NBA MVP Rankings - 28 Mar

There are only a few weeks left in the regular season, and a healthy Nikola Jokic has surged ahead of SGA for the top spot after 4 straight triple-doubles, all of which came in wins for the surging Nuggets, bringing him to 31 on the season, while he is also leading the league in rebounding and assists, a feat that no player has ever achieved before. Here are my current MVP rankings, with career-highs in bold, plus a few updates to my all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (2) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

27.9 Pts (#7), 12.8 Reb (#1), 10.8 Ast (#1), 1.4 Stl (#19), 0.8 Blk, .574 FG% (#9), .385 3P%, .827 FT%

2 (1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

31.4 Pts (#2), 4.4 Reb, 6.6 Ast (#16), 1.4 Stl (#20), 0.8 Blk, .553 FG% (#12), .379 3P%, .884 FT% (#14)

3 (4) Luka Doncic - PG - LAL

33.7 Pts (#1), 7.8 Reb, 8.2 Ast (#3), 1.6 Stl (#6), 0.5 Blk, .476 FG%, .366 3P%, .776 FT%

4 (3) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

24.5 Pts (#13), 5.6 Reb, 9.9 Ast (#2), 1.5 Stl (#14), 0.9 Blk, .461 FG%, .346 3P%, .814 FT%

5 (5) Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

24.2 Pts (#14), 11.2 Reb (#5), 3.0 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 3.1 Blk (#1), .505 FG%, .351 3P%, .818 FT%

6 (9) Jamal Murray - PG - DEN

25.5 Pts (#11), 4.4 Reb, 7.2 Ast (#8), 0.9 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .483 FG%, .428 3P% (#9), .885 FT% (#13)

7 (NR) Jalen Johnson - SF - ATL

22.9 Pts (#19), 10.3 Reb (#7), 8.1 Ast (#5), 1.3 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .492 FG%, .353 3P%, .786 FT%

8 (7) Jaylen Brown - SF - BOS

28.6 Pts (#5), 7.0 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .477 FG%, .342 3P%, .802 FT%

9 (6) Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

27.9 Pts (#8), 4.5 Reb, 5.8 Ast, 1.5 Stl (#9), 0.3 Blk, .478 FG%, .365 3P%, .859 FT%

10 (NR) Jalen Duren - C - DET

19.5 Pts, 10.6 Reb (#6), 1.8 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .643 FG% (#3), .744 FT%

Honorable Mention: James Harden - PG - CLE; Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK; Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI; Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC; Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

All-Time Player Rank Changes

James Harden has passed Chris Paul to move up to #19

Kawhi Leonard has passed Pau Gasol to move up to #56

Draymond Green has passed Kyrie Irving to move up to #60

Trae Young has passed John Wall to move up to #92

DeMar DeRozan has passed Wes Unseld to move up to #98

NBA MVP Rankings - 7 Mar

The top 4 contenders in the MVP rankings remained in the same spots since my last update in January, but the healthy return of Victor Wembanyama caused him to surge from outside the top 10 into the top 5, as the big man has the Spurs just 2.5 games behind Oklahoma City for the league's best record with just over a month to go in the regular season. Here are my full current MVP rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

31.7 Pts (#2), 4.4 Reb, 6.5 Ast (#15), 1.4 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .551 FG% (#15), .384 3P%, .893 FT% (#10)

2 (2) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

28.8 Pts (#5), 12.5 Reb (#1), 10.3 Ast (#1), 1.4 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .574 FG% (#11), .391 3P%, .832 FT%

3 (3) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

25.2 Pts (#12), 5.8 Reb, 9.8 Ast (#2), 1.5 Stl (#14), 0.9 Blk, .455 FG%, .334 3P%, .812 FT%

4 (4) Luka Doncic - PG - LAL

32.5 Pts (#1), 7.8 Reb, 8.5 Ast (#3), 1.5 Stl (#15), 0.5 Blk, .475 FG%, .362 3P%, .773 FT%

5 (NR) Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

23.8 Pts (#19), 11.2 Reb (#5), 2.9 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 3.0 Blk (#1), .502 FG%, .349 3P%, .815 FT%

6 (7) Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

28.5 Pts (#7), 4.5 Reb, 5.8 Ast, 1.6 Stl (#7), 0.3 Blk, .483 FG%, .369 3P%, .852 FT%

7 (10) Jaylen Brown - SF - BOS

28.8 Pts (#6), 7.2 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .481 FG%, .348 3P%, .777 FT%

8 (6) Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI

28.9 Pts (#4), 4.2 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#12), 2.0 Stl (#2), 0.8 Blk, .460 FG%, .372 3P%, .892 FT% (#11)

9 (5) Jamal Murray - PG - DEN

25.5 Pts (#11), 4.3 Reb, 7.2 Ast (#9), 0.9 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .484 FG%, .431 3P% (#10), .876 FT% (#19)

10 (9) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.2 Pts (#9), 3.4 Reb, 6.5 Ast (#14), 0.7 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .464 FG%, .378 3P%, .842 FT%

Honorable Mention: James Harden - PG - CLE; Jalen Johnson - SF - ATL; Jalen Duren - C - DET; Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN; Chet Holmgren - PF - OKC; Alperen Sengun - C - HOU; Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK; Kevin Durant - SF - HOU

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Nikola Jokic has passed Larry Bird to move up to #21

Luka Doncic has passed George Gervin to move up to #58

Jrue Holiday has passed Rod Strickland, Cliff Hagan, Walt Frazier, and Ray Allen to move up to #87

DeMar DeRozan has passed Amare Stoudemire to move up to #99

NBA All-Stars - 2026

NBA All-Star Weekend is a week away, and the rosters have been announced, with one injury replacement so far, and possibly more to come, so I've analyzed each player's data so far this season to determine which players are most deserving of an All-Star spot, and how the rosters would be split up in the new USA vs. the World format.

Starters

East

Jalen Johnson - SF - ATL

Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI

James Harden - PG - CLE*

Cunningham and Maxey were voted as starters, while Mitchell and Johnson were added as reserves. Harden was in the West at the time of voting, but since he was traded to the East, I transferred him over to the East starting lineup. All 5 are Americans.

West

Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

Luka Doncic - PG - LAL

Jamal Murray - PG - DEN

Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

4 of these players were voted as starters, with Murray the lone exception, but he is more deserving this year than Stephen Curry. All 5 of these players are foreigners.

Reserves

East

Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

Jaylen Brown - SF - BOS

LaMelo Ball - PG - CHA

Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

Josh Giddey - PG - CHI

Scottie Barnes - PG - TOR

Jalen Duren - C - DET

Most of these players were selected to the actual All-Star team, minus Ball and Giddey, whom I would select to replace Norman Powell and Pascal Siakim.

West

Deni Avdija - SF - POR

Keyonte George - PG - UTA

Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN

Stephen Curry - PG - GSW

Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC

Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

Devin Booker - SG - PHX

Sengun and George were not selected for the All-Star team, but should have been, and Kawhi was added as an injury replacement due to Giannis probably not playing. I would have left out Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Chet Holmgren, though all are among my top 35 players for this season.

