Magic: There are only 3 supergiants and 4 superstars in the NBA today, and Harden and Irving are not qualified
Magic: There are only 3 supergiants and 4 superstars in the NBA today, and Harden and Irving are not qualified
Recently, Lakers legend Magic Johnson talked about his views on the current NBA in an interview, he believes that today's game is very different from the era he is in, fast-paced offensive and defensive transitions and a large number of three-pointers have replaced the "fist and knife" hand-to-hand combat of the past, and the statistics of today's players are more eye-catching, and it is easier to get big contracts.
In addition, the Magic also claimed that there are only three players in the league today who can be called true superstars, and there are four other players who are considered superstars, and veteran stars such as Harden, Westbrook, and Paul are not among them. So, let's take a look at who is on the list of magicians.
Superstars: Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Leonard, Doncic
In terms of individual strength, Jokic and Antetokounmpo are undoubtedly the top two in the current roster, the former is efficient and stable, and has a rare ball intelligence and passing ability of a big player. The latter, on the other hand, is extremely dominant on both ends of the floor, while his individual skills are still improving. It is worth mentioning that Jokic and Brother Alphabet are both 28 years old at present, and both hold 1 crown + 1FMVP + 2MVP, I believe that their competition will enter a white-hot state in the next few years.
Leonard's quality is undeniable, one of the best small forwards in the game, both offensive and defensive, and has also proven himself on the stage of the Finals. However, Leonard's failure to step into the superstar ranks is mainly due to his relatively few regular season honors, neither MVP nor scoring title. Doncic is one of the best players in the new generation of players, and his impact on the game is no less than that of his contemporary, James Durant, and his selection to the All-Star team for four consecutive years speaks for itself.
Supergiants: James, Curry, Durant
James's achievements do not need to be repeated, just 4 crowns + 4FMVP + 4 MVPs + all-time scoring champion is enough to put him on the discussion list of GOAT. And it's important to know that the 39-year-old James is still at the top of his game and is still one of the best players in the league, so it's still unclear what he can achieve before he retires.
As an epoch-making player, Curry opened up a small-ball era with a miraculous three-point shot, while also bringing the Warriors four championship trophies and a record record of 73 wins. It can be said that whether it is personal honor or influence, Curry is enough to be called the face of the league in the past decade.
Durant is one of the top scorers in NBA history, and his center-like stature and guard-like skills make him desirable on the offensive end, as evidenced by his four scoring titles. And even at the age of 35, Durant is still the most inexplicable scoring machine in the league today.