JaMychal Green among snubs for ‘SI Top 100 Players’ List

Sports Illustrated recently released their annual ‘Top 100 NBA Players’ list. However, JaMychal Green was snubbed from it. What’s up with that?

This week, Sports Illustrated will release their ‘Top 100 NBA players’ list. Yesterday, they ranked players from 75-100, and some stuff was surprising. Dirk Nowitzki was rated 71st behind guys like Pau Gasol (65th), Marcin Gortat (66th) Derrick Favors (67th) and Cody Zeller (70th). Marvin Williams (88th) and Taj Gibson (95th) are also still ranked in the top 100. The more surprising stuff come from the list of snubs which includes Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Dion Waiters, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and (impending) Memphis Grizzly JaMychal Green.

Rob Mahoney discusses the smoothness of his game but also his lack of ‘exceptional’ skills:

"Green does not intrude. He seems largely content to fill in the gaps presented to him, whether by knocking down an open jumper, working into position for a rebound, or screening to trigger a play before clearing out. What makes his game is how smoothly it blends. There really aren’t any teams for which his approach would be an awkward fit; all styles and constructions could find use for a low-maintenance big with a fairly adjustable game. That nothing in Green’s skill set is particularly exceptional doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s good for 12 points and nine rebounds per 36 minutes backboned by solid defense. If he can minimize those nights when his physicality and frustration get the better of him, Green might bolster his case for next season."

He doesn’t do anything to stand out, but he’s still a key cog to the Memphis Grizzlies’ system. Without him, they wouldn’t have a frontcourt stopper. In terms of the defensive metrics, he’s considered one of the best defenders in basketball.

In an article by NBA Math, they discuss multiple defensive factors where Green does indeed excel:

• He and only three other players defended as many possessions on pick-and-roll ball-handlers and roll-man. He defended the ball-handlers 39 times and the roll man 38. Those other three players in his company? Draymond Green, Paul Millsap and Tobias Harris.
• He’s 13th in total one-on-one sets defended and still hits the 72nd percentile in points allowed per possession. Finished the season at 11th at 111 possessions.
• Of the 164 players to guard at least 100 spot-up sets, he’s second in points allowed per touch (197 touches, 0.77 points per possession).

stats as of March 3, 2017.

Considering all these factors, wouldn’t it mean that Green does excel on the defensive end? Doesn’t it make him an exceptional defender?

Next: Can Grizz go ahead and sign Green?

Is he top 100 yet though?

Granted, he may be on the brink of becoming an elite defender. However, he still needs to do more to show that he’s worthy of top-100 praise.

He’s been an efficient player for the Grizzlies, but he needs to unleash more of an offensive game. In doing this, he’ll not only prove to be a top-100 player, but improved contributions would also help Memphis make their eighth straight postseason appearance.

… but the Grizzlies need to re-sign him first.