Dr. Seuss wrote a wonderful story titled The Big Brag, in which a rabbit can use his ears to hear half way around the world. While this super power may be inside a word of American classic fiction, it exists in real life today. LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers point forward, has shown this trait as many times as he has some of his other tremendous gifts. He can flop harder than a fifty ton pancake. He can make awful movies at a clip even Ernest is jealous of. Add to that list, the ability to hear someone talking about him, from anywhere in the world.
Not only can he hear the comment, but he can misconstrue it as “shade” thrown at him, and let the world know he saw it and will use it as motivation.
Twitterverse LeBron
One such event, was a recent question posed to basketball writers, asking who the best player in the NBA is, going into the 2021-22 season. Not a single one of them voted for LeBron James. Nor should they have. This vote, however, did not sit well with the king, who declared to his kingdom of blind followers that he would use this slight (even though it wasn’t) to motivate him to new heights this upcoming season. His exact words were, “Thank you! As if I didn’t need more to fuel me!” He used an emoji for fuel, because he probably isn’t sure whether it’s U before E, or the other way around.
THANK YOU! As if I didn’t need more to⛽️ ME! #Washed?
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 19, 2021
But somebody close to his royal highness should give him the real 4-1-1. I’m more than happy to do it. I am sorry LeBron, but in terms of current NBA players, you are not 1st, not 5th, not 10th, not even 15th best. That’s right. LeBron James, but this basketball experts infallible opinion, is the 17th best player in the NBA as of today. Below is a list of players, in no particular order, that his majesty is currently looking up at.
Those Greater Than LeBron James
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
This should come as no shock to anyone who follows the game. Fresh off an NBA title and a finals MVP, The Greek Freak is not only better than LeBron James, but is on a very short list of players in the conversation of the best player in the world right now.
Last season, Giannis averaged 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. His offensive repertoire is limited, but he’s still unstoppable going to the hoop.
The 2020 league MVP landed on the All-NBA first team and All-NBA Defensive first team last season. At only 26 years old, it is very safe to say that he is just getting started.
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Another player that is arguably the best in the league, is the Slim Reaper. The player who put team USA on his back in the Olympics to secure his third gold medal, may be a bit older at 32, but also has no signs of letting up.
Limited by injury last season, Durant still managed to average 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
He shot a career high 54% from the field, and a mind boggling 45% from behind the arc. He is arguable the best shooter in the game, and the best scorer in the game. He is a better player than LeBron James.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is the young gun in consideration as the leagues top player. He’s only 22 years old, and and not only did he put the country of Slovenia on his back during the Olympics, but he did the same thing for the Dallas Mavericks last year.
Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists for the Mavericks, leading them to a 42-30 record, and playoff birth. And he’s only 22. It’s not a mistake a put that in there again.
The sky is not the limit for this young man, it’s the floor. No matter what heights of greatness he gets to, he’s already a better player than LeBron James.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76rs
Joel Embiid just signed a much deserved super max contract with the Sixers, keeping him in the city of brotherly love through the 2026-27 season.
He has gotten better every season, as he’s stayed healthy. Last year he averaged 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds, while shooting a career high 51% from the field, a career high 37% from three, and a career high 86% from the line.
He is the best big man I have ever seen play (including Shaq and Hakeem), and he is a better and more unstoppable player player than LeBron James.
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant’s teammate, the beard, makes this list as well. Taking on a diminished role, on a superstar laden team, he still put up 24.6/7.9/10.8 last season.
It’s easy to forget he is only one season removed from leading the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons. Like LeBron he also rebounds and finds himself averaging double digit assists each season.
He is not a strong defender, but neither is the king, and at least he seems to be improving every year, while LeBron goes in the opposite direction. James Harden is a better player right now than LeBron James.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers finished 42-30 last season, and would likely have been a lottery team if not for Big Game Dame.
The 31 year old point guard finished the season averaging 28.8 points and 7.5 assists for the season. He shot 45% from the field and 39% from deep. He has unlimited range, much like a couple other guys I will mention later.
Teammates average better numbers when he is on the floor, and he is arguably the best clutch player in the league (a title LeBron was never in contention for at any point in his career. Damian Lillard is better than LeBron James.
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
As long as he is healthy, Steph Curry is not slowing down or fading away in the NBA. He led the league is scoring again, averaging 32 points per game.
He continues to show range like we have never seen, and his ability to shoot off the dribble is better than many of the leagues greatest shooters ability to spot up.
He has elite ball handling skills and shows incredible leadership on the floor. The quintessential leader of men, he will always be the centerpiece of the team by the bay, and certainly an MVP favorite once the entire team is healthy again. Steph Curry is better than LeBron James.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
Talk about a great player in a horrible situation. The 28 year old Beal averaged 31.3 points on the Wizards last year, en route to a 34-38 record.
