SI NBA Top-100 Players Of '16: Cousins, Gay Make The Cut
Sports Illustrated released their annual NBA's top-100 list for the upcoming season and the Sacramento Kings have not one, but two representatives.
First, the criteria was based on a fluid combination of subjective assessment and objective data, including per-game statistics and advanced measures like Player Efficiency Rating, Win Shares, Real Plus-Minus, WARP, Net Rating and Synergy Sports data. So no, these are not opinions, rather who has the best advanced numbers.
DeMarcus Cousins landed in the top-15 at No. 14 overall after being ranked 27th last year. Cousins had another all-star year for the Kings, putting up double-digit points and rebounds, he was one of the best big men in the league. In fact, Boogie is ranked as the second best center in the league behind Marc Gasol (No. 9).
Rudy Gay is the other King represented, he landed at No. 52, but still an upgrade from last year's 67th place finish. Gay was another guy who really stepped up last year for the Kings. He ended up with career highs in points per game (21.1) and assists per game (3.7) to go along with 5.9 rebounds per game.
Some former Kings also made this list - Tyreke Evans jumped to No. 58 after an No. 84 rank last year, while Isaiah Thomas jumped from No. 90 to No. 88 this year.
Also of note, the Warriors starting five in the NBA finals were all on this list. Stephen Curry was fourth, Draymond Green landed at No. 16 after not even being ranked last year, Klay Thompson is 26th, Andre Iguodala is at No. 44 and Andrew Bogut rounds it out at No. 76.