Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and the NBA's Best Players on January 21, 2023
It's time for another look at how the NBA's players stack up according to catch-all metrics from around the internet!
Who has been the best player in the NBA this season?
A number of catch-all metrics from the around the internet endeavor to answer that question every year. And though many of the different adjusted plus-minuses attempt to measure the same thing (an individual player’s impact on the game when he’s on the floor), they have slightly different ways of getting there.
If you want to acknowledge the most accessible ones, you could say something like…
“Luka Dončić is second in Basketball Reference’s box plus/minus, third in Dunks and Threes’ estimated plus-minus, second in FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR, third in ESPN’s real plus-minus, second in Basketball Index’s LEBRON and fourth in Basketball Reference’s game score per 36 minutes…”
…but that’s quite a mouthful.
For the last several seasons, I’ve been sharing something of a shorthand for the above. Instead of rattling off that list for any and all players one might want to discuss, I average every qualified player by the average of their ranks in those five stats (as well as their cumulative variants).
The results give credit to each of the metrics, throw a bone to basic numbers (through the use of game score) and reward players for availability (through the addition of the cumulative marks).
The lists produced by this exercise aren’t perfect, but none are. A strictly subjective ranking wouldn’t cut it either. This is at least a guide, though. And it can give you a pretty good idea of who’s been the best (or worst) in 2022-23.
Before diving in, here’s just a little hint. If you’re looking for a specific player (like, oh say, Ben Simmons), do the handy little “control (or command) plus F” trick on your keyboard and type in that player’s name.
Oh, and one more caveat. If Giannis Antetokounmpo looks lower than you thought he should be (totally warranted reaction to his current spot), bear in mind that cumulative numbers (think points, rather than points per game) are in play, and Giannis has already missed three games. This early in the campaign, that makes a big difference.
So, with all of that behind us, feel free to scroll away.
If you’re looking for last week’s rankings, you can find them here.
Rank. Player (average of ranks in rate and cumulative catch-all metrics)
1. Nikola Jokic (1.42)
2. Luka Doncic (2.17)
3. Joel Embiid (5.33)
4. Jayson Tatum (6.92)
5. Kevin Durant (9.5)
6. Donovan Mitchell (11.58)
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11.75)
8. Tyrese Haliburton (11.83)
9. LeBron James (12.17)
10. Domantas Sabonis (12.5)
11. Damian Lillard (12.58)
11. Stephen Curry (12.58)
13. Lauri Markkanen (13.92)
14. Giannis Antetokounmpo (14.92)
15. Ja Morant (16.67)
16. Anthony Davis (17.17)
17. James Harden (18.25)
18. Jimmy Butler (18.83)
19. Julius Randle (22.42)
20. Kristaps Porzingis (25.08)2
1. Kyrie Irving (25.67)
22. Trae Young (27.67)
