NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 10-1

10. Stephen Curry (PG) - Golden State Warriors

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.0

REB 4.3

ASST 8.5

FG% 47.1

Curry recorded career-highs in points and assists in 2013-2014, earning him a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He became the first Warriors player to earn second team All-NBA honors since Latrell Sprewell in 1993-94. Curry knocked down 261 three-pointers, leading the NBA in that accolade for the second consecutive year. He had four triple-doubles this season, tied for second in the league with Joakim Noah and trailing only Lance Stephenson, who recorded five.


9. Dwight Howard (C) – Houston Rockets

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 18.3

REB 12.2

ASST 1.8

FG% 59.1

In the center's first season in Houston, Howard finished in the top-five in rebounds (fourth), double-doubles (tied for fourth with 57) and field goal percentage (third). He made his seventh All-NBA Team, this time earning second team honors. Howard was a dominant force in the postseason--despite the Rockets bowing out to the Trail Blazers in the first-round--averaging 26.0 points and 13.7 rebounds.


8. Paul George (SF) – Indiana Pacers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.7

REB 6.8

ASST 3.5

FG% 42.4

A year after winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award, George was named to the All-NBA Third Team. George's contract included the "Rose Provision," which allows for a bonus in maximum contracts if the player wins the MVP, starts two All-Star games, or in his case, is named to two All-NBA teams (he was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2012-2013 as well). George cashed in on $7 million as a result of the provision in a season that saw him average 21.7 points, 6.8 boards, and 1.9 steals in 36 minutes per game. In the Pacers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, George recorded 22.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.

7. Russell Westbrook (PG) – Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 21.8

REB 5.7

ASST 6.9

FG% 43.7

Failing to make an All-NBA Team for the first time in four years as a result of 36 games missed due to injury, Westbrook still had another stellar season as the emotional torchbearer for the Thunder. His finest moment of the regular season came in a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, when he tallied a triple-double in a mere 20 minutes of play (second fastest triple-double in NBA history). He averaged 26.7 points, 8.1 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals during the 19 playoff games the Thunder played this postseason. Westbrook, who recorded a career-high 1.9 steals during the regular season, has said he plans to spend the bulk of his summer refining his defensive skills. 

6. Blake Griffin (PF) – Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 24.1

REB 9.5

ASST 3.9

FG% 52.8

The fourth-year forward had his best season as a pro in 2013-2014, leading the Clippers in scoring (career-best 24.1 ppg) as he shot 52.8 percent from the field and a career-best 71.5 percent from the free-throw line. Griffin was able to improve his jumper immensely--the Achilles heel in his game--to become a more versatile scorer. His defensive interior presence was felt this season, likewise his usual dunk theatrics on the offensive end. Griffin finished third in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third straight year.

5. Kevin Love (PF) - Minnesota Timberwolves

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 26.1

REB 12.5

ASST 4.4

FG% 45.7

Love, by far the biggest name on the trade market, led the NBA with 65 double-doubles this season while averaging 26.1 points and 12.5 assists in 36 minutes per game. Love was named to the All-NBA Second Team, the second time he has earned these honors in the past three years. He also set Timberwolves franchise records for three-pointers made (190) and free throws made (520) in a season. Love posted otherworldly numbers in the month of February (34.1 ppg, 14.1 rpg), becoming the first player since Moses Malone in 1982 to average at least 34 points and 14 rebounds over an entire month. Love finished third in PER, fourth in win shares, sixth in wins against replacement, fifth in true shooting percentage and posted the best assist rate among all power forwards in 2013-2014.


4. LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C) - Portland Trail Blazers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 23.2

REB 11.1

ASST 2.6

FG% 45.8

Aldridge earned his second All-NBA Third Team honors this season, posting career-highs in points (eight-most in NBA) and rebounds (seventh-most in league). He shot a career-best 82.2 percent from the free-throw line. Aldridge cemented his status as the best power forward in the NBA in the eyes of many with his heroics in the first-round of the playoffs versus Houston, putting together consecutive 40-point games as he led the Trail Blazers to the Conference Semifinals for the first time in 14 years.


3. Chris Paul (PG) - Los Angeles Clippers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 19.1

REB 4.3

ASST 10.7

FG% 46.

Paul was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth time in his career, leading the league with 10.7 assists and 2.48 steals per game this season. Undoubtedly the best point guard in the league, Paul steered the Clippers to a franchise-best 57 wins this season, reaching the 6,000 career-assist milestone in the process. 


2. Kevin Durant (SF) - Oklahoma City Thunder

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 32.0

REB 7.4

ASST 5.5

FG% 50.3

Durant won the MVP award in 2013-14, notching his fourth scoring title of his career in the process. He averaged career-highs in points (32.0) and assists per game (5.5), as well as posting 7.4 rebounds per contest. Durant had a streak of 41-straight games with 25 or more points scored. He was named to his fifth consecutive All-NBA First Team.  Durant shot 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from behind the arc. He also had two 50-point games and 14 40-point contests. 


1. LeBron James (SF) - Miami Heat

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 27.1

REB 6.9

ASST 6.4

FG% 56.7

The four-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP shot a carer-high 56.7 percent from the field in 2013-14. James was named to the All-NBA First Team for the eighth time in his career. He also got a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. The highlight of his regular season came when he scored a career-high and Heat franchise-record 61 points in a March win versus the Charlotte Bobcats. James guided the Heat to their fourth consecutive Finals this season.

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 20-11

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. 

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 30-21

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.