The NBA differs from the NFL, NHL, and MLB greatly. While the other leagues focus on marketing their sport and teams, the NBA is driven by stars trying to build legacies and be remembered. It's no secret that Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant all leave the best players in other sports in the dust when it comes to fame, wealth, and popularity. This is also because in basketball one player can dominate and take over a game, whereas the other sports are a little more dependent on full team performance. That being said, here are (in my opinion, open for debate!) the 25 best stars and superstars in the game today!
(One quick note! An '*' denotes that the player changed teams via free agency or via trade as of July 1).
Honorable Mentions:
LaMarcus Aldirdge, San Antonio Spurs; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; Donavan Mitchell, Utah Jazz; Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks; DeMaar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs
#25. Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Age: 27; 2019 Stats: 18.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 5.2 APG
'Dipo was a rising star in this league, before a torn ACL in January ended his season and thus that of the Pacers as well. Oladipo is a playmaker who gave LeBron and the Cavaliers fits in the first round of the playoffs 2 seasons ago, and many believed he was only scratching the surface of his potential. Hopefully he can make a full recovery from the torn ACL and continue his rise.
#24. Mike Conley*, Utah Jazz
Age: 31, 2019 Stats: 21.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 6.4 APG
Conley has been a proven veteran point guard in the league for years. Conley spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies, until recently being traded to the Utah Jazz so they could contend for a title while Memphis focused on rebuilding. Conley isn't flashy, but he is extremely disciplined and rarely turns the ball over. His ability to make good decisions with the basketball and serve as a floor general allows his team to be successful.
#23. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
Age: 33, 2019 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 8.7 APG
Lowry will always be somewhat lacking in scoring, but he's an excellent passer (finished 2nd in assists last year), tough defender, and makes great hustle plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. After many years of inconsistency and playoff struggles, Lowry finally delivered in the Finals when the Raptors needed him most, making big play after big play. The 33 year old has paid his dues and given Toronto everything he has and it was nice to see him finally win one.
#22. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Age: 29; 7.4 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 6.9 APG
One of the few players who can have a huge impact on a game without scoring many points. While Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson are/were the primary scorers for Golden State, it's no secret that Green is the leader and the motor for them that never stops. Green is one of the league's best defenders, even winning defensive player of the year in 2017. He also is a good passer, good rebounder, and makes hustle plays. Some dislike him for being a trash talker and a bit arrogant, but he's a 3 time champion and 3 time all star and his motor never stops.
#21. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Age: 26; 2019 Stats: 25.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.5 APG.
After years of lurking in John Wall's shadow, this is Bradley Beal's team now. Wall was sidelined with season ending knee surgery and Beal took the reins and never looked back, averaging more than 25 points per game. The Wizards will need to build around him and support him with more talented players but having just turned 26 Beal is a young, talented scorer that Washington can build around.
#20. Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons
Age: 30; 2019 Stats: 24.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.5 APG
Blake Griffin's game has developed over the years. In his younger years, he was an amazing athlete who could jump overs defenders and make highlight reel dunks. While his body isn't as explosive as it used to be, Griffin has learned how to shoot from outside and use savvy post moves to score, even adding a nice step back 3 point shot to his arsenal. Griffin spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan were forever contenders in the West but never made it past the 2nd round of the playoffs.
#19. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 22; 2019 Stats: 16.9 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 7.7 APG
If Ben Simmons could only develop a jumpshot, he'd be a fringe top 10 player, and there is still time for that at only 22 years old. Even without being a great shooter, Simmons still averages 17 points per game largely by getting to the rim and scoring in transition. He's also a great ball handler, rebounder, passer, and athlete. He's insanely tall for a point guard at 6'10 and thus can create mismatches against other teams guards. Simmons is one of the league's most exciting young players and once he improves his perimeter shooting he's going to be scary good.