Rosters

USA

Jalen Johnson

Cade Cunningham

Donovan Mitchell

Tyrese Maxey

James Harden

Jaylen Brown

Jalen Brunson

Keyonte George

Anthony Edwards

Stephen Curry

Kawhi Leonard

LaMelo Ball

Devin Booker

Josh Giddey

Scottie Barnes

Jalen Duren

Injury Replacement if needed: Kevin Durant, Julius Randle

World

Nikola Jokic

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Luka Doncic

Jamal Murray

Victor Wembanyama

Deni Avdija

Alperen Sengun

Karl-Anthony Towns*

*Towns is American, born in New Jersey, but has competed for the Dominican Republic internationally, where his mother was born.

Injury Replacement if needed: Rudy Gobert, Lauri Markkanen

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Moses Malone to move up to #27

Joel Embiid has passed Sam Cassell, Dominique Wilkins, and Jayson Tatum to move up to #76

NBA MVP Rankings - 27 Dec

There are a lot of new faces in the MVP race this month, with a few players making their first-ever appearance in the top 10 today. Injuries to many of the previous top 10 created more space, but the two most recent MVPs are still the favorites. Here are my full current rankings, with previous ranking in parentheses and career highs in bold, plus a few more updates to the all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

29.8 Pts, 12.1 Reb (#1), 11.0 Ast (#1), 1.4 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .609 FG%, .440 3P%, .851 FT%

2 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.1 Pts, 4.9 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 1.5 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .551 FG%, .425 3P%, .884 FT%

3 (6) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

26.5 Pts, 6.3 Reb, 9.6 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .461 FG%, .328 3P%, .818 FT%

4 (4) Luka Doncic - PG - LAL

33.7 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 8.7 Ast, 1.5 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .461 FG%, .322 3P%, .801 FT%

5 (NR) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

29.3 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .478 FG%, .381 3P%, .844 FT%

6 (NR) Jalen Johnson - SF - ATL

23.8 Pts, 10.4 Reb, 8.3 Ast, 1.4 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .525 FG%, .368 3P%, .821 FT%

7 (8) Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

30.7 Pts, 4.6 Reb, 5.4 Ast, 1.4 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .499 FG%, .390 3P%, .853 FT%

8 (NR) Jamal Murray - PG - DEN

25.4 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 7.0 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .491 FG%, .460 3P%, .884 FT%

9 (5) Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI

30.8 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 7.0 Ast, 1.7 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .458 FG%, .394 3P%, .891 FT%

10 (NR) Jaylen Brown - SF - BOS

29.4 Pts, 6.3 Reb, 4.9 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .502 FG%, .369 3P%, .783 FT%

Honorable Mention: James Harden - PG - LAC; Jalen Duren - C - DET; Josh Giddey - PG - CHI; Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS; Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Stephen Curry passed Jerry West to move up to #12

Russell Westbrook passed Chris Paul to move up to #18

Nikola Jokic passed Oscar Robertson to move up to #22

Anthony Davis passed Dolph Schayes and Gary Payton to move up to #46

Luka Doncic passed Kyrie Irving to move up to #59

Trae Young passed Dennis Rodman, Tom Heinsohn, and Mike Conley to move up to #93

Top 100 NBA Players of all Time - 2025 Update

With the end of the 2024-2025 NBA season last night, it's time for my annual update of the top 100 NBA players of all time. 3 new players joined the list this season, with Jayson Tatum jumping in during the first week of the season, Mike Conley climbing in late in the season, then falling out again when Trae Young passed him, then rejoining the top 100 during Minnesota's playoff run. Vince Carter, Walter Davis, and Shawn Kemp were the casualties of those 3 jumping in. Jayson Tatum reached #75 in his first season on the list, Anthony Davis reached the top 50, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now in the top 30, and Nikola Jokic is in the top 25. Next season, DeMar DeRozan should join the top 100 during the middle of the season, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a very good chance at getting there late in the season. Others with a chance, each of which would probably need a strong playoff run, are Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Rudy Gobert, and Donovan Mitchell, while Paul George and Kyle Lowry have a tiny chance of getting there. Also, both Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have a chance at the all-time top 10 next season, but only 1 can make it. Here is the current list:

