Top 25 peaks of the 2001-25: #9-#10 Spots

[70sFan]

9. 2016/17 Kawhi Leonard (HM: 2018/19 Kawhi Leonard, 2015/16 Kawhi Leonard)

I struggle with Kawhi probably the most out of the players worth consideration at this point. From a skillset standpoint, I view his peak extremely high. He's one of the most reliable scorers ever and despite all the data showing mixed picture, I am 100% believer on Kawhi defense... as long as he cares to play defense. He's one of the strongest players ever at his position (maybe the only SF that could bang with prime LBJ physically), he had remarkably efficient handles, he's one of the best midrange scorers ever and even his 3P shot was absolutely elite. There are some weaknesses like his passing limitations or lack of quick first step, but he managed to work around these weaknesses and they didn't bother him at all.

Kawhi has also been remarkably good postseason performer and it's such a shame that he didn't end his 2017 run healthy (even though I'd bet on the Spurs losing at most in 5 games against the Warriors).

I wanted to push him even higher, but a lot of excellent arguments provided in this thread (relatively underwhelming ON/OFF numbers, lack of influence on his teammates performance etc.) made me realize that even 9th spot can overrate him a little bit. I also didn't have enough time to rewatch some 2017 Spurs games recently, but even though I remember his defense taking a dip from the season before, his actual defensive abilities in the postseason were still there before all the injuries. That's also why I just can't consider anything post 2017, he just wasn't the same defensively. To beat the great PGs and SGs here, Kawhi needs a substantial defensive edge and I am not sure to what degree he still possessed that in Toronto.

10. 2024/25 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

I will be short here - I couldn't decide between him and Kobe next, but I just went with someone who had significantly better RS because Kobe doesn't have any advantage that is anywhere near as robust as that. I also have doubts if Kobe's skillset is truly that much more impressive and scalable, considering that Shai didn't really play with top tier offensive talent last season (especially in the playoffs).

It's not worth that much, but I also think that Shai is quite clearly better defensively than late 2000s Kobe.

11. 2007/08 Kobe Bryant (HM: 2008/09)

There was a lot said about Kobe and I won't go into details here, because he's not my top 2 choice for this voting. I will just say that I am extremely impressed how he played before Gasol trade in the RS, but also how quickly they meshed up together to create one of the best teams of this century (both in 2008 and 2009). I decided to go with 2008 not because of his MVP, but because of the best series of his career (in my personal opinion) against defensive juggernaut 2008 Spurs. The series was actually really close and the Spurs did an excellent job slowing down Lakers offense. It's all on Kobe who went nuclear in the environment where everybody struggled to score. Truly remarkable series, one of the classics.

12. 2010/11 Dirk Nowitzki (HM: 2009/10, 2005/06)

I wanted badly to go with Clippers CP3, but between his injuries and some postseason black marks, I decided to go with an all-around dominant season. Dirk did remarkable things during that year, but it's not some kind of outlier - his consistency is what always impresses me the most. Possibly the GOAT creator from midrange, insane ability to stretch the floor and excellent turnover economy. The only reason why I have him lower is because of his questionable (though not horrible) defense, but he did fine enough in that run surrounded by excellent defenders.

My next names are probably Paul, Nash and Durant.

[70sFan]

Voting results

Votes:

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

        "trelos6": ["Kawhi Leonard", "Chris Paul", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Kevin Durant"],
        "Djoker": ["Kobe Bryant", "Kevin Durant", "Kawhi Leonard", "Anthony Davis"],
        "One_and_Done": ["Kawhi Leonard", "Kevin Durant", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Dirk Nowitzki"],
        "lessthanjake": ["Dirk Nowitzki", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Kawhi Leonard", "Kobe Bryant"],
        "DraymondGold": ["Kawhi Leonard", "Chris Paul", "Kobe Bryant", "Kevin Durant"],
        "iggymcfrack": ["Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Kawhi Leonard", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Chris Paul"],
        "TrueLAfan": ["Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Kawhi Leonard", "Kobe Bryant"],
        "Cavsfansince84": ["Kawhi Leonard", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Kobe Bryant"],
        "homecourtloss": ["Dirk Nowitzki", "Kobe Bryant", "Kawhi Leonard", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander"],
        "Joao Saraiva": ["Kobe Bryant", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Kawhi Leonard", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander"],
        "LA Bird": ["Dirk Nowitzki", "Chris Paul", "Kobe Bryant", "Steve Nash"],
        "eminence": ["Kobe Bryant", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Chris Paul"],
        "Doctor MJ": ["Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Kobe Bryant", "Kevin Durant", "Steve Nash"],
        "Jaivl": ["Kobe Bryant", "Kawhi Leonard", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Kevin Durant"],
        "-Luke-": ["Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Dirk Nowitzki", "Kobe Bryant", "Kawhi Leonard"],
        "ReggiesKnicks": ["Dirk Nowitzki", "Kobe Bryant", "Chris Paul", "Steve Nash"],
        "70sFan": ["Kawhi Leonard", "Shai Gilgeous-Alexander", "Kobe Bryant", "Dirk Nowitzki"]

Number of voters: 17

Best Kemeny score:

Spoiler:

1. Kawhi Leonard
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
3. Dirk Nowitzki
4. Kobe Bryant
5. Chris Paul
6. Kevin Durant
7. Steve Nash
8. Anthony Davis
Kemeny score: 286

Top 25 peaks of the 2001-25: #9-#10 Spots:

#9. 2016/17 Kawhi Leonard



#10. 2024/25 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander