2015-16 NBA Player Rankings: 10-6

Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2015-16 NBA season. Visit our season preview hub for comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams.

As part of our season preview coverage, theScore's six NBA editors each ranked their top 30 players heading into the 2015-16 campaign. Players were awarded 30 points for a first-place vote, 29 points for a second-place vote, and so on, with one point awarded for a 30th-place vote.

We then compiled those point totals for the 35 different players who received votes, leaving us with a cumulative top 30. Here's Part 3 of the four-part series.

Related: 2015-16 NBA Player Rankings, 30-21
Related: 2015-16 Player Rankings, 20-11

10. DeMarcus Cousins (Highest ranking: 8)

Much will continue to be made of Cousins' propensity to scowl, throw tantrums, take techs, and occasionally mentally space-out on defense. Not enough is made of Boogie's beastly domination at his best.

Last season, the 25-year-old became just the eighth big man in NBA history to average at least 24 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal in a single season, joining the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett.

He also helped the Kings - who went 6-17 and were outscored by more than eight points per 100 possessions without him - outscore opponents while on the court.

9. Marc Gasol (Highest ranking: 7)

Gasol, a former Defensive Player of the Year, took on a far greater offensive responsibility in Memphis last season, and complemented that All-World D with career-highs of 17.4 points per game and a Player Efficiency Rating of 21.7.

He was rewarded with All-NBA 1st Team honors, his second career All-Star appearance, and a ninth-place finish in MVP voting.

8. Blake Griffin (Highest ranking: 7)

Five seasons into his NBA career, Griffin has averages of 21.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, four assists, and a steal, a career PER of 22.8, five All-Star appearances, four All-NBA selections, and three top-10 finishes in MVP balloting.

The only other players who can boast such a five-year run to start their careers were named Kareem and Bird. It's no wonder that Griffin's arrival (in addition to Chris Paul's) spelled the beginning of a Clippers revival.

7. Russell Westbrook (Highest ranking: 5)

The Thunder missed out on a Western Conference playoff berth six months ago - injuries to Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, and Westbrook, himself, proving too costly in the unforgiving West - but few things in modern NBA history have been as exhilarating as watching Russ in 2014-15.

The combustible point guard won his first career scoring title by pouring in more than 28 points per game, complemented that prolific scoring with averages of 8.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and two steals, and recorded 11 triple-doubles, which included an incredible run of four straight in late February-early March.

That he had to settle for All-NBA 2nd Team honors only speaks to the generational talent on display at the point guard position right now.

6. Chris Paul (Highest ranking: 5)

Speaking of generational point guards.

Paul, one of the finest offensive creators the game has ever known, is the only player in NBA history with a career assist percentage of 45-plus and a sub-15 turnover percentage. He's also been selected to five consecutive All-Defensive Teams, including four straight 1st Team distinctions, and his postseason performances dispel the notion that his play has anything to do with his teams' lack of playoff success.