Post by Stevie B on Sept 24, 2022 14:08:10 GMT -8
Was Spencer clamoring for a ranking of the top players? I don’t know, but maybe somebody was. Either way, I’ll just try to keep it simple and list the top 5 at each position.
Disclaimer: As always, there will be plenty of debate. I struggled with quite a few, but fuck it! I’m ignoring contract, age, and any other factors (like stips). I just want to list the absolute top 5 based on production alone.
Centers
1. Wilt Chamberlain: He is the only center to be in the top 10 of scoring. The only center to be in the top 10 of steals. He’s on both of those lists. He’s also in the top 10 of blocks. His rebounding should catch up, and also put him in the top 10 of that list as well. He owns a 5.8:1.4 stock:turnover ratio. He’s the best center in the game.
2. Bill Russell: He is doing 14.5+ RPG and 6+ STPG (stocks per game). Add in that he is scoring 25+ on strong shooting splits for a big man, AND that he chips in 5.5+ APG in his career, and you’re looking at a completely well rounded big. Only negative? His turnovers which sit at a career 2.1 per game. Otherwise, absolute stud.
3. Nate Thurmond: Is this a bit of hot take putting Thurmond in over Bellamy? The more I thought about it, the more I liked Thurmond better. Yes, he doesn’t have the sheer volume of Bellamy, but he also isn’t probably an option for Ashes either. He’s shooting it more efficiently, and has a much healthier stock:turnover ratio. The rebounding rate is also better.
4. Walt Bellamy: The man is doing 28+ PPG with nearly 14 RPG and 4+ STPG. Absolutely gifted player who is most certainly going to make it hard for the Knicks to tank effectively.
5. Jim Krebs: Y’all can blast me on this one, BUT I’ve been a huge Krebs fan since the end of time. I’m hoping Jim Barnes is like 90% of him. Anyway, Krebs has been doing 4:1 stock:turnover ratio his entire career with a PER36 rebounding rate of 13.8. He shoots free throws at a high clip. He’s a terrific defensive big who deserves some absolute shine here for helping those Rap teams to back to back titles.
Honorable Mentions: Jerry Lucas, Dave DeBusschere, Johnny Green, Zeke Zawoluk, and Willis Reed.
Power Forwards
1. Bob Pettit: Skillz has been moving him around, but we all know he’s an absolute beast at the PF position. His FG% is slightly down, but that should eventually regress to the mean, He’s averaged 25/13/3.5 stocks for his career with only 1.4 TPG. He’s so good.
2. Woody Sauldsberry: Kobe has been playing him here, so I’ll just include him on this list. Woody has pretty much been doing around 25/13/3+ Stock per game over his prior 3 seasons. It’s been a more difficult start for him, but I still love his profile, and figure he will get it going eventually.
3. Maurice Stokes: Best defensive big in BBS? Nearly 6 STPG with almost 15 RPG. He was the defensive anchor for those great Bull teams. He now finds himself in Orlando where he’s continued to assert his dominance on that end of the floor.
4. Horace Walker: Horace shooting splits are slightly down, but this is a guy that can be featured in an offense, and he is currently providing a ridiculous 5.2:1.1 stock:turnover ratio. Absolute stud.
5. Wayne Embry: Embry is eerily similar to Horace Walker except I think offensively he isn’t on the same level when both are at their best. Either way, I love his make-up, and he’s one of the best at protecting the rim.
Honorable Mentions: Rudy LaRusso, Ray Scott, Bill Bridges, and LeRoy Ellis
Small Forwards
1. Jack Twyman: He gets the nod over Elgin because he takes care of the ball much better, and he also is a much better defender as well (A- to B defense). Twyman doing 32/9.5/2+ stocks per game in his career is absolutely wild.
2. Elgin Baylor: He’s just a tad below Twyman as I’ve stated my reasons above. Elgin’s career shooting splits are absolutely bonkers (
3. Buzz Bennett: He’s essentially done 23/10/5/3.5 stocks with A+ defense for the past 5 seasons. You just don’t see that type of stock numbers all that often. Efficient shooting the ball as well. Only negative is his turnovers, but he kind of negates it with his sheer blocking totals. Super fun player, and is now currently on the Mavericks.
