Pick Your Favorite NBA Players And We'll Pick Your Favorite Team
- by Dylan Jacob
- – on
- in Sports
The NBA season went just how everyone predicted it to: Golden State swept Cleveland in the NBA Finals, winning their third title in four years and making LeBron James so upset he broke his hand. Wait, no one expected that last part. Maybe the NBA Finals was somewhat unexpected.
While the 2017-18 season may be over, I'm in the mood to talk more basketball. Part of that comes from me being a Brooklyn Nets fan and me liking to isolate myself from reality in hopes that my team will stay healthy next year to make the playoffs, though I'm interested to know which team you're a fan of.
Forget leaving a comment below or finding me on Facebook to send me a message. I want to actually try guessing, though I'm not going to include all 30 teams. I'm going to list some teams and, based on how you rate a player, that might be enough for me to figure out which team you root for.
The scale we'll be using is elite (top of their game, like LeBron James or Kevin Durant); above-average (All-Star, but not quite elite); average (borderline starter to strong bench player); subpar (not that good); or "I don't want him!" We'll let you decide why you don't want that player.
LeBron James
I think it's only fair to start this quiz off with the best player on the planet and who many think has surpassed Michael Jordan as the greatest player in NBA history. For the third time this decade, we're left to wonder just where LeBron is going to wind up in free agency? Let us know after telling us what you think of The King.
Stephen Curry
There's been talk lately about how Stephen Curry should have won NBA Finals MVP, which raises the question of who was more valuable this series: Curry or LeBron? I'm fine with Durant winning and I think Curry will be fine, but that's not really what we're asking. We want to know what you think of the man affectionately known as The Chef.
Kevin Durant
Two years in Golden State has meant two rings and two NBA Finals MVPs for Kevin Durant. We'll let you decide what that means on his legacy, though my feeling is he'll leave the Warriors in a few years to win elsewhere as the alpha dog or co-first option on a team like Washington. What do you think of Durantula?
James Harden
This looks to be the second consecutive season in which the NBA MVP will not have made the NBA Finals, though James Harden sure came close. Houston was on the brink of closing Golden State out for the team's first Finals berth in over 20 years, but that was not meant to be. What do you think of James Harden?
Russell Westbrook
If Harden isn't the MVP, look for Russell Westbrook to be the one that comes away with his second straight trophy. Of course, Westbrook's priority at this point should be finding a way to the NBA Finals, though that road gets tougher with each season. Not even Paul George and Carmelo Anthony could make the Thunder a title team this year.
Paul George
PG13 probably isn't long for Oklahoma City, though me saying that likely means I'm going to wind up being wrong. You'll note I have a habit of that. It's hard for me to see George doing another go-around with Russell Westbrook, but we'll have to see. What do you think of George?
Victor Oladipo
This season is when we finally got to see Victor Oladipo take that next step forward and I couldn't have been happier. The guy went from forgotten in Oklahoma City to a star in Indiana - and, so long as things work out, the perfect face of the franchise for the next decade. How do you feel about Oladipo?
Giannis Antetokounmpo
If you can't spell Giannis' last name, don't worry because I'm still using the copy-and-paste trick. What's harder? Writing Giannis Antetokounmpo manually without the access to copy/paste, or covering the perennial MVP candidate when he's coming your way on the court? I don't want to know that, but I do want to know how you feel about him.
Kyrie Irving
There seem to be a great number of NBA fans still frustrated with Kryie Irving for asking out of Cleveland last summer. Here's my response: he's in Boston now and he may not be there much longer, so don't get too used to hating him...until he snubs your team in free agency. How do you feel about Uncle Drew?
Anthony Davis
It was great to see Davis and the Pelicans make it back to the playoffs this year, especially after they lost DeMarcus Cousins to an Achilles injury midway through the year. But to see Davis make the second-round with a mostly-mediocre roster around him? Expectations will be high in New Orleans next year and I think Davis can deliver. What do you think?
DeMarcus Cousins
Man, I feel so bad for DeMarcus Cousins, who was en route to a massive payday this offseason before tearing his Achilles. My hope is that Cousins will stick around with the Pelicans and try to form a dynamic duo alongside Anthony Davis, which we finally saw start to work this year. What do you think of the man they call Boogie?
