ESPN is ranking the top 500 NBA players according to current quality on a scale of 1 to 10. Here are the results:

• PG Kyrie Irving, #22, Rating = 7.83
• PF Anderson Varejao, #74, Rating = 6.09
• PF Tristan Thompson, #200, Rating = 4.36
• SF Omri Casspi, #208, Rating = 4.25
• SF C.J. Miles, #250, Rating = 3.78
• SG Daniel Gibson, #255, Rating = 3.71
• SF Alonzo Gee, #271, Rating = 3.58
• SG Dion Waiters, #293, Rating = 3.39
• C Tyler Zeller, #299, Rating = 3.32
• SG Kelenna Azubuike, #345, Rating = 2.92
• PF Jon Leuer, #363, Rating = 2.83
• [position undefined] Luke Harangody, #385, Rating = 2.65
• PF Samardo Samuels, #392, Rating = 2.61
• PG Jeremy Pargo, #413, Rating = 2.49
• SF Luke Walton, #431, Rating = 2.31
• PG Donald Sloan, #480, Rating = 1.89

Not listed: PF Kevin Jones, C Michael Eric

So, in theory an average team should have their best player between #1-30, 2nd best between #31-60, etc. That means we only have 2 players that would be starters on an average team, at least according to the ESPN "experts". However, we also have one of the youngest teams in the league, so many of these guys will see dramatic improvements in the next couple years. It will be interesting to see where they put Uncle Drew & Wild Thing.

I think Dion Waiters was massively underrated (yes, I'm a 'Cuse fan :-), especially with fellow rookies Bradley Beal & Harrison Barnes at 4.61 & 4.57. Zeller and Gee also seemed quite low, while Casspi seemed overrated.

What are your thoughts?