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As ESPN has rolled out its Top 100 NBA Player Rankings for the upcoming season, Sports Illustrated wrapped up its list today of their Top 100.
Here are where the Rockets are ranked:
97. Ryan Anderson (100 on ESPN)
83. Eric Gordon (62 on ESPN)
62. Trevor Ariza (95 on ESPN)
58. Clint Capela (70 on ESPN)
7. Chris Paul (7 on ESPN)
5. James Harden (8 on ESPN)
What’s important to note here is the parity of the two rankings. Gordon received much higher praise in ESPN’s ranking than SI’s, while Ariza was valued much higher on SI than ESPN. The scales on which the players are graded on are very similar for each ranking.
In ESPN’s ranking, pairs of players are matched up and the panelist must “consider both the quality and the quantity of each player's contributions to his team's ability to win games,” according to ESPN.
In Sports Illustrated’s ranking, “rankings were assigned based on a fluid combination of subjective assessment and objective data.”
SI’s ranking also does not include rookies, while ESPN’s does. The ranking also looks into where a player is at their point in their career. For instance, a young player with upside like Capela is ranked higher than Dwyane Wade, who averaged 18.3 PPG last season.
Having multiple websites crank out their opinions is an important part of journalism. Seeing things from different perspectives is important and I encourage everyone to take a look at both ESPN’s rankings and Sports Illustrated’s. Then, make an opinion based off the data shown.
These rankings have rubbed some players the wrong way, most notably CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers.
We need to start ranking these weak ass journalist. With descriptions of their strengths, weaknesses and ability to make up "sources"
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) September 12, 2017
This was likely in response to ESPN ranking Lonzo Ball ahead of Carmelo Anthony. McCollum, by the way, was ranked 31st by ESPN and 39th by SI.
These rankings have come with some controversy, but at the end of the day, it is created to build some hype for the upcoming season. These lists don’t mean much when it is all said and done. If anything, it could give players a chip on their shoulder to see that journalists do not see them as the best player in the league, unless you are LeBron, but he is a rather unique case.
What do you think of the Rockets rankings? Do you agree with ESPN or Sports Illustrated or do you think both rankings are incorrect? Speak your mind in the comments below.