#18. Kemba Walker*, Boston Celtics
Age: 29; 2019 stats: 25.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.9 APG
Kemba Walker is one of the best players that rarely gets talked about simply because he has spent his whole career playing for a small market team. Prior to this summer, Walker spent the entirety of his career with the Charlotte Hornets, who were never able to lure enough supporting talent to help Walker or the team reach any further than the first round of the playoffs. After 7 loyal years, Walker decided it was time for a change and signed with the Boston Celtics, who have much more talent than the Hornets ever did. Perhaps the change of scenery will help Walker achieve more postseason success.
#17. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Age: 23, 2019 Stats: 24.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 3.4 APG
"KAT" is another immensely talented younger player. Towns plays center, but can also make 3's and is a great free throw shooter, in addition to his skills as a post scorer and good rebounder. He's a doulble-double (a term used for someone who gets double digits in points and rebounds) machine but ultimately Towns' ceiling and how far he can lead the Timberwolves will come down to if he can ever become half as good of a defensive player as he is an offensive player.
#16. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Age: 27, 2019 stats: 15.9 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 2.3 BLKPG
While he isn't a bad scorer and is a great rebounder, Gobert is best known for great rim protection and shot blocking. In fact he has won Defensive Player of the Year the past 2 seasons by anchoring the Jazz defense and making it nearly impossible for opponents to score in the middle. Despite this, Gobert has yet to make the all star game, many feel he was snubbed last year. The big man is a hard worker and continues to assert himself as one of the league's best centers.
#15. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Age: 29, 2019 Stats: 21.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.4 APG
Often being overshadowed by Durant and Curry, Klay Thompson rarely gets the credit he truly deserves. Klay is probably one of the 5 best shooters in the history of the game, he's also a great defender, and no one in the league can get as red hot as Thompson can. Klay set an NBA record a few years back by scoring 37 points in a quarter, yes you read that correctly. Klay also elevates his game in the playoffs, he shot an absurd 65% from deep in this year's finals before tearing his ACL in the final game of the series. Klay and Steph Curry are known as the "Splash Brothers" because they are both insanely good shooters that can make the net splash when they swish the ball through perfectly. Klay is a 3 time champion and five time all star and one of the league's best two way players.
NOTE: Klay Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season while rehabbing his torn ACL.
#14. Jimmy Butler*, Miami Heat
Age: 29, 2019 Stats: 18.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.0 APG
"J-Buckets" is a tremendous 2 way player (2 way player is someone who is terrific scorer and defender) and a competitor with a dog mentality. He can get baskets in clutch moments late in games, he plays terrific perimeter defense, and is a hard worker. Butler has moved around a bit, demanding a trade from Chicago after things weren't going well, and then again demanding a trade from Minnesota. After Minnesota failed to adhere to Butler's request, he lost his shit on them one practice screaming at other players and claiming they couldn't win without him. In 2019, Butler went toe to toe with Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors and perhaps the Sixers could have won the East and played in the Finals if not for one miraculous game 7 shot by Leonard. Now Butler fins himself on the Miami Heat, a team with a deep roster that has lacked a go-to offensive player when the game is close. In a league full of superstars who want to team up with other superstars, it's admirable that Butler wants to do it himself and create his own legacy.
#13. Kyrie Irving*, Brooklyn Nets
Age: 27; 2019 Stats: 23.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.9 APG
Kyrie is one of the league's elite scorers who can snipe from 3 point range and also blow past defenders and make nearly impossible layups at the rim. Irving might be the best ball handler in the league, with a cross over that can break ankles. Irving hit the game winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to give the Cleveland Cavaliers their only championship, although LeBron James was the Finals MVP. Sometimes Irving looks mentally checked out or like he isn't giving his best effort, and there are questions about how coachable or good of a teammate he is, but there's no denying his on the court talent. After starting his career in Cleveland and winning a title alongisde LeBron, Irving demanded a trade because he wanted the opportunity to lead his own team and not always play second fiddle to LeBron. That experiment did not work out for him in Boston, who actually made it further in 2018 when Irving was injured, than they did this year when he was healthy. Irving decided to join forces with Kevin Durant and sign with the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.
