Choose Your Top 5 Right Now

[mdonnelly1989]

Which 5 players give you the best odds to win a Chip right now

(Clean Roster, Fully Healthy)

[parsnips33]

Steph Giannis Lebron Kawhi Jokic if you ask me

[falcolombardi]

Giannis and jokic for sure, between health issues (kawhi) or age (curry,durant) no one else is "guaranteed" in my mind

Then some combo of embiid, curry, kawhi, luka and maybe lebron (if his body doesnt give up at that age) or tatum (if he takes a step up as a playoff performer) or davis (if he gets his body right again)

[Outside]

Assumption -- that this is not constrained by the rosters that these players currently have but on some theoretical roster constructed to fit around each player.

Giannis -- no explanation needed.

Steph -- the argument against would be that he's on the downslope of his career, but that's assuming going forward multiple years, and the question is for "right now," so that makes him a lock here.

Jokic -- the Nuggets aren't currently constructed properly around Jokic, but based on the assumption above, putting him in a team constructed to augment his offensive talents and compensate for his defensive inadequacies would definitely allow Jokic to be the anchor of a title-worthy team.

Luka -- decidedly behind Giannis, Steph, and Jokic at this moment, though that could easily change in the future. For now, his conditioning, defense, and lack of experience (especially PS experience) leave him a step behind the others, but I can see him as the heliocentric model in the vein of LeBron and Harden that pushes the heights of offensive efficiency for that style of offense. He is similar to peak Cavs LeBron in using his size, vision, and passing ability to get to his spots where he can score himself or dish to a cutter or perimeter player. Such tremendous upside, but I'm not convinced he's there yet as far as putting the total package together to win a title. Two years down the road and he could easily join the top tier.

My last vote went to "Other," and I was actually split between two players -- Ja and Tatum. I want to see more from Ja in the PS before being sure about checking the box for him, so Tatum's PS experience gets the nod for me. Some may be turned off by his 2022 finals performance, but 1) he was spectacular prior to that series; 2) he would have been significantly better if he'd had at least one other teammate who could create opportunities for him instead of the load being mostly on his shoulders; and 3) he now has the benefit of that experience to make him a better, more prepared player.

Regarding the others on the poll...

Embiid -- still waiting for a clean PS run healthwise. I am skeptical of his durability. He needs to lose weight, because if you iso him outside the paint, he's not consistently mobile enough, despite the occasional burst for a highlight play. He's too reliant on foul-hunting and falling to the floor, which don't work in the PS. There's too much on the negative side of the ledger to offset his considerable assets.

KD -- I'm not confident about his headspace. Winning a title normally means meshing as a team, coaches and players, and everything I've been seeing recently is pointing in the other direction.

LeBron -- no one ever got rich doubting him, but the age-related issues of durability and defensive effort have become increasingly prominent. With the right roster around him, he could easily be part of a title team, but would he be the clear number one on that team? My sense is that he'd need another guy of that caliber more than the other guys on the list.

[eminence]

Giannis/Jokic/Steph/Embiid/Tatum

[BenoUdrihFTL]

My virtual locks: Giannis, Jokic

To a lesser extent due to some concern about dropoff/durability: Curry

Perhaps not yet there as of last season, but I fully expect him to make the leap this season: Doncic

As for the 5th I probably lean Tatum, but with the presumption that he makes reasonable improvements in offensive consistency and playmaking

Any of KD, LeBron, Kawhi, Embiid are capable of being the best player in the world for stretches, but I'm doubtful about sustained top 5 play from start to finish

AD would be top 5 for me if he could replicate his bubble play (and health) for an entire season, but I'm not expecting that to happen

[No-more-rings]

For sure Giannis, Jokic, Luka and Steph. 5th is totally up in the air. I’m doubtful Lebron or KD are ever top 5 again due to age, and Kawhi can’t seem to stay healthy.

[Narigo]

Giannis
Jokic
Embiid
Curry
Luka/Tatum

[Dutchball97]

Coming out of last season there seems to be a pretty clear top 3 of Giannis, Jokic and Steph. It's not a certainty they'll keep that up through next year but they are the best bets imo.

Luka comes after this group for me. Consistently playing at an All-NBA level and showing up big in the play-offs is a good sign, especially when at his age there is a reason to expect him to get even better. It feels like a matter of time before he's the best player in the league and this upcoming season might just be the one where we see him take that final step.