23. Paul George (30.83)
24. Pascal Siakam (31.08)
25. Devin Booker (34.5)
26. Jaren Jackson Jr. (34.67)
27. DeMar DeRozan (34.83)
28. Nic Claxton (35.25)
29. Jrue Holiday (35.33)
30. Aaron Gordon (37.33)
31. Zion Williamson (38.08)
32. Jalen Brunson (40)
33. Darius Garland (40.33)
34. Fred VanVleet (43.08)
35. Bam Adebayo (44.5)
36. Jaylen Brown (46.42)
37. Brook Lopez (47.67)
38. De'Aaron Fox (51)
39. Franz Wagner (51.08)
40. Anthony Edwards (52)
41. Kawhi Leonard (52.58)
42. Zach LaVine (52.83)
43. Jerami Grant (53.58)
44. Jarrett Allen (54.33)
45. Dejounte Murray (54.67)
46. Myles Turner (55.83)
47. Mitchell Robinson (58.92)
48. Steven Adams (63.67)
49. Tyler Herro (65.17)
50. CJ McCollum (66.58)
51. Clint Capela (67.25)
52. Walker Kessler (67.67)
53. Buddy Hield (68.17)
54. Desmond Bane (69.08)
55. Alperen Sengun (69.67)
56. Nikola Vucevic (69.75)
57. Bradley Beal (71)
58. Derrick White (72.92)
59. Rudy Gobert (73.08)
60. Jamal Murray (73.33)
60. Kevon Looney (73.33)
62. Jusuf Nurkic (73.5)
63. Mason Plumlee (73.58)
64. Tobias Harris (76.92)
65. Mikal Bridges (77.92)
66. Scottie Barnes (79.5)
67. Chris Paul (81.33)
68. Kevin Huerter (81.83)
69. Christian Wood (83.83)
69. Kyle Kuzma (83.83)
71. Harrison Barnes (84.08)
72. O.G. Anunoby (85.42)
73. De'Anthony Melton (88.25)
74. Draymond Green (88.58)
75. Jakob Poeltl (89.08)
76. D'Angelo Russell (89.58)
77. Bojan Bogdanovic (89.92)
78. Al Horford (90)
79. Jordan Clarkson (91.67)
80. Marcus Smart (92.67)
81. LaMelo Ball (93.92)
82. Andrew Wiggins (94.58)
83. Kyle Lowry (95.17)
84. Isaiah Joe (95.75)
84. Klay Thompson (95.75)
86. Karl-Anthony Towns (96.25)
87. Anfernee Simons (99.58)
88. Malcolm Brogdon (99.92)
89. Spencer Dinwiddie (100.42)
90. Bobby Portis (100.5)
91. Immanuel Quickley (101.5)
92. Tre Jones (101.75)
93. Tyus Jones (103.83)
94. Josh Hart (104.5)
95. Alec Burks (104.83)
96. Evan Mobley (105.75)
97. Monte Morris (106.17)
98. Kyle Anderson (109)
99. Wendell Carter Jr. (110.58)
100. Gary Trent Jr. (113)
101. Daniel Gafford (114.33)1
02. Paolo Banchero (114.75)
103. Brandon Ingram (115.17)
103. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (115.17)
105. Alex Caruso (116.92)
106. Jose Alvarado (117.25)
107. Santi Aldama (118.08)
108. Ben Simmons (118.25)
109. Jaden McDaniels (118.83)
110. Mike Conley (119.42)
111. Grayson Allen (119.75)
112. Kevin Porter Jr. (120)
113. John Konchar (122)
114. Russell Westbrook (122.83)
115. Larry Nance Jr. (124.75)
116. Brandon Clarke (125.42)
117. Luguentz Dort (125.5)
118. Trey Murphy III (125.67)
119. Kelly Olynyk (128.17)
120. Dillon Brooks (129.75)
121. Kevin Love (130.83)
122. Tyrese Maxey (136.08)
123. Jonas Valanciunas (136.42)
124. Michael Porter Jr. (139.83)
125. Kelly Oubre Jr. (140.17)
126. Herbert Jones (140.25)
127. Tim Hardaway Jr. (140.83)
128. John Collins (140.92)
129. Josh Giddey (141.42)
130. Quentin Grimes (142.08)
131. Thomas Bryant (143)
132. Devin Vassell (144)
133. Deandre Ayton (144.33)
134. Chris Boucher (145.08)
135. Naz Reid (145.75)
136. Terance Mann (146.17)
137. Javonte Green (146.58)
138. Jordan Goodwin (147.08)