#12. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Age: 24, 2019 Stats: 20.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 7.3 APG
Nikola Jokic is far from the best athlete or most naturally gifted player on this list, but his technique is so well polished that he is able to hold his own with the best of them. The Joker can score from outside as well as in the post and is a good rebounder, but perhaps what sets him apart is his passing ability as a big man. Jokic has great vision and is able to set his teammates up for open shots rather frequently. Jokic's combination as an effective passer, polished scorer, and strong rebounder makes him one of the league's more versatile weapons. Jokic helped lead the Denver Nuggets back to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2013, where they defeated the Spurs in 7 games in round 1 and then fell to the Trailblazers in 7 games in round 2.
#11. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Age: 25, 2019 Stats: 27.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.7 APG
As the NBA has developed, it has become a game of perimeter jump shooting and less reliant on big men, however Embiid embodies the old school NBA and is a smash mouth, in your face center who can dominate the middle. The scoring and rebounding numbers speak for themselves, Embiid is the league's best scoring big and he cleans the glass off of missed shots. Additionally he is a great shot blocker, can make 3's, and is a tremendous athlete. Furthermore Embiid has a reputation for being the league's biggest trash talker, often calling out other players via Twitter or in interviews with the media. Embiid firmly has the mentality that he is the league's most dominant player and placing him 11th on my list isn't going to change his mind. The one downside to Embiid is his injury history. He didn't even play in his first 2 seasons due to a broken foot and then a set back in the rehabilitation process. Additionally Embiid has battled a meniscus tear, an orbital fracture in his left eye, and he missed part of the 2nd round of the playoffs battling flu-like symptoms.
#10. Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 29; 2019 stats: 28.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.1 APG
There was a time 5 or 6 years ago when "PG-13" was a top 3 player in this league, holding his own with LeBron James and Kevin Durant. When he played for the Indiana Pacers, they had epic duels with LeBron and Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals but fell short every time. Then, he suffered an unfortunate broken foot injury in a game with the olympic team and hasn't quite been the same ever since. George has had to adapt his game, shooting more 3's and attacking the rim less. In 2019, George had his best season since his injury, finishing 2nd in points per game, 1st in steals, and 3rd in MVP voting. In addition to MVP George was also nominated for defensive player of the year and is one of the league's best scorers and defenders. In George's 2 years at Oklahoma City, they have yet to advance past the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Jazz in 6 games in 2018 and the Trailblazers in 5 games last season. However George was traded this summer to the Los Angeles Clippers to join forces with Kawhi Leonard (more on him later) where he should have a chance to contend for a title.
#9. Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers
Age: 28; 2019 Stats: 25.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.9 APG
Damian Lillard is a star whose been knocking on the door of superstar for quite some time now and after last season I would finally say he has earned that title. Lillard is one of the league's best scoring guards and one of the game's best shooters. After losing 10 straight playoff games, Lillard and Portland finally exorcised their playoff demons and defeated the Thunder in 5 games in the first round and then the Nuggets in 7 games in the 2nd round before being swept by the Warriors in the conference finals. Lillard has hit some big time shots in big moments, including two that would win a playoff series for the Trailblazers: the 2013 first round Game 6 against Houston, and the 2019 first round Game 5 against Oklahoma City. In the shot to eliminate OKC he even waved goodbye after draining a deep 3 to end their season, savage. Lillard has a certain swagger to his game and belief that he's the best player on the court at all times, he also does free style rapping when he's not playing basketball.
#8. Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
Age: 30; 2019 Stats: 22.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 10.7 APG
Russell Westbrook is probably the most physical and explosive point guard in the league today. He's one of the league's best finishers at the rim and in transition because he is able to muscle his way to the cup and also breeze past defenders with lightning speed. Westbrook is best known for the firey passion and tenacity he plays the game with, he has a killer's mentality when he's on the court and is always screaming and slapping his chest after big dunks or contact plays. Sometimes when he scores on players he thinks are soft, he motions to the crowd and pretends to rock a baby to sleep.
