Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2023 revision of our top 50 Atlanta Hawks.

As for all of our top 50 players in basketball, we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Basketball Association.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the Hawks made it to the play-in but did not make the official post-season.  Nevertheless, there were two new entrants and multiple elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes:

1. Bob Pettit
2. Dominique Wilkins
3. Cliff Hagan
4. John Drew
5. Mookie Blaylock

You can find the entire list here.

Guard Trae Young, named to his third All-Star Game last year, rose to #12 from #15.

Center Clint Capela moved up four spots to #26.

The two new entrants, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Onyeka Okungwe, debuted at #45 and #46, respectively.

Walt Hazzard and Antoine Carr fell off the list.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our post 2022/23 revision of our top 50 Atlanta Hawks.

As for all of our top 50 players in basketball we look at the following:

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Basketball Association.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, Atlanta continued their middle-of-the-road performance, neither dazzling nor toiling in the basement.  There were no new entrants but there were three elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which was not affected by the last season:

1. Bob Pettit

2. Dominique Wilkins

3. Cliff Hagan

4. John Drew

5. Mookie Blaylock

You can find the entire list here.

Two-Time All-Star, Trae Young, advanced to #15 from #21.

Power Forward, John Collins, who is now with Utah, climbed one spot to #24.

Rebounding machine, Clint Capela, advanced from #41 to #30.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 270 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 273 Cup Points:  67 Games, 24.9, PPG, 11.9 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.9 PER, 15.1 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The two-time defending MVP (and NIHOF Cup Champion) remains at the top, and is the first to break 250 Cup Points.  Jokic is leading the league in PER (31.9), Win Shares (14.5), VORP (8.8) and Box Plus/Minus (13.3).  He is also averaging a triple-double, is leading the NBA in that stat, and is second in Rebounds per Game.

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 263 Cup Points:  61 Games, 33.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 31.6 PER, 11.6 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Embiid remains in the number two hole, and is a bona fide MVP contender, and in a dogfight with Jokic.  He is currently the scoring leader (33.3) and is second in PER (31.6).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.  Could this be the season he takes Philadelphia all the way to a title and finish “The Process?”

3. (Tie) Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 248 Cup Points:  69 Games, 30.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.3 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum remains in the top three, and is long he is healthy for the duration, he will stay in the top five.  He should finish over 30 Points per Game, which will be the first time he will do so (he is currently sixth).

3. (Tie) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 248 Cup Points:  59 Games, 31.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.8 PER, 8.2 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 247 Cup Points:  61 Games, 32.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.3 PER, 9.8 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Doncic is back from missing a few games due to injury, and the man who was once in the top spot held on to his rank.  He is second in scoring (33.0), and was an early MVP contender, but that may not the case anymore.

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 246 Cup Points:  64 Games, 31.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.2 PER, 10.6 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently dealing with some nagging injuries, but you have to imagine just how pathetic the Thunder would be without SGA.

7. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 232 Cup Points:  76 Games, 25.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.6 PER, 8.3 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Randle holds in at #7, and currently has a higher PPG (25.4), than his first All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 227 Cup Points:  68 Games, 26.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.5 PER, 6.4 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  This could be the player that intrigues us he most in the next two years.

9. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 219 Cup Points:  73 Games, 19.2 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 7.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.3 PER, 11.6 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

Sabonis is currently the NBA leader in Rebounds per Game (12.6).  He added a third All-Star this year, and is in his highest position to date.

9. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 212 Cup Points:  65 Games, 25.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.5 PER, 8.3 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Markkanen’s unexpected campaign could be a one-off or the start of something special.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 280 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 260 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 263 Cup Points:  65 Games, 24.3, PPG, 11.9 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 31.9 PER, 14.5 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The two-time defending MVP (and NIHOF Cup Champion) remains at the top, and is the first to break 250 Cup Points.  Jokic is leading the league in PER (31.9), Win Shares (14.5), VORP (8.5) and Box Plus/Minus (13.2).  He is also averaging a triple-double, is leading the NBA in that stat, and is second in Rebounds per Game.

