By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
ESPN traditionaly published player ranking of 100 best players in the NBA, and the long awaited top 10 is finally out. According to the votes of the NBArank panel, composed of nearly 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the League.
Reigning champ with the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic claimed second place in the final standings again, with last season’s MVP Joel Embiid sitting in third.
It’s worth mentioning that, according to ESPN, “the race for the top spot was one of the tightest in the history of NBArank, as the gap between Nos. 2 and 3 was nearly 16 times larger than the one between Nos. 1 and 2.”
Giannis joined joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 50% from the floor, carrying the Bucks to the best record in the NBA in 2022-23, and retained No. 1 spot on ESPN’s ranking.
Jokic won the NBA title, by becoming the first player in history to lead the postseason in points, rebounds and assists, averaging stunning 30 points, 13.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists. His 10 playoff triple-doubles were the most in a single postseason ever. Still, Antetokounmpo stayed at the top, according to ESPN’s specialists panel.
The mentioned trio of Antetokounmpo, Jokic and Embiid is followed by Dallas Maverick’s Luka Doncic, while the best non-international player on the list is fifth-placed Stephen Curry. Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant follow the Golden State Warriors superstar, with Shai Gilgeous Alexander takling the eight spot, just in front of the Los Angeles Lakers duo Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
ESPN’s Top 10 NBA players:
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2. Nikola Jokic
3. Joel Embiid
4. Luka Doncic
5. Stephen Curry
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Kevin Durant
8. Shai Gilgeous Alexander
9. Lebron James
10. Anthony Davis