Every major site or publication is going to publish its own rankings of the best player in the NBA, and each one is an interesting snapshot into the league and how we as fans and analysts apply values to the 510+ basketball players who make it up.
The Ringer did something a little more unique, publishing a Top 100 ranking of the league’s best players and then committing to updating it often as a “dynamic” view of who is playing the best in the league at any given moment. It’s like the NBA 2K ratings in ranking form.
Donovan Mitchell led the way for the Cavs at No. 17 on the list, followed by Darius Garland at 27, Evan Mobley at 43 and Jarrett Allen unconscionably low at 49. Interestingly enough, no other Cavs players made the list. Do you think any of The Ringer’s rankings were too high or too low? And who else on the roster should have made the Top 100?
More Cavs news
Adidas announced its new group of rookies yesterday, a list of 11 first-round picks and Isaiah Mobley, who went 49th in the 2022 NBA Draft. In absolutely related news, Evan Mobley is signed to a large deal with Adidas. Spida took to social media to congratulate Isaiah:
Yeah!!! @MobleyIsaiah ///🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾 https://t.co/pn3EF2JL3h
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 15, 2022
Here on the site, John Suchan wrote out his wishlist to Santa Claus for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Can a little North Pole magic fix what ails the Cavs?
NBA news
Thursday night in the NBA was a light slate, which meant the gem of a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz was front and center. The two sides went back and forth throughout the fourth quarter, with the Pelicans making a late 3-pointer to tie it and then Larry Nance Jr. blocking Lauri Markkanen at the buzzer to force overtime. The Jazz pulled away at the end to take the victory.
Of more sobering news, it was announced yesterday that Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will miss “a few weeks” with a shoulder injury. The Warriors have been struggling despite Curry playing at an MVP level; the next few weeks could be a nightmare for them and dictate what they can still accomplish this season.
Coming up: The Cavs return to Cleveland tonight, taking on the Indiana Pacers to kick off a long homestand.