Post by Skillz on May 13, 2020 11:49:02 GMT -8
Article: BBS’s 50 Most Valuable Players (2000)
Because it was so timely, I wanted to debut this article before the trade deadline. Unfortunately, this was a lot more monotonous and took significantly more time than I initially thought, so I missed the deadline.
Alas, it will still make for productive and inflammatory content. Let’s get to it.
On the heals of the dramatic Jamal Crawford/Tracy McGrady debate, I made a list of the Most Valuable Players in the league. I tried to factor in all of the relevant factors like Production, Ratings, Position, Contract Status and Age. They all play a role.
Let’s get to it…
Considered, But Just Missing the Cut (66-51):
These guys had all of the hallmarks of the “Tier 5” players, but were either too old, not productive enough, didn’t sim well or just couldn’t transcend the “top 50” barrier for whatever reason.
Some thoughts: I think Bobby Jackson might have the best case to enter the top 50. There aren’t many PGs on this list, as you will see, and I think his production merits some more consideration. With that said, I think majority of the league would scoff if I had him in there. This is supposed to be fairly representative of league-wide opinion.
Karl Malone PF 37 6'9'' 256 A- C C+ C+ B+ D
Bonzi Wells SG 24 6'5'' 220 B+ C C A- C+ C
P.J. Brown PF 31 6'11'' 240 C+ C C A B C
Mike Miller SF 20 6'9'' 218 C+ A- C+ C C B
Michael Redd SG 21 6'6'' 215 C A- C C C- A
Eddie Jones SG 29 6'6'' 200 B B+ C+ A- C- C
Scottie Pippen SF 35 6'7'' 228 B B B+ A- C+ D
John Stockton PG 38 6'1'' 175 C B+ A+ C D+ D
Hakeem Olajuwon PF 37 7'0'' 255 B D+ C+ A- B- B
Jerry Stackhouse SG 25 6'6'' 228 B+ B+ C C+ C- B
Corey Maggette SG 20 6'6'' 228 A- C+ D C+ C B
Al Harrington PF 20 6'10'' 254 B B- C C C B
Andre Miller PG 21 6'2'' 200 B C B+ C+ C B
Gary Payton PG 32 6'4'' 180 B B- A- A- C C
Bobby Jackson PG 27 6'1'' 185 C B+ C B D+ B
Antonio McDyess PF 26 6'9'' 230 A- C- C B B C
TIER 5: 50-32
A mix: a) very old players who used to be elite but no longer carry the same value because of their age, b) interesting prospects who are not sure things, C) good players in their respective prime’s who can start on contending teams but are not the key to a title team’s success.
Some thoughts: Basically, all of these dudes are either enticing prospects who are too raw to be worthy of Tier 4 consideration (Hamilton, Jackson), superstars who are too old to be worthy or tier 3 consideration (MJ, Deke) or career-long second or third options who will never threaten superstar status (Finley, Robinson). I feel comfortable with this list.
Latrell Sprewell SG 30 6'5'' 190 B+ B+ C A- C C
Anfernee Hardaway SF 29 6'7'' 215 B B B+ B- C C
Larry Johnson SF 31 6'7'' 235 A- B C C B+ C
Zydrunas Ilgauskas C 25 7'3'' 260 B+ C- D B B B
David Robinson C 35 7'1'' 250 B C- D A+ B C
Theo Ratliff C 27 6'10'' 225 B- C- C- A B- C
Shareef Abdur-Rahim SF 23 6'9'' 230 A- C D+ C+ C+ C
Antoine Walker SF 24 6'9'' 245 B+ C+ B C+ B- B
Lamar Odom SF 20 6'11'' 230 B B+ B B B B
Antawn Jamison SF 24 6'9'' 223 A- C+ C- B- C+ B
Michael Jordan SG 37 6'6'' 195 B+ B+ A- A+ C B
Predrag Stojakovic SF 23 6'9'' 229 C+ A- C- C+ C B
Kenyon Martin PF 23 6'9'' 230 B D+ D B C+ A
Stephen Jackson SG 22 6'8'' 215 B- B- C C+ C A
Richard Hamilton SG 22 6'6'' 195 B C+ C+ C+ D+ A
Glenn Robinson SF 27 6'7'' 230 B+ B+ C- C+ C C
Michael Finley SG 27 6'7'' 215 B B C B C C
Dikembe Mutombo C 34 7'2'' 261 B C- D+ A A C
TIER 4: 31-25
Enticing young players who have the potential to rise on this list in the future.
Some thoughts: Yep, all of these guys have something to offer. I considered keeping Marion in Tier 5 due to his turnovers, but I think that is a unique circumstance where he is handling the ball in a tanking offense. His turnovers were fine in the test sim. All of these other guys have some flaws that keep them from Tier 2 consideration but will at least have a chance at chasing superstardom down the road. Even though I have him ranked below some of the “sexier” players with Turnover concerns, Billups might be my favorite player on this list.
