PostScript Sports

The after thoughts on the world of sports.

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  • NBA Top-50 Players of All Time: 11-20

    A slew of big men round out our list from 11-20. Where does Jokic currently stack up in the mix? Who do we think is the most underrated player in NBA history?

    20

    Isiah Thomas

    Isiah led a team that captured an image and toughness maybe never seen again (aside from maybe one other Detroit team 20 years later). Isiah was the ultimate floor general, the starter to the offense. He was the driver to a team that feared no one and won in some of the biggest moments, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Bird, Magic, and Jordan—and one of the few who came out on top multiple times. Thomas never lit up the scorer’s sheet but always seemed to possess an extra gear at the end of games to will his team to victory. Bill Simmons has one of my favorite theories, the “It Theory.” That some players just have “It”—an indescribable or non-measurable thing that makes an athlete special. In his book, he writes how Isiah was the poster child of that. It’s one thing I couldn’t agree with more. Thomas was always one of the best players in the league but clearly was behind Jordan, Magic, and Bird when it came to size, skill, and stats. But at the end of the day, his grittiness, IQ, and skill set made him every bit of their counterparts.

    19

    Julius Erving

    I sadly think Erving is being lost in some historical NBA conversations. Maybe it’s that some of his best years were spent in the ABA. Maybe it’s just the era he played in. Maybe it’s because he only has one NBA championship. All of that to be said, Dr. J is one of the greatest wings of all time. An uber-athletic small forward, he was literally leaps and bounds over his contemporaries in terms of athleticism. The Dr. was an elite scorer who ultimately split time in the ABA pre-merger and came into the NBA, finishing a 16-year career where he captured 3 ABA MVPs, 1 NBA MVP, 2 ABA Championships, 1 NBA Championship, 16 All-Stars, and 12 combined All-ABA/NBA teams. He and Moses Malone (who we will talk about very shortly as well) led the 1983 76ers to one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history. Erving is a basketball legend who helped transcend the league to above-the-rim play.

    18

    Oscar Robertson

    Oscar came into the league as the number one overall pick out of Cincinnati and instantly became a triple-double machine. In his second season, he was the first player to average a triple-double and the only player to do it until Russell Westbrook accomplished it over 50 years later. Oscar was Kareem’s running mate in the 1971 Finals to secure the Bucks’ first Finals. Oscar was clearly the best point guard the league had pre-Magic. The only knock on his NBA résumé—which includes 3 MVPs, 1 Championship, 12 All-Stars, 11 All-NBA teams, and 1 scoring title—is that he didn’t win a ring as the best player on his team. Though he was still a top-5 finisher in MVP in 1971, that team was led by league MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Oscar’s skill set was well ahead of his time. A sizable lead guard at 6’5”, he is one of the few players from the 1960s who wouldn’t skip a beat in any era.

    17

    Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Time will tell how far up this list Giannis will land. The 6’11” Greek Freak has become one of the best athletes and two-way players the league has ever seen. A giant wrecking ball coming down the court, defenses have had to shift to building a barrier or wall as a team to stop Giannis coming down the lane in transition. Giannis’s trophy case is full with 2 MVPs, 1 Championship, 1 Finals MVP, 1 DPOY, along with 9 All-Star and 9 All-NBA selections. Giannis is at a crossroads in Milwaukee. Their championship window closed quickly, and they are trying to reload instead of rebuild. Giannis has shown a ton of loyalty to that city, but what and where will the rest of his career land?

    16

    Jerry West

    One thing I think that often gets overlooked when it comes to these lists is that Jerry West was the best guard scorer in the league until Jordan—and he did it all while being a great jump shooter with no three-point line. Almost 25 years of NBA history went by until a guard could score like West. He is one of four retired players to have a career points-per-game average over 27 (four active players have averages over 27: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Luka Dončić). West was as tough a competitor as the league has ever seen. He fought against Russell’s Celtics in the 60s but was never able to defeat his Boston foes, even while being the only player in league history to win Finals MVP on the losing team. West was able to claim NBA gold in 1972 on arguably the best team of that decade. West accomplished as much as any guard in league history. He became one of the best front office executives post-playing career and will always live on as the NBA logo.

    15

    Kevin Durant

    Much like Dirk before him, Kevin Durant has shaped the generation of basketball players after him. Listed at 6’11” but most likely a few inches taller, there has never been a more skilled offensive player at his size. Durant is now also putting on a showcase of longevity. After coming into the league as the second pick in the 2007 Draft at 19, Durant is going into year 18 (one full year missed due to an Achilles tear). Durant has never averaged less than 20 points per game, and aside from his rookie season has never averaged less than 25 points per game. He is arguably the best scorer from the wing of all time. Acquiring one league MVP, 2 Finals MVPs, 11 All-NBA, and 15 All-Star selections, the four-time scoring champ has nearly every accolade and trophy an NBA player can get. One knock—or crappy First Take argument—that often comes up with Durant is that his two championships came after joining an already great Warriors team in 2016. Though I see the argument and where it’s based, Durant was arguably the best player in the league his three years in Golden State. And though it is speculative, if he didn’t get hurt in the Finals in 2019, I don’t have much doubt they would have won that series against Toronto. Durant can shoot over everyone, he handles the ball like a guard at 6’11”+, he developed into a good defender, and at age 36 still averaged 26.6 points per game. He finds himself with a very young and talented team in Houston—you have to wonder if he will be able to build off an already incredible career.

    14

    Moses Malone

    I’ll say this with no hesitation: Moses Malone is the most underrated NBA legend of all time, and I don’t think it’s very close. When talking about the great centers of all time, we hear the arguments for some of the next few players on our list—Shaq, Kareem, Wilt, Russell, and Hakeem. But rarely do I hear the name Moses Malone thrown around in that conversation, and I can’t understand why. Moses debuted in the ABA in 1974, and after playing 2 seasons came to the NBA and instantly became a dominant force, capturing his first of three MVPs in just his second year (age 23) in the NBA. Moses dominated the glass for his first decade in the league, leading the league in rebounds per game six times and averaging as many as 17.6 rebounds in the 1978-79 season. As mentioned earlier, Moses led the 1983 76ers to a dominant playoff run and championship, dropping only 1 game the entire playoffs. Was his game as pretty as that of Hakeem and Jokic? No. Was he as dominant of a force physically as Shaq and Wilt? No. But Moses is arguably the greatest rebounder of all time and was the best center of the 1980s.

    13

    Nikola Jokic

    Here is another take I’m saying with no hesitation: Nikola Jokic is the best offensive player ever. Now, part of that I’m projecting he can sustain at least close to the level he has sustained the last 5 seasons. Now just going into his age-30 season, Jokic has been undoubtedly the best player in the NBA for the past 5 years, capturing league MVP three times and finishing second in voting the other two years (you could argue voter fatigue played a role in both or at least one of those second-place finishes). One thing I think often gets overlooked with Jokic’s résumé is he is scoring and creating an elite NBA offense and hasn’t played with an active All-Star one time in his entire 10-year career. Jokic is able to average a near triple-double (did average a triple-double in the 2024-2025 season) from the center position with not one single other All-Star. He led the Nuggets to a championship in 2023 with no other All-Stars. What he is doing no other player in the league’s history could ever do. Coming into the league out of Serbia in the second round (famously, his draft selection was done during a Taco Bell commercial), Jokic is not a physical specimen or built like some of the other great big men like David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, or Hakeem Olajuwon—but it doesn’t matter. Jokic controls the offense and pace like no other big man, or really player, in the league ever has. Jokic feels and looks like a player that can age well in this league. As long as he doesn’t decide to retire early to tend to his horses in Serbia, Jokic may be able to climb this list a bit higher if he can get back to hoisting the Larry O’Brien again.

    12

    Hakeem Olajuwon

    Arguably the best two-way player of all time. At this point of the list and the league’s all-time elite, you’re nitpicking between player to player and where they stack up. Hakeem is forever remembered for his graceful footwork and patented Dream Shake and repertoire of post moves. Hakeem came into the league as the number one pick in the 1984 Draft and quickly became one of the league’s best centers. His two-way dominance is showcased by his 12 All-Star and All-NBA appearances, along with 9 All-Defensive Teams and 3-time shot block leader titles (he is also the all-time leader in blocked shots and averaged over 4 blocks per game 3 times in his career). Olajuwon’s crowning accomplishment came in the 1993-1994 season, where he not only claimed his lone league MVP but also became the only player to win the Finals, league MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year award all in the same season. Olajuwon stood out as the league’s best center of the 1990s, taking the torch from Moses and passing it to Shaq.

