18. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
Last Rank: No. 18
Position: Power Forward
Age: 31
Slash Line: .471/.314/.766
Season Averages: 32.6 MPG, 17.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.5 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 0.9 3PM
Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks have regressed, and there’s no way around that. After winning 60 games in 2014-15, Atlanta is 33-28 in 2015-16—a number that fails to illustrate the strides Atlanta is making towards becoming a true contender.
With the need for a player to emerge as a star-caliber isolation threat, Millsap has taken that onus upon himself and passed the test with flying colors.
Millsap has struggled a bit in recent games, but he’s been one of the most complete players in the NBA. Whether he’s scoring, crashing the boards, facilitating, or defending multiple positions, Millsap is as well-rounded a contributor as any on this list.
It’s hard to find two-way players in the modern NBA, but Millsap is one of the select few who provides a strong impact on both ends.
Millsap is No. 11 in the NBA in Win Shares and No. 17 in Win Shares per 48 minutes. He’s No. 4 in the Association in Defensive Win Shares, and is No. 5 in Defensive Rating—numbers that most wouldn’t expect given his reputation.
Having committed himself to playing at a higher and more aggressive level on both ends, Millsap is safe in the Top 20.
Next: No. 17