Welcome to NSL end-of-season player rankings. Top 10 Power Forwards in the NSL Part 1, 10 - 6.

This list ranks the top 10 Power Forwards in the NSL/NBA 2K23. These rankings are based partially on NBA 2k player overall rating and my opinion on how they fit within an NSL team structure. 

No. 10 - Lauri Markkanen - 86 - Lauri is the only active player in the league from Finland and he appears to be on a mission to let the world know that the Finnish can be ballers too. Markkanen is 7�0� tall and tips the scales at 240 lbs. He is a little bit taller than your prototypical power forward. With that in mind is game is really more of a stretch 4 as he doesn�t really have a post-game per se. But has a sweet jumper that extends comfortably beyond the arc making him a near-deadly shooter. He has really come into his own as a scorer in the NBA as he was voted the Most Improved Player. Which should translate well next season in NBA 2k. For everything he can be on offense as a scorer, he just hasn�t made that same jump defensively. At his size and with his athleticism he should be a terrorizing shot blocker. But as of yet has not shown the timing or willingness to properly contest shot attempts. He could also use his size a bit better on rebounds but is adequate in this area if he is paired with another big that can take up the slack.

No. 9 - Jaren Jackson Jr. - 87- Triple J has not even turned 24 years old yet. But has managed to become one of the best defensive players in the game today. At 6�10� and 142 lbs he has a prototypical power forward build. Having recently been voted the NBA�s defensive player of the year. He is practically predatory when it comes to keying in on stopping opposing offenses from doing what they want to do to score the ball. He is an outstanding on-ball defender and is an extremely proficient help defender that can appear to be almost everywhere at once. With his ability to disrupt plays and switch on to wing players. Any offensive game plan has to have a major portion of the scheme dedicated to making sure Jaren doesn�t have a chance to zap your team's confidence by blocking shots into nosebleed seats or convert turnovers into highlight real dunks. On offense, he isn�t much if a playmaker and lacks the ability to create his own buckets. But he is a lock on the receiving in of lobs and can knock shots if left open. Jackson can be a key component to any contending team.

No. 8 - Evan Mobley - 86 - Evan has quickly become a favorite amongst GM�s due to his high motor and defensive chops. At 7�0� tall and 215 lbs he reminds a number of people of a young Kevin Garnet. Tall and lanky with the heart of a lion, what he lacks in bulk he makes up for in raw hustle and determination. With above-average speed and quickness, he can get up and down the court and beat his man to position on both offense and defense. Lacking bulk to bang inside he has geared his offense on mainly being a finisher in the paint and a jump shooter from midrange. Not much of a 3-point threat he plays within his limitations which makes him highly efficient on offense but not dominant per se. As a defender, he is quickly becoming a stalwart in this area as his athleticism allows him to pretty much anywhere at any time to disrupt plays and block shots in the lane as well as on the perimeter. He is a passable defensive rebounder but excels at grabbing offensive boards and capitalizing on 2nd chance opportunities. Kind of a do it all utility player that would be great as a 3rd option on a contender as well as on a developing team.

No. 7 - Zion Williamson - 92 -  Zion is one of the most athletically explosive players to enter the league in quite some time. At 6�6� and 284 lbs he is built like an oversized fireplug and can get down the court like a runaway freight train. Although weight is a constant concern for Williamson he moves like a much smaller player with speed and agility that allows him to get anywhere on the court and finish offensive plays with authority at the rim. Not a knockdown shooter by any means. His main attribute is a bully ball game that allows him to blow by, push past or jump pretty through any defender. He is a decent playmaker than can get the ball to other teammates if need be. But could open up that part of his game further with more consistent shooting from at least the midrange area. His areas of weakness are a lack of defensive acumen and rather poor rebounding for his size and strength. With that being said getting some more in-game reps would help refine his game. But do to weight issues, game readiness is a constant concern as misc. Lower body injuries have continued to keep him on the sidelines. For the past 4 years, Zion has averaged 28.5 games played which is a bit disappointing for a player drafted 1st in his class. Hopefully with more consistent health Zion can further fill out his game and become the player his potential says he can be.

No. 6 - Julius Randle - 87 - Randle is a do it all Power Forward that has a number of things in his bag he can pull from. At 6�8� and 250 lbs he is not the biggest forward around but he is solidly built and can use that size and strength with proficiency around the basket offense with a solid post game and the strength to bully his way around. His an adequate shooter from both midrange and from distance and can occasionally break down a defense and create his own shot attempts. A heady playmaker than can run the offense in short stretches and set teammates up. Although not much of a shot blocker he can provide a moderate level of defensive resistance in the post as well as on the perimeter. Not at the shut a player down level but enough to make the offensive work for what they get. A great defensive rebounder that can get the ball back into the right player's hands and then streak down the court to finish with a posterizing dunk. Randle is a great number 2 that won�t hurt you on defense and make few mistakes on offense.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Top 10 Power Forwards in the NSL