Who is regarded as the Best Player on the Planet entering the 2023-24 NBA season? According to readers of The Stein Line who voted, it's the Nuggets' superstar ... with a (relative) surprise at No. 2
I do think the top 2, pretty fairly, usually splits out to Jokic then Giannis. Jokic winning the chip helped really cement his place atop the league at the moment (just as Giannis' chip the year Jokic got his first MVP helped to seal that for him). After them, I think Curry has as good a case as any, even despite his age, as he hasn't really shown any signs of slowing down, he still is the straw that stirs the Warriors drink, and, even in a disastrous season, he put on a show in the playoffs that equaled some of his remarkable championship performances the year prior (e.g., 50 on Sacramento in a must-win game).
Luka's on the cusp, but his team has to do more to be considered, imo (not even making the play-in is a pretty egregious knock on his candidacy for that honor; but he can make up for that this year). KD is clearly great, but his lack of playoff success the past couple years is hurting his candidacy. LeBron is still LeBron, but, ever so slightly, we've seen the wear and tear start to show. He's still probably top-5 (definitely top-10), but he'd have to have another renaissance year to reclaim that mantle, and I don't think he'll be aiming for that (at least not in the regular season).
Embiid, to me, is a lot like Luka. At this point, we know he can dominate in the regular season. Can he do it in the post-season? Not all of Philly's failures are on him, but as the franchise player, he has to own some of that. And then Tatum is the one who has been on the cusp of joining these names at the table, has had a handful of performances that should give him clout, but, fairly or unfairly, he's being judged on how he does making it to the summit of the NBA. If Boston breaks through this year, you can bet, like Giannis and Jokic before him, he'll get his flowers.
While Steph over Giannis is surprising, I'd still have him third on that list because he's proven it in the post-season whereas the other guys haven't (LeBron aside, but he's no longer dominant on both ends of the court). I'm excited to see what Jokic does this year as an encore.
Not surprised by result. I voted butler. Anyone who takes his team to finals with that roster and has done what he has with that roster is superior. His all around game and intangibles are under appreciated
Andrei Iguodala made a good point the other day. He said that Curry is the only small guard to be the key player on a championship team. Iguodala was speaking of recent years but the last championship team led by a small guard was the Isiah Thomas Pistons.
Great point. On a different note, I finished "The Absolutely True Diary..." last night. Great read -- thanks for sharing it with the world! My writer wife read it as research for the middle-grade novel she's shopping and thought I would dig it.
There is an argument to be made that Irvin is better player than Luka (all the drama outside): and Booker than KD at this stage... how those two did? Did they gather many “other” votes?
I don’t want to be contentious, but the “drama” around Kyrie Irving can’t be separated from him as a player, because it affects his availability as well as team cohesion. Having an extraordinary skill set is irrelevant if it doesn’t contribute significantly to winning.
I'd agree that, as even many NBA players have attested, in terms of pure skill set, Irving may sit near the top of any list. His bag is as deep as any. But individual skill-set is just one facet of being a great player, and Kyrie falls short in a lot of areas (on floor leadership among the most glaring), and it's why he doesn't get a lot of consideration for even top-10 lists, let alone 'best player' polls.
I'm assuming Steph's total was aided by some people voting twice (I know you gave clear instructions not to Marc, but...). Jokic was my vote, and Giannis would have been a close second for me, but I was still surprised at the reigning MVP's low total.
I do think the top 2, pretty fairly, usually splits out to Jokic then Giannis. Jokic winning the chip helped really cement his place atop the league at the moment (just as Giannis' chip the year Jokic got his first MVP helped to seal that for him). After them, I think Curry has as good a case as any, even despite his age, as he hasn't really shown any signs of slowing down, he still is the straw that stirs the Warriors drink, and, even in a disastrous season, he put on a show in the playoffs that equaled some of his remarkable championship performances the year prior (e.g., 50 on Sacramento in a must-win game).
Luka's on the cusp, but his team has to do more to be considered, imo (not even making the play-in is a pretty egregious knock on his candidacy for that honor; but he can make up for that this year). KD is clearly great, but his lack of playoff success the past couple years is hurting his candidacy. LeBron is still LeBron, but, ever so slightly, we've seen the wear and tear start to show. He's still probably top-5 (definitely top-10), but he'd have to have another renaissance year to reclaim that mantle, and I don't think he'll be aiming for that (at least not in the regular season).
Embiid, to me, is a lot like Luka. At this point, we know he can dominate in the regular season. Can he do it in the post-season? Not all of Philly's failures are on him, but as the franchise player, he has to own some of that. And then Tatum is the one who has been on the cusp of joining these names at the table, has had a handful of performances that should give him clout, but, fairly or unfairly, he's being judged on how he does making it to the summit of the NBA. If Boston breaks through this year, you can bet, like Giannis and Jokic before him, he'll get his flowers.
While Steph over Giannis is surprising, I'd still have him third on that list because he's proven it in the post-season whereas the other guys haven't (LeBron aside, but he's no longer dominant on both ends of the court). I'm excited to see what Jokic does this year as an encore.
Not surprised by result. I voted butler. Anyone who takes his team to finals with that roster and has done what he has with that roster is superior. His all around game and intangibles are under appreciated
Agree with it all. Undeniable top-10 player in #thisleague ...
Andrei Iguodala made a good point the other day. He said that Curry is the only small guard to be the key player on a championship team. Iguodala was speaking of recent years but the last championship team led by a small guard was the Isiah Thomas Pistons.
Great point. On a different note, I finished "The Absolutely True Diary..." last night. Great read -- thanks for sharing it with the world! My writer wife read it as research for the middle-grade novel she's shopping and thought I would dig it.
Thanks!
Marc, great read and poll not surprising Jokic won. Multi talented on both sides of the 🏀. Thanks
There is an argument to be made that Irvin is better player than Luka (all the drama outside): and Booker than KD at this stage... how those two did? Did they gather many “other” votes?
I don’t want to be contentious, but the “drama” around Kyrie Irving can’t be separated from him as a player, because it affects his availability as well as team cohesion. Having an extraordinary skill set is irrelevant if it doesn’t contribute significantly to winning.
I'd agree that, as even many NBA players have attested, in terms of pure skill set, Irving may sit near the top of any list. His bag is as deep as any. But individual skill-set is just one facet of being a great player, and Kyrie falls short in a lot of areas (on floor leadership among the most glaring), and it's why he doesn't get a lot of consideration for even top-10 lists, let alone 'best player' polls.
I'm assuming Steph's total was aided by some people voting twice (I know you gave clear instructions not to Marc, but...). Jokic was my vote, and Giannis would have been a close second for me, but I was still surprised at the reigning MVP's low total.
It is a possibility we have to account for ...