Talent in the NBA is at an all-time high. Some of the best players ever are currently playing alongside young, generational talent. In sports, one of the most subjective topics is “who are the best players.” Whether it is best of all-time, best currently or best at a certain skill, fans love to debate about the best. This is present the most in basketball. NBA fanatics are constantly trying to decide who the best players are. Here, we will take a stab at ranking the five best players in the NBA right now.

First, there are two worth honorable mentions. James Harden is doing incredible things offensively. He is averaging 36.3 points per game. He has scored 30 or more points in 23 straight games with 10 games in the 40’s, three in the 50’s and one 61-point outburst.

The Beard’s offensive talent is undeniable, however it is hard to ignore his shooting numbers. During his streak in the month of January, Harden is averaging 17 missed shots per game, and 11 missed three’s. He is shooting 44% from the field and 36% from three this season. Harden does not crack the top five because of the same reason he will not win MVP — efficiency.

Rockets, Mike D'Antoni, James Harden

Kawhi Leonard played just nine games last season for the Spurs before being shipped to Toronto. He has adapted well in his first season up north. Leonard is averaging 27.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3%. He has solidified himself as one of the league’s best defensive players. Leonard is arguably a top-five player right now. Consistency will keep him off this list as he has yet to put a few great seasons together.

5. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Davis is an anomaly. He is a 6’10 beast who can shoot, post-up, and run in transition. His athletic ability and potential were the reasons he was taken number one overall out of Kentucky. Well, he is making that pick hold up. Davis is averaging 29.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. This would be his sixth season in a row averaging a double-double. He has 32 total double-doubles on the season, and has scored in double-figures in every game he has played.

The knock on Davis is he has not taken a team to the championship level. He has only been to the playoffs twice in his career, and played a total of 13 games. With all the rumors circulating about Davis demanding a trade, he will get a chance to either play on a championship team or elevate a contender to that status. Regardless, it is hard to put together a list of the top-five players and not include the brow.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

The Greek Freak began his rise to stardom last season. He averaged a double-double a season ago, and is well on his way to accomplishing that once again. Antetokounmpo is scoring 27.1 points per game while shooting 58.2% from the floor. He has established himself as one of the great rim protectors as well, grabbing 12.6 rebounds and blocking 1.4 shots per game.

This is Antetokounmpo’s second “break-out” season. Last year, he asserted himself as a top-10 player in the league. This season, he is an MVP candidate. Giannis will be the best player in the league soon. For now, his three-point shot needs work, however he will become even more dominant once it is perfected. It has become a two-man race for MVP this season. Right now, Giannis has a slight edge. An MVP award will help his case as he tries to beat out the top-three players on this list.

3. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors

In 2009, the Warriors drafted a skinny point guard out of Davidson. A decade later, that point guard has completely transformed the Golden State franchise, and has become the best shooter to ever live. At age 30, Curry has three NBA Championships and two MVP awards. This season, he is averaging 28.5 points per game while shooting 43.7% from three-point range.

Curry battled injuries last season. Prior to that, he logged five years of playing 78 or more games. The sharp shooter has been the model of consistency in the NBA. There was a time during his back-to-back MVP seasons that Curry was being acknowledged as the best player in the league. While that was never true, he has cemented his spot in the top-three. No matter what happens with the Warriors, it cannot be forgotten that it all started on a summer night in 2009.

2. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

It is hard to find a player with more drama than Durant. Whether it is leaving Oklahoma City to join the Warriors or giving the media a hard time, Durant is not afraid of controversy. Recently, it has been rumored that Durant will become a member of the Knicks in free agency. All of the noise surrounding Durant has not distracted him on the court. He remains the second best player in the league, a spot that he has held for many years now.

Durant is averaging 27.5 points per game this season. After his rookie season in Seattle, Durant has logged 10 straight seasons averaging over 25 points. In Golden State, Durant has won two rings and two Finals’ MVP awards to add to his regular season MVP as a member of the Thunder. There has been talk that these versatile big men are starting to take over the league, however Durant remains firmly as the second best player in the league.

1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

lebron james

If Durant has the most drama, James is a close second. But there is always drama around the best, right? James joined the Lakers this season. Since arriving in Los Angeles, it has seemed that the Lakers have been criticizing head coach Luke Walton, and trying to trade for Anthony Davis. James has a history of pulling stunts like this, but it does not diminish his greatness. Let’s look at the numbers.

James is part of the NBA’s Mount Rushmore. He is fifth on the all-time scoring list, and will be atop of that list before he decides to hang up his sneakers. He is 11th on the all-time assist list. He will not catch John Stockton, but James can certainly finish well into the top-10. It has become an ongoing debate on who the best player of all-time is, Michael Jordan or LeBron James. How can James not be the best right now?

James has a Rookie of the Year award, four MVP’s, three rings, three Finals’ MVP’s, 12x All-NBA First team, 2x All-NBA Second team, and three All-Star game MVP’s. The list of accomplishments for James is endless. He will go down as the best player of his generation hands down, while also being one of the best players to ever live.