    11

    Wilt Chamberlain

    We talk about crazy stat lines and the most mesmerizing Basketball Reference pages, and Wilt is by far the champion of that. Whether it was averaging 50 points in a season, averaging over 30 points per game for his career, averaging 22.9 rebounds for his career, or averaging 8.6 assists in a season, Wilt never lacked the numbers. He was the most talented player of the 1960s compared to his adversaries of Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and of course his toughest foe, Bill Russell. The legacy of Wilt, to me, often comes down to this: if he was the most talented, why did he only win one championship as the best player on his team? Remember back to Isiah Thomas—he had that “It” intangible. Something intangible, something that doesn’t show up on the back of a basketball card. Wilt had all the talent, was one of the most charismatic personalities, an athletic marvel—but I often think and read that he lacked “it.” He was more talented than Russell on the offensive end of the floor by leaps and bounds. But he was only able to capture one championship in the 60s when the two of them battled. Again, when we get to this point in ranking NBA greats, we are getting super nitpicky. Wilt is arguably the most gifted athlete the league has ever seen; no one will ever eclipse his scoring records. A seven-time scoring champ, 13-time All-Star, and 4-time league MVP, he is more of an NBA god than anything else.

  • Against the Spread: NFL Week 1 Predictions and Analysis

    We are finally here after a long offseason—Week 1 is upon us, kicking off this Thursday. This will be a weekly series that, after Week 1, will be posted on Wednesday mornings. We will go through and pick every game for the week against the spread and, at the end, give our favorite 5 picks for the week. All lines provided are taken from FanDuel.com. This is not gambling advice or sponsored.

    Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5)

    Philadelphia -7.5

    We are taking Philly to cover the 7.5-point spread. The Philly ring celebration and momentum, I think, carry into the season opener. The loss of Parsons and Lawrence against a strong Eagles offensive line makes me believe the trenches are won by Philadelphia and they are able to take care of their divisional foe fairly easily.

    Kansas City at Los Angeles (C) (+3)

    Kansas City -3

    Taking Kansas City and the points. Though the line puzzled me, as the Chargers are coming off a strong season and under their second season with Jim Harbaugh, I figured this line would be a lot closer to even than favoring the Chiefs that heavily. The Chiefs are a public team, but when Andy Reid has extra time to prepare—whether that be a bye week or an offseason—historically his teams win, and when a team is favored by 3 or less and I think they will win, I’ll just go with that team.

    Miami at Indianapolis (-1.5)

    Indianapolis -1.5

    Leaning Colts on this one. Both of these teams I am not high on for this year, but teams I see as pretty even. The Dolphins jump out with bigger names at the skill positions, but Indianapolis is better in the trenches and, even with Daniel Jones starting at quarterback, they have an identity of running the ball with Jonathan Taylor. What scares me about Miami here is: the game is indoors, Tua is healthy, the Colts have a middle-of-the-road pass rush at best. Miami can look good on offense when they are on schedule; it’s when defenses can take away first reads and apply pressure, which is left to be seen for this Colts team. All of that being said, these teams are both projected with similar win totals, and the Colts are home and only laying 1.5.

    Pittsburgh at New York (J) (+2.5)

    New York (J) +2.5

    I think people forget, after a disappointing season, that the Jets’ defense was still pretty good in 2024. They ranked as a top-10 pass rush in football last year as a bad team (bad teams are usually behind, typically meaning the other team can run the ball more and also run more successful play action). The Jets have their struggles on offense, and that will likely show on Sunday, but that doesn’t get the Steelers away from the fact they are returning with a whole new offense led by a 42-year-old. Ultimately, I think this is a low-scoring game where both offenses struggle to move the ball. With that, I’ll take the 2.5 and the home-field advantage with New York.

    Carolina at Jacksonville (-3)

    Jacksonville -3

    DUUUUVAL. New coach, new offense, new Jacksonville? Maybe, and that is to be seen. I see both of these teams as mediocre-at-best teams in bad divisions. So why take the Jaguars over a Panthers team that looked strong toward the end of last year? Carolina’s defense was pretty bad last year. The saving grace is they are healthy and getting the likes of Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn on the field to start, but this is a team that lacks a pass rush and any real strengths on that side of the ball. Lawrence is in a real prove-it season. One thing that has been a clear weakness of Lawrence is throwing the ball under pressure. I think the Jags are able to keep him upright just enough in this Week 1 matchup and allow their playmakers to get the ball in space and ultimately lead to a victory over Carolina.

    Arizona at New Orleans (+5.5)

    Arizona -5.5

    I hate taking a road favorite when the team I’m taking isn’t one I think is a playoff-level team. But sometimes there is a team and quarterback that you’re just going to bet against until they can show you they’re worth taking or the line gets so atrociously large that you have to take it, and right now New Orleans and Spencer Rattler are those two things. I just don’t know how this Saints team is going to resemble an NFL-caliber offense unless Alvin Kamara just goes haywire or the Cardinals blow coverages multiple times. I just don’t see those things happening. Though I’m not superbly high on Arizona this year, I just don’t see how this Saints team scores more than 14 without a crazy special teams or defensive touchdown. So for now, and until proven otherwise, I will be betting against the Saints.

    New York (G) at Washington (-6.5)

    Washington -6.5

    I’m riding a little higher on the Giants now than I was before the preseason. There are two ways I see this bet going the wrong way: the Giants’ pass rush overwhelms Washington and messes their offense up, and/or Wilson and Nabers connect on some long balls. The Commanders are the better and more experienced team. An old team, I think, will perform better early in the season, and coming off a deep playoff run and a second-year Jayden Daniels, I think Washington takes care of business in Week 1.

    Tampa Bay at Atlanta (+2.5)

    Atlanta +2.5

    I get it, Baker threw 40 touchdowns. I get it, Mike Evans is going to catch 1,000 yards every year until 2054. I get why some are high on the Buccaneers, but do people not remember Kirk Cousins torching them for 500 yards last year and being 0-2 against the Falcons? I will admit I am optimistic for Michael Penix Jr., but that’s not the sole reason I’m taking Atlanta here. These NFC South games are always whacky and always competitive. I’ll take the team that showed an ability to rack up points and yards on Tampa Bay last year, the home-field advantage, and the 2.5 points.

    Cincinnati at Cleveland (+5.5)

    Cincinnati -5.5

    Remember what I said about the Cardinals and not liking to take road favorites that I don’t see as playoff teams? Well, I think Cincinnati is a playoff team. Remember what I said about the Saints and betting against a team until they prove to me otherwise that they’re worth selecting? The Browns are the other team that follows that same rule. Cincinnati, for 3 years in a row, has gotten off to a slow start, losing all 3 of their last season openers. I think this year they change that—they need to change that. If you think Cincinnati is going to the playoffs, they win this game. With an offense as explosive as the Bengals, I think they’ll put up points. Even with a weaker defense, I just don’t think this Cleveland team can keep up, and ultimately the Bengals cover the 5.5 points.

    Las Vegas at New England (-2.5)

    New England -2.5

    I like both of these two teams to improve for similar reasons this season: better coaching. So why New England over Las Vegas? I find these two teams a toss-up. New coaches, relatively new QBs (Maye’s first season opener as a starter), and plenty of other new faces up and down these rosters. With that, I’ll take the home team and the team I think will make the biggest jump in total wins from last year to this year.

    San Francisco at Seattle (+2.5)

    Seattle +2.5

    I think Seattle is going to surprise a lot of teams this year, especially on the defensive side of the football. San Francisco is not the deep roster they were in years past. I think this young and hungry Seahawks team is going to be able to get after Purdy and keep the passing game in check. McCaffrey is a danger every time he touches the ball, but I think the Seahawks will be able to schematically take advantage of the lack of deep threats the 49ers possess until Aiyuk can come back. Ultimately, I like Seattle a lot this year and was surprised to see them getting 2.5 at home to start the season.

    Tennessee at Denver (-7.5)

    Denver -7.5

    Going to ride the momentum of last season and believe in Bo Nix, year two with Sean Payton. I think Tennessee will be an improved team. It’s hard to have worse turnover luck and special teams play than they had last year, but I think an elite Denver defense overwhelms Cam Ward in his first start with Tennessee and Denver wins this one pretty easily.

    Houston at Los Angeles (R) (-2.5)

    Los Angeles (R) -2.5

    This line could change on a dime if Matthew Stafford is out for Week 1. At the moment, we’re going off Stafford playing. For future reference, if lines change significantly due to injury news, we will post on our Twitter/X account an update on the line and pick: @ThePSSports. I just like Sean McVay and his ability to scheme. He’s had all offseason to plan his offensive scheme against a very good Houston defense. Ultimately, this is one of the better and evenly matched games going into Week 1. I’ll take the home team as long as Stafford is the one under center.

    Detroit at Green Bay (-2.5)

    Green Bay -2.5

    A classic, seemingly competitive divisional game, and the line shows. I like Green Bay in this one. I think the loss of your Pro Bowl center and losing one of the best offensive coordinators in the game hurts an offense a lot. I still think Detroit is too talented to miss the playoffs this year, but I think this Green Bay team is really good and I think they kick off the season with a win in one of the best games of Week 1.

    Baltimore at Buffalo (-1.5)

    Buffalo -1.5

    I really think we are getting an AFC Championship Game preview for our first Sunday Night Football game of the season. These two teams feel so even and as much of a coin-flip matchup (sorry, Josh Allen) as we will get this year. I like that I’m only having to give up 1.5 with the home team in Buffalo. The winner of this game probably comes down to which group performs better: Buffalo stopping the run or Baltimore getting pressure on Josh Allen.

