Top 10 Players Heading Into The 2020-21 Season
Making a top 10 players list is always something that is bound to run into problems. Lists like these are constantly changing with hot and cold spurts, and they are always controversial. Today I will be doing by best to name the top 10 players in the league heading into the 2020-21 season.
Honorable Mentions
Some of these players are just on the cusp of being in the top-10, and some I expect to be here in a few years:
Jimmy Butler is a two-way stud that led the Heat to the Finals last season. His offensive game isn’t like the guys in the top 10, but he can still get a solid 20 points a night. He is a great defender and leader, just what the Heat need.
Jayson Tatum is a two-way superstar that is blossoming in front of our eyes. He is very skilled on offense as he can score from anywhere, but he is so tough to guard at 6’8″ (not 6’10”). Tatum is also a great perimeter defender, and he will be a problem in the Eastern Conference for a while.
Joel Embiid in the 2nd best center in the league, and he is one of the more gifted players in the NBA. Embiid mainly operates down low, where he combines his strength with his quickness and finesse. He has a below-average 3-point shot as well. He is a great rim-protector and the anchor for the 76ers down low. All he has to do is stay healthy and motivated, and the 76ers will be in the running for a title in the East.
#10 – Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic is the best center in the league by far, and he is one of the most talented players in the league. He is a very skilled scorer who works best out of the post and pick and roll. He is a solid 3-point shooter and is the best passing big guy in the NBA today. Jokic isn’t the best defender in the world, but he isn’t terrible.
Last season the Joker averaged 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. He shot 53% from the field and 31% from 3. Jokic is far and away the best center in the league. He fits with Jamal Murray and this Nuggets team perfectly.
Jokic is only 25 years old, and he will be with Denver for the long haul. Denver will continue to contend in the Western Conference for a long time, and a large part of that is due to the superb play of Nikola Jokic.
#9 – Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard is one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA, and is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. Lillard was overlooked for most of his career, but after this very impressive 2019-20 campaign and Bubble MVP, Dame is for real and the whole league knows it. Lillard can score from anywhere and is one of the best leaders in the league, taking the Blazers to the playoffs each of the last 7 years.
Last season, Dame averaged 30.0 points and 8.0 assists. He shot 46% from the field and 40% from 3. Dame was an absolute killer.
Dame shoots the deep ball as good as anybody, and has the longest range in the league (not to be confused with most efficient, that’s still Curry). I think the Blazers are poised for a much better season this year, with a high playoff seed well within their potential. Dame will have another All-Star year, and likely another All-NBA season. Dame is very easily the 2nd best PG in the league, and the closest to Curry that the league has. It’s always fun to watch Dame play.
#8 – James Harden – Houston Rockets
Harden is one of the greatest offensive players in the league, but his talent is often overlooked by the league. Harden has been putting up absurd numbers the past few seasons, as he is simply unstoppable. He is very crafty and inept at drawing fouls, and he of course has his patented step-back 3. Harden is a good post defender, but other than that he is mediocre. I don’t know if Harden will stay with Houston for the entire season, though I find it hard to believe that he is staying. But he’s still very, very talented.
Last season Harden averaged 34.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. He shot 44% from the field and 36% from 3. All of this with Russell Westbrook beside him.
One thing that I wish Harden gets to do more is shoot catch-and-shoot 3’s. It’s impressive that Harden shoots 36% from when all he does is step-backs. If the Rockets actually ran a offense, Harden might be able to bump up his 3-PT% as well as his FG%. But Harden is one of the craftiest scorers of all time, and he is still a scoring machine.
#7 – Anthony Davis – LA Lakers
Davis showed us how talented he really was last season in the bubble, as he helped the Lakers win their first title in a decade. Davis can do it all. He is great out of the post as he can power through people as well as hit tough fadeaways. Davis is a very good 3-point shooter at times, and solid the rest of the time. He is great in the pick and roll and few can guard him straight up. On defense, AD is one of the best interior defenders the league has to offer. He is a great shot blocker with his height and long arms. He is a decent perimeter defender as he is fast enough to keep up with guards. AD is by far Lebron’s best teammate, and he will be gunning for title #2 this season.
Last season, AD averaged 26.1 points and 9.3 rebounds with 1.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. He shot 50% from the field and 33% from 3.
AD is a monster on both ends, and he’s one of my front-runner for DPOY this year. AD will again be a problem with LBJ, as almost nobody can stop him when he’s at his best. Davis’s combination in length, quickness, shooting, and defense makes him a perfect pairing. Don’t be surprised if AD and the Lakers again win a title.
#6 – Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Doncic is only 21 years old, and yet he is #6 on this list. Think of him as the next Lebron James. Doncic is very crafty and smart on offense. He can power through guards, and he is quicker than most people anticipate. He isn’t athletic, but he is still a great shooter. He is inefficient from deep, but that will get better over time. Doncic is one of the best passers in the league, and makes great decisions. Doncic’s weakness is defense, but I don’t think he’ll be complete trash, more mediocre. Doncic is the future king of the NBA, and people better watch out for him and the Mavs.