Donovan Mitchell
Fine, I'll just come out and say it. I would vote for Donovan Mitchell as my Rookie of the Year on my non-existent ballot because he was a true rookie. As much as I love Ben Simmons' game, he was drafted last year and was hurt. That makes him a second-round player, but I digress. What do you think of Donovan Mitchell?
Ben Simmons
We'll save the debate of if Ben Simmons should win Rookie of the Year for another day, but I will say this. If the concept of redshirting to remain a rookie doesn't apply in the other major sports, why should it in the NBA? Although, baseball's rookie rules are weird. And no, that's not coming from a burner account.
Joel Embiid
It's a good thing I'm not taking this quiz because my opinion on Embiid probably conflicts with yours. You want to hear it? Fine, I think he's above-average, but I wouldn't want him on my team because of his injury risks and off-the-field concerns. What do you think of the All-Star center?
Draymond Green
I just imagine Draymond Green powering up Super Saiyan style before a game as he reads his Twitter timeline and draws his strength from the hate and anger of fans. There's no denying that Green is probably among the most disliked players of the league for his physical style - which the league has all but come out and acknowledged - but what do you think of him?
Kevin Love
Save the jokes and disses about Kevin Love because the Cavaliers big man has been vital for the past few years. I am curious to see what the Cavaliers plan on doing with Love if LeBron winds up leaving this offseason. If so, I'd look into a trade. Sorry, Cavs fans. What do you think of Love?
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson seemingly became a national hero when he gave Bud Light a shoutout after winning the NBA Finals this month. (And Bud Light is my favorite beer, so I enjoyed the shoutout.) Klay has also become a national fan favorite for his three-point shooting and casual demeanor. What do you think of Klay?
Al Horford
The former Hawks big man who finally played like an All-Star for the Boston Celtics this year, Horford earned back the love of some fans who were ready to quit on him after one mediocre season. We'll see if Horford can build on that effort next season, whether it's with the Celtics or on a team that tries pursuing him in free agency. What do you think of Horford?
LaMarcus Aldridge
Like Al Horford, Aldridge seemed to win back the trust and faith of Spurs fans this season as Kawhi Leonard missed nearly the entire season. Does that mean Aldridge's time with the Spurs is salvaged and will feature happiness going forward? What do you think of the All-Star big man?
Chris Paul
This was definitely a strange year for Chris Paul, what with him finally getting to taste the Western Conference Finals and all. What's next for Paul? Will he stay around in Houston for a couple more years to win a title with James Harden, or does he try to take his talents elsewhere? More importantly, what do you think of him?
Carmelo Anthony
Anthony is still going 15 years after being drafted, though this past year showed that age may finally be catching up with the future Hall of Famer. Either age or Anthony thinking that he's still the cornrow-rocking, baby-faced star who led Syracuse to a title in 2003. (I'm still thankful, Carmelo. Seriously.) What do you think of Melo?
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is getting up there in age, but he showed flashes of his old self this year with the New Orleans Pelicans and that was seemingly enough for them. I can't promise that Rondo will be the same player he was five years ago going forward, though I'm slightly optimistic. What do you think?
Kyle Lowry
If the Toronto Raptors want to really win an NBA Finals - or at the very least, make one - then I think the window is shortening. Kyle Lowry needs to play like a man possessed next season, especially if LeBron James leaves the Eastern Conference. Bring a title to the six! What do you think of Lowry?
DeMar DeRozan
Toronto is going to really need to ask themselves if DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are still the players to lead this team, even if I think neither is really the problem. Dwayne Casey was a fine coach, but he never properly adjusted to LeBron James and that cost the Raptors every year. What do you think of DeMar?
J.R. Smith
With the NBA Finals over, I don't even feel like making a J.R. Smith joke. I just genuinely want to know what you think of the longtime sharpshooter. Forget about the Game One miscue or take it into account, whatever you want to do. Just tell us what you think about the veteran guard.
Goran Dragic
How happy is Goran Dragic that he doesn't have to deal with the basketball purgatory that Phoenix is becoming? And no, Suns fans, you're still not as bad as other teams. Dragic at least gets to play on a playoff team in the East, but for how much longer? What do you think of the All-Star point guard?