He is one of the leagues most potent scorers, and 49% from the field last year, which is extremely respectable for a wing player.
The team looks to be in a slightly better position after this offseason, and will contend for a playoff. They will go as far as Bradley Beal can take them, and Beal is a better player than LeBron James.
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Only 24 years old, and entering his 5th NBA season, Spida Mitchell is on the brink of being the fourth name in the discussion of best player in the NBA.
He plays with unbridled passion on both ends of the floor. He has the killer instinct that people love, and is a very efficient and prolific scorer for the top seed in the Western Conference.
The 2020-21 season ended with Mitchell scoring 26.4 points per game on 44% shooting. He also shot 38% from behind the arc. He is a winner in every way, and will end up a champion at some point. Donovan Mitchell is better than LeBron James.
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
The Claw is still the NBA’s premier perimeter defender, and just turned 30 years old. He’s already won an NBA championship, and finals MVP. He just committed to the city of angels for another 4 years, and should continue to shine on both ends of the floor.
He finished the 2020-21 season averaging 24.8/6.5/5.2. He did it efficiently, shooting 51% from the field and 40% from downtown.
His goal is making his team and teammates better. Otherwise, he would be the league leader in scoring, and a first team All-NBA defender. Kawhi Leonard is better than LeBron James.
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
This should be no surprise to Bulls fans, who got an up close look at this emerging superstar last season. I don’t think he will play next season in the windy city, as both sides have not been able to agree on a super max contract extension.
That said, LaVine stayed healthy last season, and finished up averaging 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. If those numbers aren’t impressive enough, the way he did it should be. LaVine shot 51% from the field last year, and 41% from three.
He is only 26 years old, and promises to be a face of the league for close to another decade. Zach LaVine is better than LeBron James.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The 23 year old (not a typo) player took a big leap in his development last season, and even costarred with Kevin Durant on team USA this past summer. As if his game wasn’t dangerous enough, he shot up two inches to 6’11 before last season.
Tatum finished the season averaging 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists for the Celtics last season, and like so many on this list did it efficiently. Shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three, he showed an improved ability to shoot off the dribble and over defenders. He is an adequate defender, and Jayson Tatum is better than LeBron James.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Steph Curry 2.0 (an upgraded version of Curry) continues to impress us all, and especially stepped up his game in the playoffs this past season. He is as clutch as a player can be, demonstrating over and over again the ice in his veins.
Trae Young averaged 25.3 points and 9.4 assists last season. If you follow Infinity Sports, you’ve heard me say it multiple times. Young is the only player in NCAA basketball history to lead the nation in scoring and assists the same season, and will do it in the NBA as well.
He has range to half court, elite handle and court vision, and leadership skills beyond someone the age of 22. Trae Young is better than LeBron James.
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Zion is no stranger to LeBron comparisons. His Youtube videos were going viral when he was a 15 year old sophomore at Spartanburg High School. He is the biggest recruit ever landed by Duke University (which says alot), and his combination of size and athleticism makes the comparison all too easy.
He just turned 21 years old, and is coming off a season when he shot 61% from the field. He finished the season averaging 27 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He was used as the teams point guard during a stretch last season and Point Zion became a triple double machine. Zion Williamson is better than LeBron James.
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
If you are a Kings fan, there is not a whole lot to cheer about these days, and with talk that Buddy Heild and Marvin Bagley will be shipped out before the upcoming season, it seems like 2021-22 will give you even less.
The one bright spot in the states capitol is De”Aaron Fox. He’s only 23 years old, and is coming off a season where he averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 assists. He shot 48% from the field, and showed an uncanny ability to get to the rim, no matter who was guarding him.
He is one of the fastest players on the floor in every game he plays, and De’Aaron Fox is better than LeBron James.
Julius Randle, New York Knicks
The former Laker and Kentucky Wildcat may be one of the most underrated players in the entire league. He’s only 26 years old, and coming of a season where he was one of only seven players to finish top 25 in points, rebounds, and assists last season.
Averaging 24.1/10.2/6.0 during the 2020-21 season, he will look to improve on those numbers in 2021-22 (scary to think). He shot 46% last year, and you wouldn’t have guessed it, but also shot 41% from three.
He just signed a 4 year-$117 million contract, which makes him a huge bargain. He is one of the best power forwards in the league, and Julius Randle is better than LeBron James.
Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers
From one of the most underrated players in the league, to the most underappreciated player in the league. LeBron’s newest teammate averaged a triple double last year, for the fourth time in his career. Only one other player has ever done it, and LeBron has never done it.
His scoring was down, but rebounds and assists were up lasts season, as he averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 11.7 assists. He plays with an unmatched intensity, and questions remain about how well he will mesh with the King.
He is younger, faster, more of a competitor, and Russell Westbrook is better than LeBron James.
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