100 (97) Bob Lanier - C - DET - 1970s

99 (96) Amar'e Stoudemire - PF - PHX - 2000s

98 (95) Wes Unseld - C - WAS - 1970s

97 (NR) Trae Young - PG - ATL - 2020s*

96 (NR) Mike Conley - PG - MEM - 2010s*

95 (93) Gus Williams - PG - SEA - 1980s

94 (92) Dennis Rodman - PF - DET - 1990s

93 (91) Tom Heinsohn - PF - BOS - 1960s

92 (90) John Wall - PG - WAS - 2010s

91 (94) Jrue Holiday - PG - NOP - 2010s*

90 (89) Rod Strickland - PG - POR - 1990s

89 (88) Cliff Hagan - SF - STL - 1960s

88 (87) Walt Frazier - PG - NYK - 1970s

87 (86) Ray Allen - SG - MIL - 2000s

86 (84) Alonzo Mourning - C - MIA - 1990s

85 (83) Terry Porter - PG - POR - 1990s

84 (82) Dikembe Mutombo - C - ATL - 1990s

83 (80) Louie Dampier - PG - KEN - 1970s

82 (79) Tracy McGrady - SG - ORL - 2000s

81 (78) Tim Hardaway - PG - GSW - 1990s

80 (77) Chris Webber - PF - SAC - 2000s

79 (81) Joel Embiid - C - PHI - 2020s*

78 (76) Sam Cassell - PG - MIL - 2000s

77 (75) Dominique Wilkins - SF - ATL - 1980s

76 (85) Jimmy Butler - SF - MIA - 2010s*

75 (NR) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS - 2020s*

74 (74) Carmelo Anthony - SF - DEN - 2010s

73 (73) Alex English - SF - DEN - 1980s

72 (72) Maurice Cheeks - PG - PHI - 1980s

71 (71) Deron Williams - PG - UTA - 2000s

70 (70) Ben Wallace - C - DET - 2000s

69 (68) Bob McAdoo - C - BUF - 1970s

68 (67) Sam Jones - SG - BOS - 1960s

67 (66) Manu Ginobili - SG - SAS - 2000s

66 (65) Reggie Miller - SG - IND - 1990s

65 (63) Kevin McHale - PF - BOS - 1980s

64 (62) George McGinnis - PF - IND - 1970s

63 (60) Paul Pierce - SF - BOS - 2000s

62 (69) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL - 2020s*

61 (64) Draymond Green - PF - GSW - 2010s*

60 (58) Chauncey Billups - PG - DET - 2000s

59 (61) Kyrie Irving - PG - CLE - 2010s*

58 (59) Kawhi Leonard - SF - SAS - 2010s*

57 (57) George Gervin - SG - SAS - 1970s

56 (56) Pau Gasol - C - LAL - 2010s

55 (55) Scottie Pippen - SF - CHI - 1990s

54 (52) Clyde Drexler - SG - POR - 1990s

53 (51) Mark Jackson - PG - IND - 1990s

52 (54) Damian Lillard - PG - POR - 2010s*

51 (50) Rajon Rondo - PG - BOS - 2010s

50 (49) Kevin Johnson - PG - PHX - 1990s

49 (53) Anthony Davis - PF - NOP - 2010s*

48 (48) Elvin Hayes - PF - WAS - 1970s

47 (47) Dolph Schayes - PF - SYR - 1950s

46 (46) Gary Payton - PG - SEA - 1990s

45 (45) Dan Issel - C - DEN - 1970s

44 (44) Robert Parish - C - BOS - 1980s

43 (43) Dwight Howard - C - ORL - 2010s

42 (42) John Havlicek - SF - BOS - 1970s

41 (41) Bob Pettit - PF - STL - 1960s

40 (40) Allen Iverson - SG - PHI - 2000s

39 (39) Artis Gilmore - C - KEN - 1970s

38 (38) Rick Barry - SF - GSW - 1970s

37 (37) Isiah Thomas - PG - DET - 1980s

36 (36) Patrick Ewing - C - NYK - 1990s

35 (35) Charles Barkley - PF - PHI - 1990s

34 (34) Elgin Baylor - SF - LAL - 1960s

33 (33) David Robinson - C - SAS - 1990s

32 (31) George Mikan - C - MNL - 1950s

31 (29) Tony Parker - PG - SAS - 2010s

30 (28) Kevin Garnett - PF - MIN - 2000s

29 (32) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2020s*

28 (27) Dirk Nowitzki - PF - DAL - 2000s

27 (26) Moses Malone - C - HOU - 1980s

26 (25) Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2000s

25 (24) Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2010s

24 (23) Jason Kidd - PG - NJN - 2000s

23 (30) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN - 2020s*

22 (22) Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1960s

21 (21) Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1980s

20 (20) James Harden - SG - HOU - 2010s*

19 (19) Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2010s*

18 (18) Chris Paul - PG - LAC - 2010s*

17 (17) Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1950s

16 (15) Julius Erving - SF - PHI - 1970s

15 (14) Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1990s

14 (16) Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2010s*

13 (12) John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1990s

12 (11) Jerry West - PG - LAL - 1960s

11 (13) Kevin Durant - SF - OKC - 2010s*

10 (10) Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1990s

9 (9) Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2000s

8 (8) Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1960s

7 (7) Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2000s

6 (6) Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1980s

5 (5) Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2000s

4 (4) Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1960s

3 (3) Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990s

2 (2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1970s

1 (1) LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2010s*

NBA MVP Rankings - 31 Mar

There are just a couple of weeks left in the NBA regular season, and there is finally a change at the top of the MVP rankings, with SGA taking over at #1 now that his team has the best record in the league, and with Jokic having missed several recent games. Here are my current MVP rankings, with previous ranking in parentheses and career-highs in bold, along with a few changes to my all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.9 Pts (#1), 5.1 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#14), 1.7 Stl (#3), 1.0 Blk, .521 FG%, .372 3P%, .900 FT% (#5)

2 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

29.3 Pts (#3), 12.8 Reb (#3), 10.2 Ast (#2), 1.8 Stl (#2), 0.7 Blk, .574 FG% (#8), .412 3P%, .803 FT%

3 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.2 Pts (#2), 11.9 Reb (#6), 5.9 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#19), .601 FG% (#6), .176 3P%, .605 FT%

4 (5) Trae Young - PG - ATL

24.1 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 11.5 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .409 FG%, .334 3P%, .874 FT%

5 (4) LeBron James - SF - LAL

24.5 Pts (#18), 8.1 Reb, 8.5 Ast (#6), 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .511 FG%, .373 3P%, .768 FT%

6 (8) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.2 Pts (#6), 8.7 Reb (#17), 6.0 Ast (#20), 1.1 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .455 FG%, .351 3P%, .813 FT%

7 (9) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

25.7 Pts (#11), 6.1 Reb, 9.2 Ast (#3), 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .462 FG%, .354 3P%, .858 FT%

8 (7) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

20.6 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#12), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .471 FG%, .403 3P%, .884 FT% (#12)

9 (NR) Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

24.3 Pts (#19), 12.8 Reb (#2), 3.1 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .521 FG%, .425 3P% (#8), .827 FT%

10 (6) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.3 Pts (#8), 3.0 Reb, 7.4 Ast (#8), 1.0 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .490 FG%, .384 3P%, .825 FT%

Honorable Mention: James Harden - PG - LAC, Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE, Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND, Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Kevin Durant has passed Jerry West to move up to #11

Stephen Curry has passed Karl Malone to move up to #14

Kawhi Leonard has passed Chauncey Billups to move up to #59

Draymond Green has passed Paul Pierce to move up to #61

Luka Doncic has passed Manu Ginobili to move up to #66

Jimmy Butler has passed Tracy McGrady, Tim Hardaway, and Chris Webber to move up to #78

Jayson Tatum has passed Ray Allen to move up to #86

Trae Young has moved into the top 100, passing Vince Carter and knocking out Mike Conley to move to #99

NBA MVP Rankings - 8 Mar

The top 2 players in the MVP race have separated themselves from the pack, with 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic having the best season of his career, somehow, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring while his team has the best record in the West by far. My guess is that it goes to SGA due to voter fatigue, but this is how I rank the top 10 current MVP candidates in the league (with career-high averages in bold), along with a few changes to my All-Time Top 100 rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

28.9 Pts (#3), 12.9 Reb (#3), 10.6 Ast (#2), 1.8 Stl (#4), 0.6 Blk, .577 FG% (#10), .439 3P% (#6), .818 FT%

2 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.8 Pts (#1), 5.1 Reb, 6.2 Ast (#15), 1.8 Stl (#2), 1.0 Blk, .526 FG%, .378 3P%, .898 FT% (#8)

3 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.8 Pts (#2), 12.1 Reb (#6), 5.9 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#17), .605 FG% (#7), .190 3P%, .596 FT%

4 (9) LeBron James - SF - LAL

25.1 Pts (#12), 8.1 Reb, 8.5 Ast (#6), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .518 FG%, .391 3P%, .779 FT%

5 (5) Trae Young - PG - ATL

23.6 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 11.6 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .403 FG%, .327 3P%, .866 FT%

6 (7) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.3 Pts (#7), 3.0 Reb, 7.4 Ast (#8), 1.0 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .490 FG%, .384 3P%, .825 FT%

7 (4) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

21.0 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#11), 1.1 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .480 FG%, .420 3P% (#14), .876 FT%

8 (8) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

26.9 Pts (#5), 8.8 Reb (#17), 5.8 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .455 FG%, .354 3P%, .803 FT%

9 (NR) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

25.5 Pts (#11), 6.1 Reb, 9.4 Ast (#3), 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .461 FG%, .357 3P%, .855 FT%

10 (NR) Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

24.4 Pts (#15), 4.3 Reb, 4.7 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .454 FG%, .388 3P%, .818 FT%

Honorable Mention: Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK, James Harden - PG - LAC, Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, Evan Mobley - PF - CLE, Stephen Curry - PG - GSW, Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Stephen Curry has passed Julius Erving to move up to #15

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Tony Parker and Kevin Garnett to move up to #29

