Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is considered the GOAT by many. Yet, when it’s time to create a list of the best players in the NBA, he doesn’t get put at the top.
In ESPN’s latest player rankings, he was named the seventh-best player. In HoopsHype’s player rankings, he landed at No. 13. The Ringer currently has him ranked No. 10. It’s worth noting that these rankings are more focused on a player’s recent chapters than their entire body of work. However, James is still playing at an extremely high level. In fact, during the Paris Olympics, it was so clear that James is still the best player in the world they named him the MVP of the tournament.
Lakers’ LeBron James Headlines The NBA’s Real Big 3
If assessing who the best of the best is in the NBA, it stands to reason that the cream of the crop would be among the top-30 currently rostered players in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals per game. From there, players can be be further filtered by their number of All-Star selections, All-NBA selections, NBA championships, and NBA awards.
Taking into account their rankings in the aforementioned categories, the top three players in the NBA are: James, Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks).
1. LeBron James
Career MPG — 37.9 (1st) Career PPG — 27.1 (4th) Career RPG — 7.5 (24th) Career APG — 7.4 (5th) Career BPG — 0.8 (31st) Career SPG — 1.5 (8th) Championships — 4 (t-1st) All-Star Selections — 20 (1st) All-NBA Selections — 20 (1st) Notable NBA Awards — Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP (3x), NBA Cup MVP, NBA MVP (4x), NBA Finals MVP (4x)
James obviously missed the top-30 cut in blocks per game, but the chasedown block artist gets a pass here. The NBA’s most decorated player, James’s ranks among the best of the best highlight his all-around dominance.
Has he lost a step athletically? Yes, undeniably. His first step isn’t as explosive and he doesn’t get as much lift as he did in his 20s. However, he’s still among the most physically gifted players in the NBA. On top of that, he’s truly a skilled player.
James has always been a preternatural passer, courtesy of his rare combination of intellect, vision, and deft touch. Yet, there was a time when he primarily relied upon his physical tools and scoring instincts. Now, his technique takes over. You could even say that the King’s game has aged pretty gracefully.
Ironically, the best assessment of James might be the one Kanye West gave about his frienemy Drake. By the numbers, he’s the GOAT. Like Drake, James has also taken bits and pieces of multiple legends’ bag and mixed it with his own style. Now he’s the most complete player in NBA history.
2. Kevin Durant
Career MPG — 36.7 (2nd) Career PPG — 27.3 (3rd) Career RPG — 7.0 (30th) Career APG — 4.4 (30th) Career BPG — 1.1 (15th) Career SPG — 1.1 (37th) Championships — 2 (t-6th) All-Star Selections — 14 (2nd) All-NBA Selections — 11 (t-2nd) Notable NBA Awards — Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game MVP (2x), NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP (2x)
For the second-most highly decorated player in the NBA, Durant hasn’t been respected in the way he would like. As a result, he pushes back against fans and media, making him even more unpopular. To be fair, despite criticism about his decision to play for the Golden State Warriors, the truth is that they needed him at least as much as he needed them.
A true perimeter player despite being 6-foot-11, Durant’s guard skills have become the stuff of legend. Specifically, a silky shooting touch that would make Andrew Garfield jealous. However, he’s an underrated defender, especially when focused.
Though Durant is Team Drake, he’s really the Lamar of the NBA. It’s not just the anti-industry attitude or the way they’re viewed by a particular demographic. Where Lamar is a pure MC, Durant is a pure hooper. He plays the game the way many people believe it should be; calculated with with a streetball flavor.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Career MPG — 32.8 (24th) Career PPG — 23.4 (13th) Career RPG — 9.8 (12th) Career APG — 4.9 (22nd) Career BPG — 1.2 (12th) Career SPG — 1.1 (30th) Championships — 1 (t-12th) All-Star Selections — 8 (t-9th) All-NBA Selections — 8 (t-6th) Notable NBA Awards — Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star MVP, NBA MVP (2x), NBA Finals MVP
You’re probably wondering why the third slot isn’t occupied by Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry or Denver Nuggets international star Nikola Jokic. As it turns out, Antetokounmpo is the only player in the NBA, who ranks in the top-30 in minutes, points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals per game among currently rostered players.
Like Curry (2) and Jokic (3), Antetokounmpo has multiple MVP awards. Like Curry (4) and Jokic (1), Antetokounmpo has also won an NBA championship. Unlike Curry and Jokic, Antetokounmpo has also won a Most Improved Player award and Defensive Player of the Year award.
Curry being the offensive engine of a dynasty team gives him the leg up over Antetokounmpo in terms of his overall impact and contributions to the game. However, all things considered, Antetokounmpo may only be second to James as a complete player. In fact, in a lot of ways, he resembles a younger James.
Like J. Cole, Antetokounmpo may never be as respected as he should be despite nearly a decade of being elite. Like Cole, Antetokounmpo has to battle against criticisms that his style is boring. Lastly, like Cole, Antetokounmpo’s biggest issue is that fans are always looking for the next best thing, barely absorbing what’s right in front of their eyes.
