Jason Timpf’s rankings have generated plenty of debate as the 2024-25 NBA season approaches. With stars like Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo occupying the top spots, there’s no doubt that the league is full of elite talent
However, the ranking of Anthony Davis over LeBron James and Steph Curry, as well as the omission of Joel Embiid, suggests that new narratives and expectations are emerging as the NBA landscape continues to evolve.
As the season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these rankings hold up and whether some of the league’s top stars can deliver on the court.
Jason Timpf’s explanation for slotting Joel Embiid at No. 11 highlights the complexity involved in ranking NBA players.
It’s not just about raw stats or individual accolades; it’s about how a player’s skills translate to winning in the postseason, how available they are to their team, and how adaptable they are within different systems.
For Embiid, the road to reclaiming his spot in the top 10 will depend on overcoming these challenges, but his talent ensures that he will always be in the conversation as one of the league’s best.
Also Read: Joel Embiid’s Olympics Critiqued by Charles Barkley for Mediocre Performances
Table of Contents
Joel Embiid: The 2024-25 NBA Season
Key Rankings and Surprises
The 2024-25 NBA regular season is just around the corner, with games set to begin on October 22 following an exciting preseason.1
One of the most anticipated aspects of the new season is the performance of the league’s top stars, and NBA analyst Jason Timpf has sparked considerable debate with his ranking of the top 10 players in the league.
His list contains some expected names, but it also includes some surprises, particularly regarding players like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Joel Embiid. Below, we’ll dive into the top players, the criteria for these rankings, and some of the biggest surprises from Timpf’s analysis.
The Top 3: Jokic, Doncic, and Antetokounmpo
Topping Timpf’s list is Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ three-time MVP. Jokic has cemented himself as the best player in the league following an MVP-level season and a championship in 2023.
Known for his incredible playmaking ability, versatility, and basketball IQ, Jokic’s impact on the court goes beyond scoring and rebounding.
He has transformed the Nuggets into perennial title contenders and continues to redefine the modern center position with his elite passing, efficient shooting, and leadership skills.
Jokic’s dominance during the playoffs, where he led Denver to their first NBA championship, exemplifies why he is considered the most valuable player to start a franchise with. His ability to elevate teammates, remain consistent through playoff pressure, and stay healthy makes him a no-brainer at No. 1.
Luka Doncic: The Next Big Thing
- At No. 2 on Timpf’s list is Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, a player many believe is on the cusp of his first MVP season. Doncic’s ability to control the pace of the game, score from anywhere on the floor, and make difficult passes look easy has quickly elevated him to the top tier of NBA superstars.
- His size and strength make him a matchup nightmare for most defenders, and his clutch play in big moments has drawn comparisons to legends like LeBron James and Magic Johnson.
- Though the Mavericks have struggled with team success in recent years, Doncic’s individual brilliance is undeniable.
- He ranks so highly on this list because of his potential to lead a team through a grueling NBA season and playoff run, with the expectation that the Mavericks will build a stronger roster around him to capitalize on his unique talent.
- The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion, takes the No. 3 spot.
- Antetokounmpo’s dominance on both ends of the floor makes him one of the most complete players in the league.
Joel Embiid: Rounding Out the Top 5
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Rising Star in Oklahoma
Coming in at No. 4 is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. This may come as a surprise to some, but Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly developed into one of the league’s brightest young stars.2
After a breakout 2023 season, where he earned his first All-Star selection, Gilgeous-Alexander has become the focal point of a young and talented Thunder team. His ability to score efficiently, create for others, and defend multiple positions has made him a complete player.
What sets Gilgeous-Alexander apart is his versatility and ability to perform in clutch moments, particularly in close games. As the Thunder continue to develop, many believe that Gilgeous-Alexander has the potential to lead this young core deep into the playoffs in the coming years.
What a HR #BigChritsmas
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) October 18, 2024
Anthony Edwards: The Timberwolves’ Future
At No. 5 is Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards, another young player who has rapidly ascended in the NBA hierarchy. Known for his explosive athleticism and scoring prowess, Edwards has emerged as one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.
His ability to take over games with his scoring, combined with his evolving defensive skills, makes him a crucial piece for the Timberwolves’ future success.
Edwards’ ranking so high on this list reflects his potential to grow into an even more dominant force. His fearless approach and competitive fire make him the type of player any team would want to build around, especially in high-pressure playoff situations.
Joel Embiid’s Omission: A Shocking Snub?
Embiid Left Out: What Does It Mean?
One of the biggest surprises from Timpf’s list is the omission of Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, the reigning 2023 MVP.3
Embiid has consistently been one of the most dominant forces in the league, especially on the offensive end, where he can score in a variety of ways. His defense and rebounding also make him one of the best centers in the NBA.
However, Embiid’s exclusion from the top 10 likely stems from concerns about his playoff performances and durability. Despite his individual accolades, the 76ers have failed to reach the Conference Finals during his tenure, and Embiid has often struggled with injuries at crucial moments.
Timpf’s decision not to include him may reflect skepticism about whether Embiid can lead a team through a full season and deep playoff run.
Davis Over LeBron: A Changing of the Guard?
Perhaps the most contentious part of Timpf’s list is his decision to place Anthony Davis at No. 6, ahead of his Lakers teammate LeBron James, who ranks at No. 8. Davis, who has been a critical piece of the Lakers’ success since joining the team, has often been criticized for his durability issues.
However, when healthy, Davis is one of the most dominant two-way players in the league, capable of anchoring a defense while being an offensive force.
Timpf’s ranking suggests that Davis is now the player the Lakers will rely on more heavily as LeBron enters the final stage of his career.
