Whether you like it or not, the NBA has become the ball handlers’ league. What was a traditional point guard position, or the more modern point-forward, but that the way the rules change and the evolution of the players’ skills have nudged the pro basketball.
Back in the days, size mattered. Nowadays, it’s about the quickness, athleticism, but most of all, the ball handling and the shooting. It comes in different manifestations and there are even NBA teams whose best players still count on establishing the position first and getting the ball afterwards, so the variety is still there. Today, I’ll take a look at teams’ best players and whether their position impacts their respective teams ability to win.
To categorize teams by their leading star position, I’ll tweak the standard approach to on court positions and use a more advanced method, as it applies much better to reality. Also, some NBA teams have multiple players with similar ability and impact on the game, so I’m going to place those in a separate category – no worries Warriors’ fans, I didn’t overlook Steph Curry. Finally, as this analysis takes a look at the previous season, the recent changes have been ignored.
Playmaking guard
John Wall (WAS), Chris Paul (LAC)
The general on the floor has become a rare species as the impact has been measured by the scoring more than before. Still, with Wall and Paul representing the position, it can be safely said that the teams who can get this kind of talent can still thrive in the NBA. That’s terrific news for the Lakers with Lonzo Ball.
Average wins in 2016/17: 50.0
Scoring guard
Kemba Walker (CHA), James Harden (HOU), Russell Westbrook (OKC), Devin Booker (PHX), Damian Lillard (POR)
This is the biggest group with five NBA teams led by their scoring guards. The group could have been even larger if I would have used public perception on who are the stars and not measure the actual impact, or if I had included Fournier and DeRozan. The number of teams who have a comparable quality at the same position and role usually doesn’t give much advantage to either side, unless other factors are present. Thus, we have teams from the very bottom to the top in the group.
Average wins in 2016/17: 41.4
Scoring wing
Carmelo Anthony (NYK), Evan Fournier (ORL), DeMar DeRozan (TOR), Harrison Barnes (DAL)
You can make case for and against all the players listed above if they are the top players on their last season’s teams. Porzingis still didn’t replace Anthony, Nowitzki declined much last season and DeRozan and Fournier had the best of the seasons among their teammates, even if they aren’t the actual leader on the team. No matter how you put it, it’s one of the weaker groups, both by the NBA teams and the stars featuring.
Average wins in 2016/17: 36.0
Versatile wing
Jimmy Butler (CHI), Paul George (IND), Kawhi Leonard (SAS), LeBron James (CLE)
Having a great versatile wing is highly coveted in the NBA. Two of the four players from the list have been the most attractive targets coming in the offseason and the other two are annual MVP candidates. The unique balance of being able to orchestrate the offense for themselves and others and go after rebounds and protect the paint gives this position a special place in the list.
Average wins in 2016/17: 48.8
Point-forward
Brandon Ingram (LAL), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Gordon Hayward (UTH)
The players from the previous group can certainly handle the ball themselves, but this group is comprised of less versatile forwards who run a lot of pick and roll and like to penetrate the paint. Hayward and the Greek Freak are certainly among the top 15 players in the NBA, but the teams aren’t benefiting all that much. Ingram drives the average down, but is an exciting prospect, much like Antetokounmpo once was.
Average wins in 2016/17: 39.7
Stretch big
Brook Lopez (BRK), Joel Embiid (PHI)
Ability to stretch the floor with range shooting is a much desired feat for the frontcourt players, but when your best player does that as often as Lopez and Embiid did it last year, your team is likely not very good. The good thing is that the Nets got rid of Lopez and Embiid got much needed help.
Average wins in 2016/17: 24.0
Offense first big
Nikola Jokic (DEN), Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN), DeMarcus Cousins (SAC)
Jokic, Towns and Cousins are highly skilled offensive players, game changers in that regard. They can shoot from anywhere on the floor, can pass and handle the ball. Very few NBA teams in the league would decline an opportunity to add any of them based on their basketball skills. However, neither of them could lead their respective teams to the playoffs – a perfect example that the basketball is played on both sides of the floor.
Average wins in 2016/17: 34.3
Defensive anchor
Andre Drummond (DET), Hassan Whiteside (MIA)
A long, long time ago, a man named Bill Russell changed the perspective of how the NBA coaches and executive would view centers and his influence was so strong that we still have a couple of teams whose leading star is a defensive anchor more than anything else. Drummond and Whiteside haven’t had the greatest of seasons, and their teams stayed in the playoff contention despite subpar rosters, but like with the previous group, the greatness on the defensive side was mostly undone by their inability to play more offense. A third center that almost made this group, Rudy Gobert, would improve the average, but the fact that the best of the three wasn’t the leading man for the Jazz also helped their 2016/17 record.
Average wins in 2016/17: 39.0
Two-way big
Marc Gasol (MEM), Anthony Davis (NOP)
It doesn’t get much better than Marc Gasol and Anthony Davis if you are looking for big men who play both offense and defense. Gasol added more range to his shot, but remained a defensive anchor and the facilitator for the Grizzlies. Davis’ offensive development is spectacular, and even though he isn’t such a force on D that he could be, the only thing that’s hindering his NBA Hall of Fame bid are the pesky injuries. Even with such two terrific players at the position, both sides struggled to impress.
Average wins in 2016/17: 38.5
Multistar NBA teams
Boston, Golden State
The general stance with the Boston Celtics is that Isaiah Thomas is the undisputed main guy in green uniform, but Al Horford’s impact outshines Thomas’ star even without the same attention. With Hayward coming in the free agency, there’s a three-tie, but this doesn’t come into the equation for this overview.
The Golden State Warriors also have two equally good players in Curry and Durant, with probably the best support in all NBA. No wonder they are building a dynasty in the Bay Area.
Turns out, it’s best to have two or more equally good best players. It worked before and it’s working now in both conferences. Each franchise had the best record in the regular season and only Cleveland interfered to disallow the Finals meeting of the two. The Celtics are trying to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
Average wins in 2016/17: 60.0
