Continuation of the previous article: NBA 2024-25 Top 100 Players Ranking – No. 51-100
Continuation of the previous article: NBA 2024-25 Top 100 Players Ranking – No. 11-50
10. Anthony Edwards｜Guard｜Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 statistics: 79 games played, 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, overall shooting rate of 46.1%, three-point shooting rate of 35.7%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):13
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 7 | WP: 11
📈 Why it’s ranked here:Edwards is a supernova who suddenly emerged in 2024. Not only was he strongly selected for the annual team, but he also defeated the defending Golden Nuggets in the playoffs. Then he played a key role in the Paris Olympics, helping the United States once again win the gold medal without any danger. He has the potential to become the American face of the NBA for the next generation.
❓ Questions about the new season:After the departure of the former Wolf King Karl-Anthony Towns, this team officially uses Edwards as the immobile core. How will he respond?
📊 Key data:The scoring firepower in the fourth quarter will be an issue that Edwards can improve in the new season. Although the Timberwolves won 56 regular season games last season and were even more dominant on the defensive end, their offense in the latter stages of the game was not as smooth as expected and their execution was not ideal: at the critical moment of last season, the Timberwolves His net rating is only -13, ranking 27th in the NBA. Even the Wolf King admitted that his next task is to take over the game at the end of the game.
9. Kevin Durant｜Forward｜Phoenix Suns
2023-24 data performance: 75 games played, 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 blocks, overall shooting rate of 52.3%, three-point shooting rate of 41.3%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):7
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 11 | WP: 12
📉 Why it’s ranked here:Durant’s ranking instead of rising reflects less of a decline in his dominance and more of the rise of others. He played in 75 games last season, the most since he tore his Achilles tendon in 2019. His performance was still death-level: his shooting measurements were 52/41/86. Even in the playoffs, he was impeccable: Averaged 26.8 points per game and shot 55/42/82 – even if the Suns were eliminated early. This summer, as one of the top three players on the American Dream Team, his performance remains reliable and stable.
❓ Questions about the new season:Can the Suns win with this lineup? Durant is already considered a quasi-Hall of Famer, but if he wants to make his status more indestructible, he must win another championship after leaving the Warriors; but in the past few years, he has always been short of hero, even twice in the past three years. Sweeped by the opponent…
📊 Key data:2,495 points. This is the distance between Durant surpassing the ancient beast Wilt Chamberlain and jumping from 8th to 7th on the all-time scoring list. Leaving aside the championship, being able to move up one place on the all-time scoring list will also make him famous in history: but it is not easy to score so many points in one season. Only once in his career has he scored more than that number in a single season – but that was during the 2013-14 season with the Thunder, when he scored 2,593 points in a single season.
8. Joel Embiid｜Center｜Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 data performance: 39 games played, 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, overall shooting rate of 52.9%, three-point shooting rate of 38.8%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):3
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 5 | WP: 9
📉 Why it’s ranked here:Injuries have pushed Embiid down the rankings. When he stays healthy, he is a generational scoring machine. Last season, he became the second monster in history after Wilt Chamberlain to score more points than he played.
As a result, a knee injury once again ruined his season, making it impossible for the reigning MVP of the year to pursue his second consecutive MVP record. Although he returned as scheduled in the playoffs, his condition was obviously not 100%. The Sixers eventually lost to the Knicks in 6 games.
❓ Questions about the new season: An old saying:Can Embiid return to the court healthy and return to the dominant performance he showed at the beginning of last season? He has said many times throughout his career that he only hopes to play the entire playoffs while healthy. As long as he can do it for the first time this year, it shouldn’t be difficult to return to the top five in the league.
📊 The key data: Apart from the number of games played, what else is more important? After missing the first two seasons of his career due to a foot injury,Embiid played 60+ games in a single season four times in the next eight seasons, averaging 54 games per season. If the Sixers want to find a real breakthrough in the playoffs, they absolutely need the Emperor to play and provide the league’s top penalty area dominance.
Welcome to the NBA 2024-25 Top 100 Players Ranking Commentary!
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Another ranking, eh?” But fear not, dear reader; this isn’t just a bunch of stats slapped onto a page! Prepare yourself for an observational yet cheeky dive into the remarkable world of basketball stars as we explore some of the cream of the NBA crop.
