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Golden State Warriors: Where the team’s big four rank among the NBA’s best

By Connor Littler

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Draymond Green #23, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11, and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a picture during the Golden State Warriors media day at Chase Center on September 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Draymond Green #23, Stephen Curry #30, Klay Thompson #11, and D'Angelo Russell #0 of the Golden State Warriors pose for a picture during the Golden State Warriors media day at Chase Center on September 30, 2019 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles the ball during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on January 21, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Golden State Warriors (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

D’Angelo Russell

ESPN Ranking: 26

D’Angelo Russell is a very difficult player to place in this year’s list. He’s just switched teams and it’s going to be a while before he figures out his role on the Warriors.

If he becomes the primary playmaker on this team whilst also plugging some of the holes that Kevin Durant has left behind, then Russell could easily be a top-20 player in the league or even top-15.

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However, if he starts to let his ego get the better of him and he isn’t happy with his touches, then he could barely be top-50.

His last season with the Brooklyn Nets showed us that he has the ability to listen to a coach and do the job that’s asked of him. If he can replicate that kind of coachability and unselfishness with the Warriors, then that will be the way to bring out the best of his talents.

Russell has a high ceiling which could make him the second-best player on this Warriors team in the upcoming season. However, his floor is so low that he could easily ruin a great underdog run for the Warriors in the 2020 playoffs.

Overall, the ESPN ranking is pretty accurate, if not slightly overrated.

His ranking should be around 25-30.

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