Hi everyone, I am a prisoner of the moment right now. The 2021 NBA Finals had a very anticlimactic first three games then a fantastically dramatic three games (all narrow Bucks wins with the two games in Milwaukee the Bucks star outshining the Suns stars in the 4th quarter mixed in a game where the Bucks survived a Suns comeback in Arizona). So the great debate starts now. Who is the best players in basketball? As always the list is made for banter and debate. I know there will be a ton of debate over this list. So please comment and respond to me either on twitter facebook or on this page, thanks again everyone!!
#12 Chris Paul Suns (2021 Stats 16.9 ppg, 8.9 apg)
Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid and Bradley Beal were all honorable mentions (if you want to stop reading I understand) but I am putting Chris Paul here because of the impact he had on the Suns and still has on teams that don’t show up in the stat sheet. He brought a rebuilding Thunder team to a 5 seed and the brink of beating a vastly superior Rockets team in the first round then brought a team that won 19 games two years ago and missed the playoffs last year (and had primarily the same roster this year as last) to the brink of an NBA Championship. It would be insulting to not have Chris Paul as one of the best 12 players in the NBA.
#11. Trae Young Hawks (25.3 ppg, 9.4 apg)
One of the more fun players to watch in today’s NBA is the 6’1 180 former Oklahoma Sooner. What he lacks in size he makes up for in creativity. He can shoot from anywhere on the court. He has mastered the floater over the bigs as well. Young also beat the heavily favored Sixers in the playoffs (why I put him on the list over Embiid) and led a very average Hawks team to the Eastern Conference Finals. That’s what great players do they put their team on their back and Young did that in 2021. His injury single handily changed the Eastern Conference Finals.
#10 Devin Booker Suns (25.6 ppg, 4.3 apg)
Devin Booker was maybe around 18-19th best player in the league going into the playoffs but vaulted himself into the top 10 with his performance in the playoffs. He got roughed up by Patrick Beverly and harassed by Jrue Holiday in the NBA Finals but still had one of the best performance by a player in their first playoffs in league history. Next season I do expect the Suns to become Booker’s team and the big stats on a losing team moniker is officially a thing of the past.
#9. Kawhi Leonard Clippers (24.8 ppg, 5.2 apg)
Kawhi Leonard tore his ACL and will miss likely most of next season. That being said he has dealt with injuries his entire career and when on the floor is much higher then the 9th best player in the league. Many believe in Kawhi did not get hurt in the 2nd round the Clippers would be hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy this year. That debate is for a different conversation but his impact on both of side of the floor is only rivaled by some guy on the Bucks who we will discuss about later on in this list.
#8. Damian Lillard Blazers (28.8 ppg, 7.5 apg)
The top 8 is in my opinion not much of a debate of being deserving on this list it’s just a matter of where they are on the list. Damian Lillard is one of the most clutch shot makers not just in today’s game but in League history. There are rumors that Lillard may be on the move in the offseason because the Blazers just aren’t acquiring enough talent to get the Dame over the top. If I’m Portland’s upper management I try to keep Dame in Portland and get him a top running mate. This will be interesting to see what happens, stay tuned.
#7. James Harden Nets (24.6 ppg, 10.8 apg)
The Sun Devil’s legend forced his way out of Houston early on this season to a Nets team that already had offensive demons Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Harden would change his game to becoming more of a distributor leading the league in assists this past season (after being the best scorer in the league for many years with the Rockets). You can tell in the playoffs he just wasn’t quite healthy and it affected his ability to contribute but with a healthy big three the Nets will be the likely favorites going into the 2021-2022 Season.
#6. Nikola Jokic Nuggets (26.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg)
The 2021 NBA MVP and maybe the most skilled big man in the game (not best or most athletic) had one of the best offensive seasons in league history. The man that plays as I called it “dad” basketball is one of the best passing big men the league has ever seen. With running mate Jamal Murray returning next season Jokic may have his best chance to play for a championship in the coming season.
#5. Luka Doncic Mavericks (27.7 ppg, 8.0 apg)
Luke Doncic is maybe the most electrifying player in today’s NBA. His ability to make things happen for himself and his teammates are like nothing we have ever seen before (well maybe but go with my logic). At age 22 Doncic averaged 28,9,8 and he still has to improve his free throw and three point shooting. Saying those words are freighting and Luka probably has the highest ceiling of any player in the league sans maybe some guy from the Bucks.
#4. Stephen Curry Warriors (32.0 ppg, 5.8 apg)
Stephen Curry proved in 2020-2021 that he is still the best scorer in the game (former teammate Kevin Durant may say hold my beer). But 2020-2021 also proved that Curry cannot do it all by himself. This year Curry was comparable to 2006 and 2007 Kobe Bryant (who also put up ridiculous offensive numbers including an 81 point game). Meaning Steph is amazing to the point he will always make his team competitive but needs help to be a title contender or in terms of this season a playoff team.
#3. Lebron James Lakers (25.0 ppg, 7.8 apg)
This is the responses I’m going to get, Drew Lebron is way too low he’s still the best player on the planet. Drew you put Lebron too high he is a declining player. I’m going in the middle and putting him at 3. He still makes a massive difference on the court in his ability to lead and facilitate. But he has declined only slightly athletically (which is still incredible for a 36 year old with 18 years in the league) which drops him down a peg. Plus losing to the Suns in the first round in three non competitive games after Anthony Davis got hurt matters as well. Still with a great supporting cast Lebron is not going anywhere quite yet.
#2. Kevin Durant Nets (26.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
Kevin Durant may have been lower on this list a couple of months ago due to his durability but in the playoffs Kevin Durant proved just how great he still is. The Warriors were Stephen Curry’s team but Kevin Durant was their best player. Many was starting to believe the Brooklyn Nets may be James Harden team with Durant being their best player. If you watch the series against the Milwaukee Bucks I believe that question has been put to bed. This is Durant’s team and the Nets are title favorites going into next year primarily because Durant is healthy and ready.
#1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Bucks (28.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg)
The man dubbed as the Greek Freak last night proved who the best player in basketball is. He even took a shot at players who formed super teams as Giannis stuck with the team that drafted him and his second best player is the sometimes great usually inconsistent Khris Middleton. You want to argue Durant, Lebron, Luka here is where I likely will have you put your beer down. 2019 MVP, 2020 MVP and defensive player of the year. 2021 Finals MVP becoming only the second player (1st in 60 years!) to score 50 points in a championship clinching game. He also had plays dubbed the “block and the “dunk”. He hyperextended his knee only 3 weeks ago! Debate closed, you agree? If you don’t please respond why. I love good discussion and banter! Thanks for Reading, have a great week!