What makes Westbrook great is the fact that he's the only player who can average a triple double (double digits in points, rebounds, and assists). In fact he's done it the past 3 seasons, only one other individual in NBA history has accomplished that in one season. The reason I exclude him from the top 5 is the fact that he can be cancerous to his team at times by being a poor jumpshooter and a horrendous defender. Additionally Westbrook has struggled in the playoffs lately, having not made it past the first round since 2016. Before that, Westbrook and Durant were a dynamic duo in OKC, one that even reached the Finals in 2012 before losing to the Heat in 5 games, and when Durant elected to leave this was an ugly break up. Westbrook was the MVP in 2017 and is still chasing that elusive NBA title.
Following the Paul George trade, Westbrook requested and was granted a trade out of OKC, being sent to join forces with James Harden (more on him later) in Houston.
#7. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Age: 31; 2019 stats: 27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.2 APG
Putting it simply, Curry is the best shooter the game has ever seen. He has shattered various single season and career records in 3 point shooting, and more often than not he's done it by a huge margin and with ease. He can catch and shoot, he can create shots with his dribble, he can pull up from 10 feet off of the 3 point line, he is one of the games deadliest snipers from deep. Curry is a 3 time champion and 2 time MVP, and one of the league's brightest stars and most popular players. In addition to his on court success, Curry is known for being a devout Christian and one of the most human superstar athletes out there. He has often used his platform to speak of his faith and let others know this defines him, and even has 4:13 scripted on the lace loops of some of his shoes in reference to Phillipians 4:13. He has a child like aura to him and is famous for always having his mouthpiece hanging halfway out of his mouth. He is one of the world's most famous athletes and one of the best individuals off the court also.
#6. Anthony Davis*, Los Angeles Lakers
Known as "AD" or "The Brow" (for his unibrow), Anthony Davis is the hybrid between a big man and a wing player. Davis can dominate the post, collect rebounds, and protect the rim but he can also shoot from the perimeter and dribble. He is an athletic player who can run the floor and soar for alley oops and has a quick first step against his bigger defenders. His versatility makes him a unique talent on both sides of the ball and at only 26 he is still going to be in his prime for awhile. Until this summer, Davis spent his entire career with the New Orleans Pelicans, who were never really able to surround him with enough talent to make deep runs in the playoffs. In fact they only made the playoffs twice and won one series in Davis' time there. Now, in a trade that shook the league, Davis heads to the Lakers to join forces with LeBron James in what has potential to be one of the greatest duos the league has ever seen.
#5. James Harden
Age: 29; 2019 Stats: 36.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 7.5 APG
There's no sugarcoating it, James Harden is the league's most prolific scorer. Harden averaged 36 points per game last season, the next highest scorer (Paul George) averaged 28. This was the highest scoring season since Michael Jordan in the 1986-87 season. Adding the 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds is just further icing on the cake to what was a historic season. Adding to this impressive stretch, was that Harden went 32 straight games from December to February in which he scored 30 or more points in 32 consecutive games, a streak that finally ended on an evening he went cold and shot 0/10 from the 3 point line and scored "just" 28 points. Offensively Harden is nearly impossible to guard one on one. Give him space and he will drill a 3, play too close and he will zoom past you, play in between and he will creatively draw a foul. "The Beard" has led Houston to the Western Conference Finals twice, but they lost both appearances and have yet to reach the NBA Finals. Harden was the MVP in 2018 and many feel he was deserving of winning it again this year after his historic offensive season. While the individual accolades are impressive, the only big whopping thing left on Harden's check list is to win a championship.