Luka Doncic has passed Sam Jones to move up to #67

Jayson Tatum has passed Rod Strickland, Cliff Hagan, and Walt Frazier to move up to #87

NBA MVP Rankings - 25 Jan

Nikola Jokic is having an historic season, averaging a triple-double, including career-highs in multiple categories after winning 3 MVP awards in the past 4 seasons, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the league's best team with amazing numbers of his own. It's essentially a 2-man race for MVP, though Giannis might have an argument to be included as well, but I'm still listing my top 10 candidates, with previous ranking in parentheses and career-high averages in bold:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

30.2 Pts (#3), 13.4 Reb (#3), 10.1 Ast (#2), 1.9 Stl (#4), 0.7 Blk, .564 FG% (#14), .479 3P% (#2), .814 FT%

2 (3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.0 Pts (#1), 5.3 Reb, 6.1 Ast (#20), 2.0 Stl (#2), 1.1 Blk, .529 FG%, .348 3P%, .904 FT% (#6)

3 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

31.3 Pts (#2), 12.0 Reb (#5), 6.0 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.4 Blk (#14), .603 FG% (#8), .154 3P%, .584 FT%

4 (8) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

21.3 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#11), 1.1 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .497 FG%, .428 3P% (#14), .875 FT%

5 (4) Trae Young - PG - ATL

22.9 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 11.7 Ast (#1), 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .401 FG%, .346 3P%, .860 FT%

6 (5) Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

25.1 Pts (#14), 13.9 Reb (#2), 3.5 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .545 FG% (#20), .433 3P% (#10), .836 FT%

7 (6) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.0 Pts (#9), 3.0 Reb, 7.3 Ast (#9), 0.9 Stl, 0.0 Blk, .486 FG%, .391 3P%, .817 FT%

8 (7) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.2 Pts (#5), 9.1 Reb (#19), 5.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .457 FG%, .354 3P%, .792 FT%

9 (NR) LeBron James - SF - LAL

23.6 Pts, 7.7 Reb, 8.9 Ast (#4), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .511 FG%, .394 3P%, .765 FT%

10 (9) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

25.6 Pts (#11), 11.8 Reb (#6), 3.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 2.2 Blk (#3), .523 FG%, .315 3P%, .786 FT%

Honorable Mention: Cade Cunningham - PG - DET; Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS; Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE; Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC; Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

All-Time Player Rank Updates

Anthony Davis has passed Rajon Rondo to move up to #50

Kyrie Irving has passed Chauncey Billups to move up to #58

Draymond Green has passed George McGinnis to move up to #62

Joel Embiid has passed Tracy McGrady, Tim Hardaway, and Chris Webber to move up to #77

Jimmy Butler has passed Terry Porter and Dikembe Mutombo to move up to #82

Jayson Tatum has passed Gus Williams, Dennis Rodman, Tom Heinsohn, Jrue Holiday, and John Wall to move up to #90

Jrue Holiday has passed Dennis Rodman and Tom Heinsohn to move up to #92

Mike Conley has passed Walter Davis to move up to #100

NBA MVP Rankings - 15 Dec

There is currently a very close race for the MVP among 3 men, 2 of whom have won recent MVP awards, and one who is a rising superstar and leader of what may be the best team in the league today. It's still early, so there are plenty of other players who could get their name into that conversation, depending on health and team performance. Here are my current MVP rankings, along with some updates to my all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1. Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

31.5 Pts (#2), 13.3 Reb (#2), 9.8 Ast (#2), 1.8 Stl (#7), 0.7 Blk, .564 FG% (#14), .512 3P% (#2), .799 FT%

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

32.7 Pts (#1), 11.5 Reb (#5), 6.1 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 1.6 Blk (#10), .614 FG% (#5), .176 3P%, .615 FT%

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

30.3 Pts (#4), 5.5 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#20), 1.9 Stl (#6), 1.0 Blk, .510 FG%, .340 3P%, .864 FT%

4. Trae Young - PG - ATL

21.5 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 12.1 Ast (#1), 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .389 FG%, .315 3P%, .887 FT% (#17)

5. Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

24.9 Pts (#12), 13.6 Reb (#1), 3.2 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .529 FG%, .442 3P% (#19), .837 FT%

6. Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

24.7 Pts (#13), 3.0 Reb, 7.8 Ast (#9), 0.6 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .491 FG%, .429 3P%, .823 FT%

7. Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

28.2 Pts (#5), 8.9 Reb (#20), 5.7 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .453 FG%, .364 3P%, .800 FT%

8. Darius Garland - PG - CLE

20.6 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 6.5 Ast (#15), 1.0 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .482 FG%, .416 3P%, .938 FT% (#2)

9. Anthony Davis - C - LAL

27.3 Pts (#7), 11.2 Reb (#7), 3.4 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 2.0 Blk (#5), .527 FG%, .309 3P%, .788 FT%

10. Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

28.1 Pts (#6), 8.4 Reb, 7.9 Ast (#8), 2.1 Stl (#2), 0.4 Blk, .446 FG%, .344 3P%, .766 FT%

Honorable Mention: LeBron James - SF - LAL; Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE; Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC; Franz Wagner - SF - ORL; Alperen Sengun - C - HOU; James Harden - PG - LAC; Damian Lillard - PG - MIL; Jalen Williams - SG - OKC

All-Time Player Rank Updates

Nikola Jokic has passed Tony Parker and Kevin Garnett to move up to #28

Anthony Davis has passed Clyde Drexler and Mark Jackson to move up to #51

Kyrie Irving has passed Paul Pierce and Kawhi Leonard to move up to #59

Draymond Green has passed Kevin McHale to move up to #63

Luka Doncic has passed Bob McAdoo to move up to #68

Joel Embiid has passed Louie Dampier to move up to #80

Jimmy Butler has passed Alonzo Mourning to move up to #84

Jrue Holiday has passed Gus Williams to move up to #93

Jayson Tatum has passed Shawn Kemp, Walter Davis, Vince Carter, Bob Lanier, Amare Stoudemire, and Wes Unseld to move into the Top 100 at #95, knocking Kemp out of the top 100

NBA MVP Rankings - 13 Apr

There is only a single game remaining in the NBA season, and for the 4th season in a row, Nikola Jokic is the best player in the league, and my pick to win the MVP. A few other players made good cases for the honor, but when the best player in the league has his team tied for first place on the last day of the season, he has to be the winner. Here are my final MVP rankings of the season, along with several updates to my all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

26.5 Pts (#9), 12.3 Reb (#4), 9.0 Ast (#3), 1.3 Stl (#13), 0.9 Blk, .582 FG% (#11), .359 3P%, .819 FT%

2 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.4 Pts (#2), 11.5 Reb (#6), 6.5 Ast (#14), 1.2 Stl, 1.1 Blk (#17), .611 FG% (#7), .274 3P%, .657 FT%

3 (3) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

33.9 Pts (#1), 9.2 Reb (#15), 9.8 Ast (#2), 1.4 Stl (#7), 0.5 Blk, .487 FG%, .382 3P%, .786 FT%

4 (4) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

30.3 Pts (#3), 5.6 Reb, 6.2 Ast (#17), 2.0 Stl (#1), 0.9 Blk, .536 FG%, .358 3P%, .873 FT% (#18)

5 (7) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

28.6 Pts (#4), 3.6 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#12), 0.9 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .480 FG%, .402 3P%, .845 FT%