4. Bailey Howell: Love this player, and his versatility. He was able to play PF for this team last season, and it reminded me of Eddy Mac in some ways where you can be so much more flexible with your roster construction when you can flip this guy either way. I think ultimately this is his best position, and he is certainly a huge reason for Eddy’s most recent run. He’s doing 28/10 with 2+ STPG. So damn good.
5. McCoy McLemore: I thought about putting McCoy ahead of Bailey, but he just isn’t there yet! This guy is doing 27/8.5/4/2 stocks per game on INCREDIBLE shooting splits. I think in another season or two, we could easily see McCoy jump Howell. Strong top 5 here.
Honorable Mentions: Larry Jones, Cliff Hagan, Mike Mendenhall, Tom Gola, and Jim Paxson.
Shooting Guards
1. John Havlicek: I mean, come on now. Look at his numbers this season thus far. 35/7.5/5.5/4.5 stocks with only 1.2 TPG. Doesn’t even account for the absurd shooting splits either. He’s the best SG in the game, and I believe the best wing in BBS.
2. Sam Jones: Not too far behind is Sam Jones who by his own right is probably in that same tier as John Havlicek. He’s essentially done 30/8/4/4.5 stocks with low turnovers and incredible shooting splits. These two are the cream of the crop when it comes to the SG position.
3. Frank Ramsey: After the first two, it most certainly gets more interesting. I slotted Ramsey here. He’s pretty much a lock for 28/7.5/4/2 stocks on strong shooting splits. He’s a complete player, and it’ll be interesting to see if he will be on the move soon.
4. Lyndon Lee: This is a guy who has been doing roughly around 27/7/3.5/2+ stocks per game on fantastic shooting splits. One of the most underrated players in this file imo
5. Newt Jones: I mean, how can I not include Newt who is just an absolute bucket? He has been basically scoring 32+ PPG the past 8 seasons. Yes, he is a rebounding liability…but he makes up for it with a career 2.4:1 stock:turnover ratio. I believe he belongs in the top 5 of what is a very deep and talented grouping.
Honorable Mentions: Richie Guerin, Buzz Wilkinson, Dick Barnett, Don Nelson, Dwyane Smith, Kevin Loughery, Jack Turner, Willie Jones, and Jeff Mullins. SG is deep.
Point Guards
1. Oscar Robertson: The big O. No doubts about it here. This is a top heavy grouping, but Oscar stands out above the rest due to his enormous rebounding advantage over the rest. Let’s put it this way, he’s played about less than half the games KC Jones has played, and has 8 more triple doubles already. With career averages of 33/8/11/3 stocks…is there any debate on the best PG in the game? The best FA to ever switch teams…that’s for sure.
2. KC Jones: I literally struggled with the 2-4 grouping. Honestly, I think you could put any of these guys in any type of order…it’s that close. I put KC Jones in the 2nd spot because his stock numbers destroy the other guys, and he also is the best rebounder of the bunch. He also gets his teammates involved quite often (6 consecutive seasons of 11+ APG). Extremely well rounded player.
3. Hal Greer: Another toss-up, but I slotted Hal in here because he’s the best scorer of the bunch. He has rebounded well enough to hold his own, and he’s always had a positive steal:turnover ratio. Absolute stud scoring type PG.
4. Guy Rodgers: I absolutely love Guy. I thought about possibly slotting him as high as 2nd on this list. He does literally everything well. Shoots efficiently, distributes the basketball, rebounds at a solid clip, and has a really awesome steal:turnover ratio. Just everything you’d want in a PG. I think it’s extremely cool to see Play draft Hal and Guy and both dudes are 2-time Playoff MVPs. Incredible stuff.
5. Jerry West: Strong case for Bob Cousy here. If you prefer him over Jerry West right now, I wouldn’t argue with you. His numbers are certainly taking a hit with the inside focused offense in Golden State. However, Jerry West has been to multiple finals appearances already in his short time with Minnesota. Career averages of 30.5 /6.5/10.5/2.5 stocks on fabulous shooting splits should be enough to sway you. A complete player that can also play outstanding defense as well. All of these guys in the top 5 have A defense aside from Oscar.
Honorable Mentions: Bob Cousy, Vince Cohen, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, and Al Attles.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65552195/tyler_parker_5_guys_kings.0.jpg)
