FanPost

Top 30 NBA Players heading into 2019




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Hey Guys, I know this is a Lakers page. But let's have a little bit of versatility. We've been seeing all of these whacky top 30 list, top 100 list and so on and some of them make us go "NANI????" ("What" in Japanese for those who don't know). So I like to take this time to make my own top 30 list. Leave yours in the comments if you have your own. But without further ado...

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30. Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

*Khris Middleton has solidified himself as the secondary star for the Milwaukee Bucks. After averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists on 44% shooting, Middleton was named to his first All-Star game in 2019 - becoming the first player in NBA history to have played in the GLeague and the All-Star game. I can only imagine he's going to be better in Milwaukee after returning there in the offseason.

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29. Kristaps Porzingis, Dallas Mavericks

*Kristaps Porzingis hasn't been healthy for a while now so that's why he's a little low on the list. But when the man is healthy, he is a legit All-Star. It will be fun to see how he will fair along side Luka Doncic in Dallas.

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28. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

*As brilliant as Devin Booker has been for his career, none of his years has resulted into winning situations but make no mistake about it. The man is clearly an All-Star on his way into a superstar status. He just hasn't had the winning season to solidify his All-Star stature. He averaged 26.6 points and 6.8 assists last season for the terrible Suns. I don't expect him to stay much longer in Phoenix if they continue to lose.

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27. Mike Conley, Utah Jazz

*If you go to Google and look up the words "severely underrated" in the search bar and search it up - guarantee the very first picture will be Mike Conley. For almost his entire career, Conley has played at an All-Star level without really making the All-Star team. It's a little disappointing considering how good he has been over the last couple of years but the guard competition in the West is just so dynamic. He will take his experience to the Utah Jazz and make them a better team.

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26. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

*Donovan Mitchell came into the league rolling. While not really making an All-Star game for the two years he's been in the league. Don't expect him not to soon be on it. His play is what puts the Jazz over the top. Averaging over 20 points for his career already. He will be a really good player.

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25. D'Angelo Russell, Golden State Warriors

*You might be thinking I'm putting D'Angelo Russell a bit high on this list but hear me out and understand what made Russell a top 25 player. Last season with the Nets, their best scorer goes out - the team starts off 8-18 - but then Russell takes his game to another level and finishes the season averaging 21.1 points and 7.0 assists - replacing an injured Victor Oladipo on the All-Star team but it still counts to his resume - and willing the Nets to the playoffs. Russell is a superstar in the making at only age 23 and now he's going to be playing with a juggernaut in Golden State. I could only imagine he gets better.

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24. Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers

*Victor Oladipo in my opinion is probably one of the top 3 most CLUTCH players in the league. He transformed his game upon moving back to Indiana where he played college ball and became a legit All-Star. It's unfortunate that he went down with his injury last season. The Pacers would have been a much better team if he was healthy. We likely won't see Oladipo for a while this season as he continues to recover from his leg injury but when he is 100% healthy - he is going to return to form and be a beast.

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23. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

*The back to back NBA Defensive Player of the Year has not made an All-Star game yet. Crazy huh? Rudy Gobert has been the greatest defensive presence in the league probably since Orlando version of Dwight Howard or maybe San Antonio version of Kawhi Leonard. Last season, Gobert averaged 15.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

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22. Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder

*Chris Paul is going to be much older so he's not going to be the same player he once was. But even at his age, he's still a very smart and skilled player - he just hasn't been able to stay healthy when it counts. However, now moving from Houston to Oklahoma City - this will be the first time since maybe his first year with the Clippers that CP3 is going to be the best player on his team. So it will be interesting to see how the Thunder will be with him as the first option.

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21. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards

*While the Washington Wizards has consistently been the most inconsistent team in the league - their saving grace has been the emergence of Bradley Beal. With an injured and somewhat out of shape John Wall - Beal has emerged into the first option for the Wizards and has grown into a legit All-Star who could likely end up as a superstar. Beal last season averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds but the Wizards remained a pretty bad team.

