Point Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | James Harden | HOU | 4 | It is simply amazing that Harden performs at this high of a level with all of the offensive weapons that the Rockets have. Westbrook has far fewer weapons to work with. |
2 | Damian Lillard | POR | 5 | Lillard gets the big bump due to having the fifth game and being the main option on a team that lacks front-court offense. |
3 | Russell Westbrook | OKC | 3 | Rare third spot for Westbrook. It is hard justifying ranking him over Lillard because of the two game difference. |
4 | John Wall | WSH | 4 | The backbone of the Wizards offense continues lighting it up with scoring and assists. If he falls, the team will collapse down the stretch |
5 | Stephen Curry | GSW | 4 | Curry is used to being the top dog and with Kevin Durant out, it's back to Steph as the top option. Everyone goes gaga over his shooting, but he has also been a very solid playmaker. |
6 | Chris Paul | LAC | 4 | CP3 continues to be a top guard and and he will always be relied on to score with how hot and cold the other guards are. |
7 | Isaiah Thomas | BOS | 4 | The big question all season, is IT2 a leader and a No. 1 option? He is close, but would still be a more effective second option. |
8 | Kyrie Irving | CLE | 4 | Even if Irving starts to slow when he plays deep into games, he has been an effective driver and can even create from the paint. |
9 | Kemba Walker | CHA | 4 | Even with Cody Zeller healthy again, it will only help Walker in the assist department and scoring opportunities will not be impacted. |
10 | Eric Bledsoe | PHX | 4 | The Suns are in the midst of a youth movement and has much as Devin Booker has grown, Bledsoe remains the top and most trustworthy scoring weapon. |
11 | Goran Dragic | MIA | 4 | With the Heat back at full strength Dragic can finally focus on playmaking and less on forcing shots. His shot selection has improved, but he is a traditional PG at heart. |
12 | Jeff Teague | IND | 4 | The Pacers often set walls of screens for Teague and because the opposition is worried about the Turner or George cut inside, Teague gets open at the top of the paint for shots. |
13 | Dennis Schroder | ATL | 4 | Schroder's assist total will only improve down the stretch and especially after adding the bigger long range shooting threat Ersan Ilyasova, the lane is a bit more open. |
14 | Mike Conley | MEM | 3 | Memphis does a good job balancing possessions between the guards and bigs and Conley is very agile. He reads the screen and has a quick floater that is hard to contest. |
15 | Ricky Rubio | MIN | 4 | Rubio's passing is his biggest asset. He is mainly a steals and assist guy, but has been shooting a bit better and the 'Wolves will need him to hit shots from the elbow due to the loss of Zach LaVIne. |
16 | Jrue Holiday | NO | 3 | Even though Holiday is the third option on the Pelicans, he still gets a lot of time with the ball and is good at cutting through the middle of the court. Shots will be impacted only a little |
17 | Derrick Rose | NY | 4 | Rose is auditioning for a contract at this point and as long as he stays healthy, which is risky, he will produce like he did last year in the second half of the season. |
18 | Elfrid Payton | ORL | 4 | Payton is another passing guard who is forced to take shots. Orlando lacks consistency outside of Evan Fournier and the opposition cares more about watching Vucevic from posting up than the perimeter |
19 | George Hill | UT | 3 | Hill remains the dictionary definition of knockdown shooter. The Jazz have a lot of lane attackers and Hill will often camp out on the perimeter. He has driving ability, but gets open outside. |
20 | Reggie Jackson | DET | 4 | If there is any time that Jackson needs to be motivated, it's now because the Pistons are starting to turn on him and may remove him from the starting lineup. Poor shot selection! |
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Shooting Guards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | C.J. McCollum | POR | 5 | Have to give credit to C.J. because even though his shooting is his strength, he always looks to drive. He's great at getting open on the elbow. Harkless and Aminu set great screens for him. |
2 | Nicolas Batum | CHA | 4 | Batum does not need much space to create. He'll lean in when shooting from the outside and that shows just how comfortable he is with his release. He is an incredible long rebounder. |
3 | DeMar DeRozan | TOR | 3 | DeRozan moves down because of the lack of the fourth game but the reason I put him over Beal is because of Kyle Lowry's injury. He will get more attention from defenses, but also more shots. |
4 | Bradley Beal | WSH | 4 | Beal has completely improved his game. He makes quicker decisions with the ball and looks to drive more rather than just camping out on the wing. |
