SAN ANTONIO – Sports Illustrated released its list of the NBA’s Top 100 players for the 2017-18 season on Thursday which includes five Spurs players.
Patty Mills made the cut at No. 92 due in part to his balanced play on both ends of the court.
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SI noted Mills had better individual advanced stats than Tony Parker and had a team-best plus-12 rating.
Danny Green was the second Spur on the list at No. 75. Green was named to last season’s NBA All-Defensive Second Team. SI noted his ability to defend multiple positions on the perimeter.
Pau Gasol was the third Spurs player on the list at No. 65.
Gasol’s big contract (three-years, $48 million) raised some eyebrows but SI said even at 37 years old, Gasol is still very effective and gives the Spurs multiple options on offense.
LaMarcus Aldridge was ranked No. 31 on the list ahead of the likes of Carmelo Anthony (37) DeMar Derozan (36) and Andrew Wiggins (50).
Aldridge was given credit for his defense, but SI noted his drop in production last season and said the Spurs need more from the five-time All-Star forward if they want to compete against Golden State in the West.
It’s no surprise Kawhi Leonard was listed in the top 10, the only question was where. Leonard was listed No. 4 on the list after LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.
SI said the Leonard and Curry debate for the third spot was the most “agonizing” of the entire list.
Leonard is the league’s top lockdown defender who also scores at an MVP level.
The argument made for Curry is he is the most influential offensive player in the game and a force who many times cannot be stopped even when he is having an off-shooting night.
SI added Leonard’s overall game is a better value than Curry’s, but Kawhi landed a spot behind.
Below are the Top 10. Click here for the full list.
1. LeBron James, Cavaliers
2. Kevin Durant, Warriors
3. Stephen Curry, Warriors
4. Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
5. James Harden, Rockets
6. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
7. Chris Paul, Rockets
8. Anthony Davis, Pelicans
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
10. Draymond Green, Warriors