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 256 Cup Points:  59 Games, 33.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 31.5 PER, 11.2 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Embiid remains in the number two hole, and is a bona fide MVP contender, and in a dogfight with Jokic.  He is currently the scoring leader (33.2) and is second in PER (31.5).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.  Could this be the season he takes Philadelphia all the way to a title and finish “The Process?”

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 243 Cup Points:  68 Games, 30.1 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.4 PER, 9.2 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum climbed back into the top three.  He is still a huge threat to win this award, though the MVP, that he was once in contention for won’t fall his way this season.  He should finish over 30 Points per Game (he is currently sixth).

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 240 Cup Points:  57 Games, 31.2 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.8 PER, 7.9 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

5 TIE. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 232 Cup Points:  58 Games, 32.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.3 PER, 9.3 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Doncic is back, and the man who was once in the top spot held on to his rank.  He is second in scoring (33.0), and was an early MVP contender, but that may not the case anymore.

5 TIE. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 232 Cup Points:  61 Games, 31.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.2 PER, 10.2 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently dealing with some nagging injuries, but you have to imagine just how pathetic the Thunder would be without SGA.

7. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 225 Cup Points:  74 Games, 25.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.6 PER, 8.2 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Randle holds in at #7, and currently has a higher PPG (25.2), than his first All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 222 Cup Points:  66 Games, 26.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.6 PER, 6.3 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  This could be the player that intrigues us he most in the next two years.

9. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 209 Cup Points:  64 Games, 25.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.5 PER, 8.3 WS. (Not on last ranking)

Markkanen roars back into the top ten with his highest position to date.  This unexpected campaign could be a one-off or the start of something special.

10. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 208 Cup Points:  70 Games, 19.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.3 PER, 11.1 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

Sabonis is currently the NBA leader in Rebounds per Game (12.6).  He added a third All-Star this year.

Memphis’s Ja Morant fell off the top ten.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 260 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 250 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 250 Cup Points:  62 Games, 24.8, PPG, 11.9 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.8 PER, 13.7 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The two-time defending MVP (and NIHOF Cup Champion) remains at the top, and is the first to break 250 Cup Points. Jokic is leading the league in PER (31.8), Win Shares (13.7), VORP (8.0) and Box Plus/Minus (13.1).  He is also averaging a triple-double, is leading the NBA in that stat, and is second in Rebounds per Game.

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 245 Cup Points:  55 Games, 33.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 31.2 PER, 10.2 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Embiid remains in the number two hole, and is a bona fide MVP contender, and in a dogfight with Jokic.  He is currently the scoring leader (33.3) and is second in PER (30.8).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.  Could this be the season he takes Philadelphia all the way to a title and finish “The Process?”

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 237 Cup Points:  66 Games, 30.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.5 PER, 9.1 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum climbed back into the top three.  He is still a huge threat to win this award, as well as the MVP, though some of his advanced statistics are lacking.  He should finish over 30 Points per Game (he is currently sixth).

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 231 Cup Points:  55 Games, 31.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.6 PER, 7.5 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 227 Cup Points:  57 Games, 33.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.6 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Doncic dropped another spot to #5, which was due mostly to a thigh injury, and inactivity since the last update.   He is second in scoring (33.0), and was an early MVP contender, but that may not the case anymore.

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 222 Cup Points:  59 Games, 31.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.3 PER, 9.9 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently dealing with some nagging injuries, but you have to imagine just how pathetic the Thunder would be without SGA.

7. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 218 Cup Points:  71 Games, 25.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.6 PER, 7.9 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Randle drops one spot, and currently has a higher PPG (25.2), than his first All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 215 Cup Points:  62 Games, 27.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.8 PER, 6.0 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  This could be the player that intrigues us he most in the next two years.

9. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 205 Cup Points:  53 Games, 27.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.8 PER, 5.6 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

The last three weeks of Morant’s life has been a disaster, with a bevy of poor personal decisions that has led to a suspension.  Currently away from the Grizzlies, he has dropped two spots in Cup Point standings from the last update.  This is a man with serious growing up to do.

