How OKC Thunder compare vs. adversaries- dissecting Sports Illustrated top 100 by conference, division, team
Southwest Division:
Although this division lands the second most ranked players it’s not the NBA’s power house division any longer having been usurped by the Northwest. Only one team snags five spots, while two grab four.
The takeaway from the list points to a shift in the SW as analysts wait with baited breath to discover precisely what a Spurs squad without Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kawhi Leonard will look like. Will this be the master’s (Popovich) last season? Will the Spurs miss the playoffs for the first time in over two decades? So many questions in San Antonio.
In fact, arguably this division is in the most flux of the six in the Association. How will the Chris Paul contract look in another season and how does it affect the long term viability of Harden’s Rockets?
With Anthony Davis shifting management, is that a precursor to indicate he may also want to change addresses? Are the once mighty and powerful Grizzlies simply injecting to create Grit and Grind 2.0 or is a full rebuild simply one season away?
As for the Mavericks, despite landing just three players on the list, this season could offer ample insight for the immediate future. Topping the list is whether this will be No. 96 (Dirk Nowitzki‘s) last season and how many teams will be be kicking themselves for their draft selections after Luka Doncic makes his mark?
Breakdown by tier:
- three players in top 10 (two come from Rockets and Davis is a natural to be top five)
- one player ranked 11 – 25
- seven players in 26 to 50 range
- three players in 51 -75 range
- five players in 76-100 range
Dallas Mavericks:
- 43: DeAndre Jordan
- 59: Harrison Barnes
- 96: Dirk Nowitzki
Houston Rockets:
- 4. James Harden
- 8. Chris Paul
- 35: Clint Capela
- 49: Eric Gordon
- 85: P.J. Tucker
Memphis Grizzlies:
- 36: Mike Conley
- 40 Marc Gasol
- 88: Kyle Anderson
New Orleans Pelicans:
- 5: Anthony Davis
- 29: Jrue Holiday
- 60: Nikola Mirotic
- 72: Julius Randle
San Antonio Spurs:
- 21: LaMarcus Aldridge
- 30: DeMar DeRozan
- 89: Dejounte Murray
- 98: Pau Gasol