CBS Sports Ranked the Top 25 NBA Players of the 21st Century
Curry, James, Iverson, Duncan, Nash, Doncic, Bryant, Howard, Harden, Wade, O’Neal and Jokić. You know the names, but who is the best? It is a debate that creates more heat and fiery discussions than the core of the sun. However, one “panel” feels they have worked out a solid list. This week, CBS Sports ranked the Top 25 NBA players of the 21st century.
How did CBS come up with this list? The network revealed,
“This ranking, arrived at by way of our CBS Sports NBA staff voting, is sure to be debated. [We] valued both immediate impact in helping a team win a title, as well as a player’s long-term impact on a franchise — especially if you were a foundational piece in changing a team’s culture. Winning is above all, but becoming a franchise icon matters… as well.
Can already hear the cries of the Kobe contingent for what does, in all fairness, feel like too low a ranking to accurately capture his greatness. Such is life in what has been by far the most collectively talented era in NBA history. To crack the top half of this list, you had to be an all-time great, and even the guys on the lower half are headed straight for the Hall of Fame, if they’re not already there.
So, let the arguing begin. Just try to keep it civil.”
The name in the number one spot probably will not come as a shock. It’s the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James. His longevity in the game no doubt weighed heavily in the voting. Stephen Curry is in the top five, which makes sense for what he’s accomplished despite his size and those ridiculous three-pointers. Plus, the great Kobe Bryant and 18-time All-Star lands in the top ten; but in our humble opinion; should be higher up. The top 20 rounds out with Allen Iverson and Russell Westbrook puts a period on the top 25.
Nevertheless, enough talk and discussion, let’s get to the actual list. Here all of the elite players that CBS Sports analysts and journalists firmly believe are the best in this era.
CBS Sports Ranked the Top 25 NBA Players of the 21st Century
Top 25 NBA players of the 21st century:
1. LeBron James
2. Stephen Curry
3. Tim Duncan
4. Nikola Jokic
5. Shaquille O’Neal
6. Kobe Bryant
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo
8. Kevin Durant
9. Kevin Garnett
10. Dirk Nowitzki
11. Dwyane Wade
12. Chris Paul
13. Kawhi Leonard
14. Steve Nash
15. James Harden
16. Luka Doncic
17. Jason Kidd
18. Dwight Howard
19. Anthony Davis
20. Allen Iverson
21. Tracy McGrady
22. Damian Lillard
23. Jayson Tatum
24. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
25. Russell Westbrook
So then, there you have it. Do you agree with the above? Or are there some names that you would switch around or delete or add? Who would make up your top 25 NBA players of the 21 century?
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