139. Jarred Vanderbilt (150.33)
140. Donte DiVincenzo (150.83)
141. Royce O'Neale (151.08)
142. Bruce Brown (151.33)
143. Naji Marshall (153.5)
144. Kenrich Williams (153.58)
145. Mo Bamba (153.83)
146. Marcus Morris (153.92)
147. Jock Landale (154.25)
148. Nicolas Batum (154.92)
149. T.J. McConnell (155)
150. Terry Rozier (155.17)
151. Dwight Powell (155.25)
152. Caris LeVert (156.25)
153. Onyeka Okongwu (157.67)
154. Ivica Zubac (158.75)
155. Grant Williams (159.5)
156. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (159.67)
157. Norman Powell (161.17)
158. Cameron Payne (161.33)
159. Cedi Osman (162.5)
160. Josh Okogie (163.33)
161. Keegan Murray (164.17)
162. Jalen McDaniels (164.67)
163. Moritz Wagner (165.25)
164. Josh Green (165.92)
165. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (166.58)
166. Caleb Martin (166.75)
167. Nick Richards (167)
168. Terence Davis (167.42)
169. Drew Eubanks (167.92)
170. Keldon Johnson (168.25)
171. Tari Eason (168.33)
172. RJ Barrett (169.33)
173. Wenyen Gabriel (173.5)
174. Victor Oladipo (175.33)
175. Austin Reaves (175.75)
176. Jalen Johnson (176)
177. Georges Niang (177.33)
178. Luke Kornet (177.83)
179. Dorian Finney-Smith (178.33)
179. Isaiah Stewart (178.33)
181. Collin Sexton (178.5)
182. Hamidou Diallo (178.58)
183. Bol Bol (179.17)
184. Markelle Fultz (179.83)
185. Cole Anthony (179.92)
186. AJ Griffin (180.67)
187. Torrey Craig (182)
188. Malik Monk (183.25)
188. Mike Muscala (183.25)
190. Montrezl Harrell (183.33)
191. Jalen Green (183.5)
192. Anthony Lamb (184.25)
193. Saddiq Bey (184.58)
194. Jevon Carter (186.08)
195. Sam Hauser (187.58)
196. Max Strus (189.33)
197. Dennis Smith Jr. (190.75)
198. Jordan Poole (192)
199. Andre Drummond (192.17)
200. Landry Shamet (193.08)
201. Aleksej Pokusevski (193.17)
202. Jalen Smith (193.75)
203. Damion Lee (195.5)
204. Trey Lyles (196.08)
205. P.J. Washington (196.42)
206. Derrick Jones Jr. (197.17)
207. Isaiah Hartenstein (197.25)
208. Devonte' Graham (198.17)
209. Aaron Nesmith (198.67)
209. Dean Wade (198.67)
211. Marvin Bagley III (199.58)
212. De'Andre Hunter (199.67)
213. Josh Richardson (200.42)
214. Cade Cunningham (201.17)
215. Malik Beasley (201.67)
216. Jaylen Nowell (204.67)
217. Jalen Duren (205.33)
218. Bones Hyland (206.17)
219. Kenyon Martin Jr. (207.33)
220. Robert Covington (209.17)
221. Isaiah Jackson (209.83)
221. Talen Horton-Tucker (209.83)
223. Pat Connaughton (210.58)
224. Deni Avdija (212.67)
225. Edmond Sumner (212.75)
226. Garrison Mathews (214)
226. Matisse Thybulle (214)
228. Thaddeus Young (214.83)
229. Bennedict Mathurin (215.25)
230. Killian Hayes (217.5)
231. Jalen Suggs (218.67)
232. Darius Bazley (219.33)
233. Coby White (219.92)
233. T.J. Warren (219.92)
235. Bogdan Bogdanovic (221.58)
236. John Wall (221.92)
237. Isaac Okoro (222)
238. Jericho Sims (222.17)
239. Yuta Watanabe (222.92)
240. Zach Collins (224)
241. Patrick Williams (224.33)
242. Jalen Williams (225)
243. Dyson Daniels (225.33)
244. Luke Kennard (226.17)
245. George Hill (226.25)
246. Andrew Nembhard (227.17)
247. Corey Kispert (227.42)