The 2024-25 season could mark a passing of the torch, where Davis takes on a larger leadership role and becomes the focal point for the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
Steph Curry at No. 10: Undervalued or Aging?
Another notable part of the list is Steph Curry’s ranking at No. 10. The Golden State Warriors‘ superstar remains one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league, and his shooting ability is unparalleled.
However, his ranking at the bottom of the top 10 likely reflects his age (Curry turns 36 in 2024) and concerns about his ability to carry the Warriors through a full season and deep playoff run.
While Curry’s game still translates well to the postseason, Timpf’s criteria—which include availability and how easy it is to build around a player—may explain why Curry is ranked behind players like Jayson Tatum, LeBron, and Davis.
Also Read: Joel Embiid Bio, Age, Career, Family, Net Worth And More
Jason Timpf Explains Reason Behind Slotting Joel Embiid at No. 11
Basketball rankings and player evaluations are always hot topics of discussion among fans and analysts.
When Jason Timpf, a rising star in the world of basketball analysis, placed Joel Embiid at No. 11 on his top players list, many were left puzzled.
After all, Embiid, the reigning NBA MVP and one of the league’s most dominant forces, seemed like an obvious choice for a top 10 spot. However, Timpf’s decision wasn’t arbitrary.
He provided detailed reasoning behind his ranking, which sparked a larger conversation about how Embiid’s skillset and availability impact his standing among NBA stars.
Joel Embiid’s Dominance
Joel Embiid has established himself as one of the premier talents in the NBA, consistently putting up impressive numbers. In the 2023-24 season, he played 39 games, showcasing his offensive prowess with an average of 34.7 points per game on an efficient 52.9% shooting from the field.
His ability to score from beyond the arc (38.8% from 3-point range) further highlights his versatility as a center who can stretch the floor, making him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.
Beyond scoring, Embiid’s contributions on the boards and on defense were equally impressive. He averaged 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game, reaffirming his status as an elite two-way player.
His production on both ends of the floor was undeniable, and yet, according to Timpf, Embiid’s ranking outside the top 10 wasn’t solely based on his statistical output.
The Availability Factor: Embiid’s Struggles to Stay on the Court
One of the major factors influencing Timpf’s decision to place Embiid at No. 11 was his availability. Injuries have been a recurring theme in Joel Embiid’s career, and they’ve limited his impact on the court in key moments.
Despite his dominance when healthy, Embiid has often struggled to stay on the floor for extended stretches, particularly during crucial playoff runs. As Timpf noted, availability is a critical factor in determining a player’s value, especially at the highest levels of competition.
In recent years, Embiid has missed significant portions of the regular season due to injury, which raises concerns about his ability to consistently perform at the highest level over the long haul.
While his numbers are MVP-caliber when he plays, Timpf pointed out that being the least available star in the top tier of NBA players ultimately hurt Embiid’s ranking.
In contrast, players who consistently stay healthy and contribute night in and night out tend to be more highly valued, even if their peak performance isn’t as high as Embiid’s.
Joel Embiid’s Playstyle: Difficulties in Building Around Him
One of the more intriguing aspects of Timpf’s analysis was his critique of Embiid’s playstyle.
While few can argue against the effectiveness of Embiid’s game, Timpf noted that he “ties you to one play style on both ends,” making him harder to build around than other stars.
Essentially, Embiid’s presence on the floor demands a specific type of system that maximizes his strengths, which can sometimes limit a team’s flexibility.
Offensively, Embiid is a post-up and mid-range scoring machine, but his dominance in these areas can also mean the team revolves around him as a central focal point. While this works to Embiid’s advantage in many scenarios, it can also make it difficult to implement more diverse offensive strategies.
The Sixers’ offense has often stagnated when opponents are able to neutralize Embiid, and his tendency to rely on isolation plays can slow down the pace of the game.
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High Ceiling, But Inconsistencies Lower the Floor
Despite these criticisms, Timpf was careful to note that Embiid’s ceiling remains incredibly high. He acknowledged that, at his best, Embiid is a top-five player in the league, capable of single-handedly dominating games on both ends of the floor.
However, due to the factors discussed above—his availability, playoff track record, and the challenges of building around him—Timpf felt that Embiid’s overall value was slightly lower than other superstars in today’s NBA.
In ranking players, Timpf made it clear that consistency and versatility are highly valued. Players who can consistently perform at a high level, both in the regular season and the playoffs, and who can fit into a variety of systems, are seen as more valuable than players who may have higher peaks but lower floors.
In this context, Embiid’s ranking at No. 11 reflected his status as a player with enormous talent but certain drawbacks that prevent him from cracking the top 10.
A Controversial but Thoughtful Ranking
Timpf’s decision to rank Embiid at No. 11 was certainly controversial, especially among Sixers fans who have long believed that their star center deserves more recognition.
However, his analysis was grounded in a clear set of criteria that emphasized availability, playoff performance, and versatility. While Embiid’s individual brilliance is undeniable, Timpf argued that these factors ultimately lowered his ranking in comparison to other top-tier stars.
For fans of Embiid and the Sixers, the challenge moving forward will be to prove that Timpf’s criticisms are misplaced.
If Embiid can stay healthy, lead his team to a deep playoff run, and continue to evolve his game to fit into more diverse systems, there’s no doubt that he could climb back into the top 10—and perhaps even higher—in future rankings. Until then, the debate surrounding his place among the NBA’s elite is sure to continue.
Also Read: Joel Embiid’s Olympics Critiqued by Charles Barkley for Mediocre Performances
