There aren't many things that people will agree on, and that's who is the best player in each position. The reason for that is because there are so many talented people in the NBA, and only one player can be named the best. Another reason is because many people have their own interpretation of what of what the best player looks like. Some people just can't let their stigmas go, which is why we have plenty of analysts and fans going around spreading the gospel that Michael Jordan is the best player to ever do it, even after 25 years now.
Here are a few things that I know for certain. MJ is the best player to ever grace the NBA, and here are five of the best players in the NBA in every position.
PG, Stephen Curry
You can't deny it. Stephen Curry has transformed into the NBA's best point guard in the last three years. His outside shooting and play-making has made him the most important player on the NBA's best team. Curry simply defines the game in a way that no other current point guard has. He commands the respect of opposing players, who are forced to guard him at the half court line. He is a visionary that ignites the Warriors' insane offense with a slew of brilliant passes and screens. Also, he happens to be the greatest shooter of all time. Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and Kyle Korver never accomplished what Curry has ever done. He is the NBA's baby-faced assassin, a two-MVP, and a two-time NBA champion. You cannot take away anything from Curry.
He performs on another level on the court, and he is able to obliterate any defense we have ever seen. There were doubts that he somehow choked in the 2016 NBA Finals, and that the Cavaliers solved the Davinci Code and figured out how to guard him. Those doubts have now been put to bed. Curry exploded in the 2017 NBA Finals, nearly averaging a triple-double. The same players that people said that could contain him (Iman Shumpert, Chris Paul, etc) have been embarrassed by him on multiple occasions. People need to accept that Stephen Curry owns the point guard position, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
SG, James Harden
Finally, Harden isn't a point guard anymore. After turning over the keys to Chris Paul, Harden has become the monster that we all feared. He is one of the most complete scorers in the league, and he is the best passing shooting guard in the league. If you take a look at his game, Harden is a amazing scorer, a brilliant shooter, a terrific passer, and a quality rebounder. Now that he plays his position, Harden is torching offenses with his dribbling and outside shooting. He can finish over any defender, and for those who have the guts to guard him on the perimeter better watch out for his step-back jumper.
In other words, you can't stop him. You can't really contain him. You just have to hope that Harden has a bad night, and those don't come too often nowadays. Therefore, you won't find a more complete shooting guard than James Harden.
SF, Kevin Durant
This might hurt someone's feelings but this isn't disrespect to LeBron James. He is a phenomenal player and one of the best to ever play, but we are talking about the league's best small forward. We aren't talking about the league's most accomplished small forward. From what we all know and seen, Kevin Durant is the best two-way player in the game. He is better offensively than James, and he is a better defender. It appears in times that Durant puts fear into LeBron James, especially since James never shows a willingness to guard the 7'0 footer. No one can, but James never puts in any effort. Ever since he joined the Golden State Warriors, Durant has shown that he is a much more complete player than he was in Oklahoma City. He passes well and rebounds effectively.
He also possesses the clutch-gene that James seems to lack. Make no mistake, LeBron has the skill to score in the 4th quarter, but Durant is the guy you want with the ball when the game is close. LeBron James is carrying the Cavaliers in a brilliant effort, making us all realize that age is just a number for him. Durant, on the other hand, is the best 7'0 that we have seen in a long time. Whether he is on a superteam or not shouldn't matter. Durant gets the nod as the best small forward, but the gap isn't by that much.
PF, Anthony Davis
This is a no-brainer. Anthony Davis is built like a center but plays the game like a power forward. He is extremely difficult to handle because he is an amazing shooter, defender, and rebounder. If is healthy, Davis is one of the most un-guardable players in the league. He can take you off the dribble or post you up, and if you try to attack the basket you might just become a victim. Davis has one of the players that has been predicted to eventually dethrone LeBron James for the NBA's best player title in a few years. Who knows. He just might do it soon.
C, DeMarcus Cousins
Call him whatever you want, but there is no denying the skill of DeMarcus Cousins. From I have seen, DeMarcus Cousins has been the best center in the NBA for at least three years. He plays his position in an excellent way, scoring and rebounding above average standard. He is so huge that he can bully anyone not named Zach Randolph, and get an easy bucket. Cousins may have gotten a bad reputation as a hot head and a diva, but his talent is still there. He is also young and has yet to reach his true prime. Karl Anthony Towns is definitely some competition for Boogie Cousins, but he has a long way to go if he is ever going to dethrone him. Cousins is simply a better and more mature player right now.
All of these players are the best in their positions from where we stand today. While others may not agree, these players certainly are the top players in their position and deserve more recognition than many realize.
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