Covington ranked second in the NBA in deflections (237) and tied for 10th in blocks (93) last season. You have come to the Philippines Edition, for other ESPN editions, click here. He will be counted on even more to be the team's enforcer while providing defensive versatility, shooting and physicality. After the All-Star break, Conley's scoring, assists and true shooting percentage all improved significantly. -- Friedell, One big question: Philadelphia re-signed Harris in 2019 to be its third star. Tags: Basketball Quiz, NBA Quiz, Sports Teams Quiz, ESPN, Full List, Listing, Sports ESPN. The 22-year-old 7-footer is one of the most athletic young bigs in the league. The youngster was moved to the second unit behind Jordan last season, but in the bubble, Allen was Brooklyn's only true center and showed improvement in his passing and finishing around the rim. ESPN’s 2021 NBA Draft rankings, which are led by Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz, moved Bagley up to the No. The affable Aussie struggled as he attempted to transition to a sixth man role early last season, in large part because he wasn't paired with a big man who was a strong finisher. But the Mavericks have good reason to believe Richardson will enjoy his best shooting season in Dallas (see: Tim Hardaway Jr.). -- Bontemps, One big question: How does Bledsoe fit with New Orleans? -- Malika Andrews. NBA DFS: LeBron James and top DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Jan. 21, 2021 SportsLine's Mike McClure, a DFS pro with almost $2M in winnings, gives optimal lineup advice Which player is dominating the 2020-2021 season? Swing skill: Morris was one of the Clippers to play well in the playoffs, averaging 11.8 points and shooting 47.5% from 3. Now, the question is whether he can lead Chicago back to relevance. -- Goldsberry, One big question: Can Conley find a comfort zone with the Jazz? -- Lopez, Swing skill: Ibaka isn't the sixth man of the year, nor will he replace Montrezl Harrell's 18.6 points per game. His body language was easy to read, and his defensive effort was unacceptable. Celtics (8-4) at 76ers (9-5), 7:00 ET, ESPN • Boston’s 12th-ranked offense (110.8 pts/100 … Get the latest NBA basketball news, scores, stats, standings, fantasy games, and more from ESPN. If he can, the Suns are going to be a problem. 16 spot, elevating him ahead of teammate Josh Christopher, who is at No. He's an aggressive rebounder, a 40% shooter from 3 and a threat off the dribble. That's a new skill for Grant, who ran just 69 pick-and-rolls in all of 2019-20, per Second Spectrum tracking. Text by Kevin Pelton He struggled mightily with the transition to Utah after spending the previous dozen years of his career in Memphis and then missed weeks due to a hamstring injury. Brooklyn Nets | SF. Aldridge is also 35 years old and preparing for his 15th NBA season. A strong season from Bogdanovic could provide the Hawks the margin they need to return to the postseason. Re-signing Harris was the team's priority this offseason, and Brooklyn brought him back on a 4-year, $75 million deal. Beverley will continue to be one of the most dogged defenders in the league and provide energy and hustle. Where do the nation basketball recruits rank? -- Pelton, One big question: After playing out a string of three one-year contracts and having his efficiency rise as he had to sing for his supper (from 42.6% from the field in 2017-18 to career-best marks overall at 46.7% and from 3 at 38.5% last season), will Caldwell-Pope continue his ascent now that he has been rewarded with a three-year, $40 million deal to stay in Los Angeles? Porter is a proven scorer who can also make plays and will likely start. Voters had to predict what they expected from each player in the 2020-21 regular season and postseason. Cord-cutters can now stream games live from ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. -- Young, Swing skill: Anunoby made big strides last year after missing the 2019 postseason due to an appendectomy. Compare your NBA player ratings and build the best Fantasy Basketball team! All rights reserved. See which stars made the cut. 1 candidates. If Collins can learn the art of rim protection and surviving the switch, he has the potential to be one of the league's most indispensable big men. -- McMenamin, One big question: Has the clock run out on Gordon's potential? Can Harris take advantage and be the player the Sixers need him to be? High School: Sierra Canyon … In order to take the next step, Porter can't be a target for