Who is the best player in the NBA all time?
Determining who is the best player in the NBA is a topic that sparks endless debates among fans and analysts alike. While opinions may vary, the discussion often centers around a select few who have demonstrated exceptional skill, consistency, and impact on the game. Players like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Luka Dončić, and others have all made compelling cases through their outstanding performances and contributions to their teams. Let’s learn about who is the best player in the NBA with kingsoccertips through the following article!
Who is the best player in the NBA all time?
1. Nikola Jokić
2022-23 Statistics: 24.5 PPG; 11.8 RPG; 9.8 APG; Shooting splits 63-38-82
If the two-time MVP and five-time All-NBA Nuggets superstar wasn’t already considered the “best player in the world,” Nikola Jokić has surely claimed that title now after dismantling the entire Western Conference on his way to leading the Denver Nuggets to their first championship.
Nikola Jokić nearly averaged a triple-double in the playoffs while becoming the first player to lead the postseason in points, rebounds, and assists. Adding a title to his already stellar resume has cemented him as one of the greatest, if not the most valuable draft picks – and easily the greatest second-round pick (41st overall) – of all time. When debating “Who is the best player in the NBA?” Jokić’s achievements certainly make a compelling case.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2022-23 Statistics: 31.1 PPG; 11.8 RPG; 5.7 APG
Speaking of incredibly valuable picks, it’s hard to believe Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will go down as one of the top 15-20 players of all time, lasted until the 15th pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. The Greek native is considered the league’s greatest development story ever.
Selected as a skinny, 6-foot-9 forward from a little-known second-tier league in Greece, Giannis has grown into a muscular 7-footer and is now the league’s most unstoppable two-way force. The two-time MVP and one-time champion still has a long career ahead and is expected to be a consistent MVP candidate and championship contender for at least the next half-decade, if not longer.
3. Joel Embiid
2022-23 Statistics: 33.1 PPG; 10.2 RPG; 4.2 APG; 1.7 BPG
Despite a disappointing playoff exit, Joel Embiid was a well-deserved MVP this past season, leading the league in scoring and helping Philly achieve one of their best seasons of the century. Born in Cameroon, Embiid grew up playing soccer and didn’t start playing basketball until age 15.
However, his skill level exponentially increased upon arriving in the US, and despite playing only 31 games in his first three NBA seasons, he became an All-Star at age 23. Now in his prime, he will continue to be in the MVP and championship conversation for years to come.
4. Luka Doncic
2022-23 Statistics: 32.4 PPG; 8.6 RPG; 8.0 APG
It’s remarkable to think that one could argue these first four international players are also among the best basketball players in the world right now. Doncic, who is expected to become the best player on the planet at some point in the next five years, is currently the most advanced offensive player at his age in NBA history. As fans and analysts debate, “Who is the best player in the NBA?” Doncic’s exceptional skill set and performance make him a prominent contender. While he accumulates stats differently, Doncic is essentially an evolved version of LeBron James on offense.
Like James, he takes his game to another level in the postseason, where he has averaged 32.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 7.9 APG in 28 career playoff games. If this Slovenian prodigy can round out the rest of his game (for example, become an average defender in the league), we might one day see a player of divine caliber.
5. Lauri Markkanen
2022-23 Statistics: 25.6 PPG; 8.6 RPG; Shooting splits 50-39-88
When Lauri Markkanen entered the NBA, expectations were that the sweet-shooting 7-footer from Finland would develop into a poor man’s Dirk Nowitzki. His first two seasons gave some reason to believe he was on that path. Unfortunately, he stagnated and even regressed over the next three seasons, to the point where most people no longer saw him as a promising player.
However, last season, he made one of the more surprising leaps in recent memory and may have altered the original trajectory of his “poor man’s Dirk” ceiling. His ceiling might now be closer to Dirk’s than we could have imagined, having improved his scoring average by nearly 11 PPG and his rebounding by over 3 RPG, won the Most Improved Player award, and demonstrated that he could be an effective focal point for a playoff contender moving forward. When considering “Who is the best player in the NBA?” this player’s recent performance might challenge perceptions and make him a strong candidate in future discussions.
