Hoops Hype released its top 100 players going into the 2024-2025 season. Here is their top 25:
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Luka Doncic
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Joel Embiid
6. Jayson Tatum
7. Anthony Edwards
8. Jalen Brunson
9. Anthony Davis
10. Victor Wembanyama
11. Kevin Durant
12. Tyrese Haliburton
13. LeBron James
14. Steph Curry
15. Tyrese Maxey
16. Devin Booker
17. Donovan Mitchell
18. Jaylen Brown
19. Ja Morant
20. Domantas Sabonis
21. Damian Lillard
22. Zion Williamson
23. Paolo Banchero
24. De’Aaron Fox
————————————
I’m sure that these rankings by ESPN are factoring in the potential of players for next season as well as what they have just accomplished last season. I however look at it just from a pure perspective of how good you are. Despite LeBron James’ age, he still in my mind can command and control a game like few can. That is why, despite his age and the talent level in the league, I have him at number five. In my mind, the four ahead of him are the only guys that you can consider better than him. Jokic is just the best in the league, Doncic offensively can takeover at any time, Antetokounmpo is so physically dominant, and Embiid is, outside of Jokic, in my view the most dominant player in the game. He has averaged 30+ points per game each of the last three seasons.
In Hoops Hype’s top 25, they had Durant (11), James (13), and Curry (14) outside of the top 10. While it is indeed a young man’s game, all to me are still top 10.
Nikola Jokic
Jokic can dominate and control a game at this stage unlike any other player. Offensively, he can dominate a game in all facets and is an improved defender.
2. Luka Doncic
Doncic is becoming an incredible offensive force. He is virtually unguardable and is one of the best passers in the league.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo may be the most physically dominant player in the NBA, despite Embiid being the most physically imposing. 30.4/11.6/6.5 were the Greek Freak’s averages last season, the assist number a career best.
4. Joel Embiid
The 2023 Most Valuable Player put up a career-best 34.7 points per game last season. Expectations are high with Paul George now in town, and the 76ers have a real shot at the Eastern Conference crown if the team stays healthy, Embiid being at the center of that.
5. LeBron James
Despite his age, James remains a wonder, and I’m not sure that any player outside of Jokic can impact a game like James still, with his ability to get guys involved and score when needed.
6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA was an MVP finalist last season, and spearheads an extremely talented young core in Oklahoma City. He is the best mid-range shooter in the NBA with the ability to get his shots off seamlessly and effortlessly.
7. Stephen Curry
The best shooter there’s ever been, Curry is now the face of a young group that doesn’t have title expectations. Still, he’s the most dangerous scoring threat in the entire league.
8. Jayson Tatum
Tatum, coming off a championship, is a top notch offensive player and a very good wing defender. He’ll have pressure in defending his team’s title in 2024-2025 especially with an improved Eastern Conference.
9. Kevin Durant
Durant averaged 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists last season. He still scores as easy as anyone, but a lack of playoff success lately has hurt his image in the eyes of some observers. This is why I place Tatum before him, because at this age I feel that Tatum’s imprint on a game can be bigger. However, as a total player especially offensively, there aren’t many you’ll find better than Kevin Durant.
10. Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama, in my view, can easily overtake the veterans on this list depending on how his 2024-2025 season plays out in terms of minutes played and team success. He was exceptional as a rookie, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks on 47 percent shooting in 71 games. He also averaged less than 30 minutes per game, which make his averages even more astounding. Individually, there are just aren’t many guys better and he also realistically could prove himself to be the most dominant player in the game by season’s end. The numbers he puts up could be flat out scary at 35-plus minutes per game.
—————————————————————
I considered others for my top 10, like Anthony Edwards and Anthony Davis. While Davis is great, he isn’t the number one guy on his team so it is hard to put him ahead of guys who have more pressure. With Edwards, he is an exceptional player, but I think there are things that he can improve on to make himself even better. I feel like he needs to be more consistent in the regular season and not just prove himself as a playoffs player. Still, it was very impressive to see the Timberwolves in the conference finals. I also feel that depending on health, Zion Williamson is a top 10 player. It is just that more team success would need to come along with it. Ja Morant is also top 10 caliber, but he just hasn’t been on the floor enough lately to warrant that. Jalen Brunson can be in there, too. If his Knicks outperform the 76ers and Celtics this season, he definitely will be.
Comentários