opposing offenses. He's arguably the quintessential 3 and-D player, leading the NBA in corner 3s on one end while providing tough, versatile defense on the other. -- Andrews, Secret skill: He never quite lived up to the Pistol Pete-level hype, but Rubio has cemented himself in a pretty high-tier category: He's a reliable point guard. Tags: Basketball Quiz, NBA Quiz, NBA Jam, NBA Player, NBA Teams. -- Kevin Arnovitz, Secret skill: Murray returned last season with a much improved jump shot. Harris is now back at his best position (power forward), with the coach who got his best play out of him when he was with the Clippers, and on a team where he should have plenty of room to operate. Typically he has been a difference-maker, but whether he can remain so will probably determine if the Cavs can trade him. -- Pelton, Cause for concern: Bogdanovic is still recovering from the surgery on his shooting wrist that forced him to sit out the NBA's restart. Certain data provided by STATS, LLC. We asked, "Which player will be better in 2020-21?" The three-time All-Star put up just 6.0 points on 39.1% shooting (18.5% from 3) and 4.4 boards in 11 postseason games in the bubble. -- André Snellings, One big question: The Nets will have to decide who will start at center: Allen or DeAndre Jordan. The wiry forward needs to ramp up his defensive effort under coach Michael Malone. Get the inside scoop on the top ranked high school girls' basketball players. Kevin Durant (SF – Brooklyn Nets) Kevin Durant will be the best player coming into the 2021 … But it remains to be seen what new coach Ty Lue does at point guard, and who he will finish games with. But Ibaka's biggest impact could go beyond stats. -- Young, One thing to watch for: Love is still one of the game's unique big men, but his disillusionment defined his play last year in Cleveland. DeRozan's three-year averages (22.1 PPG, 5.7 APG, 5.1 RPG) are almost exactly the same as his last season averages (22.1 PPG, 5.6 APG, 5.5 RPG). In-depth player briefings, film and more on ESPNHS.com. -- Nick Friedell, Swing skill: Domantas Sabonis' emergence as an All-Star bumped Turner down Indiana's pecking order offensively. After signing a $64 million contract, Morris' impact could be greater in his first full season with the team, and he might even emerge as more of a leader. Shooting could lead the uber-athletic Murray toward making strides as an impact offensive player this season. Here are the first 50 players, from No. While his playoff struggles last season are well-documented, his new job with the Pelicans is to steady the offense in the half-court and bring his toughness and grit on the defensive end, where he has been an NBA All-Defensive Team selection the past two seasons. -- MacMahon, Swing skill: The Lakers traded away Danny Green to acquire Schroder, and there is one category in particular where Schroder could make a difference. However, Harrell's defensive real plus-minus still ranked outside of the top 200 players last season, while the Lakers ranked third in defensive efficiency as a team. Now that Washington has rewarded Bertans with a new five-year, $80 million contract, we'll see what kind of pick-and-pop game he can develop with new Wizards point guard Russell Westbrook. -- Eric Woodyard, Swing skill: Previously a below-average 3-point shooter, White knocked down 3.1 triples per game at a 39% clip in seven bubble games, averaging 18.9 PPG and 5.0 APG. If he can, he'll be ranked higher next year. He can be a bit of a gunner, and that's the question for Russell's next step: Can he elevate teammates, particularly younger ones, and be the linchpin in Minnesota's development? New coach Stephen Silas points to Kristaps Porzingis' role in Dallas -- a big man who scores as a roller and popper -- as what he envisions for Wood in Houston. Never fear, because DraftKings Nation has you covered with top 100 … -- Bontemps, One big question: There's no denying LaVine is a bucket; his 25.5 points per game last season was the highest scoring average by a Bulls player since Michael Jordan averaged 28.7 points in 1997-98. The Clippers need his veteran leadership and familiarity with Kawhi Leonard to help improve chemistry. But the Clippers hope he will be an upgrade by stretching the floor, protecting the rim and providing more size to defend inside. He's started 88.5% of his career games and hasn't had a consistent off-the-bench role since 2014-15, when he was coming back from a torn ACL that wiped out his previous season. Joe