Post by Majic on Aug 16, 2018 15:06:31 GMT
Welcome to my first ever attempt at ranking players. I have mostly stayed away from doing this as I will probably look like an idiot, but I got the itch to write an article and thought this would be a fun one.
So a real quick overview of how I came up with this list and its order. First I wanted to look at current stats, but weigh that against where I think they will be within the next 3-5 years. Some of these guys are finished products, others are just getting started. I took all of that into consideration. For me, I wanted to see who I thought would be the best investment, and look 3-5 years into the future when all of these guys would be entering their prime production as well as the likely max contracts.
Before I get into the list, I wanted to quickly the guys that just missed this list by being 25. Some studs in this group:
Mo Bamba
Troy Brown
Miles Bridges
Deandre Ayton
Hakeem Olajuwan
Isaac Bonga
Guy Beahm
Chuck Person
Now without further ado, here is my list:
15 )Michael Jordan – 24 - Nuggets
Quite the improvement that the 2nd greatest IRL player has made in sim league. Have to like the scoring and continue to hope his efficiency grows. Also would like to see his rebounds a bit higher, but still a really solid player.
14) Vince Carter – 23 - Hornets
I like Vince more than others it might seem. You would like the rebounding to be higher, especially on a team devoid of other stars, but the volume is there and the efficiency could be there. The steals are very nice and helps make up for some of the other stats.
13) Tony Mitchell – 21 - Grizzlies
This is the first big projection I have on the list. Mitchell isn’t elite or great at anything yet, but all signs point to the fact he will be. It’s astonishing this guy went undrafted and then his first season fetched 3 firsts. Based on what has been hinted at by Druce, this guy sounds like he will be at worst an above average started within the next few years. Add in he still has all upgrade points to be used.
12) RJ Cole – 24 - Clippers
The volume is there even if the efficiency isn’t where you would like it to be. The jump shoot has to be high, and for a 5.0 PG this is one of the best. Rebounds and defense are strong too. In writing this I am probably going to regret not putting him higher but those TO’s scare me.
11) Stromile Swift – 21 - Sonics
I admittedly love Stromile. He was a huge piece of my championship core in 4.0 and I am glad hes looking so good in 5.0. For a big you would like to see better efficiency, but hot dam his defense is nice. Easily the best shot blocker we have seen in the league, and that should only grow. Still has 11 points to be used, he could be scary.
10) Al Harrington – 20 - Mavericks
9) Antawn Jamison – 24 - Bulls
I had the hardest time picking between Jamison and Harrington. It was nearly impossible to separate these 2 as I think they both are really good players. Jamison started at PF but was moved to SF so he can still play PF. For that reason, I ranked Jamison ahead of Harrington. Either way, I think any GM would be happy to have either of these guys.
8) Jake Tsakalidis – 22 - Spurs
I really like Jake a lot, and a guy that is a prototypical big in 5.0. You wish the scoring was a bit more efficient, and if that happens his PPG could shoot up another couple. Reason I have him behind Shittu is mostly because of the blocks and efficiency. Blocks should grow, so after a couple more TC’s he could be monster.
7) Simisola Shittu – 23 - Bullets
Just the perfect example of what you want out of a 5.0 big. Scores, rebounds and plays defense. Theres not much to knock on him and he has some upgrade points so theres a chance you can get that improved. I am probably going to regret not having him higher.
6) Sekou Doumbouya – 23 - Celtics
I will start off saying I understand the efficiency isn’t where you would like it to be, but just look at everything else. He has elite rebounding, elite steals and blocks shots for you. He also puts up good volume, although that might drop a little once theres another star or two on the Celtics roster. Overall a damn good SF that will score and defend.
*** Kevin Knox – 24 - Hawks
Knox was an oversight on my part, so I wanted to throw him on the list here to show where I think he will rank. Knox is an extremely effective and solid player to have. Volume and efficiency is where you would like it, as are the rebounds. Hes likely a finished product, and to get these stats out of a guy for the next 5-7 years is a boon to any GM.
5) Collin Sexton – 24 - Wizards
Crazy to think that Sexton is still only 24 years old. If I am looking at the best player to help me win a title, he's probably 1 or 2. But this is where projection factors in and I am not sure he will be better than the guys ahead of him in 3-5 years. The TO’s are a concern and its widely believed his potential is already very low
4) Giannis Antetokounmpo – 19 - Hornets
Here is easily my biggest projection for a player on this list. Looking at his stats right now, he doesn’t necessarily compare to the others, especially the top 5. But I am looking at what this guy could look like in 3-5 years, and I truly think he will be an absolute stud. Efficiency is already there, steals and blocks should grow. He is almost capped out on upgrades but I just think he’s going to be top 5 player in the next couple seasons.
3) Zion Williamson – 23 - Heat
Zion is a stud, across the board he does everything extremely well and is already a star in the league. Another guy that feels like he should be a lot older than only 23. Great efficiency, elite rebounding and blocks. TO’s are a bit high but given everything else he offers, I don’t think any GM would complain.
2) Cam Reddish – 24 - Mavericks
Last time I will say this, but another guy that feels like he should be older than 24. Again, in every important stat this guy is above average to elite. Volume and strong efficiency. Gets rebounds, gets steals and offers a little shot blocking. It was hard to not rank him higher.
1) Ray McCallum Jr. – 22 – Heat
Listen, I might get some heat for this but I love what McCallum is giving you and truly think he is the best player. Looking at age and projection, he easily looks like he will take over the “Best PG” title possible within a year or two. He has good efficiency for the position, volume is there. He gets rebound, assists are solid and doesn’t turn the ball over. Best part, he has all 25 points in upgrades left. I think it will be fun to see over the next
And lastly, here is the Honorable Mention:
Morris Peterson – 24 - Pacers
Seventh Woods – 24 - Pacers
Dermarr Johnson – 21 - Heat
Shareef O’Neal – 23 -Trailblazers
Livio Jean-Charles – 19 - Nuggets
Shabazz Mohammed – 21 - Warriors
For all of these guys, I like them as players but there were 2-3 things I thought they were lacking in and kept them off the list. Any of these guys could easily slip into the top 15 within the next couple years.
I look forward to some fun discussion on this.
