Best Player during the "Lebron Era"

[FarBeyondDriven]

This is one of the worst lists I’ve ever seen. Actually impressed.

great contribution. Please enlighten us with yours as the post requests instead of a lazy drive by

[FarBeyondDriven]

2003 - 2010 = Kobe

but hey, if that's what you believe, you do you

it's not like I'm pulling it out of my ass. Kobe was first team all-NBA, first team all-defense and top 5 in MVP voting every year except one. While doing that he also led the league in scoring twice and won two championships. I know a case can be made for others so if you have one please share. I didn't want to get in the weeds for those years quibbling as much as just showing Lebron certainly wasn't the best player.

[FarBeyondDriven]

2003 - 2010 = Kobe

2011 - 2015 = Lebron

2016 = Kawhi

2017 - 2018 = Harden or KD

2019 - 2021 = Giannis

2022 - present = Jokic

does this seem reasonable?

I can hear the arguments already about him being better than Kobe but Kobe was leading the league in scoring, making all-defense and winning championships during those years.

I can hear the argument already about Kawhi but Kawhi was without a doubt the best two-way player in the league and won DPOY while doing it all on offense.

after that there's zero argument for Lebron being the best player as his defense fell off a cliff and other guys rose to prominence.

So would you have any of it different? Which years, if any?

your list is unreasonable because of your Sacramento bias for leaving out Curry at least for 1 of those years.

Curry's defense prohibited me from doing so. I love Curry as a player though. I can't have anyone as the best player in the league unless they are at least a positive on defense when there are other deserving candidates. He was certainly the game's most impactful player for those few years no denying that. I only had Harden/KD for a couple of years because Harden went ballistic and KD actually defended at a high level those years and this was before Giannis and Jokic leveled up.

[EmpireFalls]

This is one of the worst lists I’ve ever seen. Actually impressed.

great contribution. Please enlighten us with yours as the post requests instead of a lazy drive by

Putting Kobe as the best player in 2003 when Tim Duncan had arguably the best two way big man postseason of the entire 21st century is just utterly hilarious. Duncan was clearly the best player in 2003, and then Kobe had that little thing in Utah and played way below his standards in 04/05. I have no clue by what criterion you came up with Kobe > Duncan from 2003-2005 but I’d go Duncan in that time period.

2003-2005: Duncan
2006-2008: Kobe
2009-2014: LeBron (maybe Dirk in 2011)
2015-2017: Curry
2018: LeBron
2019: KD/Kawhi
2020-2021: Giannis
2022-present: Jokic

[HumbleRen]

It’s clearly Steph lol. Bro had his peak wiped away due the Warriors not being competitive and healthy and he still managed to match LeBron’s ring count all on one team.

Steph was always better than KD too. I watched them double team Curry over KD for every single playoff run, don’t tell me nothing lol.

[elchengue20]

It’s clearly Steph lol. Bro had his peak wiped away due the Warriors not being competitive and healthy and he still managed to match LeBron’s ring count all on one team.

Steph was always better than KD too. I watched them double team Curry over KD for every single playoff run, don’t tell me nothing lol.

So your main argument is "ring count" but you ignore Steph had to go cry to KD to join him to beat Lebron. In a time Lebron, KD and Curry were by far the 3 best players in the NBA.

Curry won his 1st ring against a depleted Cavs team starting Mozgov and Dellavedova, also got saved by CP3 injury against Houston, so don't start crying about injuries.

Steph is awesome but has never been more impactful than Lebron. There is a reason Lebron is in the GOAT convo while Steph is more like a borderline top 10 all time player.

[Bush4Ever]

I think the only time period where Lebron was *clearly* the best player was 2009 through 2013.

The majority of his career value is derived from longevity seasons where he was one of a small group at the top, or a clear top 3/5 player, etc...

The other guys we usually talk about have some gold medals like Lebron, but way, way, fewer silver and bronzes, etc...

