The Top 100 CSL Players
Players #20-11
FINALLY
PER MYLES, as I'm not into writing an introduction text today: "Welcome to the eighth article of the ten article series, The CSL's Top 100 players. I spent a good amount of time making this list, taking into account ratings, stats, and how their game fits in the grand scheme of how the game is played today. The list is based on a simple question: If we were playing a game tomorrow, and that's all that matters, what players would we want? I simply care about how this player performs right now, and did not take into account potential or age. I also did not include the rookies, as we hadn't seen their real ratings at the time of compiling this list, and even if we had, ratings do not always play the way we think they will.Players #20-11
FINALLY
Also, since this is a rankings article, I know everyone is going to comment and complain about their players or how could I rank this guy in front of that guy, how dare I do X Y and Z, etc etc. Just remember I did this for fun, and for some positive media throughout the league. Hopefully this will help people keep their mind off of their disappointing start to the season. It's not helping me cope, but maybe it will help you."
That's my last article in these series and I'd like to say it's been a pleasure to write about the Top100 players. Fantastic idea Myles, and thank you for letting me be part of that! Hope you guys are enjoying it as well!
Without delaying it anymore, let's finally move into the top-20!!!!!!!!!
#20. Andrew Wiggins, SF, Charlotte Hornets (Two-way young star)
Andrew Wiggins will give you everything you want from your SF. Points, in bunches, with his 79 SCR rating (22.4 per game this season, at 23 years old). Defense, with fantastic man-to-man instincts and almost 2 steals and 2 blocks per game. Respectable rebounder with 5 boards a game. Good efficiency for a volume scorer, with an average 3 point stroke as well. Basically, there are just two things he can't do right now: take good care of the ball and win games. Still, Wiggins has developed into a bonafide two way star player in this league, and who's to say he can't achieve even more as he gets older and more experienced at CSL basketball?
#19. Stephen Curry, SG, Dallas Mavericks (Literally the best shooter in the league)
Like Myles said: "You know how people use the word "literally" these days but they really aren't speaking literally? Well I'm speaking literally." There are a bunch of great shooters and there might be better 3 point shooters around but none of them make you fear them more than Steph the Chef. 44% from deep for his career at almost 3000 attempts, those numbers shows that man can beat a defense on his own. But what sets him apart from other great shooters is his MEAN jumper. I mean, 54% on 4.5 attempts? That ain't fair. That guy has no offensive weakness, can hold his own defensively and deservedly makes the top-20 list of CSL players, specially after his move from lead guard to playing off the ball, which suits his skillset even more.
#18. Al Horford, C, Chicago Bulls (3rd best big in the league)
Say whatever you want about Horford, you're not going to find many players with a well rounded, efficient, yet silent game like his. Looking at Horford's numbers at his Chicago career (something in the molds of 18.5 / 8.5 / 1.4 at only 29 minutes per game), some might forget the beast that Al was during his Atlanta Hawks' time, consistently averaging 25/10 for them. Key for Chicago's title run last season, he performed the Robin role to perfection next to Derrick Rose's Batman, and it paid off very well for them. Due to his ability to consistently deliver on both ends and with AMAZING efficiency (57% career shooter), Horford gets the nod (and deservedly so) over many flashier names like Dwight Howard and DeMarcus Cousins.
#17. Marcus Smart, SG, Chicago Bulls (Another two-way young star)
Since moving to full time Shooting Guard and losing enough weight to stay in front of his defenders, Mr. Smart has developed into one of the best young players in the league. Currently shooting 52% from the field, Smart is the "overpower" kind of guard, with amazing post game and fearless drives to the rim. He can also defend and put pressure in the ball with the best of them, giving him the two-way star title. Currently averaging 22/4.5/6/1, he gets the nod over Andrew Wiggins because of his all around prowess, being able to contribute to his team on defense, rebounds and, mostly important, creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. 5 years after the draft, it seems like Smart really developed into the better player, and deserved to be the #1 pick. No way to go but higher in this list for this young kid.
