My annual ESPN Insider position rankings are back.
To formulate the rankings, I study each player's on-court performance and advanced metrics, including wins above replacement player (WARP) and real plus-minus (RPM). Then I slot the players as I see them, according to their predicted quality of play for this season.
1. Anthony Davis
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
RPM PF rank: No. 2
WARP PF rank: No. 1
Overall #NBArank: No. 2
Hidden talent: Davis has unveiled what appears to be a league-average 3-point stroke this season. It's impressive, though Alvin Gentry's system was supposed to open up space for Davis, not require him to create that space himself.
Taking it to the next level: Davis passed just 2.8 percent of the time when driving, the lowest figure in the league, per SportVu. Dangerous as Davis is attacking the basket, MVPs create plays for their teammates, at least sometimes.
2. Blake Griffin
Team: Los Angeles Clippers
RPM rank: No. 10
WARP rank: No. 4
#NBArank: No. 9
Right smack in his prime, Griffin looks poised to make a run for the MVP. His offensive impact is more than that of Davis, but it's Griffin's lack of a standout defensive record that keeps him out of the top spot.
Hidden talent: Just nine non-point guards had a better assist rate than Griffin last season. He's a legitimate playmaker.
Taking it to the next level: This season, no one has taken more shots from the 15-to-19-foot range. He's hitting 45 percent on those shots. If Griffin can nudge that up to an Al Horford-like 48 to 50 percent, he'll really put defenses in a quandary.
3. Draymond Green
Team: Golden State Warriors
RPM rank: No. 1
WARP rank: No. 9
#NBArank: No. 19
The Warriors are shaping up to be one of the best teams we've seen. Stephen Curry has been and will continue to be the biggest reason for that. But none of it happens without Green.
Hidden talent: Self improvement. In 2012-13, Green was in the fourth percentile on catch-and-shoots. Last season, he was in the 71st and is there again this campaign. Two seasons ago, his assist rate was in the 35th percentile. This season, only Boris Diaw has a higher rate among non-point guards.
Taking it to the next level: Green's offensive metrics in the post always have been poor. He's good at everything else, so why not add that to the tool kit?
4. DeMarcus Cousins
Team: Sacramento Kings
RPM rank: No. 4
WARP rank: No. 2
#NBArank: No. 12
One of the game's best centers now is getting most of his minutes at power forward. Cousins' production is undeniable. Yet, until he's part of some success at the team level, his numbers always will feel a little empty.
Hidden talent: Cousins doesn't have a glowing defensive reputation, but his RPM on that end last season was fourth in the league. The guy can defend.
Taking it to the next level: Centers dominate the bottom of the SportVu ratings in distance traveled, but Cousins was the most stationary of them all. His 2.85 miles covered per 48 minutes was the lowest figure of the past two seasons.
5. Kevin Love
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
RPM rank: No. 7
WARP rank: No. 3
#NBArank: No. 21
Last season wasn't Love's best campaign, but reports of his struggles were exaggerated. Most of his perceived slippage was the inevitable byproduct of going from a No. 1 option to a No. 3.
Hidden talent: Love's reputation as a deadly catch-and-shoot big is deserved. Lesser known is that his 1.12 points per play on jumpers off the dribble last season was the best figure in the league among power forwards, per Synergy.
Taking it to the next level: Love's elbow touches remain about a third of what they were in Minnesota. He plays center a fair bit and has been up and down from deep. How about a little more high-post action?
6. Paul George
Team: Indiana Pacers
RPM rank: No. 3
WARP rank: No. 7
#NBArank: No. 26
Indiana's switch in offensive philosophy was predicated on George's ability to play the 4. As the season unfolds, it's looking more like he's going to split his minutes between positions. He's really good wherever he plays.
Hidden talent: George is one of the best perimeter defenders in the game, but he's also a force near the basket. He ranked in the 93rd percentile in rim protect situations in his last healthy season of 2013-14, per SportVu.
Taking it to the next level: Given George's athleticism and wingspan, he posts surprisingly subpar rates near the rim. His lack of touch around the hoop might keep him from developing a post-up arsenal that could really round out his game.