10. Damontas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings, 200 Cup Points:  67 Games, 19.0 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 7.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 23.3 PER, 10.6 WS.  (Not on last ranking)

For the first time this season on one of our updates, Sabonis appears in the top ten, and is currently the NBA leader in Rebounds per Game (12.6).  He added a third All-Star this year.

Utah’s Lauri Markkanen fell off the top ten.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 260 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 240 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 241 Cup Points:  60 Games, 24.7 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.6 PER, 13.2 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The two-time defending MVP (and NIHOF Cup Champion) remains at the top, despite the pleas of Kendrick Perkins.  Jokic is leading the league in PER (31.6), Win Shares (13.2), VORP (7.7) and Box Plus/Minus (13.0).  He is also averaging a triple-double, leading the NBA in that stat, and is third in Rebounds per Game.

2. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 225 Cup Points:  52 Games, 33.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 30.8 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

Embiid is now in the number two hole, and is a bona fide MVP contender, and in a dogfight with Jokic.  He is currently the scoring leader (33.3) and is second in PER (30.8).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.  Could this be the season he takes Philadelphia all the way

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 230 Cup Points:  63 Games, 30.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.8 PER, 8.8 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum climbed back into the top three.  He is still a huge threat to win this award, as well as the MVP, though some of his advanced statistics are lacking.  He should finish over 30 Points per Game (he is currently sixth).

4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 227 Cup Points:  57 Games, 33.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.6 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Doncic dropped two spots to #4, which was due mostly to a thigh injury, and inactivity since the last update.   He is second in scoring (33.0), VORP (6.0) and Box Plus/Minus (9.5) while currently placing third in PER (29.6) and fourth in Win Shares (9.4).  He was an early MVP contender, but that is not be the case anymore.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 219 Cup Points:  52 Games, 31.2 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.5 PER, 7.1 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season, and he is now dealing with another ailment, which continues to cost him.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

6. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 216 Cup Points:  70 Games, 25.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.7 PER, 7.8 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (25.3), than his first All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 213 Cup Points:  57 Games, 31.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.3 PER, 9.4 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently dealing with some nagging injuries, but you have to imagine just how pathetic the Thunder would be without SGA.

8. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 198 Cup Points:  61 Games, 26.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.5 PER, 5.8 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team. 

9. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 205 Cup Points:  53 Games, 27.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.8 PER, 5.6 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

The last two weeks of Morant’s life has been a disaster, with a bevy of poor personal decisions that has led to a suspension.  Currently away from the Grizzlies, he has dropped two spots in Cup Point standings from the last update.  This is a man with serious growing up to do.

10. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 194 Cup Points:  60 Games, 25.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.5 PER, 7.8 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

Markkanen is now the first player from Finland to be an All-Star and after two months, he returns to the top ten in Cup Points.  This the year of his life.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 240 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 230 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 232 Cup Points:  58 Games, 24.3 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.3 PER, 12.6 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

The two-time defending MVP (and NIHOF Cup Champion) remains at the top, despite the pleas of Kendrick Perkins. Jokic is leading the league in PER (31.3), Win Shares (12.6), VORP (7.4) and Box Plus/Minus (13.0).  He is also averaging a triple-double, leading the NBA in that stat, and is third in Rebounds per Game.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 227 Cup Points:  57 Games, 33.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 29.6 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Doncic holds at #2, but that spot appears to be in jeopardy as he was recently injured with a thigh injury and is second in scoring (33.0), VORP (6.0) and Box Plus/Minus (9.5) while currently placing third in PER (29.6) and fourth in Win Shares (9.4).  He was an early MVP contender, but that might not be the case anymore.

3 (TIE). Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 225 Cup Points:  62 Games, 30.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.7 PER, 8.7 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Tatum climbed back into the top three.  He is still a huge threat to win this award, as well as the MVP, though some of his advanced statistics are lacking.  He should finish over 30 Points per Game (he is currently sixth).

3 (TIE). Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 225 Cup Points:  52 Games, 33.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 30.8 PER, 9.4 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

Embiid gets back to the top three, and is a bona fide MVP contender.  He is currently the scoring leader (33.3) and is second in PER (30.8).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.  Could this be the season he takes Philadelphia all the way?