5 | Klay Thompson | GSW | 4 | Durant's injury will continue to impact Thompson in both a positive and negative way. More shots but less opportunity to create and driving the lane will be a lot harder. |
6 | Avery Bradley | BOS | 4 | Soreness is starting to haunt him and he may have to miss a game this week. |
7 | Gordon Hayward | UT | 3 | Hayward moves down a bit because of the lack of fourth game. Hayward provides a lot of the offense (like John Wall does). He's an attacker with a strong shot. |
8 | Patrick Beverley | HOU | 4 | Pat-Bev still gets time to create in the rotation. He is the quickest of the non-Harden Guards and being that he is a change of pace player, he will be relied on big time if the Rockets are struggling. |
9 | Devin Booker | PHX | 4 | Booker continues to be a good No. 2 option and his shot selection continues to improve. Rather than picking his spot and firing, he has developed a drive game and doesn't force up as many shots. |
10 | Tyler Johnson | MIA | 4 | Johnson has ups and moves to the basket, but does not handle the double well enough. I give him credit for taking contact, but when he's trapped on the drive, it's hard for him to reset. |
11 | Dwyane Wade | CHI | 4 | Suffering from a bit of a Thigh injury and will have to miss a game or two this week |
12 | Lou Williams | HOU | 4 | Williams will continue to get his piece of the pie in Houston and he can rotate to both guard spots very effectively and he will have games in which he scores over 20. |
13 | Eric Gordon | HOU | 4 | Gordon is a pure shooter, but not as dependable of an overall guard as the other options are. He is all scoring. |
14 | Dion Waiters | MIA | 4 | Waiters is another pure shooter, but I have noticed that when the ball bounces off the rim, he will attempt to crash the boards at the top of the paint. |
15 | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | DET | 4 | The Pistons need to rely on KCP more because of how effective he is from the elbow. Reggie Jackson is not helping that situation at all with the shots he's forcing up. |
16 | Khris Middleton | MIL | 4 | Middleton's recovery looks like he is heading in the right direction and he is able to play more minutes without too much brush-back from his body. |
17 | Gary Harris | DEN | 4 | Harris long range game has been reliable and he has been able to be more productive due to good health. |
18 | Sean Kilpatrick | BKN | 4 | Lin will need a bit more time to get back in the swing of things and Kilpatrick can rotate to both guard spots. |
19 | J.J. Redick | LAC | 4 | We all know Redick is score or bust, but there is a big fatigue factor that tames place among his match up. Constantly moves around off the ball on the court. |
20 | Wesley Matthews | DAL | 3 | Matthews will still get his open shots and Nerlens Noel sets good top of the key screens and that allows him to get more open shots. |
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Small Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | LeBron James | CLE | 4 | LeBron returns to the top spot because of tremendous all-around production. The only thing we fear is resting. |
2 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | MIL | 4 | Even with Middleton back and siging Terrence Jones, Giannis will still get his time with the ball to create and if those guys become threats, the defensive pressure would be off him a bit. |
3 | Kawhi Leonard | SAS | 4 | Even with the Spurs at full strength, Leonard always burns defenders from the arc and he will still find ways to get open right outside of the paint. He is an excellent defender. |
4 | Jimmy Butler | CHI | 4 | Dwayne Wade is banged up again this week, what else is new? Butler will get a lot more shots and time with the ball this week. |
5 | Paul George | IND | 4 | It has become very hard to tell whether or not George will hit the 20 point mark. He's a very unselfish player and does not command the ball too much. |
6 | Carmelo Anthony | NY | 4 | March has not been too kind to Anthony. He's another player having issues hitting the 20 point mark. He will provide rebounding help. |
7 | Otto Porter | WSH | 4 | Porter has become just as much of a knockdown shooting option as Bradley Beal. His perimeter defense continues to amaze as he is able to get through screens easily. |
8 | Andrew Wiggins | MIN | 4 | Wiggins will continue to get as many shots as he wants with LaVine out for the season. The shots will be there but nothing else comes easy to him. Very scoring dependant. |
9 | Robert Covington | PHI | 4 | Covington is a big scoring and rebounding help and has the elbow to himself to create. The Sixers do not have many offensive weapons and Covington will hit long range shots. |
10 | Wilson Chandler | DEN | 4 | Chandler will always have playing time on his side as he can sub in at multiple positions. He produces all around and is not afraid to drive and take contact on both sides of the ball. |