10. Anthony Edwards | Guard | Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 Statistics: 79 games played, 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, shooting rate 46.1%, three-point shooting rate 35.7%
2023 Ranking (EPSN): 13
Other Media Rankings: Hoopsphere: 7 | WP: 11
📈 Why it’s ranked here: Edwards is the basketball equivalent of a supernova—explode onto the scene and suddenly, boom! He’s the guy everyone’s talking about. His playoff stardom? Defeating the defending Golden Nuggets is no small feat! Plus, gold medal around his neck at the Paris Olympics? Talk about a dazzling summer!
❓ Questions about the new season: With Karl-Anthony Towns leaving the stage, will Edwards be able to shine in his new role? The pressure’s on, Anthony!
Key Stat: Timberwolves’ offense in the clutch? A problematic -13 net rating. Looks like they need to figure out how to be a little less like a cat stuck in a tree!
9. Kevin Durant | Forward | Phoenix Suns
2023-24 Statistics: 75 games played, 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 blocks, shooting rate 52.3%, three-point shooting rate 41.3%
2023 Ranking (EPSN): 7
Other Media Rankings: Hoopsphere: 11 | WP: 12
📉 Why it’s ranked here: Durant’s unique case—he’s not slipping, others are just racing past him! I mean, anyone else throwing 52/41/86 as if it were just a warm-up? Impressive, but in these rankings, that’s like being the fastest tortoise—good but not fast enough!
❓ Questions about the new season: Will the Suns finally get their act together and bring home a chip? Come on, KD; if you want to cement your legacy, now’s your time!
Key Stat: 2,495 points away from passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list. That’s a lot of buckets to chase! Better lace up those sneakers!
8. Joel Embiid | Center | Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 Statistics: 39 games played, 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, shooting rate 52.9%, three-point shooting rate 38.8%
2023 Ranking (EPSN): 3
Other Media Rankings: Hoopsphere: 5 | WP: 9
📉 Why it’s ranked here: A series of injuries has sidelined the reigning MVP. When healthy? He’s a scoring monster! But one more knee sprain and he’ll be scoring on the couch instead of the court.
❓ Questions about the new season: Can he stay healthy? May the injury gods smile on this gentleman, ’cause the playoffs in the past have looked more like a game of musical chairs for him!
Key Stat: Four times of 60+ games in eight seasons. It’s time for the Sixers to hope they’ve got their Emperor back, ruling the paint like he owns it!
Conclusion
There you have it, folks! The NBA never ceases to amaze us, from the rise of Edwards to the ever-stable Durant and the hope for Embiid’s health. Each player is a story in the making, and we’re just here munching popcorn as we watch their chapters unfold. Now, if only they could put my face on a jersey, the NBA might finally have the audience I’ve been training for!
Stay tuned for more rankings—after all, it’s not like we have anything better to do than rank athletes, right?
Continuation of the previous article: NBA 2024-25 Top 100 Players Ranking – No. 51-100
Continuation of the previous article: NBA 2024-25 Top 100 Players Ranking – No. 11-50
10. Anthony Edwards｜Guard｜Minnesota Timberwolves
2023-24 statistics: 79 games played, 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals, overall shooting rate of 46.1%, three-point shooting rate of 35.7%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):13
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 7 | WP: 11
📈 Why it’s ranked here:Edwards is a supernova who suddenly emerged in 2024, showcasing exceptional talent on the court. Not only was he strongly selected for the annual All-Star team, but he also played a pivotal role in leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a surprising victory over the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. Furthermore, he showcased his prowess at the Paris Olympics, contributing significantly to Team USA’s gold medal victory without facing serious challenges. Analysts believe he is poised to become the next American face of the NBA for generations to come.
❓ Questions about the new season:With the departure of former franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves have officially anointed Edwards as their centerpiece. The pressing question remains: How will he rise to this challenge and lead his team in this new chapter?
📊 Key data:Edwards’ scoring abilities in clutch moments remain an area for improvement heading into the new season. Despite the Timberwolves achieving a remarkable 56 regular season victories and excelling defensively, their offensive execution in crucial fourth-quarter situations often fell flat. Amidst tight game situations last season, the Timberwolves recorded a net rating of -13 in those moments, ranking 27th across the NBA, an issue that the former star acknowledged as a focus for his development.
9. Kevin Durant｜Forward｜Phoenix Suns
2023-24 data performance: 75 games played, 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 blocks, overall shooting rate of 52.3%, three-point shooting rate of 41.3%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):7
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 11 | WP: 12
📉 Why it’s ranked here:Durant’s positioning in the rankings reflects the emergence of other talents rather than a decline in his own game. Having played 75 games last season — the most since his Achilles tendon injury in 2019 — his performance remained formidable, boasting impressive shooting statistics of 52% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 86% from the line. Even during the playoffs, where the Suns faced an early exit, Durant maintained stellar averages, scoring 26.8 points per game and shooting at high percentages. His consistent reliability was evident as he donned the uniform of the American Dream Team this summer, yet again proving his value on the world stage.
❓ Questions about the new season:Can the Suns effectively secure a championship with their current lineup? Durant has already cemented his legacy as a near-Hall of Famer, but to reinforce his status, winning another championship would be essential, especially given past playoff disappointments, including two sweeps in the last three years that hampered his title aspirations.
📊 Key data:2,495 points. That’s the number Kevin Durant needs to eclipse Wilt Chamberlain, moving him from 8th to 7th on the all-time scoring leaderboard. While another championship title is critical to his narrative, surpassing Chamberlain would solidify his place in basketball history, a feat requiring a significant scoring effort over the season, something only achieved once in his storied career during the 2013-14 season with the Thunder.
8. Joel Embiid｜Center｜Philadelphia 76ers
2023-24 data performance: 39 games played, 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.7 blocks, overall shooting rate of 52.9%, three-point shooting rate of 38.8%
2023 Ranking (EPSN):3
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 5 | WP: 9
📉 Why it’s ranked here:Recurring injuries have influenced Embiid’s drop in the rankings. When fit, he proves to be a generational talent capable of incredible scoring feats. Last season saw him become the second ever, behind Wilt Chamberlain, to score more points than he played games. Unfortunately, recurring knee injuries disrupted his campaign and prevented the reigning MVP from achieving back-to-back titles. His return in the playoffs revealed he wasn’t at full strength, which ultimately led to the Sixers’ disappointing conclusion against the Knicks.
❓ Questions about the new season:Can Embiid regain full health and return to the kind of dominating performances he exhibited at the start of last season? He’s frequently expressed a desire to participate fully in the playoffs and if he achieves that goal, there’s every reason to believe he could reestablish himself among the top five players in the league.
📊 The key data: Embiid’s history highlights key challenges in staying healthy. After missing his first two seasons due to foot injuries, he has had intermittent success with injuries, managing to play 60 or more games in a single season on four occasions within an eight-year span, averaging 54 games each season. If the Philadelphia 76ers want to make a significant playoff breakthrough, securing the Emperor’s presence on the floor with his dominating style in the paint will be paramount.
Margin-left:0px;”>2023 Ranking (EPSN):3
Other media rankings: Hoopsphere: 5 | WP: 9
📉 Why it’s ranked here: Despite being the reigning MVP, Embiid’s frequent injuries have kept him sidelined this season. When he’s on the court, he’s an unstoppable force, racking up points and dominating both ends, but his health is a critical concern.
❓ Questions about the new season: Will Embiid finally find a way to stay healthy throughout the season? The Sixers desperately need him fit to make a serious playoff run, as previous seasons have shown that injuries often derail their hopes.
📊 Key data: Embiid has only played more than 60 games in four out of eight seasons. Consistency in the lineup is what the 76ers need to make a serious statement in the playoffs, and Embiid’s health is central to that goal.
Conclusion
And there you have it! The shifting sands of the NBA landscape remind us that every season presents new stories, challenges, and rivalries. From the potential of Anthony Edwards and the resilience of Kevin Durant to the hopeful return to form for Joel Embiid, fans are in for a whirlwind as the season unfolds. Grab your popcorn and get ready—this year’s drama promises to be electrifying, and who knows what new superstar will rise to the occasion?
Be sure to stay tuned for our future rankings and analyses, because you know we won’t stop talking about the players we love (or love to criticize) anytime soon!