Last season Doncic averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. He shot 46% from the field and 32% from 3.
Doncic can do it all. Score, rebound, and pass. He made the Mavericks the best offense in the league last season, and they will again be good. Doncic will have to do a lot this season with Porzingis again missing time with injury, but I predict a very strong season from both Doncic and the Mavs this season. Doncic is my MVP pick, and he’s again to dominate the league.
#5 – Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
Curry is the best PG in the league, and the greatest shooter in the world. People just forgot how good he is. When he was in his MVP days, Curry was unstoppable. We all know how far he can shoot from, but his accuracy impresses me the most. He is very quick and regularly makes tough finishes. His movement off ball makes other teammates open, making him one of the best playmakers in the league. Curry dealt with injuries last season, but I’m expecting big things from the 2x MVP this season.
In the 2018-19 season, Curry averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists with 1.3 steals. He shot 47% from the field and 44% from 3.
Curry is arguably the greatest PG ever, with his ability to shoot from anywhere, the ability to obliterate teams with the blink of an eye. Curry is going to be back this season, and while the Warriors might not be contending for a title, Curry is still going to be great. He is so good at what he does, and it’s always exciting to see what he’s going to do to opposing defenses.
#4 – Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis is one of the most talented players in the league, weather anybody wants to admit it or not. Giannis is excellent at getting down hill, as he just powers through people with his long arms and strides. Giannis is also good down low, and that 3-point shot continues to improve. I think Giannis would be better if he had a competent coach, but he’s still pretty good with Mike Budenholzer. Giannis signed his massive contract (thoughts coming tomorrow), and now it’s time to show us what he’s all about.
Oh yeah, he’s pretty good at the whole defense thing as well. He is one of the best perimeter defenders, as he can stay with anybody. His long arms shadow the basket and people always have to know where he is.
Last season, the MVP and DPOY averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists with 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He shot 55% from the field and 30% from 3.
Giannis is one of the most-complete players in the league, and is a 35% 3-point shot away from completely dominating. I think Giannis needs some more support from his teammates, and he needs a lot better coaching from Mike Budenholzer. People always blame Giannis for the playoff struggles, but it’s not all his fault. Giannis is going to win a title at one point, and prove all the haters wrong.
#3 – Kevin Durant – Brooklyn Nets
I wasn’t sure if KD was going to come back the same player, but he looked just fine in the preseason, so that’s why I’m putting him here. He’s eerily similar to the Greek Freak in a lot of ways, he’s just so much better on offense. Durant is 7 feet tall and is quick, long, has handles, and can score from anywhere. Durant is a problem at his best, as he is just unstoppable and only a handful of guys can stop him. Durant is also very good on defense, as he long arms and long strides allow him to cover ground quick. Durant is one of the best scorers in the league, and he’s coming back with a bang this season.
In the 2018-19 season, KD averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists with 1.1 blocks per game. He shot 52% from the field and 35% from 3.
Durant is one of the greatest scorers of all-time, and it’s so hard to guard him. He is great in the mid-range, and he’s just so quick and tall. His combination of those athletic gifts make him very tough to guard. If he comes back as good as I think he will, the Nets are immediate title contenders, threats to the Lakers in the West. It’s always fun to watch this guy play, and he’s going to show everybody that nothing has changed with his game.
#2 – Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers
I know Leonard had a tough year with the Clippers as they were bounced prematurely from the playoffs, but Kawhi is still a very good player. He is excellent from the mid-range, and is very strong. He is a solid shooter from deep, and he is one of the best iso scorers in the league. If you give this guy a system instead of just giving him the ball, he is a problem. Kawhi might not be Spurs Kawhi on defense, but he’s still very good. This Clippers team and Kawhi are getting disrespected, but they are still very good. Look for a possible WCF appearance from this team.
Last season, the Klaw averaged 27.1 points and 7.1 rebounds with 1.8 steals. He shot 47% from the field and 38% from 3.
Kawhi is still one of the most talented players in the league, and people really seem to forget all that he is capable of. Both him and the Clippers have a massive chip on their shoulders, and I expect them to be near the top of the West again.
#1 – Lebron James
Last year I had James at the #2 spot just behind Kawhi, but James is still the best in the world. He is one of the best passers in the league and is still lethal on offense. His jumpshot is a bigger part of his game, but he is still powerful attacking the rim. He is so smart and routinely makes difficult plays look very easy. On defense, James showed that he could lock up anybody down the stretch of games. He shut down Jamal Murray in the WCF when things mattered the most. James is still atop his throne, and he’ll be looking for title #5 to add to his resume.
Last season King James averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists with 1.2 steals. He shot 49% from the field and 35% from 3.
James is the ultimate team player. He makes anybody good, and he’s going for title #5. He has a really good team around him, and he hasn’t lose anything to age. James can do it all, and he’s making a serious campaign to be the greatest to ever do it once it’s all said and done (still not the GOAT for me though, MJ for life).
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