best spurs players 2020

Once healthy, George was exactly what the Clippers needed last season. Holiday still finds time to stuff the stat sheet. No one in the NBA made as significant a leap as Jayson Tatum did in 2020, when he went from promising young gun to “Oh my god, this kid is about to be a superstar.” The 22-year-old was sublime for the Celtics last season, leading the team in scoring despite sharing the ball with vets like Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward. Bogdanović made a name for himself in the NBA as an effective three-point shooter, but the six-year veteran is a significantly more versatile offensive option than he’s been given credit for. “We’re not where we are without Will,” new GM Calvin Booth recently said. October 13, 2017, Why adopt a new family member from a big pet retailer when you can shop local? He is also currently the league’s best long-range three-point shooter, taking 6.8 attempts from 25 to 29 feet last year and shooting 40% on them. Despite his scoring output dropping to its lowest mark since 2009–10 and his rebounding total dropping to its lowest mark since 2007–08, Millsap remains a steady defender who is capable of playing a productive, limited role on a high-quality team. As always, this was a collaborative effort with 11 members of our NBA.com Global Staff submitting their list of who they believe were the 30-best players in the NBA this season, taking the regular season and playoffs into account. His contract may dampen his value on the trade market, but Barnes remains an effective player nearly a decade into his career. Few bigs, if any, are currently as dominant as the 76ers center. In case that wasn’t obvious, the 2020 Thunder are a shining example. —B.P. Curry played in only five games last season, but there’s no reason to believe he’s not fully recovered from the broken hand that caused him to miss most of the year. Tatum is dripping with polish and yet he’s so far away from his prime. As last season reminded us, in any contest with stakes, there’s not another player you’d take ahead of James. That’s how incredible Paul was, all while being a clutch-time assassin for a team that was a Lu Dort three away from upsetting the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. In doing so, he provided Toronto with a capable floor-spacer from the perimeter, shooting 38.5% from three, his best mark since 2016–17. The 2020-21 NBA season started less than a month ago, and despite the postponement of several matches, it has been a fun season with some shocking results. Since the start of the 2012-13 season, he has played the most games (637) of any player in the league and even entering his age-36 season, Tucker is an elite defensive force. And after a year away in New Orleans, Favors returns to Utah as the league’s most overqualified backup center. However, it remains to be seen whether the former second-round pick can grow into a go-to scorer or merely a solid role player for years to come. Leonard also made great strides as a playmaker, recording a career-high 4.9 assists a night. Smart doesn’t always take care, but he always cares, sometimes more than he should, always for the right reasons. The Duke product averaged 27.4 points per game with a 54.6 effective field goal percentage, scoring 1.06 points per isolation possession. He can pump-fake his way past a defender for a two-dribble pull-up. Tucker remains Houston’s heartbeat. You might also see his playmaking skills and rebounding trend upward as his responsibilities change. Instead of worrying what he could become, it’s better to save the clichés and just appreciate what’s already happening. These aren’t criticisms. That vision and wherewithal isn’t going to be what fails him. And he’s just as proficient on the defensive end. It’s not just that Simmons is a poor shooter. DeMar DeRozan went to college at USC. Harrell is undersized as a 6’7” center, which can be an issue against skilled fives or on the glass. His presence dissuades all but the most daring drivers from approaching. The former No. Don’t be surprised if we see Irving dicing up defenses late into the 2020–21 postseason. He exited Boston after a tumultuous two seasons, and his first year with Brooklyn featured its own share of controversy. It’s best to look at these rankings as short-term projections, based on performance history and the impact of a player's age—some growth can be expected from younger players, and a degree of potential decline from older veterans. Still, the flaws are more obvious than ever with Westbrook. At 34 years old, Williams remains one of the most professional scorers in the league. As an example, he was part of all four of Toronto’s best defensive lineups that logged at least 50 minutes. VanVleet is dubiously listed at 6' 0", but makes up for his size by frequently barreling his way into the paint and collapsing the defense. 2b scorer to Kemba Walker’s 2a. He isn’t a prototypical point guard, but Murray’s athletic gifts are undeniable. While he hasn’t played more than 70 games in a season since 2012–13, Gallinari was a solid contributor for the Thunder last year, averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists while averaging less than 30 minutes of action. According to Basketball Reference, Ibaka had the highest postseason win-share of his career per 48 minutes in last year’s postseason, after averaging a postseason career-high 14.8 points per game. After an injury-marred 2019 campaign, Love played in 56 games for the Cavaliers during their shortened 2020. Omos, whose real name is Jordan Omogbehin, is over 7-feet tall, AJ Styles’ bodyguard and a former college basketball player. — M.S. —B.P. Of the 16 players with at least 600 made triples in that span, Hield leads the pack in three-point percentage. —J.W. San Antonio Spurs. —B.P. To get the final NBArank prediction, we asked our expert panel to vote on pairs of players: LeBron James vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo. His defense improved throughout the playoffs, though he’ll still be targeted on that end. But perhaps we’re focusing too much on questions surrounding Irving’s peculiar personality. Consider for a second the fact that the tenets of Morant’s explosive style translated directly from the Ohio Valley conference, in transition and the halfcourt, without a fully reliable jump shot. He should command a nine-figure contract next summer, even if he moves on from Atlanta. Yes. After inking his new deal, the former second-round pick told reporters that he “couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.” He’ll be a key cog in the Nets’ present and future, and as the modern NBA continues to emphasize the importance of consistent three-point shooters, Harris’s value should only increase. -- KB 8. Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly later said publicly that the team was “under the assumption we would get something done.” But Pistons first-year general manager Troy Weaver said Grant was their top priority, and Grant said at his introductory Pistons press conference that the challenge of Detroit “intrigued” him. He stops the ball, he plays the passing lanes, he’ll switch onto anyone and he understands better than any guard in the league how to leverage his size against taller players. Towns averaged a career-high 26.5 points last season, while shooting 50.8% from the field. Between some inevitable physical decline, his limited impact on defense and a drop in efficiency, there’s some slight regression taking place. The Thunder’s premeditated decision to tear down a longtime playoff team came with Gilgeous-Alexander’s best long-term interests in mind. So this is where we leave Giannis, as more 1B than true No. Draymond Green played in only 43 games last season, averaging the fewest minutes per game of his career since his second season in the league. Don’t be surprised if he leads the Sixers toward a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference and a deep postseason run. All of that being said, if you are in desperate need of a bucket, you could do a lot worse than Williams. There will be nights he struggles to find the net, and others where one or two particularly inspired Smart shifts can swing the outcome of a game. Aldridge has been a stabilizing force in his five years with the Spurs, three of which earned him All-Star appearances. —Michael Shapiro, How important is Robinson to the Heat’s offense? Gordon is a difficult evaluation after an injury-plagued 2019–20. —M.S. As always, this is a wide-ranging exercise with a host of qualified candidates. The addition of draft pick Tyrese Haliburton should help reduce Fox’s workload in a positive way. When there are great players around him, he doesn’t simply fit with them—he takes their play to another level. He remains one of the most impressive athletes in the NBA, and his ability to create for himself could still be meaningful to a winning team. Durant has said he’ll spend time at center this season. Best NBA Players By Decade. Dragić will pull up against slower footed centers who sag off him, or he’ll find a way to snake around a smaller five who wants to dance on the perimeter. 400 makes), and he sports the size to defend larger forwards and the occasional big man. But Favors’s presence has long ensured a degree of reliable defensive competence, and his skills continue to age gracefully. Whether starting or coming off the bench, the 32-year-old remains a high-quality piece, providing his team with a mix of perimeter shooting and fairly versatile defending. —J.W. He’s often deadly in pick-and-rolls, adept at finding lanes against all varieties of big men. 34. He averaged 15.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 37.5% from three and playing a multitude of roles. If this season does end up signaling a shift in Toronto, any team that takes itself seriously would welcome Lowry with open arms. He’s evolving as a pick-and-roll ballhandler. With the right pick-and-roll partner, Williams can be particularly devastating, penalizing defenses who aren’t fully confident in their coverages. He’s arguably the greatest passing big of all time, averaging seven assists per game in each of the last two seasons. 2. Perhaps Simmons’s stylistic deficiencies would be acceptable if he were flanked by a cadre of shooters, but given his big-man costar, the lack of any discernible jumper can be downright untenable. The statistical profile makes sense, as McCollum’s game isn’t dependent on his athleticism or lift on a given night. Houston’s leading man is arguably the greatest scorer of the century, and at this point in his career, Harden remains a walking playoff berth. While Ibaka might not be as much of a rim protector as he was when he was a spry 22-year-old blocking more than 3.5 shots per game, he remains a smart and more-than-capable force on the defensive end of the floor. The most interesting man in the NBA, Jimmy Butler found the perfect home for himself in Miami, where the Heat welcomed his aggressive playing style en route to a shocking Finals berth. With so many skills already in his arsenal, Tatum is building on a foundation much more advanced than a typical third-year player. —B.P. The Lakers rarely relied on switching, and their stay-at-home mentality banked on the fact Davis could roam and wreak havoc when necessary. He stepped into the NBA and immediately became one of its best playmakers, capable of delivering accurate passes on the move and near-impossible to keep out of the paint. He’s an impactful cutter when he wants to be, and he quietly turned in the most efficient season of his career in 2019–20. Green was never as great as those two players at their height, which means even a little slippage in his game affects him much more significantly. 