The 5th spot is a free for all. LeBron is LeBron but he's turning 38 in december and is already on a slow but steady decline. KD was a nobrainer for top 5 last year but with all the drama surrounding him and a lackluster post-season he might also have his best years behind him. If the Butler we saw these play-offs is the one we're getting for a full season then he at least deserves to be in the conversation but I'm not sure if it's realistic to expect him to do that. Tatum is the kind of boring but steady choice here. He might not have as many highs as the previous guys but you can at least be pretty certain he's going to play a lot and do so relatively consistently. In the end this spot mainly comes down to Embiid vs Kawhi for me personally. Both have major questions surrounding their health but when healthy they are among the very best this league has to offer. I eventually went with Kawhi here although I realize I might have too much faith in him, it's just that anytime he does have a relatively healthy season there really is no doubt he's at least top 5 come play-off time. This season is make or break for him though, if he doesn't come back at a similar level this season even I can't justify putting him this high anymore.

[Jaivl]

Jokic/Giannis/Curry were locks. Voted Embiid/Other (Tatum), could see Luka, KD or Butler as well.

AD would be top 5 for me if he could replicate his bubble play (and health) for an entire season, but I'm not expecting that to happen

I mean, AD would be easily top 1 for me if he could replicate his bubble play and health for an entire season lol.

[iggymcfrack]

How do you not use all your options on a vote 5 poll? I feel like it's:

Jokic, Giannis
(gap)
Curry, Embiid, Tatum

[pablosanchez]

1. Giannis
2. Durant
3. LeBron
4. Curry
5. Jokic

I would put Jokic higher because he has been so impressive during the regular season, but man do I need to see him do something significant in the playoffs. Unless I am missing it, he hasnt really had that career defining moment like the others listed have in the playoffs.

The one thing that separates these guys since they are all so close is how much do you trust them in the big game and what can they do for you when you need it. Ive seen it from Giannis, Durant, LeBron and Curry but not so much yet from Joker to definitely say I would take him over any of those other 4 in a playoff series.

[HeartBreakKid]

1. Giannis
2. Durant
3. LeBron
4. Curry
5. Jokic

I would put Jokic higher because he has been so impressive during the regular season, but man do I need to see him do something significant in the playoffs. Unless I am missing it, he hasnt really had that career defining moment like the others listed have in the playoffs.

The one thing that separates these guys since they are all so close is how much do you trust them in the big game and what can they do for you when you need it. Ive seen it from Giannis, Durant, LeBron and Curry but not so much yet from Joker to definitely say I would take him over any of those other 4 in a playoff series.

He hasn't had a career defining moment sounds like another way of saying he hasn't won a championship, because that is the biggest thing that separates him from the 4 guys you listed.

He's had as much or more playoff success in the past few years than some of the guys you listed.

[pablosanchez]

1. Giannis
2. Durant
3. LeBron
4. Curry
5. Jokic

I would put Jokic higher because he has been so impressive during the regular season, but man do I need to see him do something significant in the playoffs. Unless I am missing it, he hasnt really had that career defining moment like the others listed have in the playoffs.

The one thing that separates these guys since they are all so close is how much do you trust them in the big game and what can they do for you when you need it. Ive seen it from Giannis, Durant, LeBron and Curry but not so much yet from Joker to definitely say I would take him over any of those other 4 in a playoff series.

He hasn't had a career defining moment sounds like another way of saying he hasn't won a championship, because that is the biggest thing that separates him from the 4 guys you listed.

He's had as much or more playoff success in the past few years than some of the guys you listed.

Championship, yeah, but are you telling me that you would definitely rather have Jokic for a playoff series over any of those other 4 players? If we are talking about the player you want most in the regular season, sure Jokic is probably #1 or #2 but playoffs is a different animal.

[HeartBreakKid]

1. Giannis
2. Durant
3. LeBron
4. Curry
5. Jokic

I would put Jokic higher because he has been so impressive during the regular season, but man do I need to see him do something significant in the playoffs. Unless I am missing it, he hasnt really had that career defining moment like the others listed have in the playoffs.

The one thing that separates these guys since they are all so close is how much do you trust them in the big game and what can they do for you when you need it. Ive seen it from Giannis, Durant, LeBron and Curry but not so much yet from Joker to definitely say I would take him over any of those other 4 in a playoff series.