Shawn Marion SF 22 6'7'' 225 B C C A B+ B
Jermaine O'Neal PF 22 6'11'' 236 B D+ D- B- C+ A
Baron Davis PG 21 6'3'' 220 B- B- B B C A
Chauncey Billups PG 24 6'3'' 202 C B C B- C A
Rasheed Wallace PF 26 6'11'' 235 B+ C C A- C+ B
Steve Francis PG 22 6'3'' 193 B B B C C A
Stephon Marbury PG 23 6'2'' 180 B B+ A- C C- B
TIER 3: 24-17
Prime-aged complementary players who are foundational pieces on good teams. These guys are really good, in their prime, but probably wouldn’t be tasked with superstar duties on an elite team. The best # 2 and # 3 bananas in the league.
Some thoughts: I considered elevating Houston because he is literally the # 1 option for the best team in the league, but I think his defensive limitations, relatively advanced age and inflated stats in a bad conference needed to be considered. He’s still a stud though. The other guys were pretty easy to stack in this tier. KVH, Grant Hill and Chris Webber challenged for the next tier but they fit this age range and weren’t dominant enough to land in Tier 1. KVH in particular had a good case.
Jamal Mashburn SF 27 6'8'' 241 B+ A- C+ B- C C
Allan Houston SG 29 6'6'' 200 B A C+ C+ C- C
Jalen Rose SG 27 6'8'' 220 B B+ B B C B
Marcus Camby PF 26 6'11'' 235 B C- C A A- B
Ben Wallace C 26 6'9'' 250 C+ F D- A A B
Chris Webber PF 27 6'10'' 245 A- C- C B+ B C
Grant Hill SF 28 6'8'' 235 B+ B+ B+ C+ C+ C
Keith Van Horn SF 25 6'10'' 250 B B+ D C B B
TIER 2: 16-11
Really good young players who have the statistical profile to eventually challenge for Tier 1 Status.
Some thoughts: I strained on Ricky Davis. I had him in Tier 4 initially, but his numbers were just so much better than any of those other prospects it was difficult to ignore. Even with inflated numbers and poor defense, he is going to be a scoring sensation. I don’t love Brand’s profile as a big man, but we forget he’s only 21. Had to keep him here. The other 4 players are no-brainers and you could make a strong argument that Allen and Dirk deserve to be in Tier 1 over Kidd.
Ricky Davis SG 21 6'7'' 207 B B+ C- C C- B
Elton Brand PF 21 6'8'' 260 A- C- C- B+ A- B
Paul Pierce SF 23 6'7'' 230 B+ B+ C C+ C B
Vince Carter SF 23 6'7'' 215 B+ A- C B+ C B
Ray Allen SG 25 6'5'' 205 B- A B- B C- B
Dirk Nowitzki PF 22 7'0'' 260 B A- C- C C+ A
TIER 1: 10-1
The best players in the league, period.
Some thoughts: I imagine the most controversial placements on this list will surround the three Point Guards: Jason Kidd, Jamal Crawford and Steve Nash. This is no coincidence. I should probably stop beating this drum because there are advantages to be had by being the only one playing this game a certain way, but who cares: Point Guard is more important than you think and there aren’t many good PGs in this league. Kidd hadn’t been camped in handles when he was playing and is a turnover decrease away from being one of the most valuable two-way players in the league. Crawford is an efficiency wizard and is the youngest player on this list. If Nash hadn’t missed a few games, he would absolutely have a shot at FBB – even over Duncan. The other guys on this list are self-explanatory. Mourning is amazing and deserves it despite his relatively advanced age. Shaq is by far the most flawed on this thing and I’m not sure if people fully internalize how bad his weaknesses can be for a good team.
Jason Kidd PG 27 6'4'' 212 B- B A A C+ B
Alonzo Mourning C 30 6'10'' 261 A- C- C+ A B+ C
Shaquille O'Neal C 28 7'1'' 315 A+ F+ C A+ A C
Kevin Garnett PF 24 6'11'' 230 B+ C C A A- B
Jamal Crawford PG 20 6'6'' 185 C+ B+ C C D+ A
Tracy McGrady SF 21 6'8'' 210 A- B B- B C A
Allen Iverson SG 25 6'0'' 165 A- B+ B A- C- B
Steve Nash PG 26 6'3'' 195 C A A C D+ B
Kobe Bryant SG 22 6'7'' 210 A- A- B- A C B
Tim Duncan PF 24 7'0'' 270 A- C B- A+ A- B
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Let's hear the complaints, fellas.
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