How to rank the strength of active players at their peak? Doncic eighth, small card fifth,
Generations of basketball stars have demonstrated breathtaking skills and leadership in their respective prime. From Jordan and Magic in the last century, to James and Curry in this century, to Doncic and Harden in the current century, each era has its own legend. Who is the pinnacle of active players? The question is undoubtedly controversial, but it is also what makes it all the more fascinating.
In the NBA, the strength of a player is often determined by what he achieved at his peak. Whether it is the championship trophy, the regular season MVP, or the scoring champion and other honors, it has become an important criterion to measure the strength of a player. However, players of different eras have different levels of difficulty in obtaining these honors due to different rules and playing styles, so it is difficult to judge whether to rank the top of active players solely on the basis of historical achievements.
So, if we look at the present, how do we judge the peak quality of the current players? Based on a combination of data, statistics, and influence, it seems that a relatively fair ranking can be obtained. Let's go through them one by one.
Westbrook, who is born with unrivalled physicality, is undoubtedly at the top of his current ranks. He set an all-time record for averaging a triple-double per game in a single season in 2016-17, averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game that season, proving that he is one of the most versatile point guards in history. Although he never led the team to a championship, that didn't overshadow his desperate counter-attacks and excellent performances in his prime.
As one of the "best point guards in history", Paul is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the league today in terms of organizing the team and controlling the tempo. In the 2008 season, he averaged 21.1 points, 4 rebounds, 11.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game, ranking second in the MVP rankings, which is enough to prove that he played well in his prime. Perhaps Paul's dominance is a little less than that of the controversial point guard masters, but his overall strength and influence still deserve such a position.
When Lao Zhan and Curry led dynastic teams to win the championship respectively, Doncic had already caused an uproar in the league. The young Slovenian kid averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game this season, not only won the league's scoring title, but also shocked the entire basketball world with his excellent all-around performance. Despite his youth, Doncic has already shown the potential to become a game-changing star, a position that will not be difficult for him as long as he can make up for his shortcomings on the defensive end.
In contrast, although Jokic won the regular season MVP this season, his strength at his peak has not fully caught up with historical stars such as James and Durant. Jokic is undoubtedly the league's No. 1 center today, and his excellent ball-handling and all-around skills are breathtaking, but he still struggles to fully control the situation against a physically strong, fast-moving opponent. This also doomed his strength at his peak to be debatable.
However, his outstanding play on the defensive end has made Xiaoka an indispensable member of contemporary basketball. Jordan once said that even he struggled to score under the defense of the small card. That's enough to show how good the Toronto Raptors' ace is. Although he lacks such an award as the regular season MVP, the achievement of two finals MVP is enough to prove his excellent performance in his prime.
When it comes to the title of scoring champion, Harden is undoubtedly the best of the bunch. In the 2018-19 season, he averaged 36.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 2 steals per game, which is enough to confirm his scoring ability at his peak. However, Harden's performance in the playoffs has been controversial, which has also made him lose his FMVP recognition. But for a star with the team's heavy load, Harden was still one of the league's most offensive firepower players at his peak.
And the "monster" existence of Brother Alphabet has become one of the most dominant stars of our time with his excellent interior killing ability and all-round defensive threat. Although he is slightly inferior to James in terms of shooting and ball quotient, his ability to dominate the game on the inside is comparable to that of Lao Zhan in his prime. Coupled with his excellent performance in organization, blocking, etc., Brother Alphabet deservedly came out on top.
When it comes to all-time scoring ability, no one can completely overshadow Durant's brilliance. In the 2013-14 season, he averaged 32 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game, which is enough to show that he played well in his prime. Unfortunately, Durant's ability to lead the team has been criticized, and he is more suitable to play the role of a finisher than a leader who leads a team to the top.
It was in front of such a "scoring machine" that Curry became the greatest shooter in league history with his unique shooting talent. In the 2015-16 season, he averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game, becoming a superstar in the entire league. While Curry doesn't have as many FMVPs as some stars, he has proven himself to be the undisputed leader of the league in leading the Warriors dynasty to miracle work.
At the top of the list is James, the "giant" of modern basketball. Whether it's 2013 or 2018, James has had a time of breathtaking achievements at his peak. In 2013, he not only won the regular season MVP, but also won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and led the team to a record 27 consecutive wins. And in 2018, he once again proved that he is the best in the league with his extraordinary performance
Undoubtedly the most dominant player in the league. With his all-round ability, excellent leadership, and amazing physical fitness, he has become an icon in the hearts of basketball fans of every era. In 2018, James, who has entered the 16th season of his career, can still contribute an average of 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, demonstrating his amazing strength at his peak. He can not only dominate the direction of a single game, but also lead the whole team to victory through his influence. Compared to other stars, who rely more on a single skill, James's all-round development is his greatest strength.
If there is a real king of the current players, the answer is still unknown. Doncic, with his amazing all-round strength and leadership temperament, is growing rapidly; Jokic, on the other hand, controls the league's interior with his outstanding ball control and vision; And Brother Alphabet's inner line dominance is also breathtaking. Not to mention legendary stars like Durant, Curry and James. In their respective prime, they all dominated the entire league.
These stars may be different in some ways, but they all have unique strengths and have become representatives of contemporary basketball. It is indeed not easy to judge the peak quality of the current players. Perhaps we should be more open-minded to appreciate the basketball superstars of every era and slowly appreciate their wonderful performances. Only in this way can we truly appreciate the charm of basketball.