For the 3rd straight year, we will present a top 100 player list! Even though we only conducted a single tournament in 2020, I think what we saw there was enough to update our current valuations of each player.
To rank them, we used the following criteria.
Scoring (S) - 30
Primarily, this is the ability of the player to score. Their points per game were the primary statistics that were scrutinized but we also give a huge weight on the efficiency of the player. We also factor in the fact that there are a hundred ways to score. So the more ways a player score efficiently will also increase his points in this area.
Defense (D) - 30
Defense represents 50% of the game for a player. This score will take into account the ability of the player to stop someone, man-to-man. Now, the defense is not all about man-to-man but also about the capacity of a player to work in the defensive scheme of a team. Enjoined in this area is the ability of the player to get rebounds and to help his team control the flow of the game.
Offense (O) - 25
Scoring is the only goal of offense but the other factors that will pave the way for good scoring opportunities will reside in this area. Primarily, this is about the ability of the player to break down defenses and make plays for his teammates. Added into this is the intelligence of the player in making the right plays, reads and positions in helping out the team take a good shot.
Intangibles (I) - 15
There are four other elements of a player that basically form this criterion. They are leadership, chemistry, clutch, and health. Those four are not part of the first three but actually elevate a player. A good example is LA Tenorio. LA is not as valuable as the Tenorio that we know today without his ability to command and his 100% health status.
In the case of ties, they will be ranked according to age with the youngest being the highest.
We will begin with the 25th to 11th rank players.
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Rank. Name of the Player. Scoring/Defense/Offense/Intangibles
Finally, Jason Perkins greatness is recognized by the entire PBA universe. His candidacy for the Most Improved Player citation this year may not be the last because Jason has been consistent in increasing the effectiveness of his different skills.
His statline of 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 51% FG and 40% 3FG per game. The game of Perkins is anchored to his sniping ability. He connected 1.8 three-pointers per game. Higher rate than that of CJ Perez, LA Tenorio, Michael DiGregorio and many more.
By being a superb three-point shooter, it opens up the floor for him on offense. It makes him a credible playmaker and even a scorer. He can post-up smaller defenders and outmaneuver the bigger ones.
I was disappointed with the performance of Northport Batang Pier in the PBA bubble. I consider them as sure-fire playoff contenders. Their bad finish made me push back my bullishness about Standhardinger.
Christian was not a problem in the bubble. He averaged 19.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 49% FG per game. This clearly shows the difference between Fajardo and Standhardinger. Standhardinger's game is more on-ball. While Fajardo is more of a paint monster.
Standhardinger was actually #5 in points and #1 in rebounding. It shows his dominance even if the entire defense was focus on him. Although, I also saw some consistent struggles on the defensive end and some big-time errors on offense. Now that he is with Ginebra, there is a much bigger chance now that he will give us evidences that he is now the #1 player of the league.
I am starting to appreciate Sangalang as a defensive anchor. I think I should have expected this because he is being mentored by two of the best big man defenders of this era in Rafi Reavis and Marc Pingris. What I love about his defense now is that he is now reliable on switching forwards and wings. Not in the past where he was a target by good wing and forward scorers.
In the PBA bubble, he produced 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 47% FG per game. His offense is not as colorful as the other bigs because he doesn't have a three-point shot and he is not a capable playmaker. But he is an excellent finisher and with reliable screening game.
Overall, he plays well in the system of coach Chito Victolero. Although, Magnolia fans should also hope that Ian will add another average skill, soon.
During the offseason, some analysts and even some Ginebra fans questioned Thompson's lack of improvement. Actually, it was warranted as Thompson's number in his first four seasons was stagnant. Like, his points did not exceed double-digits in his first four years.
That changed in the PBA bubble as Scottie manufactured 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 44% FG and 33% 3FG per game. His three-point shooting in the PBA bubble was the most interesting improvement because this has been his weakness for a while.
If he can do it again this 2021, I expect Thompson's effectiveness to further increase. I will not be shocked if we will see him at the top 5 by 2022.
With his explosions in the finals of the PBA bubble, I hope more fans now understand why I have him as my #3 last year. To put it simply, Pogoy is easily the most destructive shooter in the PBA and also one of the most reliable wing defenders.
That combination is a selling point that no PBA player may have combined in the history of the league. When I say the most destructive shooter, I am talking about his ability to connect on more than five three-pointers per game. With that ability, you cannot get your eyes off him, even during his bad nights.
Just a single connection could easily turn him into a Klay Thompson-like run. And those run can easily win the game for TNT.
There is no way Aguilar is a top 10 player if we are ranking them according to the number of average skills. Aguilar is not a three-point shooter. His dribbling is mediocre. His passing is plain and boring. Even his post-scoring is not reliable.
On offense, Aguilar is simply the best play finisher in the paint. It is hard to stop him when he cuts to the basket. He will either beat you on the ground because he is long or at the top because of his athleticism.
In the bubble, he produced 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 57% FG per game. His defense is not obvious on his boxscore numbers but Aguilar is easily as good as Reavis during his prime.
I do not know what is wrong with the PBA fans for not caring more about Matthew Wright. He plays a beautiful game. I consider him the ultimate assassin in terms of scoring. He just scores gracefully and without malice.
In the PBA bubble, he erupted to 21.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 39.4% 3FG and 3.3 three-pointers per game. Yes, he knocks down more than three long balls per game! His game is epic because he is third on scoring and third on assists.
It basically tells us that he is an elite playmaker and scorer. And I think we can only use that to describe two players in the PBA, Wright and Pringle.
Pringle produced 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steal, 44% FG and 38% 3FG per game. His role on Ginebra is not really that ball-dominant than what I expected. So, for him to be effective and to be there when they needed him the most, gave him an excellent point for me.
One thing that should be pointed out about the game of Pringle is his passing and playmaking. The accuracy of his passes is really high. With his explosive dribbling, he creates a lot of good shots for his teammates.
Unfortunately, he was injured during the finals. I really thought that was an excellent opportunity for him to prove to the PBA universe that he is the 2nd best contender to the throne of Fajardo after Standhardinger.
His numbers will not lie about his effectiveness. He averaged 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals, 49% FG and 46% 3FG per game. Here is the point of how awesome Parks is. Wright was excellent with his 39.4% efficiency with 3.3 makes but how about Parks who is connecting on 3.2 three-pointers per game at 46% efficiency?
Of course, we should not believed yet that Parks is really that hell of a shooter without another season in the PBA. Nevertheless, if he can keep that up, the other parts of his game will remain to be effective.
With his injury, I needed to temper my score on Fajardo. Nevertheless, he was able to keep his spot at the top by a hair against Parks. Although, if Fajardo plays the way he played in his last five MVP seasons, Parks will have a lot more grounds to climb.
I am of course hoping that Fajardo will be back as monstrous as ever. It is the best for Philippine basketball and for the league. We need to see if we will ever have a player that can overcome the greatness of Fajardo now that he is still in his prime.
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CHECKED THE OTHER RANKINGS HERE!
@Usapang Bola Please do a 2021 Top 100 PBA Players this year. Thanks and have a great Life
ReplyDeleteWe will do one after the ongoing 2021 season.
Delete@Usapang Bola Pero okay lang kahit di mo gawin kung napipilintan ka lang po. Thanks po ulit.
ReplyDelete