20. Kyrie
Irving (PG) - Cleveland Cavaliers
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
20.8
|
REB
3.6
|
ASST
6.1
|
FG%
43.0
|
Irving, the 2012 Rookie of the Year, notched his second straight All-Star appearance this season, winning the MVP of this year's exhibition classic. The point guard also appeared in a career-high 71 contests this season. However, Irving was unable to lead the Cavs to the playoffs this season, despite the East being a historically bad conference in 2013-2014. Irving has failed to be the leader that Cleveland needs to carry the franchise back to the postseason in the post-LeBron era. Nevertheless, the Cavs are reportedly set to meet with Irving on July 1st and the team is expected to offer him a five-year, max contract extension.
19. DeMar
DeRozan (SG) - Toronto Raptors
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
22.7
|
REB
4.3
|
ASST
4.0
|
FG%
42.9
|
DeRozan emerged as the premier shooting guard in the Eastern Conference in 2013-2014, posting career-bests in points, assists and rebounds. His will to penetrate to the basket was a big factor in his scoring totals ballooning as he ranked seventh in the league in free-throw attempts per game (8.0) and fourth in the NBA in total free throws made (519). The face of the Raptors franchise, DeRozan is a superstar in the making with his overall game likely to improve in the years to come.
18. Tim Duncan
(PF) – San Antonio Spurs
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
15.1
|
REB
9.7
|
ASST
3.0
|
FG%
49.
|
Possibly the greatest power forward of all-time, Duncan now holds the record for most playoff double-doubles. The 38-year-old had another efficient regular season that saw him nearly average a double-double (15. 1 ppg, 9.7 rpg). If the Spurs win the NBA Finals, Duncan could opt to retire, ending his storied career on top.
17. Tony
Parker (PG) – San Antonio Spurs
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
16.7
|
REB
2.3
|
ASST
5.7
|
FG%
49.9
|
Named to his third straight and sixth overall All-Star game, Parker spearheaded the Spurs to the best record in the NBA. The unequivocal leader of the Spurs, Parker consistently drives to the basket, finds the open man and can finish at the rim in traffic. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team this season.
16. James
Harden (SG) – Houston Rockets
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
25.4
|
REB
4.7
|
ASST
6.1
|
FG%
45.6
|
In his second season in Houston, Harden led all shooting guards in scoring, finishing fifth in the league overall. Harden was named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. Only LeBron James and Harden averaged at least 25.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists this season. Harden's glaring defensive lapses, though, remain an issue and his inability to get the Rockets past the first-round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season--even with the presence of Dwight Howard in Houston this year--is a cause for concern.
15. John Wall
(PG) – Washington Wizards
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
19.3
|
REB
4.1
|
ASST
8.8
|
FG%
43.3
|
With Rajon Rondo injured and Kyrie Irving unable to take his game to the next level, Wall was indubitably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference in 2013-2014. His omission from an All-NBA Team is a disgrace on the league. Wall led the entire NBA in total assists. He also knocked down 108 three-pointers, more than doubling his total from behind the arc in his first three seasons (49). Wall propelled the Wizards past the Chicago Bulls in the first-round of the playoffs and then pushed the No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers to six games before his club eventually ran out of gas.
14. Anthony
Davis (PF/C) - New Orleans Pelicans
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
20.8
|
REB
10.0
|
ASST
1.6
|
FG%
51.9
|
In just his second season, Davis led the league in blocks per contest (2.82) and finished second in the NBA with a 26.54 PER (player efficiency rating). The 21-year-old big man became the youngest player in NBA history to record a PER of 26 or more. Davis has reportedly bulked up this offseason, now weighing at 237 pounds, in an effort to post up on the block in the upcoming season. Davis also plans to extend his mid-range game to the perimeter, potentially adding the three-point shot (he has attempted 15 shots from behind the arc in two seasons) to his repertoire in 2014-2015.
13. Al
Jefferson (PF) - Charlotte Bobcats
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
21.8
|
REB
10.8
|
ASST
2.1
|
FG%
50.9
|
Charlotte was heavily criticized for handing Jefferson a lucrative, 3-year, $41 million contract. Jefferson rewarded Charlotte with a career-year, getting a spot on the All-NBA Third Team as he led the team to its second postseason in franchise history. Jefferson, who recorded 42 doubles-doubles (eighth most in NBA) in 2013-2014, became the first dominant inside presence in the franchise's short history.
12. Joakim
Noah (C) - Chicago Bulls
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
12.6
|
REB
11.3
|
ASST
5.4
|
FG%
47.5
|
Noah racked up the awards in 2013-2014, being named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All-NBA First Team. Noah's best statistical year of his career included averages of 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocked shots per game, all career-highs. With Derrick Rose constantly injured, Noah has materialized as the face of the Bulls franchise.
11. Carmelo
Anthony (SF) – New York Knicks
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
27.4
|
REB
8.1
|
ASST
3.1
|
FG%
45.2
|
While Anthony was left off all three of the All-NBA Teams, he was the only player in the league to shoot better than 40 percent from three-point range while scoring over 25 points per game. After leading the league in scoring last season, Anthony finished second in 2013-2014 with 27.4 points per contest. His 8.1 rebounds per contest were a career-best and the highest among all small forwards. Anthony plans to opt out of his contract and test free agency this summer, leaving many to wonder if he has played his final game as a Knick.
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