Harris Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports. At age 25, having seen his scoring average decrease in each of the past two seasons, it might be time to accept Gordon is what he has always been: a versatile defender capable of playing either forward spot but a below-average shooter who doesn't supply quite enough playmaking to compensate. Top … In 28 games as a reserve, his scoring suffered slightly (17.9 points), but he was far more efficient (45.4% overall, 45.1% 3s). (FREE) Now, he enters his final season before restricted free agency, and his swing skill is his offensive game as a whole. Playing with young, shot-hungry guards seemed to wear on Love, as did all the losing. -- Pelton, Swing skill: Portland gave up two first-round picks for Covington because the Trail Blazers needed to drastically improve a defense that ranked 27th in the league last season. He started in all 69 games he played in last season, shooting 48% from the field and 42% from 3 on nearly six attempts per game. Kevin Durant, LeBron James & Luka Dončić ESPN. Then again, Bogdanovic averaged a career-best 20.2 points per game and shot 41.4% from 3-point range last season despite being bothered by the wrist for months. -- Goldsberry, Cause for concern: Porter is a springy 6-foot-10 shotmaker who cashed over 40% of his triples, so why hasn't he established himself as a regular starter? But here are the big questions for the 35-year-old as he enters this season: How much of his value derives from playing next to James Harden, and how will he fare if Harden isn't around much longer? © 2021 Verizon Media. The difference is Robinson shot 44.6% from beyond the arc last season and has a virtual green light. -- Tim Bontemps, One big question: The Clippers had chemistry issues last season. Specializing in drafts with top players on the NBA horizon, player profiles, scouting reports, rankings and prospective international recruits. 100. -- MacMahon, Cause for concern: Which Ball shows up? He isn't afraid to take big shots, and his teammates aren't afraid to give him the ball because they know he won't back down from the challenge. Anunoby's defense is among the league's best; if he can take a big step forward offensively, he will go from an elite role player to a handsomely rewarded breakout star with a new contract. -- Kevin Pelton, Cause for concern: Gasol averaged career lows in points per game (7.5) and rebounds (6.3) for the Toronto Raptors during the regular season last year, and he was even less effective in the playoffs. Our annual countdown predicting the best players in the NBA starts at No. More: Players 100 to 51 | 50 to 11 | Future No. Bowlers with the most Test wickets after turning 30, Pundit Arena Daily Sports Quiz Challenge – Day 271, Name every player to score a PL penalty for Man United, Top 20 rated players from FIFA 12 to FIFA 21, Name The Cities These Football Clubs Are Based In, Noem alle Ajaxkeepers met minuten sinds 2000/2001. Now can Ayton become a dominant rim-runner in pick-and-roll actions with CP3? 100 down to No. The Hawks will ask a lot of Bogdanovic -- dance around weakside screens for long-range shots, serve as a secondary ball handler and use his size to body up on perimeter threats. He has been a basketball vagabond who got paid by the Rockets after putting up big numbers in a late-season showcase with the losing Pistons. -- Pelton, What to watch for: A big guard with flair for the dramatic, Bogdanovic signed in Atlanta to serve as the counterweight in a must-watch backcourt anchored by Trae Young. -- Friedell, One thing to watch: Goran Dragic is beloved in the Heat locker room. He's a much more natural fit in Minnesota playing the lead ball handler alongside Karl-Anthony Towns. 1. -- McMenamin, Swing skill: Robinson is the kind of lights-out shooter most NBA players think they can be. But as the clear weak link in that starting five defensively, will Curry be able to hang tough enough at that end to stay on the court for long stretches? -- Tim MacMahon, Cause for concern: During Denver's run to the conference finals, Grant moved from backing up at power forward to starting at small forward and serving as Denver's wing stopper. -- Royce Young, One big question: The Knicks don't have much to brag about these days, but Robinson is an exception. -- McMenamin, Secret skill: Harrell ranked second in the league last season by drawing 30 charges on the defensive end. But that can sometimes be an issue; Nurkic doesn't often play more than 30 minutes per game. Check out Prep Hoops 2021 National Player Rankings. The Sixers need him out there to keep the floor spaced for Simmons, Tobias Harris and Joel Embiid. Still, Robinson's offensive game is too raw and too one-dimensional, and the big question is whether he can refine and expand his portfolio. -- Mike Schmitz. 