6 (6) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

26.9 Pts (#7), 8.1 Reb, 4.9 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .471 FG%, .376 3P%, .833 FT%

7 (10) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

24.6 Pts (#15), 12.7 Reb (#3), 3.5 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#2), .553 FG% (#19), .274 3P%, .814 FT%

8 (NR) LeBron James - PF - LAL

25.6 Pts (#14), 7.2 Reb, 8.2 Ast (#6), 1.2 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .540 FG% (#20), .413 3P%, .746 FT%

9 (5) Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

19.4 Pts, 13.7 Reb (#1), 8.2 Ast (#5), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .593 FG% (#9), .388 3P%, .701 FT%

10 (8) Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

20.3 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 10.9 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl (#20), 0.7 Blk, .477 FG%, .367 3P%, .857 FT%

Honorable Mention: Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS, Joel Embiid - C - PHI, Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN, Devin Booker - PG - PHX, Trae Young - PG - ATL, Kevin Durant - PF - PHX

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Kevin Durant has passed Karl Malone to move up to #13

Stephen Curry has passed Bob Cousy to move up to #16

Anthony Davis has passed Pau Gasol to move up to #54

Draymond Green has passed Reggie Miller to move up to #63

Joel Embiid has passed Gus Williams, Dennis Rodman, and Tom Heinsohn to move up to #89

Luka Doncic has passed Shawn Kemp and Walter Davis to move up to #97

NBA MVP Rankings - 30 Mar

Entering the final couple of weeks of the regular season, the MVP race is down to 4 players, and it is the tightest race I have seen in a decade. 3 of the contenders have their teams among the top 3 in their conference, and the other has pulled his team out of the play-in and into the playoffs. Here are my current rankings for MVP and ROY, along with some updates to the all-time player rankings, including a new player joining the all-time top 100:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

26.1 Pts (#11), 12.2 Reb (#4), 8.9 Ast (#3), 1.3 Stl (#12), 0.9 Blk, .579 FG% (#12), .345 3P%, .826 FT%

2 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.7 Pts (#2), 11.5 Reb (#6), 6.4 Ast (#14), 1.2 Stl (#20), 1.0 Blk, .616 FG% (#7), .288 3P%, .657 FT%

3 (4) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

33.8 Pts (#1), 9.1 Reb (#16), 9.8 Ast (#2), 1.5 Stl (#7), 0.5 Blk, .487 FG%, .376 3P%, .785 FT%

4 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

30.4 Pts (#3), 5.6 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#16), 2.1 Stl (#1), 0.9 Blk, .540 FG% (#19), .367 3P%, .871 FT% (#17)

5 (5) Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

19.6 Pts, 13.6 Reb (#1), 8.3 Ast (#5), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .603 FG% (#8), .403 3P%, .706 FT%

6 (6) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.3 Pts (#6), 8.2 Reb, 4.9 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .472 FG%, .378 3P%, .832 FT%

7 (NR) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

27.9 Pts (#4), 3.6 Reb, 6.5 Ast (#13), 0.9 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .479 FG%, .401 3P%, .847 FT%

8 (7) Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

20.3 Pts, 4.0 Reb, 11.0 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl (#18), 0.7 Blk, .476 FG%, .365 3P%, .857 FT%

9 (NR) Damian Lillard - PG - MIL

24.4 Pts (#15), 4.4 Reb, 7.1 Ast (#10), 1.0 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .426 FG%, .358 3P%, .923 FT% (#2)

10 (10) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

24.7 Pts (#14), 12.7 Reb (#3), 3.6 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#2), .553 FG% (#16), .286 3P%, .816 FT%

Honorable Mention: Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN, LeBron James - PF - LAL, Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS, Joel Embiid - C - PHI, Trae Young - PG - ATL, Kevin Durant - PF - PHX

Rookie of the Year

1 (1) Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

21.0 Pts, 10.5 Reb (#12), 3.6 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 3.4 Blk (#1), .468 FG%, .324 3P%, .796 FT%

2 (2) Chet Holmgren - C - OKC

16.8 Pts, 7.9 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#3), .536 FG%, .377 3P%, .803 FT%

3 (3) Dereck Lively II - C - DAL

8.9 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 1.1 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 1.4 Blk (#13), .746 FG%, .506 FT%

4 (4) Keyonte George - PG - UTA

12.7 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 4.6 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .391 FG%, .335 3P%, .842 FT%

5 (NR) Amen Thompson - SF - HOU

9.2 Pts, 6.3 Reb, 2.4 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .530 FG%, .145 3P%, .674 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Kevin Durant has passed Julius Erving to move up to #14

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Elgin Baylor and David Robinson to move up to #31

Damian Lillard has passed George Gervin to move up to #56

Kawhi Leonard has passed Paul Pierce to move up to #59

Jimmy Butler has passed Ray Allen to move up to #83

Luka Doncic has moved into the top 100 at #99, passing LaMarcus Aldridge and knocking out Andre Miller.

NBA MVP Rankings - 9 Mar

Joel Embiid's injury has made him officially ineligible for this season's MVP award, though I still have him in my top 10 due to the impact he had while he was playing. It is now virtually a 4-player race, and it's as close now between the 4 as it has ever been this season, and it may come down to where each player's team ends up in the playoff seeding next month. Here are my current MVP rankings:

Most Valuable Players

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

26.0 Pts (#13), 12.3 Reb (#3), 9.2 Ast (#4), 1.2 Stl (#19), 0.9 Blk, .579 FG% (#11), .350 3P%, .824 FT%

2 (3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

31.2 Pts (#2), 5.6 Reb, 6.5 Ast (#13), 2.1 Stl (#1), 1.0 Blk, .546 FG% (#20), .374 3P%, .881 FT% (#15)

3 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.8 Pts (#3), 11.2 Reb (#6), 6.4 Ast (#16), 1.2 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .618 FG% (#8), .303 3P%, .661 FT%

4 (5) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

34.6 Pts (#1), 9.0 Reb (#18), 9.8 Ast (#3), 1.4 Stl (#9), 0.6 Blk, .496 FG%, .382 3P%, .786 FT%

5 (8) Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

20.0 Pts, 13.5 Reb (#1), 8.4 Ast (#5), 0.9 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .610 FG% (#9), .420 3P%, .693 FT%

6 (9) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

26.8 Pts (#10), 8.4 Reb, 4.8 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .475 FG%, .373 3P%, .828 FT%

7 (6) Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

20.8 Pts, 3.8 Reb, 11.4 Ast (#1), 1.1 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .483 FG%, .377 3P%, .848 FT%

8 (4) Joel Embiid - C - PHI *

35.3 Pts, 11.3 Reb, 5.7 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 1.8 Blk, .533 FG%, .366 3P%, .883 FT% (#13)

9 (7) Trae Young - PG - ATL

26.4 Pts (#11), 2.7 Reb, 10.8 Ast (#2), 1.4 Stl (#8), 0.2 Blk, .426 FG%, .371 3P%, .856 FT%

10 (10) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

24.7 Pts (#16), 12.3 Reb (#4), 3.6 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#5), .555 FG% (#18), .257 3P%, .816 FT%

Honorable Mention: Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK, LeBron James - PF - LAL, Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN, Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS, Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

*Embiid is not qualified for per game stat leaderboards.