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20. Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons

*It's amazing to think that Blake Griffin actually had his best season of his career came when he isn't his athletic self. Last season with the Pistons, Griffin averaged a career high 24.5 points and also grabbed 7.5 rebounds and gave 5.4 assists. He has expanded his game to the three point range - averaged a career high 36% from three. While Griffin is not the young super athletic Blake Griffin anymore, this is honestly the best version we have seen of him.

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19. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers

That picture looks a bit wrong...would you believe if I told you he made that shot?

*There really isn't a doubt in the league Ben Simmons is a future superstar. His game is already so dynamic. He changes the game for the Philadelphia 76ers. He does everything. Score, Pass, Rebound, Defend - he's almost the perfect player. Now all he needs is a consistent jump shot and he will be a complete player. He's already a triple double threat every night at 6'10.

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18. DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs

*I couldn't exactly tell if DeMar DeRozan was a bit bummed out from getting traded from the Toronto Raptors to the San Antonio Spurs last year but he sure fooled me. Though he didn't make the All-Star team - he had a helluva season last year for the Spurs. Averaging 21.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists on 48% from the field.

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17. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

*I wouldn't exactly call last year a down year for Jimmy Butler but it was a stellar one. After forcing his way out of Minnesota harshly, he ended up as a core piece for the Philadelphia 76ers. He became their closer and he was ruthlessly efficient at that. Alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, they became one of the best defensive teams in the league. Now in Miami and likely taking the reigns of the team from Dwyane Wade - he is going to return to being the first option for a team.

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16. Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics

*Kemba Walker last season had a career year for the Charlotte Hornets but because of the very little talent the Hornets had around him - it was a wasted season. Now a member of a more talented Boston Celtics team - we will now see if Kemba will finally show he can be a leader of a good team.

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15. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

*It's been incredibly disrespectful by some of these recent list to put Klay Thompson well past 30 even though I understand they did it because of his ACL injury. But when Klay is healthy, this is where he's at. Probably the best two way guard in the league right now maybe alongside Jimmy Butler. Klay Thompson is also maybe the first or second greatest shooter in the game today...alongside his teammate Stephen Curry.

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14. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesots Timberwolves

*Karl-Anthony Towns continues to get better year by year to the point where now we can argue if he is the most skilled big man in the league. KAT last season averaged 24.4 points and 12.7 rebounds and earned his second straight All-Star appearance. However, the Timberwolves had a down year after the trade of Jimmy Butler. We will see if Towns will be able to lead the Wolves back into the postseason.

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13. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

*Kyrie Irving's latest playoff performance and his overall health is why he's getting pegged down a bit on this list. After showing he's not great as the leader of a young team and somehow cannot remain healthy for a full season, it's no wonder there were many who wanted to peg him down. But when healthy, he is easily the most skillful point guard in this league. Now he is on a team that he wishes to be on with the Brooklyn Nets - we will see if he will be able to remain motivated to make this Nets team a contender.

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12. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets

*It's crazy to think that the man who just came off of averaging a triple double for the 3rd season in a row is all the way down here at number 12. But there is a good reason for it, despite Westbrook averaging a triple double, this was kind of considered a down year for him. Averaging 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on 42% shooting and barely 29% from three considering how much he has launched them. After getting bounced once again in the first round of the playoffs, Westbrook and OKC finally parted ways and Westbrook ended up reunited with his former teammate James Harden in Houston.

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11. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers

*Paul George had his best season of his career last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was actually in the running for Most Valuable Player at the end of the season. But just like Westbrook, he was sent home in the first round of the playoffs. PG made his way back home to Los Angeles to join the Clippers after a failed run with the Thunder. Now playing for a better coach in Doc Rivers and a better running mate in Kawhi Leonard.

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10. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

*Okay so how would you guys describe Nikola Jokic? Best passing big man in the game? In my opinion yes. The most skilled big man in the game? In my opinion yes. The best shooting big man in the game? In my opinion yes. Nikola Jokic checks off a lot of boxes when it comes to versatility. Averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists last season for the Nuggets. Jokic was able to take his Denver team far in the playoffs before getting halted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

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9. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

*Joel Embiid had the best season last year among all the centers last season at averaging 27.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists, leading the Sixers deep into the playoffs after getting burned on a last season buzzer beater by Kawhi Leonard. With a healthy Embiid, the Sixers are clearly title contenders. Without question. It won't be long until we hear Joel Embiid's name in MVP conversations.

