NBA MVP Rankings - 31 Mar

There are just a couple of weeks left in the NBA regular season, and there is finally a change at the top of the MVP rankings, with SGA taking over at #1 now that his team has the best record in the league, and with Jokic having missed several recent games. Here are my current MVP rankings, with previous ranking in parentheses and career-highs in bold, along with a few changes to my all-time player rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.9 Pts (#1), 5.1 Reb, 6.3 Ast (#14), 1.7 Stl (#3), 1.0 Blk, .521 FG%, .372 3P%, .900 FT% (#5)

2 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

29.3 Pts (#3), 12.8 Reb (#3), 10.2 Ast (#2), 1.8 Stl (#2), 0.7 Blk, .574 FG% (#8), .412 3P%, .803 FT%

3 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.2 Pts (#2), 11.9 Reb (#6), 5.9 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#19), .601 FG% (#6), .176 3P%, .605 FT%

4 (5) Trae Young - PG - ATL

24.1 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 11.5 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .409 FG%, .334 3P%, .874 FT%

5 (4) LeBron James - SF - LAL

24.5 Pts (#18), 8.1 Reb, 8.5 Ast (#6), 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .511 FG%, .373 3P%, .768 FT%

6 (8) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.2 Pts (#6), 8.7 Reb (#17), 6.0 Ast (#20), 1.1 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .455 FG%, .351 3P%, .813 FT%

7 (9) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

25.7 Pts (#11), 6.1 Reb, 9.2 Ast (#3), 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .462 FG%, .354 3P%, .858 FT%

8 (7) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

20.6 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#12), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .471 FG%, .403 3P%, .884 FT% (#12)

9 (NR) Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

24.3 Pts (#19), 12.8 Reb (#2), 3.1 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .521 FG%, .425 3P% (#8), .827 FT%

10 (6) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.3 Pts (#8), 3.0 Reb, 7.4 Ast (#8), 1.0 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .490 FG%, .384 3P%, .825 FT%

Honorable Mention: James Harden - PG - LAC, Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE, Tyrese Haliburton - PG - IND, Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Kevin Durant has passed Jerry West to move up to #11

Stephen Curry has passed Karl Malone to move up to #14

Kawhi Leonard has passed Chauncey Billups to move up to #59

Draymond Green has passed Paul Pierce to move up to #61

Luka Doncic has passed Manu Ginobili to move up to #66

Jimmy Butler has passed Tracy McGrady, Tim Hardaway, and Chris Webber to move up to #78

Jayson Tatum has passed Ray Allen to move up to #86

Trae Young has moved into the top 100, passing Vince Carter and knocking out Mike Conley to move to #99

NBA MVP Rankings - 8 Mar

The top 2 players in the MVP race have separated themselves from the pack, with 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic having the best season of his career, somehow, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in scoring while his team has the best record in the West by far. My guess is that it goes to SGA due to voter fatigue, but this is how I rank the top 10 current MVP candidates in the league (with career-high averages in bold), along with a few changes to my All-Time Top 100 rankings:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

28.9 Pts (#3), 12.9 Reb (#3), 10.6 Ast (#2), 1.8 Stl (#4), 0.6 Blk, .577 FG% (#10), .439 3P% (#6), .818 FT%

2 (2) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.8 Pts (#1), 5.1 Reb, 6.2 Ast (#15), 1.8 Stl (#2), 1.0 Blk, .526 FG%, .378 3P%, .898 FT% (#8)

3 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

30.8 Pts (#2), 12.1 Reb (#6), 5.9 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#17), .605 FG% (#7), .190 3P%, .596 FT%

4 (9) LeBron James - SF - LAL

25.1 Pts (#12), 8.1 Reb, 8.5 Ast (#6), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .518 FG%, .391 3P%, .779 FT%

5 (5) Trae Young - PG - ATL

23.6 Pts, 3.1 Reb, 11.6 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .403 FG%, .327 3P%, .866 FT%

6 (7) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.3 Pts (#7), 3.0 Reb, 7.4 Ast (#8), 1.0 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .490 FG%, .384 3P%, .825 FT%

7 (4) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

21.0 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#11), 1.1 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .480 FG%, .420 3P% (#14), .876 FT%

