3 Boston Celtics who were ranked too high, or too low, in ESPN’s Top 100 list
By Ryan Cinque
ESPN just finalized their annual Top 100 NBA players list with the release of the top five players on Friday morning. There were seven Boston Celtics players who were featured in the top 100.
The list of players is compiled from a panel of over 200 staff members and is almost guaranteed to drop with some controversial rankings. This year was certainly no different and the 2022-23 edition left many fans up in arms over some of the rankings.
There is no doubt that last year’s run to the NBA Finals is a big reason why the Cs are so well represented in this list, and rightfully so. However, having success can definitely alter the perception of certain players and the Celtics have a few of those in the top 100.
Here are three players who were ranked either too high, or too low in ESPN’s top 100:
Boston Celtics PF/C Al Horford was ranked too high at No. 70
Al Horford played great basketball all season, especially in last year’s playoffs. He did more than enough to warrant his ranking at No. 70 but it is difficult to see him living up to this expectation in 2022-23.
Horford came into last season after virtually having a full year off while he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 36-year-old big man used that to his advantage and came out fresh in his return to the Celtics. It was the perfect situation for a veteran with an aging body, but this year is almost the exact opposite.
Horford will now be starting the new season with the shortest possible turnaround after making a deep run to the NBA Finals. Given how crucial he was to that playoff run, the C’s will be big on preserving him as much as possible to keep him fresh for the postseason.
This doesn’t mean he will be heavily limited by any means but it seems unlikely he will be able to play to the level of his preseason ranking for a full season.
Boston Celtics C Robert Williams was ranked too low at No. 58
Robert Williams III, aka Timelord, was without a doubt one of the most important players for the Celtics last season. He has incredible athleticism and timing which make him a huge threat around the rim on both sides of the ball. He has a knack for being in the right place to make key plays and he often delivers on those opportunities.
On paper, he seems like an undersized center at six-foot-nine but his athleticism and long wingspan make him feel like he’s the biggest guy on the court. Williams is also an incredibly underrated passer from the post, a very rare trait among rim protectors.
‘The Timelord’ was arguably the best defensive player on the highest ranked defense in the NBA last season and although he does have injury concerns, 58 is too low of a ranking for a player of his caliber.
Boston Celtics PG/SG Marcus Smart was ranked slightly too high at No. 34
Marcus Smart is coming off his best season to date. He became the first guard to win the defensive player of the year award since Gary Payton, he took over the role as the teams primary ball handler and point guard, and he assumed the role as the vocal leader of the team.
He had a lot of weight on his shoulders and he more than delivered. Smart is commonly referred to as the heart and soul of the Celtics and last season was a perfect example as to why.
Smart’s 2021-22 season was one to remember but it seems as if ESPN staffers have overrated him slightly as a result. The three spots above him consist of one of the best offensive talents ever in Kyrie Irving, the second best player in last year’s finals in Andrew Wiggins, and 3x All-Star Khris Middleton. It seems hard to believe that he belongs in that same category of players no matter how crucial he is to the Celtics success.
To make matters even more controversial, he ranked higher than Zion Williamson who is slated to make his long-awaited return this season. Zion missed the entire 2021-22 season which definitely played a factor in his ranking, but ESPN must’ve forgotten how dominant he is when he plays.
For as great of a season that Smart had, he is still a shade below some of the players around his ranking due to his offensive inconsistencies and should be moved slightly down in ESPN’s rankings.