[Grumpy Heat Fan]

I think the only time period where Lebron was *clearly* the best player was 2009 through 2013.

The majority of his career value is derived from longevity seasons where he was one of a small group at the top, or a clear top 3/5 player, etc...

The other guys we usually talk about have some gold medals like Lebron, but way, way, fewer silver and bronzes, etc...

2009 was Dwyane Wade

[Beethoven]

Lebron was best player during the Lebron Era.

[Lalouie]

harden and KD should not be listed.... PERIOD

the simple eye test should suffice - as in "what's wrong with that picture"

[bledredwine]

By the way,

Shouldn't we not put Lebron as best in 2011, given what happened?

For example, if I'm the Heat and know what happened, I'd have Dirk on that team every day instead of Lebron.

Wade also had a better season, all things considered.

If Lebron is the choice for 2011, then you have to include Steph's one ridiculous year where he sucked in the playoffs (I believe due to injury? forgot)

[Roger Murdock]

I’d say

2003 - 2007: Duncan and Kobe, with Dirk/KG/Shaq/LeBron/Wade in mix depending on year
2008: Kobe or LeBron
2009 - 2018: LeBron then KD/Curry depending on the year

2019-2020: LeBron was still the best IMO but was arguable with Curry, Hadren, Giannis, Durant, and Kawhi

2021: Giannis

2022 - current: Jokic

[Jamaaliver]

When healthy...

Read on Twitter

[TheGeneral99]

2003 - 2010 = Kobe

2011 - 2015 = Lebron

2016 = Kawhi

2017 - 2018 = Harden or KD

2019 - 2021 = Giannis

2022 - present = Jokic

does this seem reasonable?

I can hear the arguments already about him being better than Kobe but Kobe was leading the league in scoring, making all-defense and winning championships during those years.

I can hear the argument already about Kawhi but Kawhi was without a doubt the best two-way player in the league and won DPOY while doing it all on offense.

after that there's zero argument for Lebron being the best player as his defense fell off a cliff and other guys rose to prominence.

So would you have any of it different? Which years, if any?

No.

2003: Duncan
2004-2006: Nash
2007-2008: Kobe
2008-2014: Lebron
2015-2016: Curry
2017-2018: Lebron
2019-2021: Giannis
2021-present: Jokic

Kawhi is sprinkled in but not healthy enough - I would say he's one of the best players ever when healthy.

[Homer38]

When healthy...

Read on Twitter

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

[ball_takes23]

When healthy...

Read on Twitter

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

Lebron was better in 2016 and 2018. Kawhi was better in 2017.

[Jamaaliver]

When healthy...

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

Hard truth that every NBA fan knows but that Lebron fans will deny -- Lebron benefitted from a weakened Eastern Conference...especially after he left Miami.

[Homer38]

When healthy...

Read on Twitter

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

Lebron was better in 2016 and 2018. Kawhi was better in 2017.

It's criminal how underrated the playoffs run of LeBron was in 2017

[Homer38]

When healthy...

Spoiler:

Read on Twitter

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

Hard truth that every NBA fan knows but that Lebron fans will deny -- Lebron benefitted from a weakened Eastern Conference...especially after he left Miami.

Just look at LeBron's performances against the Warriors in those years... He had one of the best Finals of all time in 2016 and he was also amazing in 2017

As for Kawhi, in 2017, it's not like the 43-39 Memphis was a powerhouse... As for the Rockets, they were good, but the Spurs also won that series even though Kawhi missed some key moments in that series, like the overtime in Game 5 and the entire Game 6.

Memory are short for some..,.

[ball_takes23]

LeBron had still better number from 2016 to 2018

Lebron was better in 2016 and 2018. Kawhi was better in 2017.

It's criminal how underrated the playoffs run of LeBron was in 2017

Not underrating Lebron. That’s just how good Kawhi was. Only player who made the 2017 Warriors look mortal.