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8. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Okay Lakers fans, here we start with your newest star. Anthony Davis would actually be much higher on this list if he was able to stay healthy and make the playoffs last year with the Pelicans. But his overall health remains a big concern from me. He is without a doubt in my opinion the best power forward/big man in the game. Now he's rocking the purple and gold. I made an article earlier that stated if the Lakers can get a good healthy season from Davis then they will be clear contenders.

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7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

*Let's make one thing clear. Damian Lillard is a BAD MF'er. He has clearly solidified himself as the best closer in the game - as the best heartbreaker in the game. He's so bad that he actually ended a team's hopes to the point where they had to trade BOTH of their stars. He is strongly making a case as the best point guard in the game but there is always one man that is always showing him up in the playoffs. Let's be real - if there was no Golden State - Portland or Houston would be finals bound. And speaking of Houston...coming in at #6...

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6. James Harden, Houston Rockets

James Harden just had one of the greatest seasons in terms of scoring that we have seen since Kobe Bryant averaged 35 for a season but for whatever reason he always seems to fall short in the playoffs. But I get it, he goes up against a juggernaut in Golden State. This former MVP has every move in the book and even has every referree in the palm of his hands. That's how lethal he is. But because of his shortcomings in the playoffs over the years I fail to acknowledge him as a top 5 player YET.

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5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

*Speaking of shortcomings in the playoffs, I always seem to have an internal struggle when it comes to ranking Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden beside each other but because Giannis is the current MVP - I'm giving him the slight edge. Giannis is still so young at age 24 - it's crazy to think that he's not even in his prime yet. In my opinion, he could very easily end up as the greatest European Player of All Time - a list that includes Hakeem Olajuawon and Dirk Nowitzki.

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4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

*Getting this out of the way now, you put any of these last 4 players on a team and you are guaranteed a playoff birth and regardless of what all these analysts are saying today - this still remains the same with Stephen Curry. Without a doubt - not even a question or debate - the greatest shooter in the history of the NBA. Without a doubt the best point guard in the NBA right now. With all the analysts wanting to leave the Warriors out of the playoffs because his current help at the moment is Draymond Green and D'Angelo Russell - do not count out Stephen Curry. He will likely win MVP this year.

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3. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

*Because of his recent injury, it's possible to peg Kevin Durant down a few levels but I'm going to be disrespectful. A healthy Kevin Durant is the best player in the league...a healthy Kevin Durant but really even when he comes back - how is he going to look after that achilles tear? Almost all athletes with the exception of Rudy Gay and Dominique Wilkins don't come back the same way. Kobe didn't. DeMarcus Cousins didn't. Chauncey Billups didn't. But everyone recovers differently so we will see if KD can return to form in Brooklyn.

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2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

*Ah...I know I'm going to hear it from a bunch of you about this but I'm ready for that heat. Regardless of how I feel about LeBron and his ridiculous fans - I am able to acknowledge the man's greatness as a Top 5 player of all time. As of right now, I can't put him as the best player in the league and for a good reason. Last year, the Lakers didn't make the playoffs and he didn't exactly make a difference. He stopped playing defense and just focuses on offense. Regardless he's still a remarkable player. But the man is getting ready to be 35 years old and entering his 17th season. Believe it or not, he looks slower. His movements looks really stiff. But that doesn't mean he won't have a great season at year 17. The last time someone had a great year at year 17 was Kobe back in 2013 before he tore his achilles.

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1. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

I said his name multiple times throughout this article so you should have seen this coming. Yes - I'm sorry to say: Kawhi Leonard is the best player in basketball right now. After literally assassinating almost every team in the playoffs and took down the juggernauts of the Warriors and solidifying that he is without a doubt the best two way player in the league today. You know you're great when you basically have the whole world trying to track your whereabouts in free agency.