NBA: 10 Best players per Spoken Truth Podcast
1. Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets): Durant showed he is still arguably the NBA's best player in the playoffs a year ago, despite being eliminated by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. Durant put up 35.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on 50-35-83 shooting splits including an otherworldly 49-point triple-double in a narrow Game 5 win. After eight games this year, KD remains the most dangerous and versatile offensive weapon in the world.
2. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers): Even in his 19th season, James is somehow squarely in the conversation as the top player in the league. When he's been able to stay healthy since joining Los Angeles, the 4x MVP continues to attack the rim at an elite level and read defenses better than anyone else. Unfortunately James is expected to miss at least a week with an abdominal strain per The Athletic, after averaging 24.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in six games this season.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): Antetokounmpo went to a completely new level in the 2021 playoffs, winning his first championship over the Phoenix Suns and etching his name among the greatest athletes in history. The 2x MVP is the most physical and relentless force in recent memory, and he's beginning to create shots for others even more. Antetokounmpo had 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in an easy 117-89 win at Detroit on Tuesday.
4. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors): Although the Warriors haven't reached the playoffs since 2019, Curry has found a way to elevate his game even more, scoring a league-high 32.0 points per game on 42.1% shooting from 3-point range a season ago. He has led Golden State to a 6-1 record so far this year, including a 45-point, 10-rebound performance against the Clippers last month. Curry is easily the highest rated point guard after being ranked 4th across the board.
5. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers): Davis suffered several lower-body injuries last season and struggled to produce at the same rate as his first year in Los Angeles. He certainly has a checkered injury history but is obviously one of the most skilled big men in league history, averaging a team-high 25.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in nine outings this year. The 8x All-Star was ranked 5th, 6th, and 8th in our respective rankings.
6. Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets): The 2021 MVP is possibly the most unique player in the game today, showcasing skills that we have rarely seen from a big man. Jokić is a premier interior scorer, rebounder, and 3-point shooter, in addition to being the best passer in the world. The 6'11 center was ranked as high as 5th in our rankings and has averaged 25.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. Jokić is also 10th in field goal percentage (59.8%) so far this year.
7. Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks): Dončić is the youngest player in the top-10 by a pretty wide margin as the 22-year-old guard has already surpassed veterans James Harden, Damian Lillard, and others. We haven't seen many players have such an immediate impact as Dončić had elite court vision, scoring-ability, and range before being drafted three years ago. The 2019 Rookie of the Year has a chance to become a top-five player in the near future but he's not quite there yet.
8. James Harden (Brooklyn Nets): Despite getting off to a slow start this season, Harden has been in the top-10 conversation since being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2013. He averaged 24.6 points, 10.9 assists, and 8.5 rebounds a game with Brooklyn in 2021 before the season ended earlier than expected. The 2018 MVP is shooting a career-low (39.3%) from the field right now but is still recovering from a hamstring injury and should return to form shortly.
9. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers): Embiid has become the NBA's most effective post scorer with elite footwork and touch around the rim, as well as being a great rim protector. The 7'0 big man is the second highest rated center (behind Jokić) after being listed 6th, 8th, and 10th in our recent rankings. He recorded 19 points and nine rebounds on 87.5% shooting from the free throw line in a 109-98 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night as Philadelphia improved to 7-2.
10. Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers): Like a couple other previously mentioned players, Lillard hasn't played up to his peak to start the season but there are several reasons why that could be including a new head coach, a turbulent offseason that was also shortened due to the Olympics, and the league's cut down on "abnormal" fouls. Lillard is shooting a career-worst 23.4% on 3-point attempts but after scoring 28.8 points in 2021, expect him to find his rhythm relatively soon.
Chas Post:
1. Kevin Durant (Nets)
2. LeBron James (Lakers)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
4. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
5. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets)
6. Joel Embiid (76ers)
7. Luka Dončić (Mavericks)
8. Anthony Davis (Lakers)
9. Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
10. James Harden (Nets)
Danny Murphy:
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
2. Kevin Durant (Nets)
3. LeBron James (Lakers)
4. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
5. James Harden (Nets)
6. Anthony Davis (Lakers)
7. Luka Dončić (Mavericks)
8. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets)
9. Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
10. Joel Embiid (76ers)
Tunde Aduroja:
1. LeBron James (Lakers)
2. Kevin Durant (Nets)
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
4. Stephen Curry (Warriors)
5. Anthony Davis (Lakers)
6. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets)
7. Luka Dončić (Mavericks)
8. Joel Embiid (76ers)
9. James Harden (Nets)
10. Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.
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