8 (8) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

26.9 Pts (#5), 8.8 Reb (#17), 5.8 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .455 FG%, .354 3P%, .803 FT%

9 (NR) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

25.5 Pts (#11), 6.1 Reb, 9.4 Ast (#3), 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .461 FG%, .357 3P%, .855 FT%

10 (NR) Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE

24.4 Pts (#15), 4.3 Reb, 4.7 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .454 FG%, .388 3P%, .818 FT%

Honorable Mention: Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK, James Harden - PG - LAC, Damian Lillard - PG - MIL, Evan Mobley - PF - CLE, Stephen Curry - PG - GSW, Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Stephen Curry has passed Julius Erving to move up to #15

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed Tony Parker and Kevin Garnett to move up to #29

Luka Doncic has passed Sam Jones to move up to #67

Jayson Tatum has passed Rod Strickland, Cliff Hagan, and Walt Frazier to move up to #87

NBA MVP Rankings - 25 Jan

Nikola Jokic is having an historic season, averaging a triple-double, including career-highs in multiple categories after winning 3 MVP awards in the past 4 seasons, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the league's best team with amazing numbers of his own. It's essentially a 2-man race for MVP, though Giannis might have an argument to be included as well, but I'm still listing my top 10 candidates, with previous ranking in parentheses and career-high averages in bold:

Most Valuable Player

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

30.2 Pts (#3), 13.4 Reb (#3), 10.1 Ast (#2), 1.9 Stl (#4), 0.7 Blk, .564 FG% (#14), .479 3P% (#2), .814 FT%

2 (3) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG - OKC

32.0 Pts (#1), 5.3 Reb, 6.1 Ast (#20), 2.0 Stl (#2), 1.1 Blk, .529 FG%, .348 3P%, .904 FT% (#6)

3 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

31.3 Pts (#2), 12.0 Reb (#5), 6.0 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.4 Blk (#14), .603 FG% (#8), .154 3P%, .584 FT%

4 (8) Darius Garland - PG - CLE

21.3 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#11), 1.1 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .497 FG%, .428 3P% (#14), .875 FT%

5 (4) Trae Young - PG - ATL

22.9 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 11.7 Ast (#1), 1.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .401 FG%, .346 3P%, .860 FT%

6 (5) Karl-Anthony Towns - C - NYK

25.1 Pts (#14), 13.9 Reb (#2), 3.5 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .545 FG% (#20), .433 3P% (#10), .836 FT%

7 (6) Jalen Brunson - PG - NYK

26.0 Pts (#9), 3.0 Reb, 7.3 Ast (#9), 0.9 Stl, 0.0 Blk, .486 FG%, .391 3P%, .817 FT%

8 (7) Jayson Tatum - PF - BOS

27.2 Pts (#5), 9.1 Reb (#19), 5.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .457 FG%, .354 3P%, .792 FT%

9 (NR) LeBron James - SF - LAL

23.6 Pts, 7.7 Reb, 8.9 Ast (#4), 0.9 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .511 FG%, .394 3P%, .765 FT%

10 (9) Anthony Davis - C - LAL

25.6 Pts (#11), 11.8 Reb (#6), 3.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 2.2 Blk (#3), .523 FG%, .315 3P%, .786 FT%

Honorable Mention: Cade Cunningham - PG - DET; Victor Wembanyama - C - SAS; Donovan Mitchell - SG - CLE; Domantas Sabonis - C - SAC; Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

All-Time Player Rank Updates

Anthony Davis has passed Rajon Rondo to move up to #50

Kyrie Irving has passed Chauncey Billups to move up to #58

Draymond Green has passed George McGinnis to move up to #62

Joel Embiid has passed Tracy McGrady, Tim Hardaway, and Chris Webber to move up to #77

Jimmy Butler has passed Terry Porter and Dikembe Mutombo to move up to #82

Jayson Tatum has passed Gus Williams, Dennis Rodman, Tom Heinsohn, Jrue Holiday, and John Wall to move up to #90

Jrue Holiday has passed Dennis Rodman and Tom Heinsohn to move up to #92

Mike Conley has passed Walter Davis to move up to #100

NBA All-Star Teams

The NBA just announced the starters for this year's All-Star teams, and they were pretty good overall, though there was one very notable outlier, Andrew Wiggins being named a starter for the West. The Western Conference is the weakest it has ever been at forward, but have far too many guards who deserve to make the team. Below I've listed the players I feel should be All-Star starters and reserves in each conference, as well as several potential players that should be considered as injury replacements if needed, with actual starters marked with an asterisk.

