COUNTDOWN: #21 Best Player In The League Right Now

[mdonnelly1989]

#1. Jokic
#2. Luka
#3. Giannis
#4. Shai
#5. Joel Embiid
#6. Jayson Tatum
#7. Steph Curry
#8. Jalen Brunson
#9. Anthony Edwards
#10. Lebron James
#11. Anthony Davis
#12. KD
#13. Wemby
#14. Jaylen Brown
#15. Tyrese Haliburton
#16. Devin Booker
#17. Kawhi Leonard
#18. Donavan Mitchell
#19. Ja Morant
#20. Jimmy Butler
#21. ??

Other Candidates


Bam
Porzingis
Paolo Banchero
Jamal Murray
Jrue Holiday

[mdonnelly1989]

I'll go Kyrie Irving. Although he had a tough time against Bostons core defensive guards of Kyrie, White and JB he did really well most of the playoffs. If he had a strong finals I think a lot of REAL GM would have had him top 15. But he didn't so around Top 20 is good.

[ForeverTFC]

For me, it's between Siakam and Zion here.

OP - think we need to get Bam into the poll. He's a better player than a lot of the guys listed.

[picc]

Zion is a top 15-20 player when healthy and he’s going to make this poll look silly very soon.

[NZB2323]

A skinny Zion should be higher than 21.

[Edrees]

Zion is a top 15-20 player when healthy and he’s going to make this poll look silly very soon.

I mean did you vote Kawhi in your top 5? because he is when 100% healthy and you ignore the degenerative knees

[jowglenn]

I'm voting Siakam as a blatant homer pick

Nomination: Lauri Markannen - I would take him over a couple of these poll options

[DreamTeam09]

Brunson at 8 is actually shocking to see. Understandable why he's there, but several other cats I'd rather have as my 1A.

I like Scottie/Kyrie/Maxey for 21

[picc]

Zion is a top 15-20 player when healthy and he’s going to make this poll look silly very soon.

I mean did you vote Kawhi in your top 5? because he is when 100% healthy and you ignore the degenerative knees

Fair point. But Kawhi isnt a top 8 player even healthy IMO. Not anymore. And Zion is still young so its not fair to treat him as a guaranteed injury yet, especially with how good he looks right now.

[iggymcfrack]

Zion is a top 15-20 player when healthy and he’s going to make this poll look silly very soon.

It’s great that he’s lost some weight, but he’s still never played in a playoff game his entire career and he’s averaged 37 games per season in the regular season. The default assumption has to be to downgrade him quite a bit for injury concerns even if he looks better poised to make it through the season than he has in the past.

Even last year when he had the healthiest season of his career by far and played 70 games (!!!), he still only finished 20th in all-NBA votes. Kawhi was 9th in all-NBA voting last year with a slightly less healthy season than Zion and he was voted 17th in the poll due to said injury concerns. Zion’s probably top 30 and you can make a case for top 25 if you’re bullish on his health this year, but I don’t see how you make a case for him ahead of George, Sabonis, or Fox who were all better AND healthier than Zion last season.

[iggymcfrack]

Zion is a top 15-20 player when healthy and he’s going to make this poll look silly very soon.

I mean did you vote Kawhi in your top 5? because he is when 100% healthy and you ignore the degenerative knees

Fair point. But Kawhi isnt a top 8 player even healthy IMO. Not anymore. And Zion is still young so its not fair to treat him as a guaranteed injury yet, especially with how good he looks right now.

If we assume 100% health for every player in the league, I’d have Kawhi in the 6-10 range this year with Edwards, Haliburton, Wemby, and LeBron. Zion would probably be in the 23-32 range somewhere with guys like Dame, OG, Gobert, Siakam, Porzingis, Jrue, White, Murray, Trae, and Maxey.

[Sweet Serenity]

I mean did you vote Kawhi in your top 5? because he is when 100% healthy and you ignore the degenerative knees

Fair point. But Kawhi isnt a top 8 player even healthy IMO. Not anymore. And Zion is still young so its not fair to treat him as a guaranteed injury yet, especially with how good he looks right now.

If we assume 100% health for every player in the league, I’d have Kawhi in the 6-10 range this year with Edwards, Haliburton, Wemby, and LeBron. Zion would probably be in the 23-32 range somewhere with guys like Dame, OG, Gobert, Siakam, Porzingis, Jrue, White, Murray, Trae, and Maxey.

The desperate attempts to throw him where he doesn’t belong any chance you get even when it’s got nothing to with him is just becoming sad at this point lol

[durden_tyler]

Siakam, all because he's the reason why the Pacers are above average in the weak East.

[RHODEY]

Brunson at 8 is actually shocking to see.

Right he should atleast be 6th ahead of Curry and Tatum.

[iggymcfrack]

Fair point. But Kawhi isnt a top 8 player even healthy IMO. Not anymore. And Zion is still young so its not fair to treat him as a guaranteed injury yet, especially with how good he looks right now.

If we assume 100% health for every player in the league, I’d have Kawhi in the 6-10 range this year with Edwards, Haliburton, Wemby, and LeBron. Zion would probably be in the 23-32 range somewhere with guys like Dame, OG, Gobert, Siakam, Porzingis, Jrue, White, Murray, Trae, and Maxey.

The desperate attempts to throw him where he doesn’t belong any chance you get even when it’s got nothing to with him is just becoming sad at this point lol

OMFG, you don't have to freak out every single time his name is mentioned. What are you his personal hater? Remind me to constantly quote you in an ignoring fashion all season long every time he gets mentioned as an MVP candidate.

[Sweet Serenity]

If we assume 100% health for every player in the league, I’d have Kawhi in the 6-10 range this year with Edwards, Haliburton, Wemby, and LeBron. Zion would probably be in the 23-32 range somewhere with guys like Dame, OG, Gobert, Siakam, Porzingis, Jrue, White, Murray, Trae, and Maxey.

The desperate attempts to throw him where he doesn’t belong any chance you get even when it’s got nothing to with him is just becoming sad at this point lol

OMFG, you don't have to freak out every single time his name is mentioned. What are you his personal hater? Remind me to constantly quote you in an ignoring fashion all season long every time he gets mentioned as an MVP candidate.

MVP candidate ?

You actually have to be a top 10 player for that accolade

[TheNG]

I'd pick Markkanen over all of them.

[Sweet Serenity]

Brunson at 8 is actually shocking to see.

Right he should atleast be 6th ahead of Curry and Tatum.

You don’t get that high until you at least make a conference final as a #1 option so until then zip it.

[brackdan70]

PG13 is the best player here.
I can understand a Kyrie vote too. He was good last year but I expect a dip back to his trend line.
Booth seem clearly ahead of Butler smh.

[brackdan70]

I'd pick Markkanen over all of them.

Any data or analysis to support that?