    Minnesota at Chicago (+1.5)

    Chicago +1.5

    If you read our NFC Over/Unders Preview, you would know exactly my thoughts on Minnesota. That being, I have no idea what to expect, and I think their offense is the biggest question mark of any team in the NFL. McCarthy was someone I was not high on out of Michigan, and sustaining a significant leg injury doesn’t make me more confident in him. With the absence of Jordan Addison and with aging Aaron Jones and TJ Hockenson, I think the Bears and star cornerback Jaylon Johnson can key in on Justin Jefferson and slow down the Minnesota offense enough to come up with a victory.

    Super 5 Picks:

    • Seattle +2.5
    • Philadelphia -7.5
    • Cincinnati -5.5
    • Denver -7.5
    • Kansas City -3

  • NFL 2025 Season Preview

    We have our final win total season predictions, playoff picture, awards and Super Bowl predictions below. See what three changes were flipped since our initial AFC, NFC win total predictions, the Micah trade may have changed one NFC teams selection. 

    Overall my thoughts on going into this season are there are 4 (possibly a fifth in Jayden Daniels if he can replicate last season) and then the QB’s 6-15 feel like a tight race. The difference in overall skill between Jordan Love and Baker Mayfield or Justin Herbert and CJ Stroud, is so slim. To me it’s more nuances and some I prefer over others but the amount these guys change their teams trajectory to the next guy I feel is very small. 

    With that in mind it feels like to make a real run and be a competitive team in this league you need one of those top-4 guys and can have a bad team around them or you need a good defense and good team and one of the top-6 to 15 guys. That should get you in the playoffs or at least around 9 wins total. 

    But to win the Super Bowl and the teams that are really in contention they have one of two things. In my eyes there are 6 teams that can win the Super Bowl. Those teams are the Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Eagles, Lions and Packers. All 6 of these teams have are one of two things. They have either one of the top-4 QB’s and a good set of skill players, offensive line and defense or they have a good QB and an elite defense, great coach and/or good skill position players.

    I ultimately believe this is the year the Bills circle their wagons around the Lombardi Trophy and defeat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. I think Josh Allen will be too much in the playoffs this year. I think the Bills have the best chance to have the best record in the AFC and have home field advantage. With the loss of Creed Humphries, Travis Kelce showing signs of decline and a 6 game suspension from Rashee Rice I think the Chiefs will still win the AFC West but finish with a worse record than the Bills. 

    The NFC feels like it’s the Eagles to take again this year. The Lions I feel have taken a step back after losing their starting Pro-Bowl center and both of their coordinators this offseason. But they are still an ultra talented roster and have a steadiness at the head coach and quarterback spots. The Micah trade I think vaulted the Packers into a contender for me. They have been consistently winning double digit games with LeFleur as head coach. With the addition of Parsons playing opposite Rashan Gary, I think this defense will be one that teams won’t want to see in the playoffs. Ultimately I think the Eagles have too talented of a roster to not make it back to the Super Bowl.

    Ultimately it just feels like Josh Allen is at that point that we got to with Manning. The guy is clearly the best or second best quarterback in the league. The only guy beating him is the one beating everyone (Brady to Manning is Mahomes to Allen). Coming off an MVP, I think Allen and the offense has the weapons to make their run and hoist the Lombardi in February. 

    Final Over Unders and Changes:

    Arizona Cardinals – 8.5: Under

    Atlanta Falcons – 7.5: Over

    Baltimore Ravens – 11.5: Over

    Buffalo Bills – 11.5: Over

    Carolina Panthers – 6.5: Over

    Chicago Bears – 8.5: Under

    Cincinnati Bengals – 9.5: Over

    Cleveland Browns – 4.5: Under

    Dallas Cowboys – 7.5: Under

    Denver Broncos – 9.5: Over

    Detroit Lions – 10.5: Under

    Green Bay Packers – 9.5: Over

    Houston Texans – 9.5: Over

    Indianapolis Colts – 7.5: Under

    Jacksonville Jaguars – 7.5: Under

    Kansas City Chiefs – 11.5: Over

    Las Vegas Raiders – 6.5: Over

    Los Angeles Chargers – 9.5: Under

    Los Angeles Rams – 9.5: Over

    Miami Dolphins – 8.5: Under

    Minnesota Vikings – 8.5: Under

    New England Patriots – 8.5: Over

    New Orleans Saints – 5.5: Under

    New York Giants – 5.5: Over

    New York Jets – 5.5: Under

    Philadelphia Eagles – 11.5: Over

    Pittsburgh Steelers – 8.5: Under

    San Francisco 49ers – 10.5: Under

    Seattle Seahawks – 8.5: Over

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 9.5: Under

    Tennessee Titans – 5.5: Over

    Washington Commanders – 9.5: Over

    Three changes to our original picks, that can be found on our site for a more on our picks. The three changes are the following:

    Denver Broncos: Over 

    I’m flip flopping them and the Chargers. The Broncos defense should be good again and Sean Payton usually just finds a way to get the most out of his offenses. But most importantly the Chargers are really losing a lot in the loss to Rashawn Slater. I think that changes their entire trajectory as a team and I think the Broncos are the team to get the biggest advantage from that loss.

    Los Angeles Chargers: Under
    I really liked the prospect of them having two elite tackles and what they could accomplish in the run game and in the trenches. Losing that much talent on the offensive line I think is too much for them to put up a 10+ win season in such a competitive AFC West. The talent is a huge loss but in this case they lose the identity that I thought they were building in LA.

    New York Giants: Over

    This could be one I quickly regret but I am making this move for three reasons. First and foremost they have one of the best defensive lines in the league. Abdul Carter looks like he is every bit worth the third pick in the draft and will strengthen an already strong Giants front. Second, I think the Cowboys are taking a huge step back with the loss of Micah Parsons. Someone is going to take advantage of that and I think the Giants are the ones to do it. Lastly I think the QB situation might not be as bad as I thought before the preseason. I won’t be surprised if Dart sees the field this year and I think that might be a positive thing now.

    AFC Playoff Picture:

    AFC East: Buffalo Bills

    AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

    AFC South: Houston Texans

    AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

    WC: Denver Broncos

    WC: Cincinnati Bengals

    WC: New England Patriots

    NFC Playoff Picture:

    NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

    NFC North: Green Bay Packers

    NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

    NFC West: Seattle Seahawks

    WC: Detroit Lions

    WC: Washington Commanders

    WC: Los Angeles Rams

    AFC Championship:

    Buffalo Bills

    NFC Championship:

    Philadelphia Eagles

    Super Bowl Champions:

    Buffalo Bills

    MVP:

    1. Josh Allen
    2. Lamar Jackson
    3. Patrick Mahomes

    OPOY:

    1. Derrick Henry
    2. Ja’Marr Chase
    3. Saquon Barkley

    DPOY:

    1. Micah Parsons
    2. Myles Garrett
    3. Aiden Hutchinson

    OROY:

    1. Ashton Jeanty
    2. Cam Ward
    3. Treyvon Henderson

    DROY

    1. Abdul Carter
    2. Nick Emmanwori
    3. Shemar Stewart

  • Micah Parsons Traded to the Packers: What Does This Mean for Each Team

    Micah Parsons was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers for two first round picks and veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark. Parsons also agreed to a 4 year $188,000,000 dollar contract with Green Bay, with $120,000,000 guaranteed.

    Tensions had been brewing between Dallas ownership and Parsons while during contract extension negotiations Jerry Jones made off-handed comments of Parsons’ availability in the prior season after missing 4 games last season.

    Parsons had made comments and formal requests to the team after to request a trade and informed the team he no longer wished to play or sign an extension. After weeks had gone by it had seemed as though maybe both sides were bluffing but in a quick turn of events Parsons is now a member of the Green Bay Packers.

    What does this trade mean for both sides:

    Green Bay: In arguably the most competitive division in the NFL for 2025 the Packers may have just climbed themselves up to be favorites to win the division alongside Detroit. The Packers, coming off an 11-6 season and find themselves playing a third place schedule. On top of the Lions losing both coordinators, the Vikings starting essentially a rookie at quarterback and the Bears with a ton of question marks. Matt LeFleur has his team’s sights set on another winning season and a division crown. 

    Dallas: Dallas was a team prior to the trade I was not excited about. A new head coach, Dak coming off an injury, a weaker offensive line, huge question marks in the backfield and now a defense losing DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons. Dallas is going to have an uphill battle to get past their divisional foes in Philadelphia and Washington who both found themselves in the NFC Championship game last year. 

    Micah since entering the league has been arguably one of the 5 most valuable defensive players in the league. One of the most athletic and dominant pass rushers, Parsons has never finished with less than 12 sacks and despite Jerry Jones’ comments has only missed 4 games in his career due to injury.

