The NBA is a star studded league with a lot of great young stars. And what a star is – is always going to be different to the next guy down the block to what it may mean to you. To me, a real and genuine star is someone who can score, keep my team on track, and lead my club each and every night for me. A guy I can count on, who I can trust. LeBron James is a star, Steph Curry is a star – both very different kinds of players and styles.
Let’s take a casual walk through the top 10 players playing in the NBA today.
Who would I start a franchise with?
Who would I want to build around?
Who is the guy for my budding franchise?
Every team has to start somewhere. I will factor in several different things, like what kind of catalyst they are, their best abilities, and dependability. There are many things that matter. My team is going to start off on the right foot. And if I had my own franchise, these are my top 10 guys Vegas likes.
10. Evan Mobley / PF / 6-11 / 220lbs / age; 23
Mobley is an excellent rebounder , he has gotten the Cavs 8+ rebounds /game in each of his 4 seasons. Mobley is also a very solid passer, with a 11th ranked apg for PFs at 2.9 this year. He is the kind of guy who I can plop him on the court, and let him be what he is. Let him bang it out, float around 10-15′ on the court for offense – lay some thick screens. With the right pieces around him – I think he can help bring my team deep into the playoffs.
9. Norman Powell / SG / 6-4 / 215lbs / age; 31
Surprise pick for you, Hear me out! Powell is the old man on the list, at the ancient age of 31. He is a little younger – Kmart version of Steph Curry – and that isn’t a knock on Powell. But he has great range, plays hard, and is a bit younger – why not. I’ll take him and start my team. He may be older but is a scoring threat on every possession, and is a very accurate shooter especially from deep, with a career 40% from deep. That goes a long way for a team, he has the ability to eat up any defense he plays against. He would obviously only be good for 3-4 years / but the point is – he could create a vibe for my franchise
8. Ivica Zubac / C / 7-0 / 240lbs / age; 27
The 7-0 Zubac is a great offensive rebounder, with the ability to keep possessions alive for my team, with an avg of 3.7 offensive boards /game this season. Zubac is also a very good defensive rebounder, his size and feet are great, he knows his position very well, and knows how to play the 5. He can be a start to a team easily, not as the 1st scorer, but I can park him down low all game long – and tell him I want him to clean the glass every game, and he can do it. If he has a team built around him, I would use him in the post, I think he could be a 23-25ppg guy with 13+ off the glass
7. Karl-Anthony Towns / C / 7-0 / 250lbs / age; 29
Yes we have another big in a 3ball obsessed led league. KAT is another great offensive rebounder, with 23 games of 3 or more, and he is an elite defensive rebounder. He is also a tremendous passing big, that has been verified for 10 seasons. With 7 seasons with an assists /game avg of 3.0 or more is pretty awesome for a center. I still feel that a big is still the heartbeat for a team, a great one that can find his guys on the court – can change things for a team
6. Devin Booker / SG / 6-6 / 210lbs / age; 28
Booker is an incredibly smooth shooter – one of my favorite shooters in the NBA. He has the quick ability to fill the bucket for 40+ very fast. Booker is an incredible talent, with the skills to become an MVP himself. He is almost a hybrid type player, with his incredible scoring ability – and has also shown he can pass it as well.
5. De’Aaron Fox / PG / 6-3 / 185lbs / age; 27
Fox plays big under big lights. He has shown he can elevate his game when his team needs it. Scoring 26 /game and hitting 48% from the field isn’t a mistake – I get excited to watch him play. He can be trusted to play big when needed the most, and he is getting better. Fox has improved steadily over the last several years.
4. Jayson Tatum / PF / 6-8 / 220lbs / age; 26
Tatum is a special player with no fear – he is never afraid – spotlight is not too big for him. He never lacks confidence, he can miss 5-6 shots in a row, and can bounce back and knock down his next 5. Tatum can do it all, he can stick it from 26′ and can take a guy off the dribble to the cup. He has great patience, and can find his moments, when it is time to take over.
3. Victor Wembanyama / C / 7-3 / 235lbs / age; 21
Wembanyama can defend very well, as expected, with 4.1 blocks /game this year. He is an explosive player with the ability to move on the court, and his hops are like a rocket – it seems every time I watch him, he gets up more and more. Wembanyama also brings a giant fan base – he is hugely marketable. If he can get a bit better down low – his potential is there to become a 30/12 type of player, which would be ridiculous. He has survived with his athletic ability thus far – he needs a steady jumpshot, and I would also like him to attack the boards more than he has.
2. Nikola Jokic / PF / 6-11 / 280lbs / age; 29
Jokic is simply calm and steady every game, you know what you are getting from him. You are getting 30 points, 13 boards and 10 dimes – all the time, each game. He is not afraid to get everyone involved, he is a unique player with unique skills. Jokic is a real grown up who can run things on a team, and always gives you an “ooh or ahh” play every game. On the slow side, needs some speed around him, but with that – he is an MVP.
1. Luka Doncic / SF / 6-7 / 230lbs / age; 25
Not a huge surprise here. Doncic is an elite passer, and a natural scorer. With 8 or more assists in 77% of his games last season, and having lit up scoreboards for 40+ on 13 different occasions. He also has a charisma about him, he would bring great marketing for my franchise. And what is something to think about – is Doncic is still getting better, which if you think about it, is pretty scary. Doncic has a fiery side – if harnessed and handled well, I love it. If left uncontrolled, it could be problematic – so I need the right coaching fit.
That could be a future list…