NBA's Top 20 Players Right Now

[Lee]

Because I watch other teams? I know you think you're the only one who watches basketball on here, and originally your posting was great, but you've directly insulted multiple posters since the start. Get over yourself. If you wanted to say, "I disagree with putting CP3 behind PG13 because xyz..." that's totally fine. But saying "how can you seriously put Paul George ahead of CP3" is straight-up disrespectful. If you think posters on here are so stupid - something you've insinuated multiple times - then feel free to leave. This forum was great before you, is great with you, and can be great without you. If you want to post informative content without attacking people, please stay, because you do know a lot about the NBA. But if your need is to demean other posters on here then, seriously, think about why you are posting on RCF.

As for your question, Paul George can guard the 1-4 at an elite level, and in the playoffs, his team was awful with him off the court. You talk about how good the Clippers are with Paul vs. without Paul while completely ignoring the corollary with George. Paul George led a team whose second best player was George Hill close to a victory over the Raptors in the first round. The only reason Indiana lost is because the Pacers straight-up could not score nor defend with PG13 resting.

Is PG13 inconsistent in the regular season? Yeah, he definitely is. Is CP3 a great player? Yeah, he is. Paul George is one of the five best two-way players in the NBA (LeBron, Kawhi, Butler, etc.). Paul is an amazing PG defender. He is arguably the best defensive PG in the NBA. But he can only guard the 1 because of his size. Paul George has show the ability to defend the 1-4 at an elite level, be the best player on a playoff team, be the best player on a playoff team that goes deep in the playoffs, lead his team in (efficient) scoring, and is still pretty young.

Finally, I don't know why you insinuate that I have Kyrie over CP3. I agree, CP3 is better right now. CP3 is a much better defender, better facilitator, and nearly as good of a scorer. In fact, you say most on here disagree, but most rankings I've seen on here have CP3 ranked higher. So I really don't know where you are getting this.

I would put CP3 ahead of George, but 2 extremely valid points making me rethink that.

First, the guarding 1-4 at elite level of George.

And 2 the Clippers last night beat the Spurs and CP3 was hurt the entire 2nd half along with Blake being out a month.

All I can say to anyone is making these lists is extremely hard.

I know its weird, but i would have an easier time for a top 20 list of all time. Most on the list are retired so you dont have to think about anything but their careers, not their current level of play, past and a little about future.

 

[Jordan]

I would put CP3 ahead of George, but 2 extremely valid points making me rethink that.

First, the guarding 1-4 at elite level of George.

And 2 the Clippers last night beat the Spurs and CP3 was hurt the entire 2nd half along with Blake being out a month.

All I can say to anyone is making these lists is extremely hard.

I know its weird, but i would have an easier time for a top 20 list of all time. Most on the list are retired so you dont have to think about anything but their careers, not their current level of play, past and a little about future.

Totally agree with most things here! Honestly, the NBA is at an all-time high right now. Being a top-20 player is a sign of, more than likely, becoming a Hall-of-Farmer one day. CP3 is a first ballot Hall-of-Farmer and will probably have never made an NBA finals. I spent a lot of time making my list. Do I see why someone could rank CP3 higher? Yeah, definitely. Personally I don't, but that's totally fine, both points are valid and supported by evidence.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Because I watch other teams? I know you think you're the only one who watches basketball on here, and originally your posting was great, but you've directly insulted multiple posters since the start. Get over yourself. If you wanted to say, "I disagree with putting CP3 behind PG13 because xyz..." that's totally fine. But saying "how can you seriously put Paul George ahead of CP3" is straight-up disrespectful. If you think posters on here are so stupid - something you've insinuated multiple times - then feel free to leave. This forum was great before you, is great with you, and can be great without you. If you want to post informative content without attacking people, please stay, because you do know a lot about the NBA. But if your need is to demean other posters on here then, seriously, think about why you are posting on RCF.

As for your question, Paul George can guard the 1-4 at an elite level, and in the playoffs, his team was awful with him off the court. You talk about how good the Clippers are with Paul vs. without Paul while completely ignoring the corollary with George. Paul George led a team whose second best player was George Hill close to a victory over the Raptors in the first round. The only reason Indiana lost is because the Pacers straight-up could not score nor defend with PG13 resting.

Is PG13 inconsistent in the regular season? Yeah, he definitely is. Is CP3 a great player? Yeah, he is. Paul George is one of the five best two-way players in the NBA (LeBron, Kawhi, Butler, etc.). Paul is an amazing PG defender. He is arguably the best defensive PG in the NBA. But he can only guard the 1 because of his size. Paul George has show the ability to defend the 1-4 at an elite level, be the best player on a playoff team, be the best player on a playoff team that goes deep in the playoffs, lead his team in (efficient) scoring, and is still pretty young.