#4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Age: 24; 2019 Stats: 27.7 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 5.9 APG
The reigning MVP came from nothing, the son of Nigerian immigrants to Greece where he, his parents, and his 4 brothers all lived in a single room during their childhood. Fast forward 24 years and Giannis won the MVP award and is en route to becoming the new face of the NBA when the current generation passes. On the court Giannis is known as the "Greak Freak" due to his combination of size and athleticism. He can score in a variety of ways, mostly attacking the rim but his jumpshot has vastly improved over the past season. He's an exceptional rebounder and defender and good passer as well. Off the court Giannis is a humble player and one that will serve as a great role model once the torch is passed to him as the face of the NBA. Always doing his part to give back to both the communities of Milwuakee and Greece. Prior to this year Giannis had never won a playoff series, but this year they won two before falling in a competitive 6 game series to the Raptors. At only 24, Giannis is just now scratching the surface of his potential, and has plenty of time to help guide Milwuakee to a championship. It will be exciting to see how Giannis handles the mountainous expectations that are being placed before him.
#3. Kawhi Leonard*; Los Angeles Clippers
Age: 28; 2019 Stats: 26.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG
There is only one player in the league who can score 30 points and simultaneously shut down the opposing team's best player and that is 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi was dominant in leading Toronto to its first ever NBA title, and he became only the third player in NBA history to win titles and be named Finals MVP with 2 different teams (he did it with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014). In addition to being a 2 time champion, Leonard is also a 2 time defensive player of the year and one of the league's best defenders. In a league full of big personalities, Kawhi is actually an emotionless man of few words. He instead prefers to let his game do the talking and block out all distractions, he doesn't care for the media attention and celebrity status that comes with being one of the game's best. The top three are all extremely close, and there's a real argument for Leonard to be #1. After delivering a championship to Toronto, Leonard decided to return home to Los Angeles, and join forces with Paul George on the Clippers and try to lead them to their first ever NBA title. Leonard's choice was a respectable one, as he could have joined LeBron and AD on the Lakers, but instead embraced the challenge of trying to defeat them rather than join them.
#2. Kevin Durant; Brooklyn Nets
Age: 30; 2019 Stats: 26 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 5.9 APG
He's salty with reporters, he made fake twitter accounts to defend himself against haters, and he will be forever seen as a coward for leaving an already great Oklahoma City to join a loaded Golden State team that didn't need his help to win championships. All that aside, he's still one of the best basketball players on the planet, if not the best. Durant has the height of a center (he's 6'10) but the abilities of a wing player. He has an incredibly smooth jump shot and is also has great speed, athleticism, and ball handling for his size. He's a good perimeter defender, as his lanky wing span makes it difficult for opposing players to score against him.
Durant is a two time champion and two time Finals MVP, though fans will always see that as somewhat tainted since he piggybacked off of a Warriors team that was already competing for and winning championships without his help. Golden State was en route to a three peat before Durant suffered a torn achilles injury in the NBA Finals, which allowed the Raptors to take advantage and win the series with KD sidelined.
NOTE: That torn achilles is expected to take a year or longer to fully recover, meaning Durant is expected to sit out all of next season with his new team, the Brooklyn Nets.
#1. LeBron James; Los Angeles Lakers
Age: 35; 2019 Stats: 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8.3 APG
While this is much more debatable now than it has been the past 10 years, LeBron is still in my opinion the most gifted and well-rounded player in the league. James has always been a great scorer, a strong rebounder, and a passer with incredible vision. His defense took a step back last year but he's still someone who can both play and defend all 5 positions, the only player in the league who can do so. He elevates his game come playoff team and has had some out of this world performances in the NBA Finals. Off the court you either love him or hate him. He can be a bit narcissistic and embraces the celebrity status the media and LA market gives him, but he also does do a lot to give back to the community and be a good role model to the many who look up to him. James will be forever compared to and chasing the ghost of Michael Jordan and his 6 championships (James had 3: 2 with Miami and 1 with Cleveland), but has been adamant about not wanting to be the next Michael Jordan, but rather the first LeBron James. With Davis now in LA, James will have a couple more runs at more NBA championships before calling it quits on an incredibly accomplished career.