    This trade reminds me a lot of when Khalil Mack was traded to the Bears from the Raiders. Both players entering their mid-20’s and prime after already being one of the very elite pass rushers in the league. Parsons is one of the few non-quarterbacks in the league that can change a team’s trajectory. The Packers have consistently been a winning team under LeFleur and clearly see this as a window of opportunity to make a run and be competitive. Giving up two first rounders is always a risky endeavor but with a strong organizational foundation and for a player as talented and as young as Parsons this feels well worth the risk for Green Bay.

  • NBA Top-50 Players of All Time: 21-30

    We’re getting to the point in the list of ultimate longevity versus title runs and dominating the league. A few large what-ifs: What if they stayed healthier, what if they won one championship, what if they started or played their career somewhere else?

    30

    Scottie Pippen:

    What if Scottie Pippen was a number one option for his career? Pippen is arguably the league’s best wing defender of all time. Playing alongside Michael Jordan, Pippen captured six NBA Championships with seven All-Star and All-NBA (three first teams) appearances. We saw a year and a half of Pippen being the lead guy in Chicago. That time I don’t think fully paints the picture of where he could have gone talent-wise. He was playing and leading a team that had a hole. He had to pick up, fix, and replace a sports car that just had its engine taken away. Pippen was a late bloomer who grew late and within three years in the league was an NBA All-Star. His ability to defend the wing, create offense as an almost hybrid wing-guard at 6’8” (averaging over 5 assists per game for his career and 7 assists per game in the Bulls’ first championship season in 91-92). Pippen sacrificed the stats and the stardom of a lead guy to help the Bulls and Jordan become the greatest team of the 1990’s and possibly all time.

    29

    Chris Paul:

    What if Chris Paul captured one NBA Championship? Chris Paul is arguably the most talented traditional point guard of all time. Traditional in the sense of controlling the ball and offense, being a pass-first guard, guarding the other team’s point guard, and typically being the smallest player on the court for his team. Chris Paul’s longevity, now going into his final and twenty-first season of his career, is one we don’t see from many players in the league and not very often from players of his 6’0” stature. Paul came into the league out of Wake Forest as the #4 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He instantly turned into one of the league’s best guards, winning the Rookie of the Year award in the 2005-06 season and finishing second in the MVP race in just his third season in the league. After carrying undertalented and poorly run New Orleans teams early in his career, he was then traded to the Clippers and instantly turned them into a contender after decades of mediocrity at best from a Clippers franchise. Everywhere Paul went in his career, whether it was New Orleans, Houston, Oklahoma City, or Phoenix, his teams instantly turned into playoff teams with a chance to win it all. The only thing is his teams came up short in the playoffs. A few conference championship appearances and one Finals appearance, Paul was never able to hoist the Larry O’Brien. It’s the one knock on his NBA résumé. Paul is an insatiable talent and was a pleasure to watch for over two decades. Championship or not, Paul is undoubtedly one of the greatest point guards of all time.

    28

    David Robinson:

    There are two what-ifs when it comes to Robinson’s career. What if Robinson entered the league after being drafted (Robinson spent two years serving military service time after being drafted), and what if Robinson and the Spurs never drafted Tim Duncan? Robinson didn’t enter the league until he was 24 after college and military service. He instantly entered the league as one of the league’s best players as the Rookie of the Year and finished 6th in the MVP race. Robinson was a great two-way player and one of the freakiest athletes the league ever saw. A chiseled 7’1” frame made Robinson arguably one of the best athletes we’ve ever seen at the center position. Capturing 10 All-NBA teams, a DPOY, and a league MVP, there wasn’t much missing from The Admiral’s career except for that elusive championship ring. A blessing in disguise came by way of an injury that limited Robinson to just 6 games in the 96-97 season, which led the Spurs to a 20-62 season and landing the #1 overall pick in the 1997 Draft, allowing them to take Tim Duncan. Duncan and Robinson instantly got the team back on track, winning 56 games in their first year together and capturing the 1999 NBA Championship. Robinson won a second championship later in his last year of his career in 2003 as well, but playing a much lesser role for that second ring. Robinson checks every box you could ask for on an NBA résumé, cementing him as an all-time great as he surely stood out in an NBA decade full of great big men.

    27

    Kawhi Leonard:

    What if Zaza Pachulia doesn’t stick his foot under Kawhi in the 2017 Western Conference Finals? Many forget the Spurs won over 60 games in back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017 and were looking like they could defeat the seemingly invincible 2016-2017 Warriors before the injury occurred. Kawhi has one of the most interesting NBA resumes of all-time. He has missed long stretches of games due to injury but when he’s played and is healthy he’s looked every bit as good as the other top guys in the league. A lot of the time when we see a player that has endured injuries and missed time in the league its this big what-if they stayed healthy that team could’ve won a championship (think Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway and Derrick Rose) the odd thing with Kawhi is he stayed healthy enough in stretches he won two championships and has 2 Finals MVP’s to go along with them. Kawhi came into the league as a freaky athlete who was instantly one of the league’s best defenders, the only problem then was he was a terrible jump shooter. To the demise of many eventual scouts and coaching staffs Kawhi figured out how to make himself an elite shooter. Now every time there is a super athletic wing that can’t shoot teams ask themselves if this is their Kawhi. Kawhi is still a very good player when healthy but still struggles with staying on the court. On a Clippers team that is full of veterans and ready to compete in a loaded Western Conference, any follower of basketball still wonders, does he have one more elite full healthy season in him?

    26

    Kevin Garnett:

    What if Kevin Garnett got out of Minnesota earlier? Out of high school, Garnett quickly became a star in the league, capturing his first of 15 All-Star appearances at just 20 years old in his second year in the league. Garnett flourished, becoming a perennial All-NBA, All-Defense First Team member yearly and capturing a league MVP in 2003-2004 while also taking the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals. That was as far as he was able to take Minnesota, and mostly due to the fault of the front office never surrounding Garnett with adequate talent to compete with Duncan and the Spurs or Kobe and Shaq and the Lakers in the West during the early 2000’s. We saw Garnett get traded to Boston going into the 2007-2008 campaign, where he was able to win Defensive Player of the Year, finish third in MVP voting, and capture his lone NBA Championship. Garnett is the embodiment of a ferocious competitor, if not a belligerently crazy competitor. For over a decade, Garnett was one of the league’s best players and at times may have been the league’s best player. He had an amazing NBA career, has every trophy imaginable, the what-if is only what if he was given help earlier or in a better organization earlier.

    25

    Charles Barkley:

    The obvious is what if Charles was able to win one ring, but that feels like a tired talking point. What if Charles Barkley was 6’10”? Making this list fascinated me, how many of the elite power forwards of all time clumped together here in the 15-30 range. All of them with their own unique skill set. But Barkley has possibly the most unique skill set of them all, being his ability to rebound at 6’6” (which some say is a stretch). Barkley averaged double-digit rebounds every year aside from his rookie campaign. Like many stars of the 90’s, Barkley was never able to capture a championship, that really being the only knock on his résumé. Capturing a league MVP in 1992-93 plus 11 All-NBA nods, Barkley’s accolades match his charismatic persona as one of the most beloved and humorous personalities the sport has ever had.

    24

    Karl Malone:

    What if Karl Malone didn’t have John Stockton? Stockton made our top-50 at number 39 in our last article that you can read here. They ran one of the most efficient and best 2-man games the league has ever seen for almost two decades. Their ability to play full seasons for the span they did is something that I feel is often overlooked in their careers. Malone gets the slight nod over Barkley for capturing 2 league MVP’s and 2 Finals appearances to Barkley’s 1 MVP and 1 Finals appearance, but all of these power forwards are neck and neck. Malone was an efficient scorer of the basketball for the era and a strong presence on both sides of the floor, and in general, he’s often regarded as one of the strongest and most intimidating power forwards ever.

    23

    Dirk Nowitzki:

    What if Dirk didn’t capture the 2011 NBA title? For a lot of guys on this list, the question is what if they won a ring, and it’s often the one thing missing from their career accolades. Dirk was able to shake that off in what might be the single most impressive playoff run a single player has put together. On a team that had no other stars in their prime, Nowitzki led and dominated a playoff run, defeating the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook’s Thunder, the reigning champion Kobe and Pau-led Lakers (swept them), a persistently good Trail Blazers team, and ultimately defeating the Miami Big 3 (LeBron, Wade, and Bosh) in the Finals. During that playoff run, Dirk averaged almost 40 minutes a game and carried the offensive burden, averaging 27.7 points. Dirk played a 21-year career, coming into the league at 20 out of Germany. He captured a league MVP, Finals MVP, 12-time All-NBA, 14-time All-Star, and something that can’t be given an award for — which was to change the way a 7-footer could play basketball. Dirk was truly the first great shooting big, and the league has changed forever because of that. Every European player over 6’10” that could shoot instantly has been compared to the German legend, and even after 7-plus years out of the league, that narrative still holds true.