Eastern Conference

Starters

F - Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL *

F - DeMar DeRozan - CHI *

C - Joel Embiid - PHI *

G - Trae Young - ATL *

G - James Harden - BKN

Reserves

F - Kevin Durant - BKN *

F - Zach LaVine - CHI

C - Domantas Sabonis - IND

G - Darius Garland - CLE

G - LaMelo Ball - CHA

F - Jimmy Butler - MIA

F - Jayson Tatum - BOS

Injury Replacements

G - Bradley Beal - WAS

C - Jarrett Allen - CLE

G - Jrue Holiday - MIL

F - Khris Middleton - MIL

F - Kevin Love - CLE

Western Conference

Starters

F - LeBron James - LAL *

F - Draymond Green - GSW

C - Nikola Jokic - DEN *

G - Chris Paul - PHX

G - Stephen Curry - GSW *

Reserves

G - Ja Morant - MEM *

G - Dejounte Murray - SAS

C - Rudy Gobert - UTA

C - Karl-Anthony Towns - MIN

F - Jaren Jackson Jr - MEM

G - Luka Doncic - DAL

G - Devin Booker - PHX

Injury Replacements

G - Donovan Mitchell - UTA

G - Russell Westbrook - LAL

C - JaVale McGee - PHX

F - Paul George - LAC

F - Brandon Ingram - NOP

All-Time Player Rank Updates

Chris Paul has passed Oscar Robertson to move up to #19

James Harden has passed Dirk Nowitzki to move up to #26

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed George Gervin to move up to #53

Kyrie Irving has passed Alonzo Mourning to move up to #79

Nikola Jokic has passed LaMarcus Aldridge, Mel Daniels, and Andre Miller to move up to #96

LaMarcus Aldridge has passed Mel Daniels to stay at #98

NBA MVP Rankings - 15 Jan

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been on a tear lately, scoring at least 25 in 9 straight games while helping the Bucks move up to #4 in the East, and it has helped him take back the #1 spot in this week's MVP rankings, moving ahead of the defending MVP, Nikola Jokic. Here are my full current rankings for MVP, Sixth Man, and Rookie of the Year:

Most Valuable Player

1 (3) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

28.5 Pts (#3), 11.5 Reb (#6), 6.1 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.5 Blk (#10), .543 FG% (#12), .279 3P%, .699 FT%

2 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

25.5 Pts (#9), 14.0 Reb (#2), 7.0 Ast (#12), 1.3 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .566 FG% (#10), .356 3P%, .776 FT%

3 (5) Trae Young - PG - ATL

27.6 Pts (#4), 4.0 Reb, 9.4 Ast (#3), 0.9 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .453 FG%, .367 3P%, .900 FT% (#5)

4 (6) Chris Paul - PG - PHX

14.0 Pts, 4.3 Reb, 10.0 Ast (#1), 2.0 Stl (#2), 0.3 Blk, .475 FG%, .322 3P%, .837 FT%

5 (2) Kevin Durant - PF - BRK

29.7 Pts (#1), 7.5 Reb, 5.9 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .520 FG% (#19), .371 3P%, .893 FT% (#8)

6 (4) Stephen Curry - PG - GSW

26.3 Pts (#6), 5.4 Reb, 6.0 Ast, 1.4 Stl (#19), 0.5 Blk, .421 FG%, .384 3P%, .914 FT% (#4)

7 (7) James Harden - PG - BRK

22.6 Pts (#18), 8.0 Reb, 9.9 Ast (#2), 1.4 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .414 FG%, .337 3P%, .877 FT% (#18)

8 (NR) DeMar DeRozan - PF - CHI

25.7 Pts (#7), 5.1 Reb, 4.7 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .492 FG%, .352 3P%, .852 FT%

9 (NR) Zach LaVine - SF - CHI

24.9 Pts (#11), 4.8 Reb, 4.2 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .491 FG%, .412 3P%, .872 FT%

10 (NR) LeBron James - SF - LAL

29.1 Pts (#2), 7.4 Reb, 6.6 Ast (#18), 1.7 Stl (#8), 1.1 Blk, .524 FG% (#16), .366 3P%, .769 FT%

Honorable Mention: Ja Morant - PG - MEM, Joel Embiid - C - PHI, Donovan Mitchell - SG - UTA, Rudy Gobert - C - UTA, Dejounte Murray - PG - SAS, Luka Doncic - PG - DAL, LaMelo Ball - PG - CHA

