Who were the top 30 players of 2017-18? 30-21
As part of the regular season's final week, theScore's eight NBA editors cumulatively ranked the top 30 players of 2017-18 in a four-part series. As a reminder, these rankings are based solely on performance during the season in question, with no regard to past or future projections.
Honorable mentions
The following 10 players each received at least one top-30 vote, but didn't receive enough voting points to crack the actual rankings:
| Honorable Mention | Highest Ranking |
|---|---|
| C.J. McCollum | 22 |
| Blake Griffin | 25 |
| Steven Adams | 26 |
| Khris Middleton | 27 |
| Donovan Mitchell | 27 |
| Goran Dragic | 28 |
| Devin Booker | 28 |
| Jrue Holiday | 30 |
| Dwight Howard | 30 |
| DeAndre Jordan | 30 |
30. Kevin Love
Credit to Love, who's dealt with injures and opened up about severe anxiety issues that have made it difficult to stay on the floor at times. He's quietly averaging 17.4 points and 9.3 boards as LeBron James' main running mate, and proven that the Cavaliers won't go far without him. - Wael Saghir
29. Lou Williams
The Clippers kept fighting right to the end, despite an 11-18 start to the season and the upheaval of the Blake Griffin blockbuster. Sweet Lou Will has led the team through it all from his spot on the bench, topping 40 points on four occasions, including 50 in Golden State. - Andrew Potter
28. Andre Drummond
Unfortunately for Drummond, his monster year didn't lead Detroit to the playoffs, but he'll likely finish as the first player to average 16-plus rebounds in a season since Dennis Rodman in 1997. Stan Van Gundy also turned Drummond into a solid passer from the high post, as the big man's averaging a career-high three assists per game. - Saghir
27. Draymond Green
Green's 3-point shooting dropped to its lowest level since his rookie year, but the Warriors' do-it-all point-forward remains one of the game's smartest, most intimidating defensive players, with opposing scorers shooting 3.8 percent worse than average when Green's the primary defender. He's also the only player not named LeBron James who's averaged at least seven rebounds, seven assists, a block, and a steal in a season - something he's done three times now. - Joseph Casciaro
26. Kemba Walker
If Charlotte was remotely good, Walker would be making a case for MVP. The Hornets are 11.1 points per 100 possessions better when he's on the floor, yet the two-time All-Star is paid less than five of his teammates. Good on him for wanting to stick with the team that's made the playoffs just twice in his seven seasons. - Saghir
25. Klay Thompson
An off-year in scoring for Thompson (he's averaging his lowest point total in four years) still brought career highs in both field-goal and 3-point shooting percentages. He's as efficient as ever, but often overlooked considering the star-studded contingent he finds himself a part of. - Chris Walder
24. DeMarcus Cousins
The candle that burns twice as bright often burns half as long. Cousins only played 48 games before rupturing his Achilles, but the mercurial big man was one of the toughest covers in the league when active, averaging 25.2 points with a career-high in rebounds (12.9) and assists (5.4). - Potter
23. Al Horford
After Gordon Hayward's injury, Horford picked up the slack as both a play-maker and versatile defender, taking some pressure off of the Celtics' young wings. He ranks ninth in the league in defensive win shares, 18th in defensive box plus-minus (min. 40 games played), and 19th in VORP. - Potter
22. Nikola Jokic
Jokic's defensive ineptitude is a legitimate concern, but his lack of foot-speed and general mobility only make his profound offensive impact all the more impressive. The Joker's averages - 18.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists - put him in historic company, and he's one of four players (along with Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, and Kyle Lowry) to rank in RPM's top 10 in each of the last three seasons. Not bad for a guy who only turned 23 a couple months ago. - Casciaro
21. Bradley Beal
"Everybody eats" in a year in which All-Star John Wall was sidelined for half the season. Beal stepped up to keep Washington competitive in Wall's prolonged absence, emerging as a leader and more of a facilitator (career high in assists) while maintaining his offensive prowess (13th in scoring). - Walder
(All photos courtesy Getty Images)