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 219 Cup Points:  52 Games, 31.2 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.5 PER, 7.1 WS. (#3 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season, and he is now dealing with another ailment, which caused him to drop two spots.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

6. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 208 Cup Points:  67 Games, 25.3 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 21.0 PER, 7.9 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (25.3), than his first All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 207 Cup Points:  57 Games, 31.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.3 PER, 9.4 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently dealing with some nagging injuries, but you have to imagine just how pathetic the Thunder would be without SGA.

8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 205 Cup Points:  53 Games, 27.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.8 PER, 5.6 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

The last two weeks of Morant’s life has been a disaster, with a bevy of poor personal decisions that has led to a suspension.  Currently away from the Grizzlies, he has dropped two spots in Cup Point standings from the last update.  This is a man with serious growing up to do.

9. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 198 Cup Points:  59 Games, 26.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.1 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.3 PER, 5.4 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  

10. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 189 Cup Points:  59 Games, 25.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.5 PER, 7.8 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

Markkanen is now the first player from Finland to be an All-Star and after two months, he returns to the top ten in Cup Points.  This the year of his life.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 240 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 220 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 208 Cup Points:  55 Games, 24.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.9 PER, 12.3 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Well look who is back at the top!  Jokic moves into the top spot and the two-time and defending MVP winner (and NIHOF Cup Champion) is leading the league in PER (31.9), Win Shares (12.3), VORP (7.1) and Box Plus/Minus (13.2).  He is also averaging a triple-double.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 216 Cup Points:  53 Games, 33.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 30.1 PER, 9.1 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Doncic has rebounded to number two, and is the NBA’s current scoring leader (33.2), and is second in VORP (5.8) and Box Plus/Minus (10.0) while currently placing third in PER (30.1) and Win Shares (9.1).

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 213 Cup Points:  50 Games, 31.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.6 PER, 6.8 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season, but has also been a little hurt lately, though he gained two places.  He is now a six-time All-Star, and is in the top five in both Points and Rebounds per Game.

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 211 Cup Points:  59 Games, 30.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.8 PER, 8.0 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Tatum did not have any Cup Points on his last two Games, and it led to him plummeting three spots from the top to #4.  He is still a huge threat to win this award, as well as the MVP, and should finish over 30 Points per Game (he is currently sixth).

5. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 210 Cup Points:  48 Games, 33.0 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 30.5 PER, 8.6 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Embiid slid down two spots to number five, but is a bona fide MVP contender.  He is currently second in PPG (33.0) and is second in PER (30.5).  Embiid is also in the top five in Wins Shares, VORP and Box Plus/Minus.

6. (TIE) Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 201 Cup Points:  52 Games, 27.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.9 PER, 5.7 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.  Saying that, Memphis, is in a weird state right now, as is Morant, who has become a somewhat controversial figure.

6. (TIE) Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 201 Cup Points:  64 Games, 25.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 21.1 PER, 7.7 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (24.9), than his All-Star year two years ago.

8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 200 Cup Points:  54 Games, 31.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.3 PER, 9.1 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently injured, and fell two spots sine the last update, but has broke through to the upper tier.

9. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 188 Cup Points:  55 Games, 27.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 10.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.2 PER, 5.1 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  

10. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 183 Cup Points:  57 Games, 25.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.6 PER, 7.7 WS.  (Not on last ranking)

Markkanen is now the first player from Finland to be an All-Star and after two months, he returns to the top ten in Cup Points.  This the year of his life.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 230 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 210 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 211 Cup Points:  57 Games, 30.4 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 23.8 PER, 8.0 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Tatum remains at #1 and while there are other players who can make a statistical claim as this year’s MVP, Tatum is the best player on the NBA’s best team, and that often translates into an MVP.  This looks to be his first year where he will finish with a PPG over 30.

