CourtVisuals

Using the Player Impact Metric to visualize the best players across eras

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@Yasseen53330682 Maybe it is time to return. Do you have a request?

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Dwight Howard vs Demarcus Cousins

We can see the transition between the two as the league’s best center, though DeMarcus didn’t quite reach the same peak.

Dwight: 795 total, 44.2 average
Demarcus: 490 total, 40.8 average

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Deandre Jordan vs Brook Lopez

Two members of the 2008 Draft have remained in the league until 2025, despite playing much different styles. Jordan reached a higher peak, but Lopez has shown greater longevity.

Jordan: 453 total, 26.6 average
Lopez: 535 total, 35.6 average

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Marc Gasol
Average: 43.7
Total: 556.3

Pau Gasol
Average: 52.6
Total: 896.5

Marc is largely overshadowed by older brother Pau, but still carves out some elite seasons in the 2010s

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@Crowbegone Mike Budenholzer playing Giannis 31 mpg during his peak years held back what could have been much higher scorers. All these other great power forwards played close to 40 mpg in their best years

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Top 10 Power Forward Guard Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)

1. 2004 KG - 101.6
2. 2003 Timmy - 98.66
3. 2006 Dirk - 96.07
4. 1993 Barkley - 90.24
5. 2002 Timmy - 89.98
6. 1998 Karl - 89.31
7. 1997 Karl - 88.8
8. 2003 KG 87.8
9. 2003 Dirk - 86.5
10. 2005 KG -84.88

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@Crowbegone The best Giannis seasons are very good, just behind this group. 2019-2021 and this season he’s scored about an 81

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

The era of the power forwards is a clear cut stretch from the mid 90s to the mid 2000s. Few of the position’s elite seasons fall outside these years

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Paul George
Average: 49.7
Total: 646.3

Carmelo Anthony
Average: 45.2
Total: 814

George and Melo have followed very similar career paths. George has faced some injuries and is less consistent, but did peak higher. George seems to be nearing the end of his best years.

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Grant Hill
Average: 48.3
Total: 629

Jayson Tatum
Average: 56.5
Total: 451.2

Hill and Tatum’s starts are nearly identical, but injuries derailed a potentially legendary career for Hill. Imagine if the next time we saw a healthy Jayson Tatum wasn’t until the 2031 season!

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Blake Griffin
Average: 46
Total: 553

Amar’e Stoudemire
Average: 44
Total: 528.5

Two incredible power forwards impacted by injuries. Stoudemire’s 2005 season stands as the peak between the two, but Griffin has a few extra prime seasons of relative health.

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@NarrativesBall Nikola Jokić has redefined what a player can do, showing unmatched versatility. He’s a better passer than Larry Bird and a more versatile scorer than Magic Johnson, and has revolutionized the role of a big man.

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Scottie Pippen
Average: 53.8
Total: 915.1

Kawhi Leonard
Average: 54.8
Total: 658.2

Leonard’s injuries hurt his score, especially compared to Pippen’s durability. Kawhi could have reached scores in the 80s had he played full seasons more often in his prime

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@fgrasvjtc This is just the regular season score

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Top 10 Shooting Guard Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)

1. 1989 MJ
2. 1991 MJ
3. 1988 MJ
4. 1990 MJ
5. 1993 MJ
6. 1996 MJ
7. 1992 MJ
8. 1997 MJ
9. 2019 James Harden
10. 2003 Tracy McGrady

Next post will be top 10 non-MJ shooting guard seasons

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@fgrasvjtc Top 5 Players of 2008
1. LeBron James - 89.1
2. Chris Paul - 85.5
3. Kobe Bryant - 72.7
4. Dirk Nowitzki - 65.2
5. Kevin Garnett - 64.8

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@5StarAccount1 2019 Harden places in the top 30 seasons ever, but Michael Jordan is just really, really good.

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

@pitlessball 98 MJ is 15th, behind 2020 Harden, 1987 MJ, and 06/09 Wade

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Top 10 Non-MJ Shooting Guard Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)

1. 2019 James Harden
2. 2003 Tmac
3. 2020 James Harden
4. 2006 Dwyane Wade
5. 2009 Dwyane Wade
6. 2018 James Harden
7. 2017 James Harden
8. 2015 James Harden
9. 2003 Kobe Bryant
10. 2006 Kobe Bryant

[CourtVisuals @GraphTheGames]

Top 10 Point Guard Seasons using Player Impact Metric (1974-2024)

1. 2016 Steph Curry
2. 2008 Chris Paul
3. 2017 Westbrook
4. 2024 Luka Doncic
5. 1987 Magic Johnson
6. 2015 Steph Curry
7. 2009 Chris Paul
8. 1989 Magic Johnson
9. 2016 Westbrook
10. 1991 Magic Johnson