Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and the NBA's Best Players on November 26, 2022
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, second in Dunks and Threes’ estimated plus-minus, third in FiveThirtyEight’s RAPTOR, first in ESPN’s real plus-minus and second 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, James Wiseman), 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. Stephen Curry (1.2)
2. Luka Dončić (2.5)
3. Nikola Jokić (4.3)
4. Jayson Tatum (6.1)
5. Donovan Mitchell (7.5)
6. Anthony Davis (8.8)
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo (10.6)
8. Ja Morant (10.7)
9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10.9)
10. Kevin Durant (11.7)
11. Tyrese Haliburton (14.5)
12. Joel Embiid (15.8)
13. Devin Booker (17.5)
14. De'Aaron Fox (20.2)
15. Jimmy Butler (24.7)
16. Domantas Sabonis (25.1)
17. Kristaps Porziņģis (25.7)
18. Brook Lopez (26.5)
18. Paul George (26.5)
20. Jalen Brunson (27.3)
21. Lauri Markkanen (27.5)
22. Trae Young (28.6)
23. Dejounte Murray (30.9)
24. DeMar DeRozan (31.9)
25. Karl-Anthony Towns (34.2)
26. Desmond Bane (35.5)
27. James Harden (36.8)
28. Damian Lillard (39.9)
29. Andrew Wiggins (41.6)
30. Pascal Siakam (41.7)
31. Myles Turner (43.3)
32. Aaron Gordon (44.8)
33. Darius Garland (45.7)
34. Jrue Holiday (46)
35. Mikal Bridges (46.6)
36. Fred VanVleet (49.4)
37. Clint Capela (50.9)
38. Kyrie Irving (53.8)
39. Anfernee Simons (54.8)
40. Nic Claxton (56.9)
40. Zion Williamson (56.9)
42. Jerami Grant (59.4)
43. Bradley Beal (60.4)
44. Kelly Oubre Jr. (61.2)
45. Kevin Love (63.1)
46. Jaylen Brown (65.7)
47. Buddy Hield (66.1)
48. Kevin Huerter (66.3)
49. Kelly Olynyk (66.7)
50. Jordan Clarkson (67)
51. Brandon Ingram (67.7)
52. Chris Paul (68.3)
53. Rudy Gobert (69.3)
54. CJ McCollum (69.5)
55. Derrick White (69.6)
56. Kyle Lowry (70.3)
57. Bam Adebayo (75)
58. Larry Nance Jr. (76.2)
59. O.G. Anunoby (77.7)
60. Al Horford (78.5)
61. Jarrett Allen (80.7)
62. LeBron James (80.8)
63. Tyrese Maxey (83)
64. Christian Wood (83.1)
64. Tobias Harris (83.1)
66. Spencer Dinwiddie (83.3)
67. Mike Conley (84)
68. Wendell Carter Jr. (84.7)
69. Franz Wagner (85.6)
70. Kevon Looney (85.9)
71. De'Anthony Melton (87)
72. Cameron Johnson (87.3)
73. Bojan Bogdanović (87.9)
74. Nikola Vučević (88.4)
75. Kyle Kuzma (89.9)
76. Paolo Banchero (91.5)
77. D'Angelo Russell (91.6)
77. Draymond Green (91.6)
79. Devin Vassell (93.9)
80. Zach LaVine (94.4)
81. Sam Hauser (96.5)
82. Malcolm Brogdon (97.2)
83. Isaiah Stewart (97.5)
84. Jaren Jackson Jr. (99.1)
85. Marcus Morris (100.6)
86. Trey Murphy III (102)
87. Jusuf Nurkić (103.7)
88. Jakob Poeltl (103.8)
89. Josh Hart (104.4)
90. Alec Burks (105)
91. Jonas Valančiūnas (105.1)
92. Julius Randle (106.6)
93. Javonte Green (106.7)
94. Tyler Herro (107)
95. Bobby Portis (108.2)
96. Dennis Smith Jr. (108.5)
97. Alperen Şengün (108.8)
98. Anthony Edwards (109.2)
99. Scottie Barnes (109.6)
100. Caleb Martin (110.4)
101. Jose Alvarado (112.4)
102. Malik Beasley (113)
103. Dillon Brooks (113.5)
104. John Konchar (113.7)
105. Isaiah Joe (114.4)
106. Tari Eason (118.8)
107. Cameron Payne (119.3)
108. Michael Porter Jr. (120)
108. Terence Davis (120)
110. Nick Richards (120.8)
111. Immanuel Quickley (122)
112. Santi Aldama (123.9)
113. Harrison Barnes (124.8)
114. Bol Bol (126.2)
115. Bennedict Mathurin (126.4)
116. Josh Green (128)
117. Deandre Ayton (128.4)
118. Kenyon Martin Jr. (128.5)
118. Walker Kessler (128.5)
120. Thaddeus Young (130.3)
121. Jevon Carter (131)
122. Keldon Johnson (131.2)
