2023 has finally drawn to a close. It’s time to reflect on the year and talk about the most popular topic now: the top NBA players of 2023. Athletes like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry have frequently dominated in this area. On the list, though, are a lot of new names this time.
LeBron James remains the number one player on this list. New players like Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks also made an impression on many experts and NBA fans. Every team has one or two stars they can depend on wholeheartedly in the upcoming season. As we enumerate the best NBA players for the 2023–2024 campaign, please continue reading.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has been nominated as NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) twice. He has been playing for the Denver Nuggets and displaying remarkable performance. While leading the Denver Nuggets to the title, he averaged a triple-double. During this time, he made 46% of his three-pointers and 55% of his field goals.
He has a higher total victory share than LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
Nikola Jokic is a basketball phenomenon. His offensive skill set has awed the most astute coaches. He is the 13th player in all of the NBA who has won the above-mentioned two regular season awards, along with a championship.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is again a two-time MVP whom we have featured in this list. His three-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks reaffirms his ability to compete successfully. He had the number 1 ranking in the last NBA season. Also, we have seen him increasing his points average with every season.
In the previous six years, Giannis has won the MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year titles. He is, therefore, rated as one of the best players for the 2023–2024 campaign.
Stephen Curry
At 35, Stephen Curry is defeating time with his performance. Many of his contemporaries do not give the same performance as they once did. But this is not the case with Stephen. Those who stream the NBA frequently will remember that he averaged 29.4 points last season. It was only 2.6 points short of his best performance in 2020-21.
Furthermore, Curry’s unforgettable playoff moments, such as his remarkable 50-point performance in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings, are truly captivating. Stephen Curry’s mastery on the court is sure to impress basketball enthusiasts.
Kevin Durant
The thoughts on Kevin Durant are mixed. He’s getting older, that much is clear. Additionally, since 2019, he has been unable to return to the NBA Finals. But all this changes when you look at his numbers. When he is on the court, his stellar performance is visible to all.
Durant averaged 29.0 points and 8.7 rebounds for Phoenix in the postseason. In the last season, he shot a career-high 57%. The man can score in various ways: knocking down a mid-range shot, pulling up from beyond the arc, or driving to the basket. Durant has an undeniable skillset and remains one of the best NBA players of 2023.
LeBron James
LeBron James is another star whose performance speaks volumes. He and the Lakers won the first NBA Cup in 2023. In addition, he won two gold medals in the Olympics while competing for the US men’s national team. Most believe that James is only getting better with time. When he turned 38, he dropped 47 points on the Hawks.
In the last season, he was named to the All-NBA third team. Despite being the age of some top NBA stars’ fathers, it’s hard to guess that when watching him play. His high level of play and status as a four-time champion make him a formidable player.
Joel Embiid
Rebounding is Joel Embiid’s specialty. In addition, he passes better than the typical center. In 2022 and 2023, he cemented his status as one of the best players in NBA history. He won the NBA MVP award, defeating Nikola Jokic, who had won the honor twice.
Embiid led the NBA in scoring throughout the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons, becoming the first center since legends like Shaquille O’Neal and Moses Malone to achieve this. He certainly deserves a spot on this list.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has often been regarded as one of the best NBA players, and rightly so. His highest career achievements include being NBA All-Star eight times from 2014 to 2021, along with holding the NBA champion title in 2020. In the last season, he averaged 29.5 points and 12.5 rebounds.
Despite some health issues that have impacted his performance, Davis is back and expected to be as dominant as ever, leading his team to victory.
Summary
The NBA currently possesses show-stopping talent with an eclectic skill set. These individuals are changing the way basketball is played. From veterans who are still going strong to newcomers, there’s a remarkable variety to admire on the court.