Hassan Whiteside
What are the Heat going to do with Whiteside this summer? I still think a potential trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the eighth overall pick could work, but LeBron would likely need to indicate to them he's planning on leaving and the Heat would have to accept trading him in-conference. What do you think of the dangerous center?
Andre Drummond
I'm being honest when I say I'm not sure what the Pistons' plan going forward is with Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin, but we'll see what the team's new management does this offseason. I think Drummond is likely locked into the next couple years with the Pistons, but I've been known to be wrong before. What do you think of the All-Star center?
Blake Griffin
If the pressure wasn't already on Blake Griffin and the Pistons going into next year, I don't know what the firing of Stan Van Gundy does. Griffin will need to play how he did as a rising star with the Clippers for the Pistons to truly make waves, though wherever LeBron goes should help Detroit. What do you think of Blake Griffin?
Dwyane Wade
We like to have fun in these quizzes, but let's take a moment to really appreciate what Wade's homecoming meant for the Miami area this year. Wade was in the Stoneman Douglas community to interact with those affected by the horrific events in February and they were all grateful to have their hero home. What do you think of Flash?
John Wall
Do the John Wall! Yes, the former top overall pick in 2010 has certainly lived up to expectations, though the pressure is mounting for the Wizards to go even further next year. Can Wall stay healthy and can the Wizards play well when he takes a water break? More importantly, what do you think of the veteran point guard?
Bradley Beal
Many NBA fans are still unsure if Beal is a star or not, though I've always thought a good way to determine that is by taking the main star or co-star off that team. Take Damian Lillard off the Trail Blazers and C.J. McCollum still probably takes them to the playoffs. Take John Wall off the Wizards...well, what do you think of the veteran shooting guard?
C.J. McCollum
So when I say that C.J. McCollum could probably take a Damian Lillard-less Blazers team to the playoffs, I promise that's not an insult to Lillard. It's more of the opinion that McCollum is really blossoming into a star and, if he does wind up out of Portland soon, will be a fantastic number one option. What do you think of him?
Damian Lillard
If I took this quiz two or so years ago, I'd have probably answered Lillard was either average or overrated. Now? He's one of my favorite players, though part of my frustration came from the Nets trading the pick Portland used on him for Gerald Wallace in a lost season. Ugh. What do you think of Dame?
Karl-Anthony Towns
Is Karl-Anthony Towns the best overall pick since Dwight Howard in 2004? I've seen some people suggest this to be true already, but it's way too early when Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, and Blake Griffin are all still in their primes. What do you think of Minnesota's star big man?
Andrew Wiggins
Remember when everyone proclaimed after he Kevin Love-Andrew Wiggins trade in Aug. 2014 that the Timberwolves immediately won the deal by acquiring Wiggins? I don't think things have been that clear cut in the past few years, but Wiggins has shown potential at times. What do you think of the rising fifth-year swingman?
Jimmy Butler
By all accounts, Jimmy Butler's first year in Minnesota was how it should have gone - well, besides Butler getting hurt at one point. Minnesota made the playoffs and lost to a dangerous Houston team, though the Timberwolves will need to really think about if Tom Thibodeau should stay as coach... and if they want Butler to be the No. 1 option. What do you think of Jimmy Buckets?
Kristaps Porzingis
Can things get any worse for the New York Knicks? They may have lost the ability to sign a big-name free agent this offseason (read: LeBron) when Porzingis tore his ACL earlier this season. Hopefully, KP will come back at full strength. What do you think of him?
Kemba Walker
Walker was admittedly a bit raw when he came out of UConn for the 2011 NBA Draft, but has blossomed into a legitimate star over the years. We'll just have to see if Charlotte wants to continue building around him or if they'll attempt to trade him this offseason. What do you think of Walker?
D'Angelo Russell
Nick Young can still make the snitch jokes, though we got to see D'Angelo Russell really start coming into his own this year with the Brooklyn Nets. D-Lo still has some work to do, but I will say as a Nets fan that it feels good to see the team have some rising momentum again. What do you think of Russell?