Sixth Man of the Year

1 (4) Tyler Herro - SG - MIA

20.8 Pts, 5.0 Reb, 4.1 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .429 FG%, .386 3P%, .879 FT% (#15)

2 (1) JaVale McGee - C - PHX

9.9 Pts, 7.0 Reb, 0.7 Ast, 0.4 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .649 FG% (#4), .250 3P%, .679 FT%

3 (NR) Kevin Love - PF - CLE

14.1 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 2.0 Ast, 0.3 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .433 FG%, .409 3P%, .885 FT% (#10)

4 (2) Montrezl Harrell - C - WAS

14.5 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 2.2 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .647 FG% (#5), .300 3P%, .738 FT%

5 (3) Ricky Rubio - PG - CLE

13.1 Pts, 4.1 Reb, 6.6 Ast (#17), 1.4 Stl (#18), 0.2 Blk, .363 FG%, .339 3P%, .854 FT%

Rookie of the Year

1 (1) Josh Giddey - SG - OKC

11.5 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 6.4 Ast (#19), 1.1 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .404 FG%, .280 3P%, .681 FT%

2 (2) Alperen Sengun - C - HOU

9.0 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 2.6 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .504 FG%, .293 3P%, .700 FT%

3 (3) Cade Cunningham - PG - DET

15.5 Pts, 5.8 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .390 FG%, .321 3P%, .848 FT%

4 (4) Evan Mobley - PF - CLE

14.9 Pts, 8.1 Reb, 2.7 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 1.7 Blk (#7), .506 FG%, .294 3P%, .713 FT%

5 (NR) Franz Wagner - SF - ORL

15.7 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 2.9 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .455 FG%, .358 3P%, .848 FT%

All-Time Player Rank Changes

Nikola Jokic has passed Bill Sharman to move up to #99.

There are several players who are extremely close to moving up again within the next month, including Nikola Jokic, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Chris Paul.

Top 25 NBA 10-Year Runs

This is a list of the top 25 decades registered by players in NBA history, using the same method used to determine my all-time top 100 players. Only the top decade for each player is ranked, but any other qualifying 10-year periods are included where they would have been ranked if included (* indicates awards that didn't exist at the time, award is assumed):

1. LeBron James - SF/PF/PG - MIA/CLE/LAL - 2010-20

26.5 Pts, 7.7 Reb, 7.7 Ast, 1.5 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .528 FG%, .355 3P%, .727 FT%

Assist Leader

4x Champion, 5x Finals loss

4x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 9x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 9x Top 4 in MVP voting

1a. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA/CLE - 2008-18

1b. LeBron James - SF/PF/PG - MIA/CLE/LAL - 2011-21

1c. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA/CLE - 2007-17

1d. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA/CLE - 2009-19

1e. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA/CLE - 2006-16

2. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1987-98

31.4 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 2.5 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .509 FG%, .346 3P%, .834 FT%

9x Scoring leader, 3x Steals leader

6x Champion, 2x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

6x Finals MVP, 5x MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 9x All-NBA First Team, 9x All-Defensive First Team, 9x Top 3 in MVP voting

2a. Michael Jordan - SG/SF - CHI/WAS - 1988-02

2b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1986-97

3. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI/LAL - 1959-69

34.4 Pts, 24.3 Reb, 4.5 Ast, .530 FG%, .514 FT%

7x Scoring leader, 8x Rebounding leader, 7x Field Goal Percentage leader, Assist leader

Champion, 2x Finals loss, 5x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

*Finals MVP, 4x MVP, Rookie of the Year, 7x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 8x Top 5 in MVP voting

4. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1981-91

19.8 Pts, 7.2 Reb, 11.9 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .520 FG%, .303 3P%, .855 FT%

4x Assist leader, Steals leader, Free Throw Percentage Leader

4x Champion, 4x Finals loss, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 9x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 9x Top 3 in MVP voting

4a. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA/CLE - 2005-15

4b. Michael Jordan - SG/SF - CHI/WAS - 1989-03

4c. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI/LAL - 1960-70

4d. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1979-89

5. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL - 1994-04

27.3 Pts, 11.7 Reb, 3.0 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 2.4 Blk, .576 FG%, .063 3P%, .530 FT%

2x Scoring leader, 6x Field Goal Percentage leader

3x Champion, 2x Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, 3x Second Round loss

3x Finals MVP, MVP, 6x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, 6x Top 5 in MVP voting

