30. Eric
Bledsoe (SG) - Phoenix Suns
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
17.7
|
REB
4.7
|
ASST
5.5
|
FG%
47.7
|
The fourth-year guard out of Kentucky, Bledsoe posted career-bests in points, rebounds, assists, steals and field goal percentage. Injuries limited Bledsoe to just 43 games this season. Yet, the Suns are reportedly planned to match any offer thrown at the restricted free agent guard this offseason. Phoenix's brass is steadfast on retaining the shooting guard following the club's impressive season that saw the team finish two games out of the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, despite the Suns having one of the youngest rosters in the NBA.
29. Paul
Millsap (PF) - Atlanta Hawks
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
17.9
|
REB
8.5
|
ASST
3.1
|
FG%
46.1
|
Making his first All-Star appearance of his career, Millsap formed a formidable one-two punch in the frontcourt alongside forward/center Al Horford. A torn pectoral in late December sidelined Horford for the season, putting the burden on Millsap to furnish an inside presence for Atlanta. Millsap delivered for the Hawks, averaging a career-high 17.9 points to go with 8.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.5 minutes. After leading the club in points, rebounds and steals in 2014, Millsap will look for a strong follow-up performance in the second season of his two year, $19 million contract with Atlanta.
28. Kyle Lowry
(PG) – Toronto Raptors
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
17.9
|
REB
4.7
|
ASST
7.4
|
FG%
42.3
|
Arguably the biggest All-Star snub in NBA history, Lowry led the Toronto Raptors to the Atlantic Division title, earning the club its first postseason berth since 2008. The soon-to-be free agent reportedly has interest in remaining with Toronto--where he revived his career--though the Raptors will have to fend off competitors to re-sign the guard, who will likely be looking for a contract in the $9-10 million range.
27. Chris Bosh
(PF) - Miami Heat
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
16.2
|
REB
6.6
|
ASST
1.1
|
FG%
51.6
|
The unsung hero in Miami's "Big Three", Bosh continues to sacrifice personal accolades for the betterment of the team. Long known for his mid-range shot, Bosh has established himself as a threat from behind the arc, clearing more space for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to drive the lane. Bosh, who has an early termination clause that allows him to opt out of his current contract at the end of the season, has remained adamant on his desire to stay in Miami for the long-haul.
26. Goran
Dragic (PG) - Phoenix Suns
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
20.3
|
REB
3.2
|
ASST
5.9
|
FG%
50.5
|
Dragic took the league by storm this season, spearheading the Suns to 48 wins. The 27-year-old point guard earned the Most Improved Player of the Year honors and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, despite getting snubbed from the Western Conference All-Star roster earlier in the year. Dragic averaged 20.3 points, 5.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 2013-2014.
25. Serge
Ibaka (PF) - Oklahoma City Thunder
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
15.1
|
REB
8.8
|
ASST
1.0
|
FG%
53.6
|
Ibaka led the NBA in total blocks (219) for the fourth consecutive season, earning a nod on the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the third time in as many seasons. His dramatic return to the Western Conference Finals, following what appeared to be a season-ending left calf strain injury, pulled the Thunder to consecutive victories before the Spurs ultimately finished off the intense series in six games.
24. Dwyane
Wade (SG) – Miami Heat
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
19.0
|
REB
4.5
|
ASST
4.7
|
FG%
54.5
|
Wade missed 28 games (roughly 1/3 of the season) in 2013-2014, but was highly effective in the games he suited up for, registering a 22.06 player efficiency rating. The 32-year-old guard has elevated his game this postseason, a major reason why the Heat captured their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference crown.
23. DeMarcus
Cousins (C) – Sacramento Kings
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
22.7
|
REB
11.7
|
ASST
2.9
|
FG%
49.6
|
The NBA's most underrated big man, Cousins had an impressive stat line (22.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists) in 2013-2014. Despite these numbers, Cousins received just 14 total points in the All-NBA voting with only one first-team vote. Cousins remains a headcase for the Kings, picking up a league-high 16 technical fouls, which is the golden number of T's in the NBA that result in an eventual suspension. As the focal point of the Kings' future, Cousins must find a way to control his temper and be a better team leader for the struggling franchise.
22. Damian
Lillard (PG) – Portland Trail Blazers
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
20.7
|
REB
3.5
|
ASST
5.6
|
FG%
42.4
|
Following an unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year campaign, Lillard earned a
trip to the 2014 All-Star game and a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. The duo
of Lillard and forward/center LeMarcus Aldridge helped the Blazers win their
first playoff series in 14 years. Lillard had the finishing touch on the
Blazers' series-victory over the Houston Rockets as the point guard drained a
three-pointer at the buzzer to seal a Game 6 win for Portland that sent
the Rockets fishin' for the offseason.
21. Dirk Nowitzki (PF) - Dallas Mavericks
2013-14 SEASON
PPG
21.7
|
REB
6.2
|
ASST
2.7
|
FG%
49.7
|
After his most disappointing season since his rookie campaign, Nowitzki returned in 2013-
2014 on a mission to reclaim his glory days, making his 12th All-Star appearance and leading
the Mavs back to the playoffs. The German Wunderkind reestablished himself as a dominant
scorer, nearly recording his second 50/40/90 stat line of his career. Nowitzki, who shot 49.7
percent from the field, 39.8 percent from three-point territory and 89.9 percent from the free-
throw line, jumped all the way to 10th on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
*To be eligible for NBA Player Rank, players must appear in at least 40 games in 2013-2014 season.