123. Mason Plumlee (132.2)
124. Chris Boucher (132.7)
125. Lonnie Walker IV (133.1)
126. Malik Monk (133.6)
127. Kevin Porter Jr. (133.7)
128. AJ Griffin (134.9)
129. Jordan Goodwin (136.4)
130. Mitchell Robinson (136.9)
131. Bruce Brown (137.8)
132. Luguentz Dort (138.1)
133. Usman Garuba (138.5)
134. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (138.7)
135. Ben Simmons (138.8)
136. Grayson Allen (139.7)
137. Dewayne Dedmon (140.7)
137. Yuta Watanabe (140.7)
139. Tre Jones (141.4)
140. Klay Thompson (142.8)
141. Grant Williams (143.5)
142. Jamal Murray (145.4)
143. Steven Adams (145.5)
144. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (147.3)
145. Jock Landale (147.7)
146. Dean Wade (148)
147. Isaiah Hartenstein (148.1)
148. John Wall (149.5)
149. Jordan McLaughlin (149.6)
150. Jaden McDaniels (151.4)
151. Georges Niang (151.7)
152. Marcus Smart (152.6)
153. Kawhi Leonard (153.5)
154. Alex Caruso (153.6)
155. Jarred Vanderbilt (154.2)
156. Aleksej Pokusevski (155.2)
157. Naz Reid (155.5)
158. Cedi Osman (157.5)
159. Onyeka Okongwu (157.7)
160. Dalano Banton (158.2)
161. Evan Mobley (158.3)
162. Jalen Green (158.7)
163. Austin Reaves (159.4)
164. Damion Lee (161.2)
165. Max Strus (162.1)
166. Russell Westbrook (164.5)
167. Ivica Zubac (164.8)
167. Kyle Anderson (164.8)
169. Devonte' Graham (165.2)
170. Royce O'Neale (166.4)
171. Darius Bazley (166.8)
172. Monte Morris (166.9)
173. Drew Eubanks (167.3)
173. Gary Trent Jr. (167.3)
175. Caris LeVert (168.6)
176. Luke Kornet (169.6)
177. R.J. Hampton (169.9)
178. Cade Cunningham (171.5)
179. John Collins (171.9)
180. Corey Kispert (172)
181. Herbert Jones (173.1)
182. Obi Toppin (173.6)
183. Mo Bamba (174.1)
184. Torrey Craig (176.4)
185. Terance Mann (176.6)
186. Isaiah Jackson (178.4)
187. Bones Hyland (178.8)
188. Marvin Bagley III (179.4)
188. Zach Collins (179.4)
190. Derrick Rose (180.8)
191. Dwight Powell (182.6)
192. Terry Rozier (184.7)
193. Jalen Johnson (185.2)
194. Andrew Nembhard (185.5)
195. Derrick Jones Jr. (186.4)
196. Wenyen Gabriel (186.6)
197. Jaden Ivey (189.3)
197. P.J. Washington (189.3)
199. Reggie Jackson (191.6)
200. Goran Dragić (191.8)
201. Dyson Daniels (192.2)
202. Daniel Gafford (193.8)
203. Collin Sexton (194.7)
204. Cole Anthony (195)
205. Paul Reed (195.8)
206. Mike Muscala (196.1)
207. Jalen Smith (199.7)
208. Cam Reddish (200.4)
209. Jalen Suggs (200.6)
210. Brandon Clarke (201)
211. Edmond Sumner (201.8)
212. Saddiq Bey (203.2)
213. Payton Pritchard (203.6)
214. Jordan Poole (203.7)
215. Patrick Williams (204.3)
216. Eric Gordon (204.7)
217. Tre Mann (206.3)
218. Anthony Lamb (208.3)
219. Montrezl Harrell (208.7)
220. Talen Horton-Tucker (210.8)
221. Dorian Finney-Smith (210.9)
222. T.J. McConnell (214.9)
223. Andre Drummond (215)
223. Jericho Sims (215)
225. Patty Mills (215.3)
226. Gordon Hayward (215.7)
227. Norman Powell (216)
228. Shake Milton (216.5)
229. Kevin Knox (217.4)
229. Malachi Flynn (217.4)
231. Charles Bassey (217.9)
232. Jalen McDaniels (218.4)
233. Otto Porter Jr. (219.4)
234. Garrison Mathews (219.7)
235. Keita Bates-Diop (219.8)
236. Tim Hardaway Jr. (220.2)
237. Naji Marshall (220.4)
238. Oshae Brissett (221.3)
239. Vlatko Čančar (221.4)
240. Ayo Dosunmu (221.9)
241. Trey Lyles (222.7)
242. LaMelo Ball (223.1)
243. Aaron Wiggins (223.4)
244. Justise Winslow (223.5)
245. Landry Shamet (224.2)
246. Tyus Jones (224.3)
247. Deni Avdija (226.3)
248. Kenrich Williams (229.3)
249. Markieff Morris (231.4)
250. Josh Giddey (231.8)
251. Jaylen Nowell (232)
252. Théo Maledon (232.4)
253. Hamidou Diallo (233.5)