248. Obi Toppin (231.75)
249. Lonnie Walker IV (232.25)
250. Gabe Vincent (232.33)
251. Usman Garuba (233.17)
252. Shake Milton (234.25)
253. Eric Gordon (235.17)
254. Jabari Smith Jr. (235.25)
255. Reggie Jackson (236.67)
256. Davion Mitchell (236.83)
257. Dennis Schroder (237.33)
257. Oshae Brissett (237.33)
257. Tre Mann (237.33)
260. Joe Harris (238.25)
261. Seth Curry (240.58)
262. Ty Jerome (241.58)
263. Justise Winslow (242.08)
264. Aaron Holiday (243)
265. Precious Achiuwa (244.08)
266. Aaron Wiggins (244.17)
266. Ayo Dosunmu (244.17)
268. Bismack Biyombo (244.75)
269. Keita Bates-Diop (245.33)
270. Patrick Beverley (246.33)
271. Theo Maledon (246.42)
272. Ish Wainright (247.08)
273. Rui Hachimura (247.67)
274. Christian Koloko (247.92)
275. Romeo Langford (248.42)
276. Gary Harris (251.33)
277. Kevin Knox (254.58)
278. Cory Joseph (255.42)
279. Gordon Hayward (257.67)
280. Troy Brown Jr. (258.5)
281. Maxi Kleber (258.58)
282. Jeremy Sochan (259.25)
283. Cam Reddish (261.25)
284. Jaden Ivey (262.75)
285. DeAndre Jordan (263.58)
286. Vlatko Cancar (263.67)
287. Lamar Stevens (263.75)
288. Haywood Highsmith (264.75)
289. Miles McBride (267.75)
290. Trendon Watford (267.83)
291. Rudy Gay (268.25)
292. Cam Thomas (269.58)
293. Goran Dragic (269.83)
294. Taurean Prince (272.75)
295. Jonathan Kuminga (272.92)
296. Doug McDermott (273.25)
297. Zeke Nnaji (275.5)
298. Juancho Hernangomez (278.75)
299. Isaiah Livers (280.67)
300. Terrence Ross (280.83)
301. JaMychal Green (281.17)
302. Jeff Green (282.42)
303. Moses Moody (284.08)
304. Duncan Robinson (285.67)
305. MarJon Beauchamp (289.5)
306. Reggie Bullock (289.67)
307. Max Christie (290.58)
308. Daishen Nix (291.5)
309. Austin Rivers (295.25)
310. Chris Duarte (295.42)
310. Will Barton (295.42)
312. Jordan Nwora (295.75)
313. Malachi Flynn (297)
314. Kendrick Nunn (297.67)
315. David Roddy (302.33)
316. P.J. Tucker (302.42)
317. Caleb Houstan (302.67)
317. Danuel House Jr. (302.67)
319. Shaedon Sharpe (308.58)
320. Justin Holiday (311.17)
321. Amir Coffey (312.08)
322. Christian Braun (313.58)
323. Malaki Branham (315.83)
Aaand, if you’d like to see the top 30 if you only use the rate numbers (think points per game, rather than points), those are below.
Rank. Player (average of ranks in rate catch-all metrics)
1. Nikola Jokic (1.17)
2. Luka Doncic (2.67)
3. Joel Embiid (4)
4. Anthony Davis (5)
5. Stephen Curry (7.17)
6. Jayson Tatum (10.67)
7. Damian Lillard (10.83)
8. Kevin Durant (12.17)
9. LeBron James (12.67)
10. Jaren Jackson Jr. (12.83)
11. James Harden (13)
12. Jimmy Butler (13.17)
13. Tyrese Haliburton (13.33)
14. Giannis Antetokounmpo (14.17)
15. Donovan Mitchell (14.67)
16. Ja Morant (16.17)
17. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (16.67)
18. Domantas Sabonis (17.17)
19. Lauri Markkanen (19)
20. Kawhi Leonard (22.83)
21. Paul George (23.5)
22. Kyrie Irving (25.17)
23. Devin Booker (25.83)
24. Kristaps Porzingis (28)
25. Zion Williamson (29)
26. Julius Randle (31.83)
27. Jrue Holiday (32)
28. Nic Claxton (34.17)
29. Trae Young (34.33)
30. Pascal Siakam (34.5)