I remember Jalen Rose saying this multiple times on his podcasts and TV shows. He would say something like “we are entering an era of position-less basketball” (not an exact quote). So when building this site I knew I would run into some complications when it came to the NBA Fan Rankings. There would be players that I would have no problem placing them where they are supposed to be. Then there would be players where I would have no idea where to place them in. One of those players being Luka Doncic.

Before the season started I saw Luka Doncic slotted at SG last season on the Dallas Mavericks. When checking ESPN they had him (and still do) at SF. When looking up his scouting report on NBADraft.net which states: “Versatile all around guard/forward who can do just about everything on the court”. Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson said he has “Point forward ability as a solid playmaker who likes the ball in his hands”. In conclusion, none of this helped me. I already know how versatile he is. I just don’t know where to place him at on the Fan Rankings.

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As the season started I saw the Dallas Mavericks had him at PG. I already had him at SG and would circle back to it when I got the chance. Maybe with some time they’ll move him around. Try J.J. Barea or second year player Jalen Brunsun at PG. Well, that didn’t happen. Instead with Steph Curry injured, Luka’s dominant October, and which carried over to November he is basically the best PG in the league right now. He’s almost averaging a triple double right now with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists all at the age of 20 years old. As much as I hear the Lebron James comparisons… Lebron wasn’t averaging 9 in rebounds and assists. A player that is as versatile as him, averaging almost a triple double, and someone that is 20 years old we are truly witnessing greatness. So it doesn’t matter what position he plays but in our case and for ­­­the sake of Fan Rankings he is a PG. A great one at that.

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I’d also like to shine some light on a player that isn’t getting the same recognition as Luka Doncic. They played each in their season opener with the other being ejected for no reason robbing us of a great battle between the two. That player is Bradley Beal. The Washington Wizards weren’t meant to be really much of anything this season. During this retooling season John Wall is out for the season, vets were traded or let go, and a youth movement is in affect with rookies and second year players. The only expectation was young players getting experience and Beal taking another step to prepare for next season once John Wall gets back. What we actually got was Bradley Beal entering another stratosphere in his growth while leading one of the best (if not the best if we focus on November) offenses in the league. ­

Bradley Beal is averaging almost 28.3 points (up 3 from last season) and 7 assists (up 2 from last season) while carrying a team of young players. His leadership and efficient scoring has led this team away from mediocrity but to hope. Hope not just into the young players like Rui Hachimura who is developing  great but hope that this team could actually make the playoffs. Its not that far fetched in an Eastern Conference that has a team in the 8^th seed that is barely at .500 and a Wizards team that touts one of the best offenses in the league (if only they can get their act together on defense).

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All this is possible because Beal is taking it to another level with his scoring. He has 6 30+ point games and 4 40+ point games this season. Some of these 40 point games (like his game against Boston) had him attempting Free Throws in single digits which means these high scoring games was only due to his high percentage shooting barely going to the line. The only players above Beal with collecting 25 points 10 assists and 5 rebounds are Doncic and Lebron James. That is great company and when it come to Doncic and Beal they are drawn to it. 

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Editor’s Note: This month a top fan will win a prize based off their rankings, comments, joining our social media pages and newsletter. This round ends Dec. 31st. Good luck! (You must be 18 years or older to receive prize. United States residents only). We’ll be doing more of these in 2020 hopefully bigger and more frequent.