100. Can you name the Top 10 most capped European players ? But Conley's late-season performance offered reason to believe he was adapting to playing off guard Donovan Mitchell. With a massive contract and continued injury issues, those glimpses of former stardom seem more and more fleeting. As with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks, Lopez' challenge will be translating that regular-season success into the postseason. The Suns acquired Chris Paul -- offensive efficiency in a can -- and that means Ayton gets to team up with a playmaker bound to get him clean looks near the rim. The key for Dragic will be to stay on the floor and provide the stability that defined his postseason run. Herro plays with a swagger that the rest of his teammates appreciate. -- Arnovitz, One thing to watch for: The Wizards gave Bertans the greenest of lights from 3, turning him from a useful reserve to a feared marksman whose 4.5 3-pointers per 36 minutes led the NBA. In the bubble, though, Ball's respective averages dipped to 7.1, 6.6 and 5.0 while he shot 28.1% from 3. Who will be the best players this season? Although Turner is a strong rim protector, he must become a more efficient outside shooter to climb back up the rankings. A left foot fracture sidelined him for 51 total games last season, so availability is certainly in question when it comes to him. From John Wall at No. Can you name the Top 100 NBA Players of the 2020-2021 season according to ESPN? -- Youngmisuk, Swing skill: Ingles is Utah's best facilitator, particularly in the pick-and-roll. Get ready for Wednesday’s ESPN doubleheader with five key stats to know about each matchup. But knee and Achilles injuries halted his career, and the Wizards had to attach a draft pick to offload his contract. Find out here with ESPN.com's NBA season leaders, ranked by ESPN player rating systems. The Pelicans would love to have the Ball who showed that confidence last winter when this season starts. Reaching that stage could bring validation to his career. -- Windhorst, One big question: The MVP of the "Will it translate outside the bubble?" The Heat know his long-range talent spaces out the court for everybody else and are hopeful the rest of his game continues to develop. 46 on the list, one spot behind Anthony Davis. -- Snellings, Secret skill: Charles Barkley once called former Spurs superstar Tim Duncan "Groundhog Day" because he was so consistent. Check out the player rankings on … Find out here with ESPN.com's NBA season leaders, ranked by ESPN player rating systems. He was tough, he was big, he was skilled. *RPM is a player's estimated on-court impact on team performance, measured in net point differential per 100 offensive and defensive possessions. -- Snellings, Swing skill: Wall was one of the fastest players with the ball the league has ever seen, a Hall of Fame-type talent. Aldridge's rebounds also declined last season (from 9.2 RPG to 7.4 RPG), and he also missed 19 games due to injury, most of his career. -- MacMahon, Secret talent: Herro plays with no fear. Last season, there wasn't a higher-usage player in the NBA who compiled a better true shooting percentage. Worse yet, Turner wasn't able to take advantage of Sabonis' absence for the playoffs, averaging just 15.6 points per 36 minutes in a sweep against the Boston Celtics. 18. The Lakers, as a team, had only 51 total charges drawn last season. 51: MORE: Six rookies most likely to leap into the top 100, Swing skill: Harris provides another viable offensive option if defenders sag off him to double-team Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant. That qualifies as concerning, considering Utah gave Bogdanovic a four-year, $73 million deal in 2019 specifically to address their spacing problems. -- Kirk Goldsberry, One big question: Curry should slot into the starting shooting guard spot for Philadelphia, playing next to Danny Green and Ben Simmons on the wings. In 44 games as a starter, Hield averaged 20 points but shot poorly (41.6% overall, 36% 3s). -- Woodyard, One big question: How will he play as a reserve? ESPN ranked the top-100 greatest NBA basketball players of all-time and included former Georgia Bulldog Dominique Wilkins.. Wilkins, also known as the Human Highlight Film, checked in at No.