Tim Kempton wrote:iggymcfrack wrote:Tim Kempton wrote:
Most of your list is crazy, but the bolded especially so. Blake has vastly improved his game to the point where he can score from anywhere on the court, be featured as a secondary ball-handler and passer, and still be a reliable rebounder (numbers are down because of Drummond and because he doesn't camp out in the paint like he did his first few seasons). I can't believe you have him ranked in the 30-38 area is ridiculous.
Blake hasn’t been healthy for the playoffs since 2015. What do you think the chances are that he performs at his outlier level from last season again at 30 and then somehow manages to finally be healthy too?
I would normally agree with you because health is definitely a factor, however, when it comes to the bolded players specifically, there is little-to-no argument.
Covington just missed 40 games and is a role player. A very good role player, but still a role player.
Gallo is perpetually injured, so your argument for Blake is moot with him.
Vucevic just had his first breakout season. He may repeat it, but he may not. Too early to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Horford is getting up there in age and he will only continue to deteriorate.
Love, Gasol, and Ball... I can't even comprehend how you brought them into the conversation. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but those three aren't even worth arguing. Seriously.
Ingles is a specialist. I LOVE Ingles and personally can't stand Durant, but to put him anywhere near Griffin's tier is ludicrous.
Beal MAY have an argument so maybe I shouldn't have bolded him, but I just find Blake to be more valuable to his team.
Eric Gordon and Eric Bledsoe are both great 3rd option types, but nothing more. In an ideal hierarchy, it would go 1st option-Blake-Bledsoe/Gordon. Even with Blake's injury history, I can't place either of them over Blake. They're both a notch below.
Why is it that really good defensive players who are also clearly above average offensive players are just “specialists” but good offensive players who are average defensive players are supposedly more complete contributors?
Do you really think Blake has some elite offensive impact that can’t be replicated by an elite perimeter defender? I don’t. I’d say: Covington’s defense > Ingles’s defense = Griffin’s offense >> Ingles’ offense > Covington’s offense > Griffin’s defense.