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 208 Cup Points:  53 Games, 24.5 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 31.7 PER, 11.7 WS.  (#4 on last ranking)

Jokic again climbs up two spots and the two-time and defending MVP winner (and NIHOF Cup Champion) is leading the league in PER (31.7), Win Shares (11.7), VORP (6.8) and Box Plus/Minus (13.2).  He is also averaging a triple-double, and is probably the biggest threat to Tatum for the MVP.

3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 206 Cup Points:  47 Games, 33.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 30.6 PER, 8.4 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

Embiid rockets into number three, and is a bona fide MVP contender.  He is currently second in PPG (33.1) and is second in PER (30.9).

4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 204 Cup Points:  51 Games, 33.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 30.4 PER, 8.9 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Doncic drops again, and is now at number 4.  The now four-time All-Star reclaimed the scoring lead from Joel Embiid   His PER of 30.4 also ranks him third.  He now has Kyrie Irving as a teammate, which will prove intriguing.

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 203 Cup Points:  48 Games, 31.3 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.4 PER, 6.5 WS. (#2 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season, but has also been a little hurt lately, dropping him three spots.  He is now a six-time All-star.

6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 200 Cup Points:  54 Games, 31.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.3 PER, 9.1 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently fifth in PPG and SPG, and is second in Win Shares (8.7).  How great will this Canadian be?  

7 (Tie). Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 196 Cup Points:  62 Games, 25.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 21.2 PER, 7.3 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (24.9), than his All-Star year two years ago.

8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 191 Cup Points:  50 Games, 27.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.4 PER, 5.2 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

9. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 179 Cup Points:  53 Games, 26.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 22.1 PER, 4.9 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  

10. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, 174 Cup Points:  56 Games, 25.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 22.7 PER, 7.6 WS.  (Not on last ranking)

Markkanen is now the first player from Finland to be an All-Star and after two months, he returns to the top ten in Cup Points.  This the year of his life.

LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, has fallen off the top ten

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 220 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 200 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 202 Cup Points:  53 Games, 30.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 24.2 PER, 7.8 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Tatum remains at #1, and as of this writing, has the largest Cup Points lead to date.  While there are other players who can make a statistical claim as this year’s MVP, Tatum is the best player on the NBA’s best team, and that often translates into an MVP.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 198 Cup Points:  44 Games, 32.4 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 28.9 PER, 6.4 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP would have probably been on the top had he not missed a series of Games earlier in the season.  He is now a six-time All-star.

3. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 193 Cup Points:  48 Games, 33.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 30.0 PER, 8.2 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

After missing some games, Doncic drops again, and is now at number 3.  The now four-time All-Star is second in PPG (33.4), sixth in APG (8.2) and is second in VORP (5.1) and Win Shares (8.2).   His PER of 30.0 also ranks him third.  He now has Kyrie Irving as a teammate, which will prove intriguing.

4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 191 Cup Points:  49 Games, 24.9 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 10.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 32.0 PER, 10.9 WS.  (#6 on last ranking)

Jokic climbed back up two spots and the two-time and defending MVP winner (and NIHOF Cup Champion) is leading the league in PER (32.0), Win Shares (10.9), VORP (6.4) and Box Plus/Minus (13.3).  He is also averaging a triple-double, and is probably the biggest threat to Tatum for the MVP.

5 (Tie). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 188 Cup Points:  51 Games, 31.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.5 PER, 8.7 WS. (#3 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander went to his first All-Star Game, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  He is currently fifth in PPG and SPG, and is second in Win Shares (8.7).  How great will this Canadian be?  

5 (Tie). Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 188 Cup Points:  43 Games, 33.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 30.9 PER, 7.7 WS.  (#7 on last ranking)

Embiid continues to climb the list, and moves into the top five.  He is currently leading the league in PPG (33.4) and is second in PER (30.9).

7 (Tie). Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 180 Cup Points:  46 Games, 27.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 24.1 PER, 5.3 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

7 (Tie). Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 180 Cup Points:  58 Games, 24.9 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.9 PER, 6.5 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (24.9), than his All-Star year two years ago (24.7).

9. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 170 Cup Points:  50 Games, 26.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 21.9 PER, 4.5 WS. (#9 on last ranking)

Young is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad, but was unable to make the NBA All-Star Team.  