Finally, I don't know why you insinuate that I have Kyrie over CP3. I agree, CP3 is better right now. CP3 is a much better defender, better facilitator, and nearly as good of a scorer. In fact, you say most on here disagree, but most rankings I've seen on here have CP3 ranked higher. So I really don't know where you are getting this.

I didn't attack you.. you are attacking me if you havn't noticed on a personal level.
I was reading the Title and it says top 20 players right now.. PG13 isn't even on my top 20 this season, He isn't even the best on his own team right now.
You are talking about his tools and how great he can be or how great he was but right now he isn't.
His WS/48 is at 0.98 so how do you put him ahead of CP3 ? before the start of the season then yes, I would have put him near the top but he is a big disappointment right now.

 

[Rich]

Honestly, I feel Durant is getting too much love here. He's scoring barely more efficiently than Curry is. He's hitting 25.7 points a game to Curry's 24.4 on a whopping 1% better eFG (58.9 to 57.8%). Yet, there's this idea that Durant is scoring marvelously efficient and Curry is having a very down year next to Durant. I'm not sure I understand it.

To me, they are having almost identical offensive years and Curry has already proven more, as the man, than Kevin Durant has. So unless Durant makes it clearly obvious he's better than Curry, I'm still going to remember Curry winning a title as the man and Durant not, thus giving Curry the edge.

It's also why neither has a good case as MVP. They are each playing next to a guy who is 25 ppg scorer with extreme efficiency. It makes their lives on offense infinitely easier as compared to, say, Russell Westbrook.

I just don't even know what Draymond is doing in the top 20 at all.

Top 25...maybe.

He is truly a well rounded, damn good player. But he is so overhyped due to that roster he's on.

only guy in the league who can guard an elite wing one night and marc gasol the next. Also, if you admit might be top 25, then is it such a stretch for some to have top 20?

 

[Jordan]

I didn't attack you.. you are attacking me if you havn't noticed on a personal level.
I was reading the Title and it says top 20 players right now.. PG13 isn't even on my top 20 this season, He isn't even the best on his own team right now.
You are talking about his tools and how great he can be or how great he was but right now he isn't.
His WS/48 is at 0.98 so how do you put him ahead of CP3 ?

But dude, you did and are insinuating my idea is stupid. You noted that there is no serious way someone who watches the NBA could make that ranking. That is an insult. You've done this exact same thing with @BimboColesHair, @gourimoko, and others. Get over yourself. People on here watch just as much or more basketball than you do. You decided not to accept that early-on, and are convinced that you watch more basketball than everyone on here, that's wrong. We have posters on here who are former players at elite levels, work in the media, do serious statistics work, and who are just huge fans. There is always someone who knows more than you - I do not believe I do - and you need to check your elitist attitude.

Was the question the top-20 players in the NBA or the top-20 this season? If it is this season, then I definitely have Paul George ranked lower than CP3. I also would have Kemba Walker and Lou Williams ranked ahead of Kyrie. If it is top-20 in the NBA, which is what the original thread is about, than my rankings stand.

Instead of throwing out stats that you don't understand (seriously, using RPM and WS/48 to compare two distinct players goes against exactly what the stated point of those stats are), why don't you respond to my original post? As I've said now twice, I totally understand having Chris Paul ahead of Paul George. But having watched both of them for a lot of years, it does not seem like a clear-cut evaluation to me. PG13's versatility on defense ranks up there with the best in the NBA, and to me, that is a really important skill-set. He has led his teams into the playoffs and to wins (and close to wins) that the Pacers had no business winning.

 

[iWx]

1. Lebron
2. Davis
3. Leonard
4. KD
5. Greek Freak
6. Harden
7. Westbrook
8. CP3
9. Butler
10. Paul George
11. Kyrie
12. Lowry
13. DeRozan
14. Steph
15. Love
16. Klay
17. Lillard
18. Cousins
19. KAT
20. Wall

 

[Lee]

I didn't attack you.. you are attacking me if you havn't noticed on a personal level.
I was reading the Title and it says top 20 players right now.. PG13 isn't even on my top 20 this season, He isn't even the best on his own team right now.
You are talking about his tools and how great he can be or how great he was but right now he isn't.
His WS/48 is at 0.98 so how do you put him ahead of CP3 ? before the start of the season then yes, I would have put him near the top but he is a big disappointment right now.

So you are a big fan of W/S per 48?

Funny thing is i am a metric guy but find this stat flawed.

Rudy Gobert is 4th right now in the NBA, Love is the best player on the Cavs, and Kanter, DeAndre, Jokic, Conley and Isaiah Thomas are all top 20 right now.

I think all stats have to be taken in context, especially stats like per or win share.

Most people people put their list together the ole fashion way, the eye test.