    22

    Dwyane Wade:

    What if the Big 3 never came together in Miami? I want to preface that by saying Wade, without those rings, is still one of the greatest shooting guards ever, and his positioning on this list wouldn’t have been so different without that run. That being said, I don’t think it’s crazy to say he probably only has one championship if Bosh and LeBron don’t join him in Miami. Wade is one of the best and quickest athletes to ever play the guard position. Wade was a late bloomer, coming into the league after 3 years at Marquette. He quickly became a star in the league, capturing his first of 13 All-Star appearances in his second year in the league. In his third season, Wade led the Miami Heat to their first NBA Championship at just 24 years old. After the departure of Shaquille O’Neal during the 2007-2008 season, there was a few-year stretch where Wade really had to carry the burden of doing everything in Miami, averaging over 30 points per game in 2008-2009. Wade was able to recruit fellow draft classmates LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami for the 2010-2011 season, where the trio made the Finals four straight years and captured two NBA Championships. Wade fell into more of a sixth-man role shortly after the departure of LeBron. He is the greatest member of the Miami Heat ever and is one of my personal favorite players to have ever watched play basketball.

    21

    John Havlicek:

    What if Havlicek played in the 1990’s? Havlicek is, in my opinion, one of the most overlooked stars this league has ever had. Winner of 8 Championships, Havlicek helped transfer the Celtics’ dominance into the 1970s after Bill Russell retired. Havlicek was an iron man, playing fewer than 75 games only once in his career (71 games in 1965-1966, where they won another championship) and averaged 36.6 minutes a game. Often overlooked among guards and wings of this era, Havlicek averaged in the mid-20 points per game range for the peak of his career with no three-point line and an often crowded paint area. It makes you wonder, especially with his athleticism and basketball IQ, if Havlicek played in the 1990s, would he be remembered more and could his game have flourished in a more modern style of basketball? Havlicek is often overlooked because of the era he played in, but 8 Championships and his numbers land him at our #21 slot.

  • NBA Top-50 Players of All Time: 31-40

    We move into the next section of our list where championships and longevity seem to be a common theme!

    40

    Kevin McHale:

    McHale came out of the University of Minnesota as the league’s third pick in 1980 as a gangly 6’10” post with a plethora of crafty moves down low. Ultra-skilled and agile for his size, McHale helped the Boston Celtics capture three championships in the 1980’s. Starting out as an overqualified sixth man, McHale was a two-time Sixth Man of the Year winner before becoming a starter in 1985. A six-time All-Defensive selection, McHale showcased skills on both sides of the floor for one of the league’s best teams of all time. Playing second fiddle to Larry Bird may have taken away some of the counting stats for McHale, and a quick look at Basketball Reference might not paint the best picture of the talent he possessed. But the rings and legend speak more for themselves as time passes.

    39

    John Stockton:

    Like many stars of the 90’s, Stockton falls in the shadows without a ring. But the all-time leader in steals and assists is the poster child for longevity and availability. Missing fewer than 25 games in his 19-year career, Stockton captured nine straight assist titles, two steal titles, and two NBA Finals appearances. Alongside Karl Malone, Stockton manufactured arguably the best pick-and-roll game the league has ever seen. Though Stockton had a long and flourishing career, the lack of being the best guy on his team and not winning a championship pushes him down against some of his point guard counterparts who will come later on this list. This Gonzaga legend was as gritty as they come and will most likely always grace the top of the all-time assist leaderboards.

    38

    Rick Barry:

    Barry split time in the ABA and NBA but surely showed he was one of the league’s best players in the 1970’s. Leading the Warriors in 1975 to an NBA championship, Barry is most famous for that and two other things: his success at the free-throw line with his underhand (“granny”) styled shot, and for being a tough teammate in the locker room. Barry was never one to back down from a confrontation, but he was like that with his competition too. An extremely intelligent basketball player and a tough-as-nails competitor, coupled with his ability to score the basketball, make Barry one of the greatest players of his era and of all time.

    37

    Jason Kidd:

    As the second pick in the 1994 NBA Draft, Kidd was a highly thought-of prospect with really only one hole in his game: his jump shot. One thing I admire about Kidd was his ability to develop his skill set throughout his career. For a player to be nicknamed “Ason Kidd” (because he was missing a “J”) and retire as a top-10 all-time three-point field goal maker is a real testament to him as a player. Kidd was clearly talented from the get-go but was tumultuous in Dallas, quickly being traded to Phoenix. Kidd’s career really took off when he arrived in New Jersey, where he led a clearly inferior Nets team to two Finals appearances. Kidd captured NBA glory in 2011 with the Mavericks and checked off just about every NBA accomplishment aside from a league MVP.

    36

    Steve Nash:

    A two-time MVP and five-time assist leader in the NBA, Nash was one of the greatest floor generals in league history. Standing at 6’3” and 195 pounds, Nash was far from an intimidating physical specimen. Though quick, Nash became a great player almost six years into his NBA career as one of the craftiest passers and ball handlers the league has ever seen. A guy who, if he had played his career 10 years later, would have shot the ball a lot more, Nash is percentage-wise one of the greatest shooters of all time and is one of nine players ever to accomplish a 50-40-90 season—and the only player to do it three times (50% FG, 40% 3FG, 90% FT). Nash, like many in this section of the list, never won a title. Nash and the Suns made plenty of deep playoff runs, but in an era with Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in the West, Nash was never able to get over the hump. One thing I often reflect on with Nash is that he was teammates with Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas, and right before Nash really came into his own, he was essentially forced to sign with the Suns when Dallas signed Erick Dampier to a large contract. The what-if of Nash and Dirk together through the early 2000’s still stands as one of the biggest what-ifs in basketball.

    35

    Patrick Ewing:

    Ewing came into the league as one of the highest-touted prospects out of Georgetown. A towering scowl bestowed upon the 7’0” Ewing, a three-time All-American and National Champion in college, the league’s #1 pick in 1985 had a miraculous career. Immediately showcasing his skills on both sides of the court, Ewing was a terrific shot blocker (career average 2.4 blocks per game while lingering in the league into his late 30’s) and scorer, averaging 21 points per game for his career and as much as 28.6 points per game in an era when points were harder to come by. Ewing never captured an NBA championship but led a consistently contending Knicks team that captured the eyes and hearts of New York in the 90’s.

    34

    Bob Pettit:

    Pettit is another great whose scoring and rebounding numbers jump off the page. After being selected number two overall out of LSU, Pettit won Rookie of the Year and, the following season, captured the league MVP. Leading his St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 crown, there isn’t much missing from Pettit’s legacy. A career average of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds made Pettit the league’s first truly great power forward.

    33

    James Harden:

    A real case could be made that James Harden is the best offensive guard of all time. An 11-time All-Star and 8-time All-NBA member, Harden has also captured three scoring titles, two assist titles, and a league MVP (plus two second-place and two third-place finishes). Harden is and was a gifted slasher who relentlessly tormented teams in the pick-and-roll. Go under the screen, and he’ll splash a three. Go over the screen, and he’s going downhill for a layup or a kick-out three. There was nearly a decade where there was no stopping James Harden offensively. The knock on Harden comes by way of being a lackadaisical defender and not being able to come up big in large playoff moments. While still playing on a competitive Clippers team, Harden seems stuck in this section of all-time lists unless he can capture that elusive title.

    32

    Elgin Baylor:

    Along with the greats of Wilt, Russell, and Oscar, Elgin brought an unprecedented amount of athleticism to the NBA. With a career average of 27.4 PPG without the three-point line, Elgin is one of the league’s best scorers of all time. Like many players of the 60’s, he is ringless and unfortunately called it quits mid-season in 1971–72 before his Lakers grabbed a title. Elgin was really the first slashing wing to carry that level of athleticism in the league. An 11-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA member cement him as one of the greats despite playing in the era that he did.

    31

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

    Was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024–25 season one of the greatest guard seasons ever? Yes. Does that one season alone catapult him into the top 50? For me, also yes. At just 26 years old and seven seasons in the league, Shai has captured a championship, Finals MVP, Regular Season MVP, three All-Star games, and three First Team All-NBA selections. He and the Thunder look far from finished on this run. There is, of course, some projection you have to give when a guy has another 5–8 years of his prime left, but his ability to score the basketball as a guard and lead an extremely young team to a championship is something only a few guards in league history have ever been able to do.

    1. Does The Eugenio Suarez Trade Make The Mariners A Contender?


      About 4 hours from first pitch and the return of Eugenio Suarez to T-Mobile Park the trade deadline nears an end. Of all teams in the AL the Mariners have seemed to make the largest moves to make a post season push.

      A week after the the Mariners traded for fellow Diamondback rental Josh Naylor the Mariners lineup is now finally taking shape as one of the elite lineups in baseball. To start the season the Mariners had three large holes in their lineup. First Base, Second Base and Third Base. After the call up of rookie Cole Young and the acquisitions of Naylor and Suarez this is now a fairly deep line up. One Mariner fans have been begging for, for multiple seasons.

      The question now is: Is it too late? The Mariners in 2023 and 2024 had a spectacular starting rotation and were able to stay incredibly fortunate with staying healthy. In 2025 the lineup has finally caught up but the rotation has suffered regression and injuries from spring training on. Whether it’s been George Kirby and Logan Gilbert with IL stints, inconsistency and injuries from Bryce Miller or the up’s and down’s of fill in starters Emerson Hancock and Logan Evans the rotation is nowhere near it’s dominance of prior seasons.

