When it comes to evaluating players in the NBA, one of the most important and widely used metrics is the plus-minus rating. Plus-minus ratings measure how well a player performs on the court relative to the rest of their team. It’s a great tool to look at when trying to assess a player’s impact on the game. But who has the highest plus-minus rating in the NBA?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the players who currently have the highest plus-minus ratings in the NBA. We’ll also discuss what the plus-minus rating is, how it works, and why it’s important. So, let’s get started.
What Is the Plus-Minus Rating?
The plus-minus rating, also known as the “plus-minus” or “+/-”, is a statistic that measures the difference between the number of points scored by a team when a player is on the court and the number of points scored by the opposing team. It is expressed as a plus or minus, with a positive rating meaning that the player’s team scored more points than their opponents while the player was on the court, and a negative rating meaning the opposite.
The plus-minus rating is an important statistic because it can give a good indication of how a player is impacting the game without having to look at the traditional box score stats. It’s also useful because it takes into account the performance of a player’s teammates and opponents, as well as the context of the game.
The Highest Plus-Minus Ratings in the NBA
So, now that we know what the plus-minus rating is, let’s take a look at the players who currently have the highest plus-minus ratings in the NBA.
1. Nikola Jokic – +14.5
The Denver Nuggets’ star center Nikola Jokic is currently leading the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +14.5. Jokic has been one of the most dominant players in the NBA this season, averaging 25.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game while leading the Nuggets to the second seed in the Western Conference. It’s no surprise that he’s at the top of the list when it comes to plus-minus ratings.
2. Stephen Curry – +10.4
The Golden State Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry is second in the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +10.4. Curry has been one of the most efficient players in the league this season and his plus-minus rating reflects his impact on the game. He’s currently averaging 26.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game while leading the Warriors to the sixth seed in the Western Conference.
3. LeBron James – +10.2
The Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James is third in the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +10.2. James has been one of the best players in the league this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game while leading the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference. It’s no surprise that he’s near the top of the list when it comes to plus-minus ratings.
4. Anthony Davis – +9.7
The Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Anthony Davis is fourth in the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +9.7. Davis has been one of the best players in the league this season, averaging 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game while helping the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference. His plus-minus rating reflects his impact on the game.
5. Pascal Siakam – +9.4
The Toronto Raptors’ forward Pascal Siakam is fifth in the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +9.4. Siakam has been one of the most improved players in the league this season, averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while helping the Raptors to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. His plus-minus rating reflects his impact on the game.
Why Plus-Minus Ratings Are Important
Plus-minus ratings are important because they measure a player’s impact on the game without having to look at the traditional box score stats. It takes into account the performance of a player’s teammates and opponents, as well as the context of the game. Plus-minus ratings can give a good indication of how a player is impacting the game and can be a useful tool for evaluating players.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nikola Jokic currently leads the league in plus-minus rating with a mark of +14.5. Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Pascal Siakam are also near the top of the list with plus-minus ratings of +10.4, +10.2, +9.7 and +9.4 respectively. Plus-minus ratings are important because they measure a player’s impact on the game without having to look at the traditional box score stats, and they can give a good indication of how a player is impacting the game.