Rookie of the Year

1 (1) Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

20.7 Pts, 10.3 Reb (#10), 3.4 Ast, 1.3 Stl (#17), 3.4 Blk (#1), .469 FG%, .335 3P%, .815 FT%

2 (2) Chet Holmgren - C - OKC

17.0 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 2.7 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 2.5 Blk (#4), .540 FG%, .391 3P%, .786 FT%

3 (3) Dereck Lively II - C - DAL

8.6 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 1.2 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 1.4 Blk (#15), .743 FG%, .000 3P%, .529 FT%

4 (5) Keyonte George - PG - UTA

12.0 Pts, 2.8 Reb, 4.4 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .393 FG%, .353 3P%, .822 FT%

5 (4) Ausar Thompson - SF - DET

8.9 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 1.9 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .488 FG%, .189 3P%, .600 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Chris Paul has passed Russell Westbrook to move back up to #18

James Harden has passed Larry Bird to move up to #20

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Charles Barkley to move up to #33

Nikola Jokic has passed Patrick Ewing to move up to #35

Anthony Davis has passed George Gervin to move up to #55

Draymond Green has passed Manu Ginobili to move up to #64

Kyrie Irving has passed Bob McAdoo to move up to #67

Jimmy Butler has passed Rod Strickland, Cliff Hagan, and Walt Frazier to move up to #84

There is also a very good chance that we will be seeing a new player joining the top 100 by the end of the month. Watch for my next update to see who it is and whether it happens.

NBA All-Star Teams - 2024

 

The full NBA All-Star teams have been announced, including injury replacements, and overall the players picked were largely deserving. I've analyzed every player's performance so far this season to determine which players should have been All-Star starters and reserves, along with which players were snubbed, and which players should have been left off to make room for them. Actual starters are in bold, reserves are underlined, and injury replacements are in italics, with an asterisk next to players who will miss the game due to injury. There are also a few updates to the all-time player rankings at the bottom:

Eastern Conference

Starters

PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL

PG - Trae Young - ATL

C - Joel Embiid - PHI*

PG - Tyrese Haliburton - IND

PF - Jayson Tatum - BOS

Reserves

PG - Jalen Brunson - NYK

PG - Damian Lillard - MIL

SG - Donovan Mitchell - CLE

PG - Tyrese Maxey - PHI

PF - Julius Randle - NYK*

PF - Paolo Banchero - ORL

PF - Pascal Siakim - NYK

Injury Replacements

SG - Scottie Barnes - TOR

PG - Cade Cunningham - DET

The East team is pretty much correct. Trae Young was by far the biggest snub originally, as he should have been starting over Lillard, but he was added as an injury replacement, so at least he made the team. Siakim would have been my choice for the final spot over Jaylen Brown, and I would have added Cunningham as an injury replacement while leaving Bam Adebayo off the team.

Western Conference

Starters

C - Nikola Jokic - DEN

PG - Luka Doncic - DAL

PG - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC

C - Domantas Sabonis - SAC

C - Anthony Davis - LAL

Reserves

PF - LeBron James - LAL

PF - Kevin Durant - PHX

C - Victor Wembanyama - SAS

PG - Stephen Curry - GSW

PG - Devin Booker - PHX

C - Alperen Sengun - HOU

SG - Anthony Edwards - MIN

Injury Replacements

PG - De'Aaron Fox - SAC

PF - Lauri Markkanen - UTA

The West team has a few more issues, including 3 big men who were snubbed, most notably Domantas Sabonis, the second-best center in the West, who should have been starting, but didn't even make the team. Wembanyama was likely left off due to being a rookie on a bad team, but he is very deserving of a spot, and Sengun is being overlooked by everyone playing for a mediocre Houston team. I would have left Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Paul George off the team, especially George, who isn't close to being an All-Star this year.

All-Time Player Rank changes

Russell Westbrook has passed Chris Paul to move up to #18

Kawhi Leonard has passed Kevin McHale and George McGinnis to move up to #60

Joel Embiid has passed Wes Unseld to move up to #92

NBA MVP Rankings - 20 Jan

Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player in the NBA, and has been for the past few years, and as long as he is able to keep the Nuggets near the top of the standings, he will probably stay at the top of my MVP rankings, where he sits again this week. LeBron and Lillard dropped from the top 10 this week, letting a couple of younger stars jump in, while another rising star made a move up to #3 this week, passing the defending MVP and sitting right behind two former 2-time MVPs. Here are my current MVP and Rookie of the Year rankings, along with a few changes in the All-Time Player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

25.7 Pts (#15), 11.9 Reb (#4), 9.1 Ast (#4), 1.1 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .583 FG% (#14), .350 3P%, .821 FT%

2 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

31.2 Pts (#3), 11.4 Reb (#6), 5.9 Ast, 1.3 Stl (#15), 1.1 Blk, .608 FG% (#9), .235 3P%, .677 FT%

3 (5) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

31.0 Pts (#4), 5.7 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#18), 2.2 Stl (#1), 0.8 Blk, .552 FG% (#19), .324 3P%, .891 FT% (#15)

4 (3) Joel Embiid - C - PHI

35.1 Pts (#1), 11.4 Reb (#5), 5.9 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 1.9 Blk (#10), .538 FG%, .364 3P%, .885 FT% (#17)

5 (4) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

33.6 Pts (#2), 8.3 Reb, 9.2 Ast (#3), 1.4 Stl (#9), 0.6 Blk, .485 FG%, .376 3P%, .778 FT%

6 (6) Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

23.6 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 12.6 Ast (#1), 1.1 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .496 FG%, .400 3P%, .862 FT%

7 (7) Trae Young - PG - ATL

27.2 Pts (#8), 3.1 Reb, 10.9 Ast (#2), 1.4 Stl (#8), 0.2 Blk, .421 FG%, .359 3P%, .858 FT%

8 (NR) Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

20.1 Pts, 12.6 Reb (#1), 8.0 Ast (#7), 0.8 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .614 FG% (#8), .413 3P%, .668 FT%

9 (NR) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

26.9 Pts (#10), 8.4 Reb, 4.4 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .472 FG%, .367 3P%, .812 FT%

10 (10) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

25.2 Pts (#16), 12.1 Reb (#3), 3.8 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 2.5 Blk (#4), .557 FG% (#17), .318 3P%, .810 FT%

Honorable Mention: Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, LeBron James - PF - LAL, Anthony Edwards - SG - MIN, Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI, Kevin Durant - PF - PHX, Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

Rookie of the Year

1 (1) Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS

19.8 Pts, 10.1 Reb (#13), 2.9 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 3.1 Blk (#1), .461 FG%, .293 3P%, .806 FT%

