson to improve a bit and become a perennial 25-26 ppg scorer, but I doubt TT will ever be a true superstar. Still, he’s a great two-way player that can play a great second fiddle.
29. 504 Juno Tremont PF 26 6'9'' 224 A C+ C A- B+ C
Juno will continue to draw interest around the league because of his sexy ratings and his scoring ability, but he has not proven that he can sim to his ratings. If this stigma wears off, he could be a huge asset, but it does not appear yet that his +10 is helping him play any better. As you’ll see soon, the league is also full of more bigs than would one suspect.
28. 360 Cliff Hagan SF 24 6'5'' 215 B+ A- C+ B C+ B
If Hagan improves anymore, he could be a true superstar. He’s got great ratings and sims pretty well. However, right now there is not much separation between him and the rest of the wings on this list. He needs to improve his steal and block #’s and become a bit more efficient to move up this list.
27. 474 Antonio Ramsey SF 29 6'9'' 266 A- B+ C B B C
Ramsay puts up great ratings but has yet to prove he can really play on a winning team. His defensive stats are actually pretty good, I think it’s just unclear how good he is or what he would be like on a great team. Until we find that out, it’s really hard to rate him.
26. 182 Rickey Francis PG 29 5'6'' 154 C A C C+ C C
The 5’6 Francis has caught the entire league by surprise with his amazing scoring, posting totals that have not been reached by many other players in BBS history. He’s averaged 27 ppg, 29 ppg, 34 ppg, and 35 ppg in consecutive seasons and has toasted other elite point guards in the playoffs. For his career, Francis averages just under 24 points per game in just 28 minutes per game which is ridiculous. Rickey’s suspect defense and quite frankly, his ratings, keep him from a higher part of this list.
25. 647 Durell Valentine C 26 7'0'' 291 B C- D+ B A
I’m not a fan of bigs who don’t block shots and play defense, but Valentine is just good enough to reach the top 25. He’s posting a ridiculous 28/14 on a tanking team right now and will always be one of the best rebounders in the league. In remains to be seen whether Valentine can deliver on a great team.
24. 499 Bobby Cook SG 33 5'10'' 155 A- A C+ C C+ D
Cook is one of the coolest players in league history. He’s posting 26 ppg for his career, shooting an astounding 50%, and is probably the best shooting guard in the league. His “C” defense is really just bullshit considering he blocks three shots per game, but his positional defense leaves a lot to be desired. Would be in the top ten if he was 25 instead of 33.
23. 560 Tom Heinsohn PF 22 6'8'' 225 B+ C C A A- A
What have I learned most from doing these rankings? There are a shitload of good bigs, a changing part of the league as we shift towards retro. Anyway, Heinsohn looks amazing and is only # 21 on the list. Doesn’t really block shots and can’t play yet, but I bet he’ll be good.
22. 263 Randy Sinclair PF 26 7'0'' 221 A- C- C A B+ B
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaandy! Sinclair has proven me right for giving him that “big” contract (now it looks like a bargain) by posting 18/12/4 totals this year. Sinclair doesn’t have the efficiency or free throw shooting to ever be a reliable scorer, but he’s great as a defensive big man in an outside system.
21. 422 Tyrone Keane PF 27 7'0'' 257 B+ B+ C A+ B
After coming into the league as a raw shooter, Keane is still somehow improving in TC. He’s been named to an all-star team for the first time this year and is arguably the best post defender in the league. Keane’s fg% has always been mediocre, but his 41% clip from three-point land actually makes him an efficient scorer. No one really knows if he can score because he’s never been an option.
20. 634 Maurice Stokes C 23 6'8'' 240 B- D+ D+ A A A
Stokes proved me wrong. I did not think he would be so good, and he’s already one of the best bigs out there. It’s hard to tell how good he will get, as his offense needs a ridiculous amount of work to even be noteworthy and his defense and rebounding are already perfect.
Part 2 ready once I get 15 votes!
Part 1 (40-21)
Yup. We haven’t done one of these in a while and with so much trading going on, let’s start some more debate on some of the leagues best players.
Players are valued based on talent, potential, age, and salary. Keep in mind that although this is totally subjective, it is in fact 100% true.
40. 136 Red Kerr PF 24 6'9'' 233 B+ C C- B+ A- A
Barely making the cut is Red Kerr, the Blazers power forward. Kerr has progressed nicely in TC’s but has yet to really show anything in games. He’s the kind of guy who could eventually turn into a franchise big, or at least a second or third piece on a playoff team.
39. 633 Jonas Valanciunas PF 33 6'11'' 260 A- B C B A C
Jonas is 33, but he is still one of the better bigs in the league. He’s seen a drop in production this year, but he is still a top 10 candidate amongst big men as a guy you’d want on your team come playoff time.
38. 498 Quentin Derrick PG 33 5'7'' 160 B A- A- A C D
In a similar light as Jonas, Quentin Derrick is still one of the league’s best players at 33 years old. He’s producing at an MVP level right now and despite his age, is still pretty valuable considering what he went for. One of the best players in league history.
37. 177 Kevin White SF 25 6'7'' 227 A- A- C+ B B+ D
White would have been considerably higher on this list a few years ago, but he has yet to prove that he can play to his ratings. White is still a terrific all-around player, but he does not score very efficiently and cannot be considered a superstar.
36. 223 Paul Arizin SG 28 6'5'' 203 B+ A B- B+ C B
Arizin is one of the more underappreciated players in the league. He’s not a big name, but he scores efficiently and is one of the reasons the Spurs are actually a decent team. He gets the nod over the more heralded White because of his %’s.