7. Paul Millsap
Team: Atlanta Hawks
RPM rank: No. 5
WARP rank: No. 5
#NBArank: No. 29
It's a cliché to say a late-blooming player just keeps getting better, but Millsap just keeps getting better. Early on in his age-31 season, Millsap looks headed for a career season.
Hidden talent: During his first seven seasons, Millsap made a total of 31 3-pointers. He's made 76 and 77 the past two seasons, respectively. In 2014-15, he climbed to the 94th percentile in catch-and-shoot efficiency among power forwards, per Synergy.
Taking it to the next level: Millsap has a steadily solid defensive RPM and good box score stats on that end. However, SportVu has rated his impact against opposing shooters in the 26th and 22nd percentile, respectively, over the past two seasons.
8. Derrick Favors
Team: Utah Jazz
RPM rank: No. 15
WARP rank: No. 6
#NBArank: No. 48
At 24, Favors looks ready for a string of All-Star-caliber seasons. After vacillating between various frontcourt combinations when Enes Kanter was in Utah, Favors and Rudy Gobert have become one of the better frontcourt combos in the game.
Hidden talent: Gobert isn't Utah's only rim protector. Last season, Favors' SportVu rim protection and block rates were in the league's top 10 percent.
Taking it to the next level: Once, defenses could all but ignore Favors from the perimeter. Since the beginning of last season, he's hovered near the league median in catch-and-shoot efficiency. The better he gets at it, the more it opens up his game.
9. Chris Bosh
Team: Miami Heat
RPM rank: No. 16
WARP rank: No. 11
#NBArank: No. 22
Before a scary bout with blood clots ended Bosh's 2014-15 season, he had mixed results as the alpha scorer in Miami. This season, his usage rate is returning to LeBron-era levels as Miami diversifies its attack.
Hidden talent: Bosh's in-between game is among the league's best. Last season, he ranked in the top 10 percent in both major shooting zones between the rim and the 3-point arc, per NBA.com/stats. Nearly 60 percent of his looks came from those locations.
Taking it to the next level: Bosh used to be one of the most efficient finishers around the rim, but he fell off last season. So far this season, his percentage at the rim is back, though he's getting there less frequently.
10. LaMarcus Aldridge
Team: San Antonio Spurs
RPM rank: No. 9
WARP rank: No. 16
#NBArank: No. 13
Aldridge's enormous volume of midrange shots is far from a death knell for his efficiency. Yet at a position this deep, it's a differentiating factor. In San Antonio, that volume may take a hit as well.
Hidden talent: Aldridge's turnover rate has been in the top 5 percent of the league the past two seasons. For a player who has shouldered such a large offensive role, his ball protection has been amazing, even in the context of his isolation, jumper-heavy style.
Taking it to the next level: If Aldridge's usage rate is going to drop with the Spurs, his efficiency needs to spike for him to retain his value.
The middle third
11. Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
12. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
13. Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls
14. Kenneth Faried, Denver Nuggets
15. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
16. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
17. Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic
18. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
19. Ersan Ilyasova, Detroit Pistons
20. Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets
There are plenty of really good players in this middle group. The position is well stocked, both in terms of quality and diversity of styles. Porzingis has been an absolute revelation, with easily the best offensive rebound rate of any player on this list. He's only getting 24 minutes, which you'd hope will go up as he cuts an exorbitant foul rate. He hasn't started making 3s yet, but the more you watch that stroke, the more you believe the treys are coming.
The bottom third
21. Amir Johnson, Boston Celtics
22. Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns
23. Marvin Williams, Charlotte Hornets
24. Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
25. Julius Randle, Los Angeles Lakers
26. Thaddeus Young, Brooklyn Nets
27. Kris Humphries, Washington Wizards
28. Meyers Leonard, Portland Trail Blazers
29. Luis Scola, Toronto Raptors
30. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
It's unfortunate to have to put Garnett at the bottom of anything. He's only getting 15 minutes per game, but he is the starter at 4 for Minnesota and you can envision this arrangement lasting all season. He contributes nothing on offense at this point. Still, his defensive effort and leadership are there and those qualities should make an impact on his young teammates that lasts well beyond this season.