#16. Otto Porter, SF, Sacramento Kings (Fantastic defender with enough offense)
Think quickly, what can set apart Otto Porter and fellow great defender Okaro White in these rankings? Both are arguably the best wing defenders in this league, both can rebound pretty well for a Small Forward, both can be counted to score efficiently... All in all, those are two guys with efficient if not flashy games, able to carry their teams towards wins with great defensive effort and correct offensive decisions. Yet, Porter has one key aspect in his game Okaro does not possess: an extremely steady 3 point shot. Currently shooting 42% for his career, Porter is able to play with any kind of player because of his truly all around game, with zero weaknesses, while with Okaro, he needs a supporting cast of great shooters in order to maximize his defensive impact and offensive abilities. I continue to support that White was a little bit too low in these rankings, and believe he'd have to be right next to Mr. Porter, but there's a case to be made for Otto to be ranked higher than the other defensive beast.
#15. Kawhi Leonard, SF, Toronto Raptors (Silent, yet deadly two-way player)
Kawhi is a player I (and probably the whole rest of the league) love. There are no holes in his game, like Porter's, but he can be counted as a first scoring option for his team, like his consistent averages of 20 points per contest shows. He's also one of the best if not the very best rebounder at the SF position (at least in ratings, not in stats because he's playing with Dre Drummond), keeps care of the ball and displays the ability to score from anywhere on the court. Virtually impossible to stop, he'll also lock down his man on defense, becoming a real nightmare of a matchup for whoever is facing him. All of that without needing the ball or turning all the attention towards him, 'cause, after all, he's Kawhi Leonard, the fantastic yet not flashy star.
#14. Kyrie Irving (Offensive superstar)
Funny to have maybe the flashiest scorer in the league listed right next to the most discreet one. Because, yeah, that's what Kyrie is. Extraordinary handles, great shooting prowess, the ability to get to the rim at will and finish in multiple ways once there, he's unstoppable offensively. If he was a little bit more willing distributor, he could be ranked higher here, but he's the kind of scorer that will win you games alone so passing hardly matters for him. What sets him apart of other point gods is his defense, as he's great at ball pressuring but gets consistently burned down at that end of the court when facing the best scoring PGs in this league.
#13. Isaiah Austin, C, Phoenix Suns (7'1 shooting guard)
42% 3pt shooter. 61 passing, 65 ball handling. 58 and 53 rebounding ratings. Looking at those numbers, it's easy to figure out that guy is a Center, right? Wait, Center? Yeah. That's how unique Isaiah Austin's skillset is. Somehow, it works so well that Austin has become Phoenix's second best player. Second option offensively, he can score in every imaginable way even though he's a 7'1 freak of nature. The only thing he can do that resembles a traditional big is to swat shots away with the very best of them. Or at least the half dozen of drivers that manage to get past the defense created by Doug, which is virtually impossible anyway. Austin is in the best situation for him to thrive, and he's taking full advantage of it!
Ladies and gentlemen, or, in this case, gentlemen only.
Finally, we're here. Time to determine who's the best player among last season's best teams. Is it the leader of Choke City? Or the youngest MVP of all time, commander of the Luck City squad?
Scroll down for the answer!
#12. Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls (Luck City ex-leader)
#11. Eric Bledsoe, PG, Phoenix Suns (Choke City leader)
What would you rather have? Your face in the banner as the champion, a ring next to your name, or to be one spot higher in this ranking?
I'd rather be one spot higher in the CSL top-100 rankings because I know Doug will forever trash talk me for this. LOL
All in all, Rose is the better offensive player, the player who can create a shot out of nowhere, deadly scorer from the post, on drives and specially with his mid-range game. Factor in his great man-to-man defense and you've got one of the best, steadiest players in CSL's history.
Bledsoe, on the other hand, has the upper hand defensively, both when it comes to guarding his player and generating turnovers. He might not possess the killer instinct that Rose does offensively, but he plays his role to perfection and he's got a key advantage: a great 3 point shot, essential to every CSL player these days. That shot might be what separates them and gives Bledsoe the upper hand, as he's able to fit with virtually any squad while Rose requires the right players around him to be successful.
All in all, two very different players with very similar talent level, but Eric gets the nod over Derrick here. I'll take the ring, you take the better player, Dougie.
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