You can never start a new NBA season without ranking the top players at each position. As December 22nd looms closer, we take a deep look at each position and rank the top-10. Let’s continue with the power forwards.
10. John Collins
John Collins doesn’t have a large sample size to base his placement out. What the media and fans have seen out of him justify Collins being among the league’s top power forwards. Atlanta reloaded big time this offseason with their eyes set on a postseason appearance. That is going to come with a huge lap by Collins. Last season, only two players averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and shot 40-percent from behind the arc. John Collins was one of them. As mentioned previously, 41 games is not a large sample size. But those 41 games proved to be enough for at least number nine on this list.
9. Kevin Love
It feels like just yesterday where Kevin Love was being talked about as one of the best players in the league. On a roster that is only getting younger, it’s hard to evaluate how Love will be utilized. Nevertheless, at full strength, he is everything you can want in a stretch four both on and of the court. We all know that on the field of play, Love brings high-level scoring from behind the arc and crashes the boards better than most. Off it though, he’ll serve as a mentor to those younger players. Yes, he has fallen off from his peak years. But it hasn’t been enough to knock him off the top-10.
8. Blake Griffin
Believe it or not, Blake Griffin is the best he has ever been. Does he have the impact of the other players on this list? No. Does he possess the skill with the potential to be even better? Maybe. He only played an underwhelming 18 games last season after putting up career numbers the year before. With Christian Wood gone, this is Griffin’s time to once again average over 24 points again. Detroit didn’t make it to the bubble which meant more time for him to get his body right, Let’s hope it paid off because Detroit will need it in this tough Eastern Conference.
7. Draymond Green
Many will go the route of saying that without Klay this season, Draymond Green will fall off this list. We will wait and see. Draymond will never put up 20 points and 10 rebounds a night, but the impact on and of the court is something that will always be constant. He is among the league’s best defenders guarding all five positions. Green can be considered the second-best playmaker on the entire roster (Stephen Curry) and the second-most important asset. Recognize that there is no Warriors dynasty without Draymond Green. And if Golden State still wants to remain competitive in spite of Thompson’s injury, Green will be the x-factor.
6. LaMarcus Aldridge
It is hard to find a power forward who has been as consistent as LaMarcus Aldridge has been. Sure, San Antonio’s dominance has fallen of plenty in recent years. That doesn’t mean Aldridge has though. At 35-years-old, he may not have much left in the tank as far as improving goes. But Aldridge remains one of the leaders on Gregg Popovich’s squad and will need to keep up his 19 points per game average if the Spurs have any chance of making the postseason. As far as his ceiling on these rankings go, don’t expect Aldridge to climb any farther than number five.
5. Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo got paid this offseason and for good reason. As much as we love to loathe in the sight that is Jimmy Butler, Adebayo played a large role in Miami’s championship run as well. He took big leaps as a potential Most Improved Player winner notching a career-high 16 points and 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. One flaw in Abedayo’s game is his inability to create his own shots efficiently. Couple that with his cold shooting from behind the arc, and you have a player expected to take even large leaps in 2021. Miami may be the reigning eastern conference champions but more teams have been added to the mix. No one has Miami finishing among the top-3 seeds in the conference. If they want any chance of doing son, Adebayo needs to show he isn’t the overpaid player some may make him out to be. Oh, and being a potential trade asset should be motivation enough.
4. Zion Williamson
All-star appearance, over 20 points per game, and the reason New Orleans may make it to the postseason. Book it all for Zion Williamson. We all know the story and what he brings to the table. Injuries held Williamson out for longer than expected. But now that he’s back smiling with fewer pounds, he is bound for his breakout season. The generational talent is fully expected to be a star in this league sooner rather than later. To argue that point would be foolish of you, no matter who you are.
3. Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam has grown to be one of the best players in the entire league. Coming off a career year for the Raptors, there are few things Siakam needs to improve in his overall game. The biggest being shooting. He shot a very, very solid 36 percent. But his scoring is only going to go up if he increases his output from deep this season. He remains a top-three power forward in the league and by the looks of it will remain in this spot for the season. Why? Because the next two guys are just that good.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Alright, even though the MVP favorite should be Giannis Antetokounmpo, his skillset is lacking the tools needed for a deep playoff run. The reason why the Miami Heat was able to cut the Bucks’ trip to Disney short is because of its game-planning surrounding Antetokounmpo. And no matter how dominant he is, the road gets easier knowing he is only a threat from at best a little outside the paint. He may be the best player in the regular season, but when it comes to the postseason and beyond, the player in front of him takes the cake.
1. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is the best big man in the league. That includes the Giannis Anteokounmpos, Nikola Jokics and Joel Embiids of the world. You can call him the league’s best defensive player as well. Take away his continuous injuries, Davis lacks nothing to make him the next big superstar in this league. He may have chemistry with LeBron James on the court but it is the off-court relationship that allows Davis to grow into an all-time great. He led the Lakers in scoring last season with 26 points and played an integral role in winning them the championship. And it is for all of these reasons and more that the Lakers come into the 2020-21 season as the best team in the league. Davis is on the verge of being not only the best player in the NBA but potentially one of the best big men of all-time.
That wraps up our list for the top-10 centers in the NBA for the 2020-21 NBA season. Check back soon for the small forwards list. Did we get these rankings right? Let me know below.