254. Gabe Vincent (234.5)
255. Nicolas Batum (235.3)
256. Juancho Hernangómez (236.2)
257. Gorgui Dieng (237.1)
258. Seth Curry (238)
259. De'Andre Hunter (238.8)
260. Jalen Duren (239.1)
261. Chimezie Metu (239.3)
262. Coby White (240.3)
263. Chuma Okeke (242.8)
264. RJ Barrett (247.3)
265. Cam Thomas (248.1)
266. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (249.2)
267. Cory Joseph (249.4)
267. Precious Achiuwa (249.4)
269. DeAndre Jordan (249.5)
270. Goga Bitadze (250.9)
271. Ty Jerome (253.1)
272. Trendon Watford (253.6)
273. George Hill (254.3)
274. Anthony Gill (256.1)
275. Nikola Jović (256.2)
276. Matisse Thybulle (257.4)
277. Lamar Stevens (259.3)
278. Nassir Little (259.6)
279. Terrence Ross (260.5)
280. Isaiah Roby (261)
281. Luke Kennard (261.4)
281. Raul Neto (261.4)
283. Taurean Prince (262.2)
284. Quentin Grimes (262.5)
285. Rudy Gay (264)
286. Davion Mitchell (264.6)
287. Jabari Smith Jr. (264.7)
288. Keegan Murray (265.3)
289. Robin Lopez (265.7)
290. Isaiah Livers (268.8)
291. Jalen Williams (271.1)
292. Jeremy Sochan (271.2)
293. P.J. Tucker (272.8)
294. Rui Hachimura (274.1)
295. Joe Harris (274.8)
296. Bismack Biyombo (275.4)
296. Serge Ibaka (275.4)
298. JaVale McGee (275.8)
299. Troy Brown Jr. (276.1)
300. Robert Covington (278.3)
301. James Wiseman (278.5)
302. Donte DiVincenzo (279.8)
303. Amir Coffey (280.1)
304. Doug McDermott (282)
305. Chris Duarte (282.3)
306. Josh Richardson (283)
307. Aaron Holiday (283.2)
308. Josh Okogie (284.4)
309. Jake LaRavia (287.5)
310. Ousmane Dieng (289.1)
311. Jeff Green (291.4)
312. Aaron Nesmith (293.1)
313. Duane Washington Jr. (293.5)
314. Zeke Nnaji (294.3)
315. Day'Ron Sharpe (295.6)
315. Wesley Matthews (295.6)
317. Evan Fournier (296)
318. Kevon Harris (297.1)
319. JaMychal Green (297.5)
320. Daishen Nix (302.1)
321. Maxi Kleber (302.2)
322. Christian Koloko (302.6)
323. Will Barton (302.7)
324. MarJon Beauchamp (303)
325. Shaedon Sharpe (303.6)
326. Terry Taylor (304)
327. Christian Braun (306.2)
328. JT Thor (308.1)
329. Matt Ryan (309.7)
330. Isaac Okoro (309.9)
331. Duncan Robinson (310.8)
332. Patrick Beverley (312.4)
333. Jordan Nwora (312.6)
334. Richaun Holmes (312.9)
335. Keon Johnson (314.4)
336. Caleb Houstan (316.1)
337. Romeo Langford (316.2)
338. James Bouknight (317.6)
339. Moses Moody (318.1)
340. Killian Hayes (319.1)
341. Noah Vonleh (321.3)
342. Danuel House Jr. (322.4)
343. Haywood Highsmith (324.9)
344. Justin Holiday (327.6)
345. Reggie Bullock (328.9)
346. Josh Christopher (329.9)
347. Juan Toscano-Anderson (330.7)
348. David Duke Jr. (331.2)
349. David Roddy (331.9)
350. Malaki Branham (332.1)
351. Jonathan Kuminga (337.3)
352. Kendrick Nunn (342.1)
353. Davon Reed (347.2)
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. Stephen Curry (1.4)
2. Luka Dončić (2)
3. Nikola Jokić (2.8)
4. Jayson Tatum (8.4)
5. Ja Morant (8.8)
6. Anthony Davis (9)
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo (9)
8. Donovan Mitchell (9.6)
9. Joel Embiid (10)
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (14.8)
11. James Harden (17.6)
12. Tyrese Haliburton (18.4)
13. Kevin Durant (19)
14. Jimmy Butler (20.8)
15. Jaren Jackson Jr. (21)
15. Pascal Siakam (21)
17. De'Aaron Fox (22.4)
18. Devin Booker (23.6)
19. Desmond Bane (25.2)
20. Damian Lillard (28.8)
21. Paul George (29.4)
22. Domantas Sabonis (30.2)
23. Kristaps Porziņģis (30.6)
24. Brook Lopez (31.4)
25. Myles Turner (32.6)
26. Jalen Brunson (33.6)
27. Trae Young (37.6)
28. Lauri Markkanen (40)
29. Cameron Johnson (40.2)
30. Chris Paul (41)