5a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1980-90

5b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1985-96

5c. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI/LAL - 1961-71

5d. Magic Johnson - PG/PF - LAL - 1982-96

5e. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA - 2004-14

5f. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL - 1993-03

5g. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA - 1996-06

6. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1958-68

15.8 Pts, 23.4 Reb, 4.5 Ast, .442 FG%, .577 FT%

3x Rebounding leader

9x Champion, Conference Finals loss

*7x Finals MVP, 4x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 7x All-NBA Second Team, 9x Top 4 in MVP voting

6a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL/MIA - 1995-05

6b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1959-69

6c. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1956-66

6d. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL - 1992-02

6e. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1957-67

6f. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA - 1997-07

6g. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI/LAL - 1962-72

6h. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1984-95

6i. LeBron James - SF/PF/SG - CLE/MIA - 2003-13

6j. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI/LAL - 1963-73

6k. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA/PHX - 1998-08

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1970-80

28.2 Pts, 14.4 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 3.5 Blk, .559 FG%, .719 FT%

2x Scoring Leader, 4x Block leader, Rebounding leader, Field Goal Percentage leader

2x Champion, Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss, First Round loss

Finals MVP, 6x MVP, 7x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 4x All-Defensive First Team, 4x All-Defensive Second Team, 10x Top 5 in MVP voting

8. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 1998-08

21.7 Pts, 11.8 Reb, 3.2 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 2.4 Blk, .503 FG%, .207 3P%, .686 FT%

4x Champion, 2x Conference Finals loss, 3x Second Round loss

3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 8x All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 8x Top 5 in MVP voting

8a. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 1997-07

8b. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA/PHX - 1999-09

9. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2000-10

28.5 Pts, 5.8 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 1.7 Stl, 0.5 Blk, .456 FG%, .342 3P%, .843 FT%

2x Scoring leader

5x Champion, 2x Finals loss, Second Round loss, 2x First Round loss

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, All-NBA Third Team, 7x All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 8x Top 5 in MVP voting

10. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1963-73

28.0 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 7.2 Ast, .484 FG%, .833 FT%

Scoring leader, Assist leader

Champion, 6x Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

Finals MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 4x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 6x Top 5 in MVP voting

11. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1953-63

18.3 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 7.9 Ast, .380 FG%, .805 FT%

7x Assist leader

6x Champion, Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

*2x Finals MVP, MVP, *2x MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 4x Top 4 in MVP voting

11a. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2000-10

11b. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1962-72

12. Julius Erving - SF - VIR/NYN/PHI - 1971-81

26.1 Pts, 9.9 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 2.1 Stl, 1.7 Blk, .505 FG%, .309 3P%, .781 FT%

3x Scoring leader

2x Champion, 2x Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, 3x Second Round loss

2x Finals MVP, 4x MVP, 7x All-ABA/NBA First Team, 2x All-ABA/NBA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, 7x Top 5 in MVP voting

12a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1973-83

12b. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 1999-09

12c. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1969-79

12d. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1971-81

13. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1985-95

24.4 Pts, 12.4 Reb, 2.7 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 3.7 Blk, .515 FG%, .178 3P%, .720 FT%

2x Rebounding leader, 3x Blocks leader

2x Champion, Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss, 4x First Round loss

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 5x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 5x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 5x Top 5 in MVP voting

13a. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1964-74

13b. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1952-62

13c. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1972-82

13d. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2001-11

13e. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1975-85

14. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW/BKN - 2010-21

27.6 Pts, 7.4 Reb, 4.7 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 1.2 Blk, .506 FG%, .389 3P%, .883 FT%

3x Scoring leader, Free Throw Percentage leader

2x Champion, 2x Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 5x Top 5 in MVP voting

14a. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 1999-09

14b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1976-86

15. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1980-90

25.3 Pts, 10.1 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .502 FG%, .367 3P%, .888 FT%

4x Free Throw Percentage leader

3x Champion, 2x Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss, First Round loss

2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, 8x Top 3 in MVP voting

15a. Julius Erving - SF - VIR/NYN/PHI - 1972-82

15b. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW - 2009-19

15c. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2002-12

15d. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2001-11

15e. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1961-71

15f. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1979-89

15g. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1987-97

15h. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1973-83

15i. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1986-96

15j. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1960-70

15k. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1951-61

15l. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1974-84

16. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC/HOU - 2010-20

25.0 Pts, 7.6 Reb, 8.7 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .442 FG%, .309 3P%, .799 FT%

2x Scoring leader, 2x Assist leader

Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss, 4x First Round loss

MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 4x Top 5 in MVP voting

16a. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2002-12

16b. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2009-19

17. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2011-21

25.8 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 6.7 Ast, 1.7 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .478 FG%, .432 3P%, .906 FT%