2 (2) Chet Holmgren - C - OKC

17.4 Pts, 7.2 Reb, 2.8 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 2.5 Blk (#5), .542 FG%, .385 3P%, .787 FT%

3 (3) Dereck Lively II - C - DAL

8.9 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 1.3 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 1.4 Blk (#17), .735 FG%, .000 3P%, .568 FT%

4 (5) Ausar Thompson - SF - DET

8.2 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .455 FG%, .130 3P%, .654 FT%

5 (4) Keyonte George - PG - UTA

11.1 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 4.4 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .373 FG%, .328 3P%, .806 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Nikola Jokic has passed Isiah Thomas to move up to #36

Kyrie Irving has passed Maurice Cheeks, Deron Williams, and Ben Wallace to move up to #68

Joel Embiid has passed Bob Lanier and Amare Stoudemire to move up to #93

NBA MVP Rankings - 9 Dec

In the past few weeks, the MVP race has become a lot closer and a lot more crowded, with Jokic's lead becoming much slimmer after Denver fell from the top seed in the West down to the middle of the playoff pack. These are my current rankings for this season's MVP and Rookie of the Year, along with a few updates in my All-Time player rankings. Previous ranking is in parentheses:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

28.4 Pts (#8), 13.0 Reb (#1), 9.6 Ast (#3), 1.1 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .535 FG%, .304 3P%, .774 FT%

2 (2) Joel Embiid - C - PHI

33.3 Pts (#1), 11.5 Reb (#5), 6.4 Ast (#16), 1.0 Stl, 1.9 Blk (#8), .510 FG%, .322 3P%, .875 FT%

3 (3) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

31.9 Pts (#2), 8.4 Reb, 8.7 Ast (#4), 1.3 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .488 FG%, .382 3P%, .766 FT%

4 (5) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.5 Pts (#4), 10.6 Reb (#7), 5.0 Ast, 1.4 Stl, 1.3 Blk (#19), .614 FG% (#8), .243 3P%, .657 FT%

5 (6) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

30.5 Pts (#6), 5.6 Reb, 6.2 Ast (#19), 2.8 Stl (#1), 0.9 Blk, .544 FG% (#19), .348 3P%, .914 FT% (#6)

6 (4) Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

26.9 Pts (#13), 4.2 Reb, 12.1 Ast (#1), 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .525 FG%, .441 3P% (#14), .884 FT% (#19)

7 (8) LeBron James - PF - LAL

25.0 Pts (#15), 7.5 Reb, 6.6 Ast (#14), 1.5 Stl (#13), 0.7 Blk, .553 FG% (#17), .407 3P%, .717 FT%

8 (10) Trae Young - PG - ATL

27.2 Pts (#11), 2.8 Reb, 10.6 Ast (#2), 1.5 Stl (#12), 0.1 Blk, .412 FG%, .352 3P%, .868 FT%

9 (NR) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

22.7 Pts, 12.7 Reb (#2), 3.2 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 2.7 Blk (#3), .533 FG%, .231 3P%, .837 FT%

10 (NR) Kevin Durant - PF - PHX

31.0 Pts (#3), 6.5 Reb, 5.7 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 1.2 Blk, .521 FG%, .500 3P% (#3), .892 FT% (#14)

Honorable Mention: Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS, Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI, Rudy Gobert - C - MIN

Rookie of the Year

1 (1) Victor Wembanyama - PF - SAS

19.0 Pts, 10.2 Reb (#12), 2.6 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 2.7 Blk (#2), .430 FG%, .255 3P%, .818 FT%

2 (3) Chet Holmgren - C - OKC

17.1 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 2.5 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#5), .518 FG%, .371 3P%, .878 FT%

3 (5) Dereck Lively II - C - DAL

8.7 Pts, 7.7 Reb, 1.3 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 1.6 Blk (#14), .735 FG%, .000 3P%, .593 FT%

4 (2) Ausar Thompson - SF - DET

10.1 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 2.5 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.3 Blk (#20), .441 FG%, .130 3P%, .689 FT%

5 (4) Keyonte George - PG - UTA

10.5 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 5.1 Ast, .0.5 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .344 FG%, .304 3P%, .765 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Updates

Nikola Jokic has passed Artis Gilmore to move up to #38

Kawhi Leonard has passed Manu Ginobili to move up to #63

Draymond Green has passed Sam Jones to move up to #65

Jimmy Butler has passed John Wall to move up to #87

Joel Embiid has entered the top 100 at #98, knocking out Mel Daniels and passing Andre Miller and LaMarcus Aldridge

NBA MVP Rankings - 18 Nov

We are nearly a month into the NBA season, so today I am releasing my initial MVP rankings for the season so far. The top 3 have a little separation over the rest of the field, but there is a lot of basketball left to play, so anyone on this list, and many who aren't, could still make a move on this list, though it would require a huge collapse by Jokic and the Nuggets for him to not deserve the award in my opinion. I've also included my top 5 for Rookie of the Year so far, and 6 changes in the All-Time Top 100 player rankings. Enjoy!

Most Valuable Player

1. Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

29.7 Pts (#5), 14.1 Reb (#1), 9.2 Ast (#3), 1.0 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .573 FG% (#12), .300 3P%, .816 FT%

2. Joel Embiid - C - PHI

31.9 Pts (#1), 11.1 Reb (#7), 6.0 Ast (#15), 1.0 Stl, 1.6 Blk (#13), .506 FG%, .310 3P%, .884 FT% (#19)

3. Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

30.7 Pts (#4), 7.8 Reb, 8.1 Ast (#5), 1.1 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .502 FG%, .420 3P%, .761 FT%

4. Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND

24.7 Pts (#14), 4.2 Reb, 12.5 Ast (#1), 1.1 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .528 FG%, .436 3P%, .932 FT% (#7)

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

28.3 Pts (#8), 9.5 Reb (#15), 4.1 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 1.2 Blk, .583 FG% (#10), .250 3P%, .635 FT%

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

28.8 Pts (#7), 6.5 Reb, 6.0 Ast (#16), 2.6 Stl (#1), 0.7 Blk, .511 FG%, .326 3P%, .919 FT% (#10)

7. Tyrese Maxey - PG - PHI

26.9 Pts (#10), 5.0 Reb, 6.8 Ast (#11), 0.9 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .481 FG%, .433 3P%, .951 FT% (#2)

8. LeBron James - PF - LAL

25.5 Pts (#13), 8.3 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#14), 1.6 Stl (#12), 0.8 Blk, .572 FG% (#14), .397 3P%, .681 FT%

9. Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.5 Pts (#9), 8.7 Reb (#20), 3.9 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .502 FG%, .367 3P%, .794 FT%

10. Trae Young - PG - ATL

23.4 Pts, 2.6 Reb, 11.1 Ast (#2), 1.5 Stl (#15), 0.0 Blk, .356 FG%, .282 3P%, .898 FT% (#15)

Honorable Mention: Kevin Durant - PF - PHX, Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC, Stephen Curry - PG - GSW, Anthony Davis - C - LAL

Rookie of the Year

1. Victor Wembanyama - PF - SAS

19.3 Pts, 9.3 Reb (#17), 2.3 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 2.2 Blk (#4), .436 FG%, .279 3P%, .771 FT%