      One team in the current AL playoff race is going to be left out. The Tigers, barring collapse will come out of the AL Central. The Blue Jays look as good as any team in baseball and have a 4-game lead in the AL East. The AL West is lead by the Astros who hold a 5 game lead over both Texas and Seattle. The division leaders are met with four Wild-Card chasers in the Yankees, Red, Sox, Rangers and Mariners who all sit within 2.5 games of each other.

      With an injured Judge and a faltering veteran lineup the 2.5 game lead the Yankees hold is not on solid ground. The Red Sox are relying on rookies and young players along with ace Garrett Crochet to get them by. Texas has had strong pitching but the bats have surprisingly been inconsistent at best. Seattle has just been mediocre and their typical good but not great selves. No one of the four is standing tall above the rest. One of those 4 will be left out of post season play and it will be an exciting race over the next 2 months.

      As a Mariners fan, I feel cautious optimism. Narrowly missing the postseason has been the norm for the last decade for Seattle. With the re-addition of Suarez this is the best lineup they’ve had in a long time. The rotation is seemingly getting healthier and hopefully taking a form closer to its 2024 look. They look great on paper now the question is will it translate to enough wins to take a Wild Card spot or even over take the Astros in the West.

    2. NBA Top-50 Players of All Time: 41-50

      As we are in the dog days of the summer sports calendar. Now felt like as good of a time to roll out an updated all-time players ranking for the NBA. Today we jump in the list in reverse order and will rank the 41-50 greatest players of all time. Expect more detail as the list gets higher up. 

      50

      Bob McAdoo:

      You’ll find on this list a prioritization of a few things. What was the peak of their career and how long did that last? How many championships, and for those championships what role did they play? Longevity and finally All-NBA and All-Star selections. McAdoo checks all of these. Like many stars of the 70’s McAdoo entered the league in 1972 as a 21 year old was ready to make a splash right away. The NBA’s second overall pick won the Rookie of The Year and just 2 years later won the leagues MVP with a split of 34/14/2 along with 3.3 Blocks and 1.2 steals. This era of the NBA and the counting stats can be highly correlated with the pace of play or at least to the amount of possessions each team was getting. In the 1970’s teams averaged about 106 possessions per game. To put that in perspective in the fast pace of todays NBA so far the 2020’s teams have averaged 99 possessions per game. This isn’t to take anything away from the stats of stars from the 70’s but provide context to the high volume of counting stats. To go along with McAdoo’s great start to his career and accolades in the 1970’s, McAdoo finished his career as the sixth man for the Lakers in the 80’s and won two championships. Many players of this era get lost in basketball history but McAdoo sure seems to have left his mark.

      49

      Dwight Howard:

      Dwight Howard not being on the NBA 75 was in my opinion the biggest omission of the whole list. I understood current players not cracking the list that have a lot more career to go. But Dwight was the by far the best center in the league for nearly a decade. There have always been stories and frankly times I could see how Howard could be a difficult teammate, player to coach or someone for the media to interview. His bashful persona and overall seemingly jokey personality could definitely sour some. All of that can be true but his resume and what I watched in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s was the best center in the league and it didn’t feel close for 6 or 7 years. Selected first in the 2004 NBA Draft out of high school Dwight is one of the best athletes at the center position the NBA has ever seen. A strong frame, long arms and an ability to jump out of the gym made Howard a premier shot blocker, rim runner and rebounder. From the 07-08 season to the 12-13 season Howard led the NBA in rebound 5 out of 6 years and was Defensive Player of the Year three times. One thing of Howard’s defense I feel is overlooked is in his time in Orlando the rest of the team was not a strong defensive team. The guards and wings were able to play aggressive and knew even if their guy got by them they had Dwight to protect the rim behind them. Howard was a force, he lead his team to the Finals as by far the best player on that team. Though his offensive game never developed to that of some of the centers above him on this list Dwight was the best center in the league for a long time and that counts for a lot in my book.

      48

      Bill Walton:

      Walton’s case is really simple for me. The peak he had was so high that even though he experienced an injury that derailed his career he left such a mark on the game that he can’t be left off this list. Sometimes I wonder about guys like Walton and if they played in todays game with better medical practices, better understandings of injury prevention and better shoes and equipment to play with. What would their careers look like? Walton came out of UCLA as the best prospect since Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) came out of the same school. In just his third year in the league Walton lead the Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA Championship in 1977. Known for his exceptional rebounding, passing and especially his outlet passing Walton lead the league in rebounds and blocked shots and finished second in MVP voting. In 1978 Walton won league MVP but broke a small bone in his foot that ended his season and left him only playing in 14 games over the next 4 seasons. Many speculate that the medical staff of the Blazers pressured him to play, maybe so, or maybe they didn’t know how to manage that sort of injury during that time. Whatever the case maybe his peak was ended and ended shortly. He was able to make a short comeback in the 80’s highlighted by winning the Sixth Man of The Year award for the Champion 1986 Boston Celtics. Even as one of the biggest “What If’s” in sports Waltons legacy on the game as a player and later as a broadcaster will always be remembered.

      47

      Walt Frazier:

      Much like McAdoo and many others players of the 1970’s and prior often get forgotten in these lists and discussions for more modern players. But Frazier was the best point guard of the 1970’s and there isn’t anyone really that close. Frazier was a defensive menace and was recognized for that being on the NBA All-Defensive First Team 7 years in a row from 1969-1975. In that 7 year run he also was either on First or Second Team All-NBA and lead the New York Knicks to their only two NBA Championships. Frazier like many stars of that era played alongside great players. Willis Reed and him carried the load as the teams best players but were accompanied by Hall-of-Famers: Bill Bradley, Jerry Lucas and Dave DeBusschere. Though I think the league of the 1970’s should get it’s due respect the league was different in terms of quality and number of players in the league. Frazier was the leagues third great point guard and held that title for many years.

      46

      Elvin Hayes:

      Another player of the 70’s era who put up godly numbers in a high paced era. Hayes was the #1 overall pick out of the University of Houston and instantly was one of the leagues best players. Hayes essentially never missed a game and was an All-Star for his first 12 seasons in the league. He dominated in decade but often gets overshadowed by fellow big man Kareem Abdul Jabbar for big man supremacy in the 70’s. Hayes was part of a two headed big man attack in Washington that secured the 1978 Championship and appeared in two other finals in 75 and 79. After 40 years removed from the league Hayes still currently places 15th All-Time in points scored and 6th All-Time in rebounds (NBA/ABA combined stats).

      45

      Anthony Davis:

      Out first active players to make the list. Davis’s game has evolved since entering the league as the #1 pick out of Kentucky in 2012. Davis entered the league as a defensive menace and arguable the best prospect to enter the draft since Lebron James in 2003. His presence on the defensive end has been felt as a 3 time leader in blocked shots and 5 selections to the All-Defensive team. Davis now is back in the driver seat as a lead guy after spending the last 5.5 seasons with Lebron James in Los Angeles where they were able to secure one NBA title. Davis has been a staple in the league for over a decade. How much higher he ends up on this list will come down his availability to play as maybe the only knock on his resume now is his time spent sidelined due to injury.

      44

      Bob Cousy:

      If dominating an era is something to be accounted it’s impossible to leave off Cousy in a top-50 list. Cousy was the first great point guard of the NBA. Ahead of his time for the time and the lead guard in what was the start of the first dynasty in basketball. A 12x All-Star and a 6x NBA champion the accolades and stats are there the level of competition, the number of teams and players in the league do play a part in those numbers but the greatness of Cousy and the Celtics can never be forgotten.

      43

      Luka Doncic:

      Luka comes in at #43 on our list after just seven years in the league. In his short career Luka has already donned 5 NBA All-First Teams, a scoring title and a NBA Finals appearance. When adding a younger player to a list like this you don’t necessarily project but take into account that Luka is only going into his 26 year old season and there will be more to come. Now wearing the Purple and Gold in Los Angeles it seems as though he is who the Lakers are turning the keys over to. With new ownership and seemingly determined (maybe spiteful) Doncic the Lakers seemed poised to be a competitive team for a long time.

      42

      Allen Iverson:

      Allen Iverson has one of my favorite Basketball Reference pages to look at. Listed at 6’0” and 165 pounds the accomplishments, points and minutes played are astounding. Iverson is known for not only changing the game for his on court play but his swagger and tenaciousness. A league MVP, 4 scoring titles, 7x All NBA and an Finals appearance that he was essentially solely responsible for. Iverson’s resume is really only missing a Larry O’Brien. Was Iverson always playing the best team basketball? No. Was his shooting percentage as high as other all-time greats? No. But to that I say, who the hell cares. He dragged a franchise that was a dumpster fire and brought it back to relevance all while being himself and an insane scorer. 