2x Scoring leader, Steals leader, 3x Free Throw Percentage leader

3x Champion, 2x Finals loss, Second Round loss, First Round loss

2x MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, All-NBA Third Team, 4x Top 5 in MVP voting

18. James Harden - SG/PG - OKC/HOU/BKN - 2011-21

28.2 Pts, 6.0 Reb, 7.5 Ast, 1.7 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .447 FG%, .364 3P%, .861 FT%

3x Scoring leader, Assist leader

Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, 4x Second Round loss, 3x First Round loss

MVP, Sixth Man of the Year, 6x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, 6X Top 5 in MVP voting

18a. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2003-13

18b. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1988-98

18c. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2009-19

18d. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC/HOU/WAS - 2011-21

19. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1948-56

23.1 Pts, 13.4 Reb, 2.8 Ast, .404 FG%, .782 FT%

3x Scoring leader, 2x Rebounding leader

5x Champion, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

*5x Finals MVP, *5x MVP, 6x All-NBA First Team

19a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1977-87

19b. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW - 2008-18

19c. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2010-20

19d. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1950-60

19e. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1989-99

19f. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1981-91

19g. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2008-18

20. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN/MIL - 1961-71

28.1 Pts, 8.0 Reb, 10.1 Ast, .491 FG%, .839 FT%

Scoring leader, 6x Assist leader, 2x Free Throw Percentage leader

Champion, 2x Conference Finals loss, 4x Second Round loss

MVP, 8x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 8x Top 5 in MVP voting

20a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1978-88

20b. James Harden - SG/PG - OKC/HOU/BKN - 2010-20

20c. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA/PHX/CLE - 2000-10

21. John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1987-97

15.6 Pts, 2.9 Reb, 12.8 Ast, 2.6 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .524 FG%, .392 3P%, .829 FT%

9x Assist leader, 2x Steals leader

Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss, 4x First Round loss

2x All-NBA First Team, 6x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team

22. Steve Nash - PG - DAL/PHX - 2001-11

16.9 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 10.0 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .497 FG%, .436 3P%, .910 FT%

5x Assist leader, 2x Free Throw Percentage leader

4x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss, 2x First Round loss

2x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-NBA Third Team, 3x Top 2 in MVP voting

23. Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1990-00

26.7 Pts, 10.6 Reb, 3.8 Ast, 1.4 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .526 FG%, .260 3P%, .755 FT%

2x Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, 3x Second Round loss, 2x First Round loss

2x MVP, 9x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, 7x Top 5 in MVP voting

23a. Steve Nash - PG - DAL/PHX - 2000-10

23b. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1984-94

23c. Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1989-99

24. Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2004-14

25.1 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 6.1 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .494 FG%, .288 3P%, .766 FT%

Scoring leader

3x Champion, 2x Finals loss, Conference Finals loss, 3x First Round loss

Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-NBA Third Team, 3x All-Defensive Second Team, 2x Top 5 in MVP voting

24a. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 1998-08

24b. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1982-92

24c. Steve Nash - PG - DAL/PHX - 2002-12

24d. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2004-14

24e. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1974-84

24f. John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1988-98

24g. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1960-70

24h. Dwyane Wade - SG/PG - MIA - 2003-13

24i. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN/MIL - 1962-72

24j. Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1991-01

24k. Karl Malone - PF - UTA - 1988-98

24l. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1990-00

24m. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2004-14

24n. John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1989-99

24o. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2005-15

24p. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2003-13

24q. John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1990-00

24r. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1979-89

24s. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1975-85

24t. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1991-01

24u. John Stockton - PG - UTA - 1986-96

25. Elgin Baylor - SF - MNL/LAL - 1958-68

28.1 Pts, 14.2 Reb, 4.2 Ast, .426 FG%, .783 FT%

5x Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

Rookie of the Year, 9x All-NBA First Team, 6x Top 5 in MVP voting

Top 25 NBA 5-Year Peaks

This is a rankings of the top 5-year periods by players in NBA history, with just one period ranked per player, and other qualifying ranges listed in between. (* denotes awards that did not exist at the time, assumed winner)

1. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA/CLE - 2011-16

26.3 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 6.8 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .535 FG%, .361 3P%, .743 FT%

3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 3x Champion, 2x Finals loss

1a. LeBron James - SF/PF/PG - CLE/LAL - 2015-20

1b. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA/CLE - 2013-18

1c. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA/CLE - 2012-17

2. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1988-93

32.0 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 6.3 Ast, 2.7 Stl, 0.8 Blk, .523 FG%, .334 3P%, .844 FT%

3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-Defensive First Team, 5x Scoring Leader, 2x Steals Leader, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 3x Champion, 2x Conference Finals loss

2a. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/LAL - 2014-19

3. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1997-02

28.2 Pts, 12.0 Reb, 3.1 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 2.4 Blk, .577 FG%, .530 FT%

3x Finals MVP, MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 5x Field Goal Percentage Leader, Scoring Leader, 4x Top 4 in MVP voting, 3x Champion, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

3a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1999-04

3b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990-96

4. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1984-89

20.7 Pts, 6.5 Reb, 12.4 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .521 FG%, .262 3P%, .866 FT%

Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 2x Assist Leader, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, Free Throw Percentage Leader, 3x Champion, Finals loss, Conference Finals loss

4a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1983-88

4b. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1998-03

4c. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1987-92

4d. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1989-95

5. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1963-68

30.6 Pts, 23.6 Reb, 6.1 Ast, .556 FG%, .468 FT%

*Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 5x Top 5 in MVP voting, 4x Field Goal Percentage Leader, 3x Scoring Leader, 3x Rebounding Leader, Champion, Finals loss, 3x Conference Finals loss

5a. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA - 2008-13

5b. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA/CLE - 2010-15

5c. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1991-97

5d. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI - 1962-67

5e. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/MIA - 2009-14

6. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1948-53

27.0 Pts, 13.8 Reb, 3.1 Ast, .409 FG%, .784 FT%

*4x Finals MVP, *4x MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 3x Scoring Leader, 2x Rebounding Leader, 4x Champion, Conference Finals loss

6a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1986-91

6b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1992-98

6c. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1982-87

7. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1960-65

16.3 Pts, 24.0 Reb, 4.5 Ast, .437 FG%, .565 FT%

*5x Finals MVP, 4x MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 2x Rebounding Leader, 5x Champion

7a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1985-90

7b. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1996-01

7c. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW - 1959-64

7d. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI - 1961-66

7e. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1961-66

7f. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW/PHI - 1960-65

7g. LeBron James - SF - CLE/MIA - 2007-12

7h. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1964-69

7i. LeBron James - SF/PG/PF - CLE/LAL - 2016-21

8. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2014-19

26.5 Pts, 4.9 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .485 FG%, .434 3P%, .911 FT%

2x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, All-NBA Third Team, 3x Top 5 in MVP voting, 3x Free Throw Percentage Leader, Scoring Leader, Steals Leader, 3x Champion, 2x Finals loss

8a. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1949-54

8b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1959-64

8c. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1986-91

8d. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1981-86

8e. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA - 2000-05

8f. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1958-63

9. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1992-97

26.2 Pts, 11.2 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 1.7 Stl, 3.3 Blk, .520 FG%, .260 3P%, .751 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, All-NBA Third Team, 2x All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, Blocks Leader, 4x Top 5 in MVP voting, 2x Champion, Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

9a. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2013-18

10. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2002-07

20.9 Pts, 11.6 Reb, 3.3 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 2.5 Blk, .508 FG%, .246 3P%, .649 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 4x Top 4 in MVP voting, 3x Champion, 2x Second Round loss

11. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1983-88

27.3 Pts, 9.8 Reb, 6.8 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .512 FG%, .400 3P%, .899 FT%

2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 3x Free Throw Percentage Leader, 2x Champion, 2x Finals loss, Conference Finals loss

11a. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1962-67

12. Julius Erving - SF - VIR/NYN - 1971-76

28.7 Pts, 12.1 Reb, 4.8 Ast, 2.4 Stl, 2.0 Blk, .504 FG%, .322 3P%, .778 FT%

2x Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 4x All-ABA First Team, All-ABA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, 3x Scoring Leader, 4x Top 2 in MVP voting, 2x Champion, Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

12a. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 1962-67

12b. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI/LAL - 1965-70

13. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1956-61

19.1 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 8.6 Ast, .380 FG%, .806 FT%

*2x Finals MVP, MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 3x Top 4 in MVP voting, 4x Assist Leader, 4x Champion, Finals loss