2. Ausar Thompson - SF - DET

11.8 Pts, 10.3 Reb (#10), 3.5 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 1.8 Blk (#7), .436 FG%, .143 3P%, .692 FT%

3. Chet Holmgren - C - OKC

15.5 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 2.2 Blk (#5), .529 FG%, .442 3P%, .911 FT% (#13)

4. Keyonte George - PG - UTA

8.6 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 4.9 Ast, 0.4 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .393 FG%, .327 3P%, .800 FT%

5. Dereck Lively II - C - DAL

9.1 Pts, 7.1 Reb, 1.2 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 1.1 Blk, .729 FG%, .000 3P%, .636 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Kevin Durant has passed Bob Cousy to move up to #15

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Isiah Thomas to move up to #35

Nikola Jokic has passed Dwight Howard, John Havlicek, Bob Pettit, and Allen Iverson to move up to #39

Anthony Davis has passed Damian Lillard to move up to #56

Kyrie Irving has passed Alex English to move up to #71

Jimmy Butler has passed Gus Williams, Dennis Rodman, and Tom Heinsohn to move up to #88

NBA All-Time Top 100 Players - 2023 Update

With the NBA season coming to a close yesterday with the crowning of a new champion, I've added in the season's data to my formula to determine the current ranking of the top 100 players of all time. There was just one active player to join the list this year, with 3 others who were extremely close, 2 of which are virtual guarantees to be here by the end of next season. Players to watch for next year are Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid (virtual locks), Kyle Lowry, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young (should make it), and Mike Conley, Kevin Love, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and Devin Booker (all with a small chance). Players are listed with their ranking from last season in parentheses:

100 (99) Mel Daniels - C - IND - 1970s

99 (98) Andre Miller - PG - DEN - 2000s

98 (97) LaMarcus Aldridge - PF - POR - 2010s

97 (96) Shawn Kemp - PF - SEA - 1990s

96 (95) Walter Davis - SG - PHX - 1980s

95 (94) Vince Carter - SG - NJN - 2000s

94 (93) Bob Lanier - C - DET - 1970s

93 (92) Amar'e Stoudemire - PF - PHX - 2000s

92 (91) Wes Unseld - C - WAS - 1970s

91 (NR) Jimmy Butler - SF - MIA - 2010s*

90 (89) Gus Williams - PG - SEA - 1980s

89 (88) Dennis Rodman - PF - DET - 1990s

88 (87) Tom Heinsohn - PF - BOS - 1960s

87 (90) John Wall - PG - WAS - 2010s*

86 (86) Rod Strickland - PG - POR - 1990s

85 (85) Cliff Hagan - SF - STL - 1960s

84 (84) Walt Frazier - PG - NYK - 1970s

83 (83) Ray Allen - SG - MIL - 2000s

82 (82) Alonzo Mourning - C - MIA - 1990s

81 (81) Terry Porter - PG - POR - 1990s

80 (80) Dikembe Mutombo - C - ATL - 1990s

79 (79) Louie Dampier - PG - KEN - 1970s

78 (78) Tracy McGrady - SG - ORL - 2000s

77 (77) Tim Hardaway - PG - GSW - 1990s

76 (76) Chris Webber - PF - SAC - 2000s

75 (72) Sam Cassell - PG - MIL - 2000s

74 (71) Dominique Wilkins - SF - ATL - 1980s

73 (69) Carmelo Anthony - SF - DEN - 2010s

72 (75) Kyrie Irving - PG - CLE - 2010s*

71 (68) Alex English - SF - DEN - 1980s

70 (66) Maurice Cheeks - PG - PHI - 1980s

69 (65) Deron Williams - PG - UTA - 2000s

68 (64) Ben Wallace - C - DET - 2000s

67 (63) Bob McAdoo - C - BUF - 1970s

66 (70) Draymond Green - PF - GSW - 2010s*

65 (61) Sam Jones - SG - BOS - 1960s

64 (67) Kawhi Leonard - SF - SAS - 2010s*

63 (60) Manu Ginobili - SG - SAS - 2000s

62 (59) Reggie Miller - SG - IND - 1990s

61 (58) Kevin McHale - PF - BOS - 1980s

60 (57) George McGinnis - PF - IND - 1970s

59 (56) Paul Pierce - SF - BOS - 2000s

58 (55) Chauncey Billups - PG - DET - 2000s

57 (73) Anthony Davis - PF - NOP - 2010s*

56 (62) Damian Lillard - PG - POR - 2010s*

55 (54) George Gervin - SG - SAS - 1970s

54 (53) Pau Gasol - C - LAL - 2010s

53 (52) Scottie Pippen - SF - CHI - 1990s

52 (51) Clyde Drexler - SG - POR - 1990s

51 (50) Mark Jackson - PG - IND - 1990s

50 (49) Rajon Rondo - PG - BOS - 2010s

49 (48) Kevin Johnson - PG - PHX - 1990s

48 (47) Elvin Hayes - PF - WAS - 1970s

47 (46) Dolph Schayes - PF - SYR - 1950s

46 (45) Gary Payton - PG - SEA - 1990s

45 (44) Dan Issel - C - DEN - 1970s

44 (42) Robert Parish - C - BOS - 1980s

43 (74) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN - 2020s*

42 (41) Dwight Howard - C - ORL - 2010s*

41 (40) John Havlicek - SF - BOS - 1970s

40 (39) Bob Pettit - PF - STL - 1960s

39 (38) Allen Iverson - SG - PHI - 2000s

38 (37) Artis Gilmore - C - KEN - 1970s

37 (36) Rick Barry - SF - GSW - 1970s

36 (43) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2020s*

35 (35) Isiah Thomas - PG - DET - 1980s

34 (34) Patrick Ewing - C - NYK - 1990s

33 (33) Charles Barkley - PF - PHI - 1990s

32 (32) Elgin Baylor - SF - LAL - 1960s

31 (31) David Robinson - C - SAS - 1990s

30 (30) George Mikan - C - MNL - 1950s

29 (29) Tony Parker - PG - SAS - 2010s

28 (28) Kevin Garnett - PF - MIN - 2000s

27 (26) Dirk Nowitzki - PF - DAL - 2000s

26 (24) Moses Malone - C - HOU - 1980s

25 (24) Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2000s

24 (23) Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2010s

23 (22) Jason Kidd - PG - NJN - 2000s

22 (25) James Harden - SG - HOU - 2010s*

21 (21) Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1960s

20 (20) Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1980s

19 (18) Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2010s*

18 (17) Chris Paul - PG - LAC - 2010s*

17 (19) Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2010s*

16 (16) Kevin Durant - SF - OKC - 2010s*

15 (15) Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1950s

14 (14) Julius Erving - SF - PHI - 1970s

13 (13) Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1990s

12 (12) John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1990s

11 (11) Jerry West - PG - LAL - 1960s

10 (10) Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1990s

9 (9) Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2000s

8 (8) Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1960s

7 (7) Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2000s

6 (6) Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1980s

5 (5) Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2000s

4 (4) Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1960s

3 (3) Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990s

2 (2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1970s

1 (1) LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2010s*