So your arguments should start out a bit less demeaning, you really come off wrong here, I am hoping you are young, because that would explain allot, if not you are just a flat out asshole and dont even realize it.

 

[blommen]

But dude, you did and are insinuating my idea is stupid. You noted that there is no serious way someone who watches the NBA could make that ranking. That is an insult. You've done this exact same thing with @BimboColesHair, @gourimoko, and others. Get over yourself. People on here watch just as much or more basketball than you do. You decided not to accept that early-on, and are convinced that you watch more basketball than everyone on here, that's wrong. We have posters on here who are former players at elite levels, work in the media, do serious statistics work, and who are just huge fans. There is always someone who knows more than you - I do not believe I do - and you need to check your elitist attitude.

Was the question the top-20 players in the NBA or the top-20 this season? If it is this season, then I definitely have Paul George ranked lower than CP3. I also would have Kemba Walker and Lou Williams ranked ahead of Kyrie. If it is top-20 in the NBA, which is what the original thread is about, than my rankings stand.

Instead of throwing out stats that you don't understand (seriously, using RPM and WS/48 to compare two distinct players goes against exactly what the stated point of those stats are), why don't you respond to my original post? As I've said now twice, I totally understand having Chris Paul ahead of Paul George. But having watched both of them for a lot of years, it does not seem like a clear-cut evaluation to me. PG13's versatility on defense ranks up there with the best in the NBA, and to me, that is a really important skill-set. He has led his teams into the playoffs and to wins (and close to wins) that the Pacers had no business winning.

 

[Lee]

1. Lebron
2. Davis
3. Leonard
4. KD
5. Greek Freak
6. Harden
7. Westbrook
8. CP3
9. Butler
10. Paul George
11. Kyrie
12. Lowry
13. DeRozan
14. Steph
15. Love
16. Klay
17. Lillard
18. Cousins
19. KAT
20. Wall

From your list you definitely value defense.

Interesting to me how you can see what people like about players.

I think you have Steph to low, but hey, any list that doesnt value the great Steph Curry is ok in my book, lol.

 

[blommen]

From your list you definitely value defense.

Interesting to me how you can see what people like about players.

I think you have Steph to low, but hey, any list that doesnt value the great Steph Curry is ok in my book, lol.

Where it gets difficult for me isn't even when you value scoring vs. Defending but when you have to look at overall offensive impact vs. defensive impact. The Harden vs. Kawhi argument is really good at exemplifying this, because while there is no serious argument to be made on the defensive side of the ball, what Harden is doing offensively right now, not just scoring but also passing, playmaking, etc. He is pretty much the lynch pin of that offense. Similarly, San Antonios defense often stands and falls with Kawhi, especially this year without Duncan to be the main communicator and help clean up mistakes. Who is the better player? Neither guy could come even close to doing what the other is doing, imo and they are both on very good teams. I would probably end up putting Harden ahead if only because he has less to work with and doesn't have the luxury of the greatest coach of all time on his side but man, I would hate having to choose between the two of them.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

But dude, you did and are insinuating my idea is stupid. You noted that there is no serious way someone who watches the NBA could make that ranking. That is an insult. You've done this exact same thing with @BimboColesHair, @gourimoko, and others. Get over yourself. People on here watch just as much or more basketball than you do. You decided not to accept that early-on, and are convinced that you watch more basketball than everyone on here, that's wrong. We have posters on here who are former players at elite levels, work in the media, do serious statistics work, and who are just huge fans. There is always someone who knows more than you - I do not believe I do - and you need to check your elitist attitude.

Was the question the top-20 players in the NBA or the top-20 this season? If it is this season, then I definitely have Paul George ranked lower than CP3. I also would have Kemba Walker and Lou Williams ranked ahead of Kyrie. If it is top-20 in the NBA, which is what the original thread is about, than my rankings stand.

Instead of throwing out stats that you don't understand (seriously, using RPM and WS/48 to compare two distinct players goes against exactly what the stated point of those stats are), why don't you respond to my original post? As I've said now twice, I totally understand having Chris Paul ahead of Paul George. But having watched both of them for a lot of years, it does not seem like a clear-cut evaluation to me. PG13's versatility on defense ranks up there with the best in the NBA, and to me, that is a really important skill-set. He has led his teams into the playoffs and to wins (and close to wins) that the Pacers had no business winning.

Wtf? Listen, I'm not going to write anything long here because I had a shoulder separation but,
I only said how can you seriously ranked PG13 ahead of CP3, I didn't say anything about how someone that watches the nba can make such ranking nor did I ever imply that.
You are really mentally fragile cause again, I didn't mean to say anything hurtful or to demean you. I disagree a lot with what you write about but it's a free country and I'm sorry that I didn't word differently so you never took offense in the first place.