He hasn't had a career defining moment sounds like another way of saying he hasn't won a championship, because that is the biggest thing that separates him from the 4 guys you listed.

He's had as much or more playoff success in the past few years than some of the guys you listed.

Championship, yeah, but are you telling me that you would definitely rather have Jokic for a playoff series over any of those other 4 players? If we are talking about the player you want most in the regular season, sure Jokic is probably #1 or #2 but playoffs is a different animal.

If he is better than them, then obviously I would take him. He isn't any worse in the post season than he is in the regular season. His team losing early doesn't mean he wasn't playing up to his standards, his team isn't a contending team.


Using your logic you would have passed over Giannis in 2021 because he did not have a playoff moment up until that point. That alone should get you to reconsider your method.

[pablosanchez]

He hasn't had a career defining moment sounds like another way of saying he hasn't won a championship, because that is the biggest thing that separates him from the 4 guys you listed.

He's had as much or more playoff success in the past few years than some of the guys you listed.

Championship, yeah, but are you telling me that you would definitely rather have Jokic for a playoff series over any of those other 4 players? If we are talking about the player you want most in the regular season, sure Jokic is probably #1 or #2 but playoffs is a different animal.

If he is better than them, then obviously I would take him. He isn't any worse in the post season than he is in the regular season. His team losing early doesn't mean he wasn't playing up to his standards, his team isn't a contending team.


Using your logic you would have passed over Giannis in 2021 because he did not have a playoff moment up until that point. That alone should get you to reconsider your method.

The part your missing is there is a drastically different type of basketball played in the RS compared to postseason. Its apples to oranges. Which is why I have a guy like LeBron ranked higher than Jokic right now. Are you telling me if you were going into a playoff series tomorrow, you would select Jokic with your 1st overall pick over LeBron James to win a 7 game playoff series? or Steph Curry or Giannis?

If it all comes down to what you do in the playoffs, I have to take the guys who I know are the best in those moments. Not the guy whose dropping 32/15/9 on a Tuesday night in December.

Also, I LOVE Jokic. This is not a knock on him at all, but in the context of 'your top 5', I would have to rank him behind some of those other proven guys.

[CharityStripe34]

The same rosters they have now, or just an ideal roster fit-wise?

[HeartBreakKid]

Championship, yeah, but are you telling me that you would definitely rather have Jokic for a playoff series over any of those other 4 players? If we are talking about the player you want most in the regular season, sure Jokic is probably #1 or #2 but playoffs is a different animal.

If he is better than them, then obviously I would take him. He isn't any worse in the post season than he is in the regular season. His team losing early doesn't mean he wasn't playing up to his standards, his team isn't a contending team.


Using your logic you would have passed over Giannis in 2021 because he did not have a playoff moment up until that point. That alone should get you to reconsider your method.

The part your missing is there is a drastically different type of basketball played in the RS compared to postseason. Its apples to oranges. Which is why I have a guy like LeBron ranked higher than Jokic right now. Are you telling me if you were going into a playoff series tomorrow, you would select Jokic with your 1st overall pick over LeBron James to win a 7 game playoff series? or Steph Curry or Giannis?

If it all comes down to what you do in the playoffs, I have to take the guys who I know are the best in those moments. Not the guy whose dropping 32/15/9 on a Tuesday night in December.

Also, I LOVE Jokic. This is not a knock on him at all, but in the context of 'your top 5', I would have to rank him behind some of those other proven guys.

I'm not missing that at all, I already addressed.

Playoff basketball and regular season basketball are different.

Jokic plays well in the playoffs and in the regular season. He isn't worse in the post season...

You're trying to argue that Jokic is a regular season darling, but he isn't. You're just knocking him because he hasn't won a championship, not because he plays poorly in the playoffs.

Also you said Jokic dropped 32/15/9 on a meaningless game in December - then you should be pleasantly surprised to know that he dropped 37/18/8 in the post season - twice. Where are you getting this idea that he is worse in the playoffs?

you ask me the hypothetical of would I pick Jokic for a playoff series over 37 year old Lebron James - yeah, I probably would . But you never answered me

Would you have picked Giannis in 2021? Think about it.

[Jaivl]

Yes, I would take Jokic over LeBron right now to win a playoff series. By far, and I would not even think one second about it.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Just gonna throw in my obligatory, "Kawhi's gotta be there," post, if he can come back to the previous level he was at Pre-ACL. He wouldn't even need to be as good to find his way here.