1 on the Lakers, Anthony Davis was the key to unlocking the team’s success. Ayton averaged 1.16 points per roll possession last season. —B.P. The Bulls are flush with forwards after drafting Patrick Williams, and there isn’t a deep collection of playmakers on the roster. And the attention he draws when he sets a proper screen makes life immeasurably easier for his teammates. Ideally, the relative lack of stress of last season and the long layoff will give Green enough of an energy boost to look more like the 2016 vintage as the Warriors try to get back on track. Quantifying a player’s true worth defensively can be challenging, but the near-unanimous respect Jrue Holiday has earned from opponents going on the better part of a decade speaks for itself. Efficiency is a bit of a bugaboo here, however. Functionally ambidextrous as a passer and finisher, whenever he gets there, his devastating dunks and craft around the rim threaten equally. His constant movement generates open looks despite the undivided attention of his defender. For all his half-court shortcomings, Simmons’s transition prowess and defensive dominance makes him one of the Eastern Conference’s most valuable players. Few guys this early in their career are supposed to have such a layered offensive game, but Tatum plays with the smoothness of a 10-year-vet. Seemingly none of it mattered because Davis’s game largely covered up for any perceived deficiencies elsewhere in the lineup. —J.W. But will the Harden experience be remembered as much for its frustrations as its brilliance? —R.N. After initially making his name as a rim-runner with James Harden and the Rockets, Harrell has since added plenty of spice to his offensive repertoire. On a team that is littered with stars, Harris also appears to be more than content staying out of the public spotlight (as evidenced by being one of the few NBA players not on Twitter). Just as Michael Jordan required his own unique coverage decades ago, opponents fully embraced the Harden Rules to a shocking degree in 2019–20. If there are any concerns, it’s that at 31-years-old, Butler is no spring chicken. His size makes him a frequent target on defense, and calls into question how effective he can really be in an ultra high-stakes playoff game. April 9, 2021, The Alamo City is a food city, and we also like to do things up big. The Wolves have surrounded Towns with a number of talented pieces, and the hope is that this season will offer a better gauge of where the franchise stands. 14. Just ask the Celtics again, who saw their season ended by Adebayo’s 32 points in Game 6 of the East Finals, including when he went on a run by himself in the fourth quarter, stunning Boston with a flurry of offensive moves to send them packing. Atlanta gave its roster a major makeover ahead of 2020-21, shelling out nine figures for Bogdan Bogdanović and Danilo Gallinari in a push to reach the postseason. Dragić is a feisty competitor with a well-rounded offensive skill set. —B.P. Will the real Gary Harris please stand up? Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves. The 2019–20 season brought the emergence of the Harden trap, in which teams would double-team Harden before he even stepped past half-court. Atlanta’s point guard finished fourth in scoring at 29.6 points per game in 2019–20, and perhaps more importantly, he turned in a far more efficient season. He’s downright gleeful to feed his teammates. Value questions aside, Gordon remains an impactful weapon in the first year of the Stephen Silas era. —R.N. Barnes isn’t solely a stationary shooter. Brown, in the absence of Kyrie Irving and with Gordon Hayward in and out of the lineup, put together his best season as a pro in 2020. Harris has emerged as an effective three-point shooter in recent seasons, canning 39.3% of triples over the last three seasons on fairly significant volume. After months of waiting, Russell said he’s excited for what the season could hold. Without Robinson, lineups including Butler and Adebayo could manage an offensive rating of only 108.8, which would have ranked in the bottom third of the league. Porter is one of just five players to shoot over 42% from three in the last four seasons (min. There’s an abundance of ways to contextualize the incredible things Luka Dončić has accomplished by age 21. Let the quibbles commence. We’d be remiss not to mention his elite shooting in recent seasons. With the Nuggets’ most potent lineups likely to include Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter together, Harris’s feel for complementing others, limiting mistakes and making plays in a pinch has never been more critical. The thought he might become Denver’s third star has subsided, but if clean health and renewed confidence are in the cards, Harris’s shooting percentages ought to trend back upward, adding the requisite punch that would return him to form. —M.S. The odds are AD will join that club sooner rather than later. And after three seasons away from the Twin Cities, the now 30-year-old guard has returned to the franchise that initially invested in him. We also compiled a watch list of 12 young players who could make the top 100 for years to come. (Nobody with that much of an offensive burden really is.) (Walker averaged 0.1 points more per game than last season.) Rubio’s first stint with the Timberwolves was largely marred by injury as an ACL tear cut short his promising rookie season and an ankle injury derailed his 2014–15 season. How much longer James will hold the top spot is anyone’s guess, and going into this season, there are plenty of comers. Starting with the 1960s, we saw Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics dominate the league. — B.P. His size (perhaps generously listed at 6’1”) means he won’t be regularly used on perimeter stars. He averaged 18.9 points last year on 49.3% shooting, grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game. —J.W. He looked legitimately athletic. Phoenix’s trade for All-Star guard Chris Paul will surely help Booker find more space on offense. He’s shown improvement in each of his four seasons, tallying career highs in points (18.7), rebounds (4.2), assists (4.4), three-point shooting (36.4%) and minutes (29.6) per game last season. His evolving jumper—40.1 percent from three in 2019–20—creates legitimate spacing in pick-and-pop scenarios, and Collins is downright lethal as a roll man. It still feels as best spurs players 2020 there ’ s production as much as one may think season in San after. From outside the Western Conference ’ s better to save the clichés and appreciate! 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