10 (Tie). LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, 162 Cup Points:  44 Games, 30.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 25.1 PER, 4.6 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

How was your week?  LeBron is now the all-time leading scorer, and is still an elite performer who could put it forever out of reach.

Kevin Durant, now of the Phoenix Suns, has fallen off the top ten

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 210 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 190 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 190 Points:  49 Games, 31.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 24.6 PER, 7.3 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Tatum moved back to the top, and while he is not at the top of any stat line, he is the biggest star on the NBA’s best team.  He has never finished with a PPG over 30, but he has that currently (31.1).  This could be an MVP season for Tatum.

2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 186 Cup Points:  46 Games, 33.4 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 30.3 PER, 8.8 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Doncic drops to number 2, and we can argue that he is also fallen behind Tatum, the player ahead of him, for MVP consideration.  The European superstar is second in PPG (33.4), fourth in APG (8.3) and is second in VORP (5.1) and Win Shares (8.2).   His PER of 30.3 also ranks him second.  Statistically, he is ahead of Tatum, but that might not matter if Tatum’s Celtics finish that much higher than Doncic’s Mavericks.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 175 Cup Points:  47 Games, 30.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 27.1 PER, 7.8 WS. (#3 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star this year, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  How great will this Canadian be?  

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 173 Cup Points:  40 Games, 31.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 27.9 PER, 5.2 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP is healthy and playing his best basketball of the year.  The “Greek Freak” is positioning himself back in the MVP talk and is third in PPG (31.8) and second in RPG (12.2)

5. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 170 Cup Points:  43 Games, 27.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.8 PER, 4.8 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

6. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 169 Cup Points:  44 Games, 25.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 32.1 PER, 9.9 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Jokic dropped three spots, though that was more from sitting out a game while others around him on this played in more.  The two-time and defending MVP winner (and NIHOF Cup Champion) is leading the league in PER (32.1), Win Shares (9.9), VORP (5.6) and Box Plus/Minus (13.1).

7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 164 Cup Points:  38 Games, 33.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 30.7 PER, 6.7 WS.  (#9 on last ranking)

Embiid is back from a foot issue, and tearing it up.  He took over from Doncic the PPG lead and is second in PER (30.7).

8. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 156 Cup Points:  52 Games, 24.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 20.9 PER, 6.0 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Randle continues to climb the list, and currently has a higher PPG (24.4), as his All-Star year two years ago (24.7).

9. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 154 Cup Points:  46 Games, 27.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 9.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 21.6 PER, 3.6 WS. (#10 on last ranking)

Young moves up one spot, and is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad.  

10 (Tie). Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, 153 Cup Points:  39 Games, 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.4 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

The Nets were on fire, and Durant was posting his best numbers over the past three years.  K.D. is now on the injured list with an MCL injury, and will miss a month, that will cost him the MVP and of course, the NIHOF Cup.  He dropped three spots from out last update.

10 (Tie). LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, 153 Cup Points:  41 Games, 30.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 25.1 PER, 4.6 WS.  (Not on last ranking)

Well look who climbed into the top ten!  King James is here, and as always plays his ass off every night.  If he stays healthy, he should be able make the top five by season’s end.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 200 Cup Points.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 100 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 170 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 174 Cup Points:  42 Games, 33.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 8.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 30.1 PER, 7.6 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Doncic is still at number #1, but is he is still the MVP front-runner?  The man at #2 is staking a claim for that.  The European star is currently leading the NBA in Points per Game (33.7) and is 4^th in Assists per Game (8.8).  The Mavericks will go as far as Doncic can take them.

2. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 167 Points:  44 Games, 31.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG, 24.8 PER, 6.6 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum moves up to number #2, and for many is the current front runner for the NBA MVP.  He has never finished with a PPG over 30, but he has that currently (31.2).

3 (Tie). Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 155 Cup Points:  41 Games, 25.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 9.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 32.3 PER, 9.2 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

The “Joker” has been great lately, and we know someone wants to get that third Cup!  He is currently leading the NBA in PER (32.3), VORP (5.2), Box Plus/Minus (13.1) and Win Shares (9.2).

