2014 NBA Top 20: #20 - #17

It’s October again and that means the NBA season isn’t too far away. The familiar sweet sounds of rubber squeaking on the hardwood and the balls swishing through the net will soon caress our ears. Time is near when we will soon be nitpicking on the teams while the basketball Gods take centre stage to enthral us with their plays. The ferocious dunks and the aesthetic step-back pull up will soon be in sight to surfeit the parched souls, who have missed the NBA for so long.

But before the tip-off takes place, we at Sportskeeda will give you a heads up on what to expect out of the “big stars” in the league. Just like last year, we bring to you our compilation of who we think the top 20 NBA players heading into the 2013-14 season are and what you should expect from them.

So without much adieu let the countdown begin.

20. Roy Hibbert Jr.

The Indiana Pacers are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent years. With success comes expectations and they aren’t in any kind of short supply these days in Indiana after their foray into the Eastern Conference last time around. The boys from land of the cornrows stretched the Miami Heat as far as they could; but just like all others, just couldn’t get the job done.

In a league obsessed with scoring prowess, the Pacers have made their mark with defence. They were the only NBA team last season to have more than one player in the top five in “defensive win shares”.

While 6.3 DWS was enough to see Paul George lead the league, Roy Hibbert came in tied for fourth with Tim Duncan at 4.9 DWS. While the likes of George and others may provide the muscle, Hibbert acts as the main anchor; the soul around which the team’s identity is built.

The Pacers would certainly feel that their decision to pay Hibbert the money was vindicated last season as the giant of a centre continued his progression and was the core of the team under Franck Vogel last time around.

With the East getting loaded by the emergence of the Brooklyn Nets and the Heat getting even stronger on paper, the Pacers would seek the 7’2” Hibbert to be even more a threat on the offense. That’s exactly what Hibbert has been working on this off-season, coming into the season with an even more impressive frame having added 15 pounds.

Hibbert posted a picture of himself on his Instagram account after a workout. He virtually dwarfs both Ian Mahinmi and Duncan who are listed at 6’11′at 230lbs.

19. Kevin Love

Kevin Love has fallen down the list dude to his injury-ravaged season. After suffering a freak injury to his hand Love managed only 18 games and the power forward that had put up video game like numbers in his previous two seasons (which saw him garner two All-Star berths) did not have much success when he did take to the court.

In a basketball world that is ruled by men who are uber-athletes, Love brings an approach to “success on the basketball court” a different dynamic. He may not be able to get people out of their chairs with his endeavours on the court, but he is effective all the same in his own way.

Love has already been recognised as one the premier power forward with the ability to stretch the defence. His presence both inside as well as outside has already been well documented, but it’s now time to turn them into what matters most: The big W.

The challenge for Love is to lead the Timberwolves back into the playoffs for the first time in a decade. This year for him is not only about producing the goods himself but also to eke out the best in his team-mates and to become a leader.

18. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is like old wine, he gets better and better with age. In a career spanning 16 years, Duncan has produced 14 All-Star appearances and is a two-time NBA MVP. Duncan’s consecutive All-Star game appearance streak is longer by years than most Heat fans are in age.

Duncan enters his 17^th season at the ripe age of 37 seeking, his 5^th NBA ring after nearly being on the cusp of that feat last year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli may be the most potent weapons that the Spurs have. Kwahi Leonard and Danny Green may be the names that the crowds look up to. But with all that said, Duncan is still the heart and soul of the team.

The big fundamental answered all his critics last year as he came out of the regular season averaging 17.8 ppg, 9.9rpg and 2.7bpg. That ended the outcry of the past few years that the demise of Duncan was near.

No one would even put it beyond him to better his stats again his year. Duncan no longer has to shrug and grind to give proof of his greatness. He will probably go down as well as the best ever power forward the game has ever seen, but for the greats the thirst for success is that much more.

17. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol was the Memphis Grizzlies’ second round pick in a draft pick they got from the Los Angeles Lakers lop-sided trade that moved his brother Pau to Hollywood. Marc Gasol, who seemed overweight at that time has since transformed himself as the one of the prime bigs in the NBA.

The Spaniard is the best passing big man in the league today and he might just even be considered as the most rounded big man. Yet, he is one of the most underrated in the league.

In the space of a few years, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have become one of the best two man combos in the league. The multi-faceted Spaniard not only provides the anchor in the defence, but also acts as one of the prime facilitators on the offensive end.

Marc Gasol has slowly but surely caught the imagination with his ability to do all most anything. His play was given recognition last year with an All-Star berth last season. No one would surely put it beyond him to further improve his game and lead the Grizzlies to ever greater heights.