What player reminds you of why you love this game?

[Duke4life831]

Jokic and Klay. It would've been great to see those two on the same team while both are in their prime.

Jokic is probably my favorite player to watch from a skill and just overall playing style ever.

While I just forgot how fun it is to watch Klay play basketball. His off ball movement is as good as it gets, that jumper is as pretty of a jumper as Ive ever seen and I just love the dude's attitude. There is just something so fun and entertaining about him.

[CometGM]

Some great shooters and ballers that make me stop what i'm doing to watch (Curry, Klay, Durant).

What I do miss is the hardcore dunk in your face every other game archetype. You don't really see that anymore.
Dominique Wilkins
Shawn Kemp
Shaq
Vince Carter
Blake Griffin

Yeah, you have Giannis, but it's not the same. He barely needs to jump.

[Childs]

The Kevin O'Neill and Jay Triano Toronto Raptors

[gottamakeit]

Demar Derozan. Love his footwork and scoring ability inside the 3pt line.

Check out Brunson too, solid footwork with that boy

[CreekShow]

Its not one player in particular but I really love watching this new group of future superstars come into their own. Luka/Tatum/Trae/Ja/SGA/Ant/Melo. All these guys are so much fun to watch hoop. The future of the league is in good hands!

[donkeylips]

klay thompson
lamelo ball
gary payton II

[Beethoven]

Right now lebron james

[jeeph]

Jarrett Allen, works hard and improves each season. Not a showboat.

Jarrett Allen for me too. To expand on not a showboat, he plays the game like a kid at the playground. A smile on his face having fun. Not a diva at all. The exact opposite of most all good NBA players. You can tell he genuinely enjoys his teammates success more than his own and always gives them the credit for his accomplishments. Just a good hearted kid. The Cavs have a few of those types it seems, but I think Allen is the heart of the team culture and contagious with his joy.

Like Bob Lemon said about Baseball, "Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up".

Favorite all time is Big Z. Who secretly went to the Children's Hospital every week throughout his career because he knew his size could bring a smile to the kids' faces.

I like good people. How good you are at playing a kids game in your pajamas has nothing to do with it.

[BeatDaCavs420]

TBH too many players to name. I just love basketball in general

[Ice Man]

Jalen Brunson. Not what you expected, but if you think about it, you will understand. Especially if I write that I loved Andre Miller and J.J. Barea.

[BigGargamel]

Watching Jokic every day is a treat.

Watching the rest of the team when he is on the bench is a nightmare.

I love the game of basketball, and always have. It's why I get League Pass every year. I can put on a random game and watch the most talented athletes in the world. Nearly every team has a player that reminds me of why I love the NBA.

[BigGargamel]

Some great shooters and ballers that make me stop what i'm doing to watch (Curry, Klay, Durant).

What I do miss is the hardcore dunk in your face every other game archetype. You don't really see that anymore.
Dominique Wilkins
Shawn Kemp
Shaq
Vince Carter
Blake Griffin

Yeah, you have Giannis, but it's not the same. He barely needs to jump.

You clearly need to start watching some Jeff Green. Grandpa has hops.

[Bankai]

Derrick Rose, especially in his MVP season.
Honorable mention is Steve Nash and Steph Curry.

[3toheadmelo]

[Dennis 37]

Stanley Johnson. Elite defence, below average offense. The man works hard and is super thankful just to play this game for money. No self importance, no league or media manufactured celebrity, just humility and hard work.

[Mrakar]

For me it is still Chris Paul. I started watching NBA because of him and im still in because of him.
Amount of small inteligent plays he makes per game is unbelievable. Looking at his stats most people never knew what he brings to the team. I'm glad he went to OKC and now Suns so casual fans can see how much he improves the team with his ordinary 15p/8a/4r...

Honorable mention is Herb Jones. I almost stopped watching Pelicans after 1-13 start but this mans fight every night kept me in. His energy is infectious. Pelicans lack a lot of talent playing without Zion but they are still playing 50% ball since that god awful start and i think he is the MVP of the team. Yes he makes stupid mistakes as a rookie but he is fighting for every ball like it is game 7 of the finals and i like that more than Ingram's 25 points or Val's 20 rebounds...

[ken6199]

The last player I was a fully devoted fan of, it's Tmac. During his time not many talk about efficiency, advanced stats like we do today, so it's all about aesthetics. His lightening first step, long wingspan, smooth shooting form, effortlessness, even his not-so-knee-friendly landing form. The guy can get 30/7/8 on any given night on sleepy eyes without even looking like he is trying. I know Kyrie's game is a thing of beauty but Tmac with 6'8 and 7'2 wingspan is the perfect combination of skill, pace, and power not many can replicate.

As a fan or amateur player, sometimes you just want to mimic a player when you play on the street with your buddies. You don't care much about that player's legacy, how many rings he win, his efficiency, or his work ethic. All you want to do at that time is "I want to be like Tmac". You just want that talent.

On top of all that, Tmac's unfulfilled legacy and a career jeopardized by injuries adds an extra layer of beauty of imperfection. You also remember him because of all the what ifs.

[G R E Y]

Then:

Bird and Manu

Now:

Hmm, KD, Jokic, and maybe Curry when he's hitting the shots but not doing the weirdo celebrations afterwards.