2017-2018 NBA’s TOP 100 PLAYERS (80-71)
Its a big week in sports, NFL’s opening week, the New York Times accusing the Red Sox of cheating, Roger Federer upset in U.S. Open action, and we move deeper into the You’re Ducking Right’s NBA top 100! Yeah, we’re not too excited about tennis either.
We’ll get right into it, we know what you’re here for, the meat and potatoes. But first, in case you missed it, here are links to the prior installments:
80. BEN SIMMONS – WING – PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The former first round pick will look to shake off the rust of sitting out last season and make his impact felt. More of facilitator than a scorer it’ll be interesting to see how the chemistry develops between Simmons, Fultz, and Embiid. Who amongst them is the alpha dog? Gut says that while Simmons could be the most skilled of the three, he is also the most docile.
79. WES MATTHEWS – WING – DALLAS MAVERICKS
A bit of a disappointment versus what the Mavericks hoped was an ascending player when they signed him. Matthews has been snake bitten by injuries, but remaining relatively unscathed last season. With Smith a rookie, and Nowitzki in decline Matthews will be counted on to produce, and I suspect he’ll rise to the occasion.
78. EVAN FOURNIER – WING – ORLANDO MAGIC
Still just 24 Fournier quietly put up 17 points per game last season for Coach Vogel. Surrounded by a crew more inclined to show their defensive skills there is no reason to think that Fournier won’t be able to increase his offensive output.
77. STEVEN ADAMS – POST – OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Putting a player who attempted zero three pointers last year into the top 100? What the duck am I doing? Adams is a bit old school in that he plays solid interior defense, alters shots and angles, rebounds, and scores on the block when needed. A throwback who still found a niche in the modern league.
76. SERGE IBAKA – POST – TORONTO RAPTORS
Averaging 15 and 7 last year was more than respectable, toss in the 1.6 blocks a game and Ibaka seems to be his old self. This is a story of stats not telling the whole story. Where Ibaka used to be a defensive stalwart, occasionally hitting the open three, he’s moved away from that role attempting to assert himself offensively at the expense of his defense. Still just 27 he has a chance to combine his modern offensive game with his OG style defense to become an all star level player, but he needs to do both together.
75. CLINT CAPELA – POST – HOUSTON ROCKETS
The modern version of Amare Stoudemire in Mike D’Antoni’s system. An athletic rim protector who’s primary function is setting screens and rolling to the rim. With Harden and Paul handling the rock surrounded by Gordon and Anderson, Capela will have plenty of room to operate inside the arc. He may not be the most offensively skilled player, he knows his role, and he performs it well.
74. OTTO PORTER – WING – WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Porter returns to the Wizards after testing the restricted free agent market a little wiser and a lot richer. The third option behind Wall and Beal he still managed to pour in about 14 points a night, while hitting a more than respectable 43% from behind the arc.
73. JAMAL MURRAY – COMBO GUARD – DENVER NUGGETS
A 2nd team all rookie selection ahead of some 1st teamers? (Spoiler), yes, this is about 2017-2018 and Murray, who should be entering his junior year of college is primed to emerge in a free flowing Denver offense that’ll be fun to watch this year.
72. MARKELLE FULTZ – BALL HANDLER – PHILADELPHIA 76ers
The number one pick in this years draft Fultz is a smooth operator that looks to be a little Kyrie, a little Harden, and a whole lot of scoring. A youngster, surrounded by other youngsters looking to make their mark it should be an up and down season in Philly, but expect Fultz to sky rocket up this list moving forward.
71. TRISTAN THOMPSON – POST – CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
