100-51 Just released, just posting Rockets... https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41555759/nba-rank-2024-2025-best-players-100-51 92. Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets 2023 NBA Rank: NR Smith's career might be taking off a little slower than expected, but the rising third-year man appears to be on the verge of a true breakout season coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he tied his career high with 16 double-doubles while improving as a shooter and rebounder. Smith said veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks helped him tremendously last season in teaching preparation, how to take care of his body and how to study film. So, expect him to apply those lessons early this season while likely making the most significant jump in his development. -- Wright 79. Fred VanVleet, G, Houston Rockets 2023 NBA Rank: 56 VanVleet finished last season with his lowest scoring average since the 2019-20 season, but he averaged a career high in assists (8.1). VanVleet's drop is somewhat surprising considering the leadership and stability the point guard brought last season to a young, often rudderless Rockets squad. Houston brought in VanVleet to be a culture builder, and there's more work there with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Jalen Green still growing. He'll be tasked with helping the youngsters take the next steps in their development while serving as floor general for a team hungry to make the playoffs. -- Wright 69. Jalen Green, G, Houston Rockets 2023 NBA Rank: 80 Green boosted his efficiency last spring and averaged 30.2 points on 50% shooting from the floor and 45% from deep during an 11-game Rockets win streak in March. During the streak, Green became the youngest player in NBA history to average 30 points or more over an 11-game stretch while winning each of those outings. Green improved defensively in his first season with coach Ime Udoka, and it's expected he'll continue to make strides in that department. Green mentioned recently that the Rockets "need the playoffs" and added that "there's no reason for us to not get there." -- Wright 54. Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets 2023 NBA Rank: NR Coming off his best season, Sengun averaged career highs in points (21.1), rebounds (9.3), assists (5.0) and steals (1.2) on the way to finishing third in voting for NBA Most Improved Player. Along the way, Sengun became the second-youngest Rocket behind Jalen Green in 2022-23 to average 20 or more points in a season. Houston sent three player development staffers to work with Sengun for nearly seven weeks over the summer in his native Turkey, and the club came away even more optimistic about his prospects for the season. The staff focused heavily on Sengun's preparation and believes he has become a more mature player. -- Wright
I know it's a projection and not a retrospective, but Green over VanVleet is fairly preposterous based on all available data right now. Sengun is going to be top 40 easily, but a little injury-driven pessimism is understandable from media that didn't actually watch Rockets games last year.
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...opper-flagg-zach-edey-next-year-players-watch As we unveil our full list this week (starting with the players ranked 100-51), let's predict the 10 players who have the best chance of appearing next season. Next year's rookies Cooper Flagg, Duke Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin (France) The rising stars Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets After Edey, Sheppard would be my next choice for Rookie of the Year. The No. 3 pick has a path to a much bigger role in Year 2 if the Rockets move on from starting point guard Fred VanVleet after this season. Sheppard's accurate shooting (52% on 3s during his lone season at Kentucky), quick hands on defense and savvy playmaking give him a stronger outlook for 2025-26 than either of the players taken ahead of him (Risacher and Alex Sarr). Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets Of the 2023 draft picks who missed out on this year's NBA Rank, nobody had a more promising rookie campaign than Thompson. He particularly excelled as a starter after Alperen Sengun's season-ending ankle sprain and bone bruise, averaging 13.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a de facto starting center. Thompson's defensive versatility and athleticism should fit ideally on the second unit next to Sheppard. The biggest question mark is how Thompson's role might grow heading into his third season, given Houston's depth of young talent. Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs Players on the cusp Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz De'Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors Terry Rozier, Miami Heat https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41555759/nba-rank-2024-2025-best-players-100-51 100. Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers | 2023 NBA Rank: 85 99. Chris Paul, G, San Antonio Spurs | 2023 NBA Rank: 76 98. Mike Conley, G, Minnesota Timberwolves | 2023 NBA Rank: 93 97. Herbert Jones, F, New Orleans Pelicans | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 96. Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 95. Jalen Suggs, G, Orlando Magic | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 94. Keegan Murray, F, Sacramento Kings | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 93. Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks | 2023 NBA Rank: 69 92. Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 91. Jonas Valanciunas, C, Washington Wizards | 2023 NBA Rank: 99 90. Andrew Wiggins, F, Golden State Warriors | 2023 NBA Rank: 54 89. Michael Porter Jr., F, Denver Nuggets | 2023 NBA Rank: 68 88. Isaiah Hartenstein, C, Oklahoma City Thunder | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 87. Naz Reid, F, Minnesota Timberwolves | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 86. Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, Miami Heat | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 85. Luguentz Dort, G, Oklahoma City Thunder | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 84. CJ McCollum, G, New Orleans Pelicans | 2023 NBA Rank: 44 83. Marcus Smart, G, Memphis Grizzlies | 2023 NBA Rank: 59 82. Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks | 2023 NBA Rank: 100 81. Myles Turner, C, Indiana Pacers | 2023 NBA Rank: 65 80. Jerami Grant, F, Portland Trail Blazers | 2023 NBA Rank: 58 79. Fred VanVleet, G, Houston Rockets | 2023 NBA Rank: 56 78. Brandin Podziemski, G, Golden State Warriors | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 77. Jaden McDaniels, F, Minnesota Timberwolves | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 76. Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat | 2023 NBA Rank: 79 75. Donte DiVincenzo, G, Minnesota Timberwolves | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 74. Zach LaVine, G, Chicago Bulls | 2023 NBA Rank: 38 73. Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers | 2023 NBA Rank: 50 72. Austin Reaves, G, Los Angeles Lakers | 2023 NBA Rank: 66 71. Klay Thompson, G, Dallas Mavericks | 2023 NBA Rank: 41 70. Bradley Beal, G, Phoenix Suns | 2023 NBA Rank: 37 69. Jalen Green, G, Houston Rockets | 2023 NBA Rank: 80 68. Brandon Miller, F, Charlotte Hornets | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 67. Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons | 2023 NBA Rank: 74 66. Draymond Green, F, Golden State Warriors | 2023 NBA Rank: 55 65. Malik Monk, G, Sacramento Kings | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 64. Immanuel Quickley, G, Toronto Raptors | 2023 NBA Rank: 92 63. Khris Middleton, F, Milwaukee Bucks | 2023 NBA Rank: 46 62. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F, Orlando Magic | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 61. Josh Hart, G, New York Knicks | 2023 NBA Rank: 91 60. Desmond Bane, G, Memphis Grizzlies | 2023 NBA Rank: 61 59. Alex Caruso, G, Oklahoma City Thunder | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 58. Coby White, G, Chicago Bulls | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 57. Darius Garland, G, Cleveland Cavaliers | 2023 NBA Rank: 36 56. Dereck Lively II, C, Dallas Mavericks | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 55. Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Memphis Grizzlies | 2023 NBA Rank: 31 54. Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets | 2023 NBA Rank: NR 53. RJ Barrett, F, Toronto Raptors | 2023 NBA Rank: 71 52. Franz Wagner, F, Orlando Magic | 2023 NBA Rank: 52 51. OG Anunoby, F, New York Knicks | 2023 NBA Rank: 67 HoopsHype: 88. Jabari Smith Jr. 66. Fred VanVleet 65. Jalen Green 39. Alperen Sengun CBS: 100. Jabari Smith Jr. 92. Jalen Green 57. Fred VanVleet 47. Alperen Sengun ClutchPoints: 76. Jalen Green 62. Fred VanVleet 42. Alperen Sengun Ringer: (Old, June 20) 98. Jabari Smith Jr. 83. Dillon Brooks 69. Jalen Green 61. Fred VanVleet 44. Alperen Sengun If they’re real franchise players, they gotta jump into the top 20/25.
Last year was huge for Jalen Green, he actually became a positive player on defense, albeit slightly above average. Something I thought would be struggle for him with his whole career. With Green the question is, can he stay consistent without his disappearing acts whole games at a time; and that sounds loud alarm warnings - especially when dishing out max contracts. Green has consistently made me do double and triple takes with some amazing stuff he does on the court; he’s talented physically. But is it a mental thing? ESPN ranking him where he is at, I think is fair. Last year he took massive steps forward. Sengun has been one of the most consistent performers, which bodes well for being the star or star 1B. Denver went all in on Jovic, and he never shied away from insane numbers, he efficiency is mind boggling. Can Sengun play without a glass ceiling in his noggin? Jabari Smith gets a lot a flack, because his numbers aren’t stat line eye catching. But when you delve deep, he affects the game by merely being on the court, the numbers show that he is a NET BIG positive. If he could become a dead eye 3 point shooter, and if he sought his shot more, he will become a tremendous player with sky is the limit. He is very efficient with his shooting percentage already. His growth from his rookie season to season 2 was outstanding. This season I expect huge things from Smith. Vanveleet is what he is, a gritty bonafide floor general. He is a leader and he’s been a great example to the youth. Fred being ranked in the 70’s is fair, he’s going to represent his position without being a weakness, he plays defense and has a more than respectable offensive game. ESPN has 4 Rockets players ranked in the top 100 which is legit, especially from a national perspective, where they are ranking on the now, instead of a perceived in the future potential.
VanVleet is pretty underrated on these lists. I would have him in the 30s, Sengun around 50 and Green around 90. But Sengun should be recognized as top 30 or so by the end of the year if he maintains his trajectory.
This writer obviously doesn't know Jalen Green is the only player in NBA history to have an easy stretch of games against bad teams. So stupid to place any value in that. The correct story about Jalen Green is that his shooting has not improved at all so obviously he hasn't improved since the day he arrived in the NBA. So silly that they actually rank him higher this season than last. We can't have people thinking Jalen Green has improved when in reality he's fighting to keep his starting spot. Udoka's lies about Green's turnaround are spreading. I bet ESPN and Udoka are secretly colluding to inflate Green's trade value. This is getting totally out of hand.