The only misconception was with Bimbo and I already said sorry. As for Gourimoko, I just don't agree with everything he says and he knows it, that's it. I never said anything bad to him, quite the opposite.

Again, you are the one attacking me, I have never attacked you, ever. Maybe the way I write doesn't come off nice sometimes, I dunno. It's a message board, I would say the same thing to you face to face and it would sound completely different and I would do it with a little smile.
If you wanna talk about being an elitist you have your friend Gourimoko, he writes in a much more "condencending" way and yet he was never attacked for it or criticized.

And really, what made you think I don't understand RPM and WS/48?

 

[blommen]

Wtf? Listen, I'm not going to write anything long here because I had a shoulder separation but,
I only said how can you seriously ranked PG13 ahead of CP3, I didn't say anything about how someone that watches the nba can make such ranking nor did I ever imply that.
You are really mentally fragile cause again, I didn't mean to say anything hurtful or to demean you. I disagree a lot with what you write about but it's a free country and I'm sorry that I didn't word differently so you never took offense in the first place.

The only misconception was with Bimbo and I already said sorry. As for Gourimoko, I just don't agree with everything he says and he knows it, that's it. I never said anything bad to him, quite the opposite.

Again, you are the one attacking me, I have never attacked you, ever. Maybe the way I write doesn't come off nice sometimes, I dunno. It's a message board, I would say the same thing to you face to face and it would sound completely different and I would do it with a little smile.
If you wanna talk about being an elitist you have your friend Gourimoko, he writes in a much more "condencending" way and yet he was never attacked for it or criticized.

I don't think you realize just how demeaning you can come across, Dom. Maybe the fact that this isn't the first time people have given you shit for it is a sign that you should reevaluate how you word your posts, it being intentional or not.

The way you addressed Jking's post definitely came across as condescending, that's not just Jking imagining things, and even if you didn't mean to, the fact that it's been taken that way more than once should probably tell you that there's room for improvement when it comes to presenting your argument in a proper manner online.

 

[Lee]

Where it gets difficult for me isn't even when you value scoring vs. Defending but when you have to look at overall offensive impact vs. defensive impact. The Harden vs. Kawhi argument is really good at exemplifying this, because while there is no serious argument to be made on the defensive side of the ball, what Harden is doing offensively right now, not just scoring but also passing, playmaking, etc. He is pretty much the lynch pin of that offense. Similarly, San Antonios defense often stands and falls with Kawhi, especially this year without Duncan to be the main communicator and help clean up mistakes. Who is the better player? Neither guy could come even close to doing what the other is doing, imo and they are both on very good teams. I would probably end up putting Harden ahead if only because he has less to work with and doesn't have the luxury of the greatest coach of all time on his side but man, I would hate having to choose between the two of them.

Its things like this that have prevented me from making a list. Too hard to decide, but i love the debates. I know Harden is having an amazing year, but I always thought he was over rated, the lack of effort on D bothers me, but man, he really has got Houston competing on a really not so great roster. So I for sure see your point.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

So you are a big fan of W/S per 48?

Funny thing is i am a metric guy but find this stat flawed.

Rudy Gobert is 4th right now in the NBA, Love is the best player on the Cavs, and Kanter, DeAndre, Jokic, Conley and Isaiah Thomas are all top 20 right now.

I think all stats have to be taken in context, especially stats like per or win share.

Most people people put their list together the ole fashion way, the eye test.

So your arguments should start out a bit less demeaning, you really come off wrong here, I am hoping you are young, because that would explain allot, if not you are just a flat out asshole and dont even realize it.

Sure, it might be flawed and you have to bring in context to it. But 0.98 for a Superstar doesn't exist.
I'm 26, english is not my first language. Again, people attack on a personal level while I didn't do anything close to that. Just weird.
not cool man.

I don't think you realize just how demeaning you can come across, Dom. Maybe the fact that this isn't the first time people have given you shit for it is a sign that you should reevaluate how you word your posts, it being intentional or not.

The way you addressed Jking's post definitely came across as condescending, that's not just Jking imagining things, and even if you didn't mean to, the fact that it's been taken that way more than once should probably tell you that there's room for improvement when it comes to presenting your argument in a proper manner online.

Maybe..

 

[Jordan]

I don't think you realize just how demeaning you can come across, Dom. Maybe the fact that this isn't the first time people have given you shit for it is a sign that you should reevaluate how you word your posts, it being intentional or not.

The way you addressed Jking's post definitely came across as condescending, that's not just Jking imagining things, and even if you didn't mean to, the fact that it's been taken that way more than once should probably tell you that there's room for improvement when it comes to presenting your argument in a proper manner online.

Nah dude, evidently I'm just a fragile mental case. That's not a personal attack. Dom doesn't do personal attacks.