      41

      Clyde Drexler:

      Clyde unlike many of his counterpart 1990’s stars, Clyde was able to secure a ring after a mid-season trade to the 1995 Houston Rockets. Clyde was an outstanding athlete at the guard position. He lead his Blazer teams to two NBA Finals but came up short to the Bay Boy Pistons and Jordan’s Bulls. Clyde was a 10x All-Star and essentially the second best shooting guard in the league for the majority of his career. For an out of the gym leaping ability his career often gets remembered as one of longevity and as a triumph after capturing that lucrative title in 95.

    3. NFC Preview: Over Under Win Total Predictions

      Be sure to check out the AFC Preview from last week in recent posts. We shift to the NFC in a conference that feels wide open in comparison to the AFC going into 2025. Can Philly repeat? Who is the team that surprises us all? Outside of Philly is any roster that great in the NFC? We dive in below.

      Philadelphia Eagles 11.5 – Over:

      The Eagles are coming back with most of the essential pieces. Losses of Slay and Becton will be there but the Eagles still probably have the best offensive line and skill position groups in the league plus a strong defensive line. The Eagles have drafted well over the years and have been able to reload. I’m not very high on many of their NFC East counter parts. I see them rolling to another division title and be fighting for a top seed in the NFC.

      San Francisco 49ers 10.5 – Under:

      I think every fan in the NFC West outside of San Francisco was thrilled to see the 49ers sign Purdy to a hefty long term extension. It’s not that Purdy hasn’t been good since taking over under center in San Francisco. It’s that they have allocated their resources to him. The health of Christian McCaffery will be a huge factor in this offense as I think yards will be hard to come by as the receiving room now misses Deebo Samuel, has Brandon Aiyuk coming back off injury, a still unknown commodity in second year receiver Ricky Pearsall and questions if Jauan Jennings can’t replicate his production of last year. Shanahan is a great schematic head coach and will get the most out of the roster he is dealing with week to week. But in a division with the Rams and Seahawks I don’t know if this is a team winning 11 games.

      Detroit Lions 10.5 – Under:

      This is a team that lost a lot in the offseason after a successful 2024 regular season. The loss of Pro-Bowl center Frank Ragnow, 9-sack getter Za’Darius Smith and defensive back Carlton Davis III are all going to be felt this coming season. But the biggest loss will come by the loss of both offensive and defensive coordinators. As you tally that up and you play in a competitive NFC North I don’t know if Jarred Goff and that rush attack can lift this Lions team to 11 wins.

      Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9.5 – Under:

      I get it Baker had a great season, they play in a weak division, they have some wide receivers coming back. There are plenty of reasons I can see why you would take the Buccaneers over this season. 9.5 just seems high to me. They are coming off a 10 wins in a season where all three of their division rivals were dumpster fires. Bryce Young and the Panthers are going to be better, the Falcons are a promising young offense and well the Saints we’ll talk about later. But I don’t think you’re getting as easy of a schedule this season. For that I’m going under.

      Los Angeles Rams 9.5 – Over:

      The Rams feel like they can make a jump from last year. After a cold 1-4 start they seemed dead in their tracks. A hot second half and a super tough out in the playoffs have Sean McVay and company optimistic going into this 2025 campaign. You have stability at quarterback and I don’t see a drop off in production coming from Stafford in 2025. The Rams have a good back in Kyren Williams and a defense that lacks big names but seemed to play well as a unit and have a sustainable pass rush. With the feelings that the 49ers, Lions and Bucs are taking a step back in 2025 someone has to take their spot and it feels like the Rams are a great candidate for that.

      Minnesota Vikings 9.5 – Under:

      If you think you know what this Vikings offense will look like in 2025 you’re either lying or know something nobody else does. You’re getting a lot of the same except you’re now turning the keys over to JJ McCarthy. In essentially a rookie campaign after missing all of last year due to injury. I like their skill positions, their defense was stellar last year and doesn’t appear that should change either. Kevin O’Connell is every bit as good as any coach in the league. I just have such a question at quarterback that it’s making say under. 

      Green Bay Packers 9.5 – Over:

      I can’t take the under on everyone in the NFC North and the Packers feel like the team ready to pounce back a-top the division with a depleted Lions team and a new quarterback at the helm in Minnesota. Jordan Love has shown glimpses of looking like a top-5 quarterback and has shown glimpses of mediocre at best. Which Jordan Love shows up really dictates what this team can achieve. I think they are the best looking team in the NFC North for 2025 and I don’t think they are two losses worse than they were last year when the two top teams in the division are likely worse than last year.

      Washington Commanders 9.5 – Over:

      Similar to the Packers, why is this team supposed to be 2-3 losses worse than they were last year? This is a Jayden Daniels question. Can he replicate the second half of last year and be one of the best quarterbacks in the league or does he have a sophomore slump similar to what we saw with CJ Stroud in 2024. My bet is that he plays well again. Though the Commanders trot out a young quarterback this is an experienced roster and I think ready to challenge with the Eagles in the NFC East.

      Dallas Cowboys 8.5 – Under:

      I think Dallas could be a dumpster fire again. What am I supposed to be excited about? Dak coming back after an injury should help this team but they still have a terrible running back situation, a weak offensive line and nothing that really excites me at wide receiver and tight end. Micah Parsons is undoubtedly one of the best defensive players in the league but outside of that I don’t know what I’m supposed to love about this Cowboys defense. I see this team being much closer to the Giants than the Eagles in this division. Feels like an easier under for me.

      Chicago Bears 8.5 – Under:

      This one was surprisingly hard for me. I usually take the Steelers over and just wait to see the same thing play out over and over again, I often do the same thing with the Bears under. The only reason I go under this year is similar to my reasoning for the Raiders under. Your division is just super well coached and tough. If the Bears were in the NFC South I think I’d pick them to win it and take the over. I just think it’s hard for a team with a first year head coach and second year QB to win 9+ games in the NFC North in 2025.

      Arizona Cardinals 8.5 – Under:

      This feels way too high to me. Did Kyler Murray suddenly turn into a better than league average quarterback? Did the defense get way better? What am I missing here? I’m just having a hard time finding what this team will hang its hat on to be a winning football team this season. There isn’t anything they do particularly well and there are still a lot of holes on both sides of the ball for them.

      Atlanta Falcons 7.5 – Over:

      This is an offense bet. The Falcons defense will probably still be pretty bad in 2025. But I think this offense is ready to pop and be one of the more explosive offenses in the league. I just saw flashes with Penix that excite me and in a weak division I think being good on just one side of the ball can be enough to win the South and for the Falcons to be at least an 8 win team.

      Seattle Seahawks 7.5 – Over:

      I am biased so take what I say here with that in mind. But why would I bet the Seahawks are 3 wins worse than last year? Geno for Darnold feels like a wash to me and I like Geno. My outlook on this team is I think the defense is going to be really good in its second year with Mike Macdonald as head coach. If this offense is league average and limits turn overs this feels like they at least replicate their 10-7 record from past season.

      Carolina Panthers 6.5 – Over:

      The Panthers to start 2024 looked like they could be in for one of the worst seasons in NFL history. They also didn’t have their first round pick. Bryce Young looked lost and got benched. It looked bleak. But they were frisky towards the end of the season and Bryce started to look like the Bryce we saw at Alabama that made him the #1 pick. I don’t think there is any chance this team makes the playoffs but I think in a bad division and in their second year under head coach Dave Canales I think they go over 6.5 wins.

      New York Giants 5.5 – Under:

      Not a great time to be a football fan in New York. Much like the team they share Metlife Stadium with I’m sitting here after a decade long track record of just poor decisions. With one of the 5 worst quarterback situations in the league and in a division with Philly and Washington I think this team struggles to win many games. They have a good defensive line and the defense could be pretty good but the defense is going to have to play near perfect to keep them in games this season.

      New Orleans Saints 5.5 – Under:

      I don’t even think the Browns would trade for the Saints quarterback room. They are decent in the trenches which could raise their floor but they have a first year head coach who is known for being a quarterback whisperer and no one that seems capable of being a competent NFL quarterback in the building. The Saints could be in for a few bad seasons. I just don’t think this number is low enough, I think this is a team that could be in the running for the first pick in the draft. I don’t think they come close to 6 wins in 2025.

    4. AFC Preview: Over Under Win Total Predictions

      As the season approaches we look ahead to the win total predictions for each team. We will go conference by conference starting with the AFC and have a follow up NFC post coming a few days after.

      Every year I go into this I am looking at a few key factors in making my prediction for each team. In order of importance is the following: quarterback, head coach, offensive/defensive coordinator changes, strength of division, other positional roster overhaul and feelings of last seasons wins (example being Kansas City winning close or flukey games but winning 15 games).

      One last thing before we get into each team, is I’m getting this feeling that the NFL is losing its parity more and more each season. A large reason for that, I think, is the raising salary cap year after year. A team like Denver eating the money they are for Russell Wilson used to be a 2-3 year death sentence. But they were able to turn it around while having that large of a dead cap figure on the books.

      Part of that is just credit to a great coaching staff lead by Sean Payton and seemingly hitting on a quarterback in the first round. Those factors being a big reason why those two things I look at first when predicting the over or under of each team. A good quarterback and coach combo will always raise the floor of a team no matter what the sum of the remaining parts. I’m interested to see if the NFL gains back its parity or we will see similar division winners and playoff teams that we have the last two seasons.