11 | Danilo Gallinari | DEN | 4 | Gallinari is still the top shooting weapon on Denver and he will make attempts to get in the lane to score, but mainly hovers around the elbow and perimeter. Dynamite three-point shooter. |
12 | Jae Crowder | BOS | 4 | Crowder is the Celtics most aggressive post player and he does not have too much to offer offensively. Defensively he is a hound on the ball and will fight bigger players for rebounds. |
13 | Moe Harkless | POR | 5 | Harkless gets a big boost with the fifth game and because the Blazers are limited offensively up front, he will have a good amount of mid-range opportunities and will provide rebounding help. |
14 | Trevor Ariza | HOU | 4 | Ariza has earned his spot because of his shut down perimeter defense. He continues to be open for the kick out and hits the knock down three. Ariza will drive through the middle if the lane is open. |
15 | Tobias Harris | DET | 4 | Harris has been very quick in the post. He creates well from the elbow and on defense he rotates through the paint and screens well stopping the possession from getting closer to the hoop. |
16 | Ersan Ilyasova | ATL | 4 | Ilyasova will be able to hit the knockdown three and shots from the elbow opposite Paul George. He will earn his minutes from rebounding and he does that very well from right outside the paint. |
17 | James Johnson | MIA | 4 | Johnson is efficient from both forward spots, and the Heat's defense has improved a lot. Johnson has good shooting range and he will bang for boards. |
18 | Will Barton | DEN | 4 | Barton will continue to utilize his skills in the post and draw contact. He is excellent at following his own shots and putting the ball back in the hoop. |
19 | Evan Fournier | ORL | 4 | Fournier remains the Magic's top shooting option and with Nikola Vucevic banged up, he will get even more attention defensively. |
20 | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | CHA | 4 | MKG plays excellent defense and will help in most categories. He doesn't do anything fancy offensively, but will get plays from right outside the paint called for him. He will also help with blocks and steals. |
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Power Forwards
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Anthony Davis | NO | 3 | Yes AD is just THAT much more productive than the other Power Forwards in the league, but the weekly question is whether or not he can stay healthy? |
2 | Blake Griffin | LAC | 4 | Don't get it twisted, Blake has re-developed his game and he is one of the best bangers inside and he has learned that he is detrimental when he just hangs at the perimeter. |
3 | Draymond Green | GSW | 4 | Green will get more post plays inside and even though he is not much of a scorer, Durant being out opens up the elbow and lane. As always, expect rebounds and blocks and kicks. |
4 | Nikola Jokic | DEN | 4 | Jokic is a bit under the whether to start the week, but he has been as productive as ever complete with triple-doubles. He may miss a game. |
5 | Paul Millsap | ATL | 4 | Millsap's defense is sub-par, but on offense he is one of the most effective creators from the elbow and is the team's No. 1 option. He has been good at feeding the cutter when he's in the post. |
6 | Kristaps Porzingis | NY | 4 | Porzingis looks to be over his injuries and has been aggressive and rebounding inside. He will play in the paint, but gets a lot of plays called for him outside. |
7 | LaMarcus Aldridge | SAS | 4 | Aldridge has been logging double-doubles lately and has been balancing out low post and high post nicely. He loves his long range shots, but also will feed Pau Gasol if open. |
8 | Al-Farouq Aminu | POR | 5 | Aminu is more of a slasher than a scorer and will help with rebounding, but most importantly, he has the 5th game. |
9 | Markieff Morris | WSH | 4 | Morris continues to show his shooting range and he is very hard to d up in the post and go around him. Excellent at boxing out. |
10 | Trevor Booker | BKN | 4 | Always think defense with Booker as he does nothing fancy offensively. He remains the Nets most aggressive player in the post. |
11 | Gorgui Dieng | MIN | 4 | Dieng has been playing more on the low block than out by the elbow. He can hit the baby jumper, but really needs to be inside if Karl-Anthony Towns will create from the outside. |
12 | Serge Ibaka | TOR | 3 | Kyle Lowry getting hurt will continue to benefit Ibaka the most because now he can set up in his favorite place on offense….The corner arc! |
13 | Greg Monroe | MIL | 4 | It is very obvious that the Bucks have no clue what to do with Monroe and his stats and playing time get more and more inconsistent. He's a UFO in this league and can't play PF or C efficiently. |
14 | Marcus Morris | DET | 4 | Morris will continue to create and slash from outside the elbow. He is good at switching his body to post-mode if his drive is stopped. Teams forget that he can take shots from the elbow. |
15 | Thaddeus Young | IND | 4 | Young is healthy and he is back to creating in the post. He is very good at defending the post and causing loose balls. He will help with the defensive categories and his double figures in points. |
16 | Ryan Anderson | HOU | 4 | With all of the long range shooters the Rockets have, Anderson draws out the bigger defender and as he is an effective three-point shooter, he will need to watch one of the guards cutting inside. |
17 | Marvin Williams | CHA | 4 | After being inconsistent for a while, Williams has gotten a bit hot and has been scoring in double figures over his last three games and has been seeing a ton of playing time in the 30's. Expect boards. |
18 | Julius Randle | LAL | 3 | Randle creates nicely in the post and he can attack the rim from both the side and the center. He has grown a lot from spending time in the post and we can count on him for rebounding. |
19 | Zach Randolph | MEM | 3 | Randolph does not need too much playing time to produce. His mid range shot has been on point and it's very hard to take him out of the lane. |
20 | Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 3 | Nowitzki looks to be over his injuries and he does not make as much of an overall impact as he has in the past and with Noel on board, he will get to spend even more time at the elbow and arc. |
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Center
RANK | NAME | Team | # Games | Analysis |
1 | Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | 4 | Towns gets the top spot with the fourth game and he is an all-around producer and will even take long range shots consistently. He is very hard to guard. |
2 | DeMarcus Cousins | NO | 3 | Boogie is not THAT much better than Towns, especially sharing the paint with A.D. Cousins will still take perimeter jumpers and create from the elbow. |
3 | Hassan Whiteside | MIA | 4 | Whiteside has transformed the Heat into a defensive powerhouse and has become a great rim attacker. He has a couple of spin moves in the post and he is a top rebounder. |
4 | Andre Drummond | DET | 4 | Drummond is another top rebounder, but remains limited offensively as he only scores from right under the basket. He is very sound defensively and will contribute blocks. |
5 | DeAndre Jordan | LAC | 4 | Jordan is all blocks and rebounds, but with CP3 back, the consistent ally-oops return and thus he has a better chance to hit double digits in scoring. |
6 | Dwight Howard | ATL | 4 | Howard continues to play very well in the post and has worked hard in the post rather than abandon the post and hang at the key. |
7 | Nikola Vucevic | ORL | 4 | Vucevic is a bit banged up and may have to miss a game. That being said, he is all the Magic have in terms of big-man offense. |
8 | Al Horford | BOS | 4 | Horford is dealing with a bit of elbow sprain and it may keep him out for a game this week. |
9 | Brook Lopez | BKN | 4 | Lopez will get it done from the elbow offensively. He is still for the most part allergic to the paint. |
10 | Jusuf Nurkic | POR | 5 | Nurkic gets the boost with the fifth game and lack of depth at the position in Portland. We've seen a lot of double digit scoring and double digit rebounding. |
11 | Marcin Gortat | WSH | 4 | Gortat's speed has improved this season and has been excellent at driving with Wall and cutting at the appropriate time. He is a bull in the post and hard to box out. |
12 | Rudy Gobert | UT | 3 | Speaking of people hard to keep out of the lane, it's Rudy Gobert. The Jazz have been sound defensively and he does not let any easy lay ups occur in the lane. |
13 | Marc Gasol | MEM | 3 | Gasol continues to balance his attack from the perimeter and draw out bigger defenders. He is also effective in the post and can create with one hand. |
14 | Myles Turner | IND | 4 | Turner starts inside and if the lane is clogged cuts back out and he will take the open perimeter jumper. Turner keeps plays alive in the post. |
15 | Pau Gasol | SAS | 4 | Gasol is creating well from the elbow and as always he positions himself for rebounds as soon as he shoots. He is an effective post player |
16 | Mason Plumlee | DEN | 4 | This trade has been a disaster for Plumlee as he does not get enough playing time because of the impact Jokic makes. He has not been the same producer. |
17 | Clint Capela | HOU | 4 | Capela is coming off of two double-doubles and looks as healthy as ever. He is the Rockets main inside option on offense as they have a ton of shooters. |
18 | Tristan Thompson | CLE | 4 | Very gritty and we can always expect rebounding, but cannot rely on him too much for scoring. Kevin Love being out hurts his production. |
19 | Cody Zeller | CHA | 4 | Zeller is back and will play more inside than Frank Kaminsky and the Hornets need an inside presence. |
20 | Jonas Valanciunas | TOR | 3 | Valanciunas has not been as consistent since the arrival of Ibaka and that is because both require mid-range shots to be effective and even with Lowry out, he has not been that effective. |