Each year Sports Illustrated releases their rankings of the top 100 players in the NBA. Monday, they released players 100-51.
According to their rankings, there are 59 players better than Derrick Rose.
The former MVP fell 37 spots from his ranking last season, which came after missing nearly two full NBA seasons.
Sports Illustrated’s reasoning:
At the peak of his powers, Derrick Rose’s ferocious off-the-dribble game was practically an offense in and of itself for the Bulls. In those days, Rose’s subpar outside shooting was an afterthought, as he could get anywhere he want on the court, finishing creatively at the rim, getting to the line and setting up his teammates for easy looks. Those days are gone, existing now only in flashes, as recurring knee injuries have sidelined Rose for more than 180 games over the last three years and neutered his offensive attack style. The 26-year-old former MVP’s quiet departure from USA Basketball this summer could be read as an acceptance of his new, less certain reality.
Forgetting, for a moment, the overall number of players deemed better than Rose, there are some unexpected players who play the same position as Rose that are ranked ahead of the point guard.
New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday was ranked one spot ahead of Rose. Point guards Tony Parker and Ty Lawson were ranked ahead of Rose as well, and that’s without ranking 1-50.
As an added shot to the gut, former Bulls All Star Luol Deng was ranked 56.
Bulls ranked in Sports Illustrated’s top 100
As disheartening as Rose’s ranking is, he is no longer the be-all and end-all for the team. Taj Gibson came in ranked 90.
Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol haven’t been ranked yet, but will almost assuredly be in the top 50. Joakim Noah wasn’t ranked either, but would seem a stretch to make the top half. Nikola Mirotic was grouped in the “snubs” category.
