NBA Rankings: Top 10 power forwards for 2014-15

9. Paul Millsap:

2013-14 Stat Line: 74 games, 33.5 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, .461/.358/.731 shooting, 19.8 PER

Millsap normally might have climbed higher up this list after averaging a career high 17.9 points per game last season, but Al Horford’s return means he might be getting fewer looks inside every night. Like his time with Al Jefferson and the Utah Jazz, Millsap is capable of putting up respectable numbers while sharing the paint with a talented center, but those numbers probably won’t be anywhere near what they were this past season playing with Elton Brand, Gustavo Ayon and rookie Pero Antic.

So why does Millsap get the edge over Lee and Randolph in the ultra-competitive race for the last few spots on the list? For one thing, Millsap is the youngest of the three. For another, he’s easily the best defensive player, shown by his steals and blocks per game and his superior defensive rating of 102 points per 100 possessions. Considering he didn’t have Marc Gasol or Andrew Bogut in the paint covering for him, that D-Rating even more impressive.

Millsap also doesn’t benefit from playing with a stellar passer like Stephen Curry to set him up perfectly out of pick and rolls. He may not be as complete a post player as Z-Bo, but he has better range than both Lee and Randolph and is fully capable of stepping outside the paint and knocking down a few threes. Between his versatility on offense and his skills on the defensive end, Millsap deserves the nod even with Horford set to return fully healthy.