NBA Top 50: Andris Biedrins (No. 50)

FanHouse's Tom Ziller argues his ranking of the top 50 players in the NBA.

Andris Biedrins, jovial Latvian to the stars, offers an auspicious start to our ranking. Beans, as he's affectionately known by the more insane of Golden State's fans, registered only 10 points a contest last season, and just under 10 rebounds. But he's so much more than an almost double-double.

Biedrins doesn't miss baskets. His two seasons as a major rotation player -- at ages 20 and 21 -- he has hovered near the top of the league in True Shooting percentage and field goal percentage. Usually, Biedrins' shots are quick chippies near the hoop -- putbacks, flushes off guard penetration, vapid post moves resulting in bank lay-ins or swift slams. He has no jumper to speak of, and little in the way of silky maneuvers.

But this is perfect for the role he plays. The Warriors as a whole have not been shy about hitting the trigger quickly ... and that won't change this season, with Corey Maggette joining Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis. Biedrins will never likely be required to do more than clean up on offense -- this is a boon because he cleans up so well and because he understands his limitations. Some gawky big men with terrible post moves insist they can work out the kinks in gameplay. Biedrins assumes no such thing, at least under the fickle finger of Don Nelson.

Speaking of Nellie ... if Biedrins played starter minutes, he'd be among league leaders in rebounding. As it is, nearly 10 in 27 minutes is beautiful. Andris finished sixth in the league in rebound rate last season, with good balance (sixth in offensive rebound rate, eighth in defensive rebound rate). Offensive and defensive rebounding are both important team skills; having a player so adept at each is a significant boon, especially for a team with lackluster total field goal percentage.

I won't try to guess Nellie's rotation, that's a fool's game. But given the progress Biedrins has shown under Nelson, we could very well see more Andris than ever before. If so, assuming normal improvement for a 22-year-old kid, we could very well have a 14-point, 12-rebound, 2-block player here. Excellent pivots don't grow on farms, and Biedrins projects to be one of the best in the game next year and beyond.