6. Pascal Siakam
2022-23 Statistics: 24.2 PPG; 7.8 RPG; 5.8 APG
Pascal Siakam is one of the best development stories of the past decade. If you asked people in the NBA what they thought of Siakam during his rookie season, they’d say, “Who?” In his second season, they might have said he wouldn’t be more than a rotation player.
By the end of his third season, he was named the Most Improved Player and was considered the second or third-best player on a championship team. Today, he’s an All-Star and All-NBA player. The 6-foot-9 forward, nicknamed “Spicy P,” hails from Cameroon and is a franchise cornerstone in Toronto.
7. Kristaps Porzingis
2022-23 Statistics: 23.2 PPG; 8.4 RPG; Shooting splits 50-39-85
If you had asked me to predict this list during the 2017-18 season, I would have placed Porzingis near the top. It seemed he was ready to change how we view big men—especially ‘unicorns’ who can do everything despite being over 7 feet tall. Unfortunately, the 7-foot-3 Latvian who shoots threes tore his ACL and fell out of favor with the Knicks.
After struggling to regain the agility that made him special on defense, he regressed in Dallas as Luka Doncic’s sidekick and was traded to the Wizards. But don’t look now—during his first year with the Wizards, Porzingis had the best offensive season of his career, averaging 23.2 PPG and 8.4 RPG while shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range, reminding everyone that he is still a very talented player. As debates continue about “Who is the best player in the NBA?” Porzingis’s resurgence adds another name to consider, even if he is not in the top tier.
8. Bojan Bogdanovic
2022-23 Statistics: 21.6 PPG; Shooting splits 49-41-88
Despite ultimately not being traded last season, Bojan Bogdanovic of the Pistons remained on the wish list of every contender. Why? The 34-year-old from Bosnia and Herzegovina had his best professional season, averaging 21.6 PPG with impressive efficiency (49-41-88 shooting splits).
He will be back on the wish list of every contender this season, as the Pistons are unlikely to be in playoff contention by the next trade window. At 6 feet 7 inches tall and 226 pounds, Bogdanovic is the ideal offensive wing who can also create his shot and is strong enough to hold off most opposing wings despite his age.
9. Rudy Gobert
2022-23 Statistics: 13.4 PPG; 11.6 RPG; 1.4 BPG; 65.9 percent from the field
Although he is no longer a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate or a one-man defensive system as he was in his early years with the Jazz, Rudy Gobert remains a highly impactful big man in the NBA. Standing 7 feet 1 inch tall with an impressive 7-foot-9 wingspan, he averaged 2.3 BPG (and altered countless other shots) from 2015 to 2022.
The French big man epitomizes success as a development story. Selected 27th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2013 NBA Draft, he has become one of the league’s best players over several seasons. When considering “Who is the best player in the NBA?” his impressive trajectory and impact make him a strong contender in that discussion.
10. Franz Wagner
2022-23 Statistics: 18.6 PPG; 4.1 RPG; 3.5 APG; Shooting splits 49-36-82
While Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero garnered most of the national attention whenever analysts focused on the up-and-coming Magic, Franz Wagner is also a crucial part of the franchise’s future. The second-year pro from Germany handles many offensive duties, similar to Banchero.
In their first season together, Wagner was the more efficient player. The 6-foot-9 small forward is likely to make an All-Star team in the next season or two and has an All-NBA ceiling, especially if his team becomes a contender in the future.
Conclusion
Determining who is the best player in the NBA is a complex and subjective task that evolves with each season. The extraordinary talents and achievements of players like Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, and others highlight the diverse and dynamic nature of the league. Each of these players has demonstrated remarkable skills and made significant impacts on their teams, making them worthy candidates for the title of the best player. As the NBA continues to grow and new stars emerge, the debate will undoubtedly continue, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of professional basketball.
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