But while we're waiting for ESPN to get to the top 100 (or at least for some Raptors), CBSSports.com is currently doing their top 100 list.
Their reasoning behind the picks:
They're splitting it into parts, so here's some guys that I found so far:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...-through-no-50
Former Raptor Kris Humphries:
DeMar DeRozan:
Andrea Bargnani:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...9-through-no40
Kyle Lowry:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...-through-no-30
Their reasoning behind the picks:
Last year we ranked the Elite 100 players in the National Basketball Association. Our crew of three, who watch every NBA team on a regular basis throughout the season, sat down and evaluated the players using every criteria we could. Past performance, recent production, injury, projected improvement, character isssues, decision making, basketball IQ, advanced metrics, team fit -- everything. And now we present our 2012 edition, starting with No. 100 through No.50.
We said this last time, but it bears repeating. This thing is incredibly difficult. There's no science to it, no metric you can rely on to trump all others. You have to factor so much in, and there's only so much your brain can process. We have as much confidence in these rankings as you can have, and we're still arguing about them even as we post them. That's what makes this fun. And that's all it is, fun.
We said this last time, but it bears repeating. This thing is incredibly difficult. There's no science to it, no metric you can rely on to trump all others. You have to factor so much in, and there's only so much your brain can process. We have as much confidence in these rankings as you can have, and we're still arguing about them even as we post them. That's what makes this fun. And that's all it is, fun.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/ey...-through-no-50
Former Raptor Kris Humphries:
No. 92: Kris Humphries, F, Age 27, Brooklyn Nets
2012 Stats: 13.8 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, .481 eFG%, 17.9 PER
Great decision-maker when rebounding. Terrible decision-maker in his personal life. Humphries takes a lot of flak but has been a very productive player who gives consistent effort. Should flourish with so little attention drawn on the Nets.
2012 Stats: 13.8 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, .481 eFG%, 17.9 PER
Great decision-maker when rebounding. Terrible decision-maker in his personal life. Humphries takes a lot of flak but has been a very productive player who gives consistent effort. Should flourish with so little attention drawn on the Nets.
No. 82: DeMar DeRozan, G, Age 23, Toronto Raptors
2012 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, .503 eFG%, 12.8 PER
Raptors fans keep holding their breath for DeRozan to make the leap. Starting to turn blue...
2012 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 2.0 apg, .503 eFG%, 12.8 PER
Raptors fans keep holding their breath for DeRozan to make the leap. Starting to turn blue...
No. 73: Andrea Bargnani, F/C, Age 26, Toronto Raptors
2012 Stats: 19.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, .467 eFG%, 17.9 PER
Could have been an All-Star were it not for injury last year. With help at the center position allowing him to play more to his strengths, will he keep up the defense and rebounding improvements he made or become more for what he was criticized for?
2012 Stats: 19.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, .467 eFG%, 17.9 PER
Could have been an All-Star were it not for injury last year. With help at the center position allowing him to play more to his strengths, will he keep up the defense and rebounding improvements he made or become more for what he was criticized for?
Kyle Lowry:
No. 49: Kyle Lowry, PG, Age 26, Houston Rockets
2012 Stats: 14.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.4 rpg, .486 eFG%, 18.9 PER
Rankings: 36, 44, 72
Possibly the most underrated PG in the league, Lowry saw his shooting percentage dip while his production and efficiency skyrocketed. He suffered an internal infection that forced him to miss the last third of the year. But the bigger problem was his conflict with Kevin McHale, which led to Lowry demanding a trade and being sent to Toronto. Lowry will be the featured player for Toronto and expected to continue his bulldog ways of muscling into the paint. His transition three-point percentage, which has fluctuated wildly for three seasons, is a key to watch.
2012 Stats: 14.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.4 rpg, .486 eFG%, 18.9 PER
Rankings: 36, 44, 72
Possibly the most underrated PG in the league, Lowry saw his shooting percentage dip while his production and efficiency skyrocketed. He suffered an internal infection that forced him to miss the last third of the year. But the bigger problem was his conflict with Kevin McHale, which led to Lowry demanding a trade and being sent to Toronto. Lowry will be the featured player for Toronto and expected to continue his bulldog ways of muscling into the paint. His transition three-point percentage, which has fluctuated wildly for three seasons, is a key to watch.
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