Who are the top 3 NBA players? (1 Viewer)

[Pipes]

This  Golden State team would win with or without either one.  OKC was a dysfunctional mess of a team.

Jordan would never defer to another player.  His drive and moxie and ego would never back down to another player.  That is nonsense.

Again, when KD steps on the court with Curry... Curry takes the backseat.

Let’s agree to disagree on this we aren’t changing each other’s minds. I don’t think this Golden State team wins the championship without Curry. And as a point guard Curry is supposed to get other guys involved so while he defers to Durant and Clay quite a bit I wouldn’t call it taking a backseat.  Both are great players, top 5 I just feel Curry is better.

 

[Pipes]

This  Golden State team would win with or without either one.  OKC was a dysfunctional mess of a team.

Jordan would never defer to another player.  His drive and moxie and ego would never back down to another player.  That is nonsense.

Again, when KD steps on the court with Curry... Curry takes the backseat.

Also who does Curry back down too?  Kerr, BJ Armstrong and Kukoc among others have hit clutch shots in tight playoff games.  Jordan deferred plenty of times even as the GOAT.

 

[matuski]

Also who does Curry back down too?  Kerr, BJ Armstrong and Kukoc among others have hit clutch shots in tight playoff games.  Jordan deferred plenty of times even as the GOAT.

I'll type it a fifth time.

Curry becomes the #2 on his own team when KD is on the floor.

Curry himself defers to KD.

eta - I am not talking about a play or a few plays.  I mean from the second KD joined the team, he has been the top dog.  Curry defers.

 

[matuski]

Let’s agree to disagree on this we aren’t changing each other’s minds. I don’t think this Golden State team wins the championship without Curry. And as a point guard Curry is supposed to get other guys involved so while he defers to Durant and Clay quite a bit I wouldn’t call it taking a backseat.  Both are great players, top 5 I just feel Curry is better.

There isn't anything to disagree with here.... this is what actually happens when they both are on the court.  Curry takes a back seat to KD.

 

[Jayrod]

So I finally decided to try and rank the top 5.  Here is where I stand today (subject to change game by game).

1. Lebron James: maybe the 2nd greatest player of all time, but is clearly in his downhill.  However, for a game or even a single series, there is still no one better in the world today....I think.

2. Kawhi Leonard: probably the next greatest player when he is playing.  The only reason we forgot about him was because he wasn't playing.  One of (if not the) best defenders in the league and one of the most unstoppable players in a one on one situation.  He has zero holes in his game and is a physical specimen.  Closest thing we've ever seen to MJ.

3. Kevin Durant: he is an unstoppable player in a one on one situation and is a better than average defender.  He is a good rebounder and decent passer.  I firmly believe there is no way Golden State wins back to back without him.

4. Giannis Anteaternintendo: he is the only one on this list with room to improve and I still think he is already here.  One of the leagues best defenders and unstoppable one on one.  He requires all of the opponents defensive attention to be stopped and can shutdown most players.  His help defense is elite upper tier.  Fix a few offensive holes and he moves up the list.

5. Curry is the greatest shooter the game has ever seen and has amazing ball handling and passing skills, but is a below average defender.  His defensive liability is the only reason he can't really ever make it into the top 3.  But his offensive prowess is so great, he belongs in this top 5.

Sidebar question:

Where does everyone rank Jokic for this past season and beyond?  After what I saw in the playoffs along with his statistical season, I'd say he is top 10.  He was given the 1st team all-NBA nod and looked the part in the playoffs plus is only 24 years old.