3 (Tie). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 155 Cup Points:  42 Games, 30.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.8 WS. (#6 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star this year, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  How great will this Canadian be?

5. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, 153 Cup Points:  39 Games, 29.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 26.8 PER, 6.4 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

The Nets were on fire, and Durant was posting his best numbers over the past three years.  K.D. is now on the injured list with an MCL injury, and will miss a month, that will cost him the MVP and of course, the NIHOF Cup.  He dropped three spots from out last update.

6 (Tie). Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 148 Cup Points:  35 Games, 31.0 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 27.1 PER, 4.5 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

The two-time MVP has missed his last five games due to injury, and is dropping in the standings.

6 (Tie). Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers, 148 Cup Points:  34 Games, 33.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 30.9 PER, 6.1 WS.  (#9 on last ranking)

Embiid is currently second in Points per Game (behind Doncic), but is currently dealing with a foot injury.

8. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 146 Cup Points:  34 Games, 27.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 23.7 PER, 4.1 WS. (#8 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

9. Julius Randle, New York Knicks, 140 Points:  47 Games, 24.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 20.8 PER, 5.4 WS. (#10 on last ranking)

Randle makes his first appearance this year in the top ten, and currently has a higher PPG (24.4), as his All-Star year two years ago (24.1).

10. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, 139 Points:  42 Games, 27.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0. BPG, 21.5 PER, 3.6 WS. (not on last ranking)

Young returns to the top ten, and is the face of an intriguing Hawks squad.  

Boston’s Jaylen Brown drops off of the top ten.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 170 Cup Points.

Pre-2022-23 Rank: #49, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #48.

Peak Period: From 2018-19 to 2023-24.  Young has only played six seasons and is this still in his Peak Period.

Trae Young has been one of the better Point Guards over the last six seasons, and the three-time All-Star led Atlanta to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but they haven’t come close since, and Young has been pegged as inconsistent.  As he was a straight-up draft day trade for Luka Doncic, it is impossible to separate the two, and a change of scenery might help Young more than any other player in basketball.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our pre-2021-22 revision of our top 50 Atlanta Hawks

As for all of our top 50 players in basketball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the NBA. 

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

Please note, that this is our first revision in three years, and as such, there are two significant debuts, that would not be so drastic had we did these the last two years.

As always, we present our top five immediately, though nothing has changed in this upper-tier.

1. Bob Pettit

2. Dominique Wilkins

3. Cliff Hagan

4. John Drew

5. Mookie Blaylock

You can find the entire list here.

The two new entries are stars of the past few years, and led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Power Forward and four-year veteran, John Collins enters at #28, and star three-year Guard, Trae Young, debuts at #29.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

At the 2018 Draft, the biggest moment was when the Dallas Mavericks traded Trae Young for Luka Doncic to Atlanta, players who both teams just drafted, and were both hopeful that they both landed the man who would take them to the promised land.  With the two linked together in perpetuity, Young will always be compared to Doncic, which may not be fair, but Young showed his share of scoring skills

Young was an immediate star, earning First Team All-Rookie honors with a 19.1 PPG and 8.1 APG.  There was no sophomore slump for the Point Guard, who went to his first All-Star Game, and increased his production to 29.6 Points and 9.4 Assists per Game, with his PER rocketing to 23.9.  2020/21 saw Young’s numbers slightly decrease, but he had more help, and brought the Hawks to an Eastern Conference Final.  2021/22 was a disappointing one for the Hawks, as they regressed overall, but Young was outstanding, going back to the All-Star Game on his way to a 28.4 PPG  Season, and a career-high PER of 25.4.  

In 2022-23, Young was not able to make the All-Star Game, but still led the Hawks to the playoffs, and had a 26.2 PPG, the fourth year in a row that he averaged over 25 Points per Game.  Last season, Young did make the All-Star (albeit as a replacement) and again averaged over 25 Points per Game (25.7).

Young's future with the Hawks might be on shaky ground, but the potent scorer can still carry Atlanta and steal wins.