For over a dozen years, ESPN’s has released their top 100 NBA players list. This curated list serves as ESPN’s barometer for the league’s talent, reflecting the players’ performances, achievements, and potential to make an impact for their specific teams for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. 

ESPN’s list of their 100 Best Player Rankings for 2024 was released a week or so ago. The list can be viewed as just one perspective on the talent, teamwork, and individual prowess the league has to offer.

However, more often than not the list ignites controversy among fans, spirited discussions between experts, even former players such as Kenyon Martin and JJ Redick get emotional, and Kyrie Irving unsurprisingly has opinions on their own ranking.

The Rankings Unveiled

ESPN’s experts meticulously analyze player performance, taking into account various factors such as individual skills, impact on team success, and overall contributions. The rankings offer a glimpse into the evolving dynamics of the league, highlighting emerging stars, seasoned veterans, and transformative rookies. While some players retain their coveted positions due to consistent excellence, others make significant leaps, reflecting their dedication and hard work during the offseason.

All that said, last season’s MVP and runner up Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic will be on the list. So will LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Jalen Brunson. Remember about using trusted and safe payment options e.g. prepaid cards like Paysafecard polskiekasynohex.org/kasyna-online/paysafecard when betting your money online. 

Amidst the thousands of internet comments, tweets, and digital opinions, one particular section of the list stands out – the players who, despite their exceptional skills, found themselves on the outskirts of this esteemed compilation. 

10 Snubs and Omissions from ESPN”s Top 100 NBA Players

One of the most fascinating aspects of ESPN’s top 100 list are the snubs. And we’re not talking about #2 ranked Jokic being snubbed as the #1 player (which we think he should be #1), we’re speaking to the players whose names aren’t even in the top 100, but should be.  These are individuals whose on-court brilliance and impactful contributions were somehow overlooked. The 10 snubs we list below were identified looking at the league’s top 100 scorers last season and/or were integral parts of their team’s success

Keldon Johnson was the league’s 24th leading scorer and was the first player on the scoring list that didn’t make the 100. Yes, the Spur were terrible last season, but surely there weren’t 76 players better than Keldon

Bojan Bogdonanic wasn’t far behind Johnson. At #26 on last season’s scoring list, Bogdonanic suffered due to the Piston’s lowly record. Something that should be factored in, but shouldn’t exclude the sharp shooter from the top 100.

Derrick White was the unsung hero for the Boston Celtics last season. His averaged 12.4 points for the C’s while playing both sides of the floor. White’s exclusion elicited a shout out from JJ Redick on his podcast:

Keegan Murray was arguably the third best player on the surprising Sacramento Kings last season. He significantly improved his shooting stats and provided outside shooting and spacing for Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox.

Bruce Brown is severely underrated. His play for the Nuggets brought energy to the lineup and that was apparent in the NBA Finals. He was able to average 11.5 on a roster that included Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr.

Here’s five other players (in order) that we considered snubbed by ESPN.

• Alperen Sengun
• Trey Murphy III
• Terry Rozier
• Nic Claxton
• Malcolm Brogdon

Our take is that the list weighed players that contributed to teams that won more games. While we believe that’s the right approach, we think the above ten players deserve a second look.

Can’t Have Them All

At the end of the day, you can’t have every player on the list. It’s a list of 100 after all.  The snubbed players in ESPN’s top 100 list adds an extra thin layer of intrigue.  While the top 100 offers a glimpse into the league’s elite, the players left out inspire us with their untold stories of resilience and tenacity. In the world of basketball, as in life, sometimes the most compelling narratives emerge from the shadows, capturing our hearts and reaffirming the essence of the game we love.