35. 464 Koni Bruton PF 27 6'9'' 237 B C C B+ A C
Bruton is another underappreciated player who isn’t mentioned much because he’s been on the Celtics and Hawks. He is one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league and is a candidate for DPOY. Considering his age and contract, he is just a very valuable player.
34. 192 Julian Rooks PG 27 6'2'' 185 C+ A- A- A- C C
A top 10 point guard, Julian Rooks has emerged as the Nuggets best player. The problem? He’s probably best suited to be a teams 2nd or 3rd gun in an outside offense. Still, Rooks is a valuable asset who can do just about everything at the point guard spot.
33. 552 Jayson O'Keane PF 26 6'8'' 248 A C+ D+ C B+ D
O’Keane is not without flaws but he is one of the best pure scorers in the league. He can score inside and out, and is a 30/10 threat if an offense is catered towards him. He’s a decent shot blocker but horrible positional defender and ball handler.
32. 620 Lamont McGee PF 23 6'11'' 225 A- C- C A- A- A
McGee has pretty ratings and has had some huge TC’s but he has yet to prove that he can produce on a high level. And while I am sure McGee will get even better, it is already very telling that he can’t score efficiently (his poor volume is understandable considering the team he is on). I’m starting to think that McGee will fiddle out to be a 19/10/2 block type player who won’t be a superstar on a great team.
31. 231 Vince McCracken SG 28 6'5'' 203 B+ A- B B C+ B
McCracken was supposed to be one of the best players in the league. Unfortunately, he has not improved over the last couple of years, but still remains a vital piece to the Bulls title hopes. He’s in the same ballpark as a number of top shooting guards, but is not an elite player by any means.
30. 455 Tanner Thompson SG 25 6'5'' 206 B A B+ A- C B
Thompson is similar to McCracken, but 3 years younger and expiring. One would expect Thompson to improve a bit and become a perennial 25-26 ppg scorer, but I doubt TT will ever be a true superstar. Still, he’s a great two-way player that can play a great second fiddle.
29. 504 Juno Tremont PF 26 6'9'' 224 A C+ C A- B+ C
Juno will continue to draw interest around the league because of his sexy ratings and his scoring ability, but he has not proven that he can sim to his ratings. If this stigma wears off, he could be a huge asset, but it does not appear yet that his +10 is helping him play any better. As you’ll see soon, the league is also full of more bigs than would one suspect.
28. 360 Cliff Hagan SF 24 6'5'' 215 B+ A- C+ B C+ B
If Hagan improves anymore, he could be a true superstar. He’s got great ratings and sims pretty well. However, right now there is not much separation between him and the rest of the wings on this list. He needs to improve his steal and block #’s and become a bit more efficient to move up this list.
27. 474 Antonio Ramsey SF 29 6'9'' 266 A- B+ C B B C
Ramsay puts up great ratings but has yet to prove he can really play on a winning team. His defensive stats are actually pretty good, I think it’s just unclear how good he is or what he would be like on a great team. Until we find that out, it’s really hard to rate him.
26. 182 Rickey Francis PG 29 5'6'' 154 C A C C+ C C
The 5’6 Francis has caught the entire league by surprise with his amazing scoring, posting totals that have not been reached by many other players in BBS history. He’s averaged 27 ppg, 29 ppg, 34 ppg, and 35 ppg in consecutive seasons and has toasted other elite point guards in the playoffs. For his career, Francis averages just under 24 points per game in just 28 minutes per game which is ridiculous. Rickey’s suspect defense and quite frankly, his ratings, keep him from a higher part of this list.
25. 647 Durell Valentine C 26 7'0'' 291 B C- D+ B A
I’m not a fan of bigs who don’t block shots and play defense, but Valentine is just good enough to reach the top 25. He’s posting a ridiculous 28/14 on a tanking team right now and will always be one of the best rebounders in the league. In remains to be seen whether Valentine can deliver on a great team.
24. 499 Bobby Cook SG 33 5'10'' 155 A- A C+ C C+ D
Cook is one of the coolest players in league history. He’s posting 26 ppg for his career, shooting an astounding 50%, and is probably the best shooting guard in the league. His “C” defense is really just bullshit considering he blocks three shots per game, but his positional defense leaves a lot to be desired. Would be in the top ten if he was 25 instead of 33.
23. 560 Tom Heinsohn PF 22 6'8'' 225 B+ C C A A- A
What have I learned most from doing these rankings? There are a shitload of good bigs, a changing part of the league as we shift towards retro. Anyway, Heinsohn looks amazing and is only # 21 on the list. Doesn’t really block shots and can’t play yet, but I bet he’ll be good.
22. 263 Randy Sinclair PF 26 7'0'' 221 A- C- C A B+ B
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaandy! Sinclair has proven me right for giving him that “big” contract (now it looks like a bargain) by posting 18/12/4 totals this year. Sinclair doesn’t have the efficiency or free throw shooting to ever be a reliable scorer, but he’s great as a defensive big man in an outside system.
21. 422 Tyrone Keane PF 27 7'0'' 257 B+ B+ C A+ B
After coming into the league as a raw shooter, Keane is still somehow improving in TC. He’s been named to an all-star team for the first time this year and is arguably the best post defender in the league. Keane’s fg% has always been mediocre, but his 41% clip from three-point land actually makes him an efficient scorer. No one really knows if he can score because he’s never been an option.
20. 634 Maurice Stokes C 23 6'8'' 240 B- D+ D+ A A A
Stokes proved me wrong. I did not think he would be so good, and he’s already one of the best bigs out there. It’s hard to tell how good he will get, as his offense needs a ridiculous amount of work to even be noteworthy and his defense and rebounding are already perfect.
Part 2 ready once I get 15 votes!
