Since we are still a few weeks away from the official start of the NBA season, all we can truly do is speculate and wonder what’s ahead.
Of course, diehard fans are anticipating great things for their favorite teams.
But more seasoned experts are attempting to seriously rank all of the players in the NBA before the season begins.
NBArank is back! 🔥
Check out the first set of rankings here: https://t.co/DQQMdGZnqS pic.twitter.com/EzTQRbDBuG
— ESPN (@espn) September 20, 2022
ESPN is releasing its NBArank, an annual tradition that predicts who will be the biggest names in the league for the upcoming season.
We haven’t seen their top picks yet but they are already making some waves with their choices.
Of course, a list like this is bound to find controversy but this year’s list might be the most debated yet.
Ranking The League
ESPN has made some stark claims already, predicting that rookie Paolo Banchero will be the 82nd-best player in the league and Russell Westbrook will be the 65th.
Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball will break the top 50 at number 42 while DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls will be the 28th-greatest guy in the NBA.
Obviously, this is all speculation and there is no way to know how accurate the list will be.
But the NBArank feature from ESPN is compiled from the opinions of analysts, writers, and NBA insiders.
That means that there is some pedigree to these predictions and they should at least be considered before the new season starts.
For the players, the ranking could be motivation.
Take Westbrook, for example: he may be really unhappy with where he sits on the list and that could make him play harder and better than ever.
The list might make some unhappy – but it could be the incentive they need to have a terrific year.
NEXT: NBA Writer Has A Bold Timberwolves Take