      Buffalo Bills 12.5 – Over:

      Buffalo is coming off another strong season and an MVP season from quarterback Josh Allen. Selecting the over on the leagues highest predicted win total always feels a little scary. But you have arguably the best QB in the league who’s been winning this many games with a weaker skill position group and it just hasn’t mattered. I think the rest of their division is weak, young or both. I don’t see a world were Josh Allen is healthy and this team doesn’t go over. I think they run away with the division and I think this is also a team that really wants home field throughout the playoffs.

      Baltimore Ravens 11.5 – Over:

      Baltimore may be my pick to win the AFC this year. Much like the Bills you have a floor raiser in Lamar Jackson. I’d also add that the rushing attack of Jackson and Derrick Henry, is a huge floor raiser as well. They play in a tougher division than the Bills but still get a weak Browns team twice a year, a bad defense with Cincinnati and a team in the Steelers that has a 40+ year old QB. That all being said those AFC North games will be close, tough and physical like they always are but I see the Ravens making a leap over their divisional counterparts and being a 12+ win team in 2025.


      Kansas City Chiefs 11.5 – Over:

      I brought up that Kansas City won more games than they probably should have last year, so why am I taking the over? The answer is simple: Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. I have other reasons that I’ll get into but until those two don’t go to the AFC Championship game and don’t hit their over year after year, I’m going to take the over. I did it with New England in the 2010’s and I’m doing it now with Kansas City in the 2020’s. We very well may see a diminished Travis Kelce this season, but I also think its really likely we see a more explosive wide receiver group in Rice, Brown and Worthy (once Rice returns for what will be a likely 4+ game suspension). This team is well coached, experienced and I think coming off a Super Bowl loss very motivated to get back atop the AFC.

      Denver Broncos 9.5 – Under:

      Denver was one of the biggest surprises last season. A team with a huge dead cap hit hanging over them and a rookie QB. Questions grew if Sean Payton still had his fastball? The Broncos churned out the arguably the league’s best defense and Bo Nix under, Payton’s tutelage, provided enough to win 10 games and sneak into the playoffs. So after all of that why am I going under? I think there is some regression at quarterback and even though Nix played well last year I still want to be sold that he can do that or better again. The defense played out of this world, can it be done again, maybe? But in a division that has Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and now Geno Smith they have 6 tough division games against good veteran QB’s. I just find it hard to believe they win 10 or more games. I think they are right around that win total but just fall short.

      Houston Texans 9.5 – Over:

      A weak division goes a long way. You have a new coach in Jacksonville, a rookie QB in Tennessee and either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones at QB in Indianapolis. I think Stroud bounces back after a small sophomore slump (still won his division) and the Texans runaway with this division in 2025. They aren’t a team I think makes a deep playoff run without a heroic season from Stroud but they’re good enough to win at least 10 games again and win their division.

      Los Angeles Chargers 9.5 – Over:

      This is an over I really like. They have a top-7 guy at QB, two great tackles and a head coach that is growing an identity as a physical team in the trenches and in the ground game. Harbaugh seems to be able to form his teams into these physical run attack that win up-front and now he has the best QB he’s had at the NFL level to lead that attack and also stretch the field. They are in a tough division with great and experienced coaches, it’s going to be hard for them to win much more than their over but I think this team is going to surprise a lot of people and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are hosting a playoff game this postseason.


      Cincinnati Bengals 9.5 – Over:

      There are two main reasons I am taking the Cincinnati over. The far and away reason is Joe Burrow. I wrote last week about Burrow doing the most with the least. The second reason I’m picking them is the few things that Burrow does have at his disposal is his two headed monster on the outside with Chase and Higgins plus a versatile back in Brown out of the backfield. There isn’t much I love about Cincinnati outside of them but that’s how good those guys are. I think Baltimore is better than them in their division, but I also think Cleveland could be the worst team in the AFC and I think this might finally be the year Pittsburgh doesn’t claw themselves to a .500 or better record. Cincinnati got hot at the end of last year. Can that carry over to a team that has consistently started slow the last few seasons? I think they can and I think that gets them to 10 wins or more.


      New England Patriots 8.5 – Over:

      Improved roster, more experience for Drake Maye after a promising rookie campaign but more than anything the improvement with Mike Vrabel as the head coach. Drake Maye showed a lot of promise in his stint as the starter, with a poor receiving core and behind an offensive line that nobody was jealous of, he showed flashes of what he can become and why he was selected with the third overall pick. But when you look at teams that upgraded the largest jump might come from New England changing from Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel. Vrabel year after year raised the floor of a Titans team that never had a guy with Maye’s talent at quarterback. For New England to turn to Vrabel after a disaster of a first year head coaching job they had with Mayo I think makes this team jump from a bottom five team to a team fighting for the last playoff spot in the AFC. 

      Pittsburg Steelers 8.5 – Under:

      Over the past few years I usually look at the Steelers win total, select the over and know that Tomlin will lead his guys to a 8-10 win season. But I think this is the year that’s finally over. I could look back at this pick at seasons end and be dead wrong but there’s only so long a team with a rotating door of starting quarterbacks since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger can win. I don’t think that Rodgers is going to be the one to keep that alive. With a new receiving core, a short offseason and coming off a pedestrian season with the Jets I don’t think Rodgers gets it done in his lone year plans in Pittsburgh and I think the Steelers have a losing season.

      Miami Dolphins 7.5 – UNDER:

      Might have been the easiest under for me in the league. Did Miami seem to quit last year? Are we sure Tua is going to play 17 games? Who did they add? This is just a team with so many questions but the biggest thing I see with this team and their quarterback is everything has to go right for them to win games. That sounds weird, but good football teams can win games when maybe their first option isn’t there. If the ground game isn’t going for a team, their quarterback can make some plays. If the offense is getting shut out the special teams and defense can pick them up. The Dolphins don’t have that. They basically have to out scheme the other team’s defensive coordinator and set up Tua and the offense to be on rhythm to win games. I just don’t think that continues in South Beach and I think this might be the end of this coaching staff.

      Jacksonville Jaguars 7.5 – Under:

      There are reasons to be optimistic, but I just don’t know if it’s enough. You’re in a bad division but I just don’t know if it’s enough. They should be an improved team but they still have a first year head coach, a poor offensive line and a quarterback who hasn’t improved since a promising sophomore season a few years ago. I think they’re better than last year and I do see a world where they can be an exciting offense and they get an improved Trevor Lawerence. But I just think they are a 5-7 win team and can’t get over the hump to be fighting for a playoff spot or even the 8 wins required for their over.

      Indianapolis Colts 7.5 – Under:

      Pretty simple reason for the under here. Their quarterback options are amongst the worst in the league. There has been a glaring hole at quarter back since the early retirement of Andrew Luck in Indianapolis. They’ve trotted out Phillip Rivers, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, Garnder Minshew and drafted Anthony Richardson in the first round and no one has been an answer or at the least a long term answer. There is a good chance Daniel Jones even beats out Anthony Richarsdson for the season opener. Either choice I see as probably the worst or second worst quarterback in the AFC. So why am I supposed to think that they’ll win 8 games? 

      Las Vegas Raiders 6.5 – Over:

      If they were not in the loaded AFC West I think this is an easy over. But even with that being said I still am going over. Look I’m going to trust Pete Carroll the same way I do Mike Vrabel to raise the floor of team. You add that with a already developed connection with Geno Smith and I think this is a team that wins some close games that in the past couple seasons the Raiders wouldn’t win. I think Jeanty will be a stud right out of the gate and they have the best tight-end in the league. I don’t think they make the playoffs due to the strength of their division but I think they can win 7-9 games and make it interesting.


      New York Jets 6.5 – Under:

      Where did this team improve from last year? I’m having a hard time finding that. It’s the Jets. Sometimes with some franchises it’s as simple as this team is poorly ran and haven’t shown anything this offseason, that it won’t be another disappointing season for Jets fans. Another new head coach and another new quarterback who hasn’t proven he can win in this league don’t make me hesitate in thinking this team is going to struggle to win games this year.


      Tennessee Titans 5.5 – Over:

      This is Cam Ward bet. I can’t think of any other quarterback taken with the first overall pick that has been talked about less than Ward this offseason. I understand he wasn’t the prospect that Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels from the year prior. But I think he’s a large jump up in talent from Will Levis. The Titans never felt like they were as bad as their record showed, even with Levis or Rudolph under center down the stretch of last season they seemed to improve and stay competitive in some games. The Titans are still a few years away from being a playoff team. But in a weak division, an improvement at quarterback and a feistier roster than I think they’re given credit for I think they can go win 6 games.


      Cleveland Browns 5.5 – Under:

      My answer for the Browns under feels like combination for my reasons for under for the Colts and Jets. A franchise that is poorly ran and quarterback situation that I don’t even think the Colts would trade for. The only pause I have is Kevin Stefanski is a good head coach and their defense isn’t awful. But in a tough AFC North and with bad QB play I can’t take the over with the Browns.