13a. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1982-87

13b. LeBron James - SF - CLE/MIA - 2006-11

13c. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1991-96

13d. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2000-05

14. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1969-74

30.5 Pts, 15.5 Reb, 4.3 Ast, 1.4 Stl, 3.5 Blk, .553 FG%, .686 FT%

Finals MVP, 3x MVP, Rookie of the Year, 4x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 2x Scoring Leader, Champion, Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

14a. Julius Erving - SF - VIR/NYN/PHI - 1972-77

14b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1963-68

14c. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1973-78

15. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2005-10

29.8 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .459 FG%, .348 3P%, .847 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x All-Defensive First Team, 5x Top 4 in MVP voting, 2x Scoring Leader, 2x Champion, Finals loss, 2x First Round loss

15a. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2005-10

15b. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1958-63

15c. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL - 1995-00

15d. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2007-12

15e. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2001-06

15f. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2006-11

15g. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI/LAL - 1966-71

15h. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1990-95

15i. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1993-98

15j. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1980-85

15k. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1957-62

16. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF/SF - MIL - 2016-21

26.8 Pts, 11.0 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 1.4 Blk, .549 FG%, .289 3P%, .716 FT%

Finals MVP, 2x MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 3x Top 4 in MVP voting, Champion, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss, 2x First Round loss

16a. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1957-62

16b. Michael Jordan - SG/SF - CHI/WAS - 1994-02

16c. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 1998-03

17. James Harden - SG/PG - HOU - 2014-19

30.4 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 8.4 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .442 FG%, .363 3P%, .862 FT%

MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, 4x Top 2 in MVP voting, 2x Scoring Leader, Assist Leader, 2x Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss, First Round loss

17a. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1955-60

17b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1964-69

17c. James Harden - SG/PG - HOU - 2015-20

18. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1968-73

26.6 Pts, 4.4 Reb, 8.5 Ast, .484 FG%, .820 FT%

Finals MVP, 4x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 4x All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 3x Top 2 in MVP voting, Scoring Leader, Assist Leader, Champion, 3x Finals loss

18a. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1967-72

18b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1970-75

18c. Magic Johnson - PG/PF - LAL - 1987-96

18d. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1981-86

19. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW/BRK - 2015-21

26.5 Pts, 7.3 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 1.4 Blk, .521 FG%, .391 3P%, .887 FT%

2x Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, 3x All-NBA Second Team, MVP Top 5, 2x Champion, Finals loss, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

19a. Michael Jordan - SG/SF - CHI/WAS - 1995-03

19b. James Harden - SG/PG - HOU/BKN - 2016-21

19c. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1975-80 

19d. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL/MIA - 2001-06

19e. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1964-69

20. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2013-18

26.4 Pts, 8.6 Reb, 9.6 Ast, 1.9 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .438 FG%, .315 3P%, .813 FT%

MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, 4x Top 5 in MVP voting, 2x Scoring Leader, Assist Leader, 2x Conference Finals loss, 2x First Round loss

20a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1979-84

20b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1976-81

20c. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1966-70

20d. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2004-09

20e. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2003-08

20f. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1978-83

21. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1961-66

30.4 Pts, 9.9 Reb, 10.9 Ast, .486 FG%, .830 FT%

MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x Top 3 in MVP voting, 4x Assist Leader, Free Throw Percentage Leader, 2x Conference Finals loss, 3x Second Round loss

21a. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1962-67

21b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1956-61

21c. Larry Bird - PF/SF - BOS - 1980-85

21d. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1975-80

21e. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1954-59

21f. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1950-56

21g. Kevin Durant - SF - OKC/GSW - 2013-18

21h. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2014-19

22. Elgin Baylor - SF - LAL - 1958-63

32.0 Pts, 16.7 Reb, 4.4 Ast, .431 FG%, .778 FT%

Rookie of the Year, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x Top 5 in MVP voting, 3x Finals loss, 2x Conference Finals loss

22a. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1961-66

22b. James Harden - SG/PG - HOU - 2013-18

22c. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2015-20

22d. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2008-13

22e. Tim Duncan - C/PF - SAS - 2004-09

22f. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC/HOU - 2015-20

23. Steve Nash - PG - DAL/PHX - 2002-07

17.0 Pts, 3.4 Reb, 9.9 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .496 FG%, .430 3P%, .907 FT%

2x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, 3x Top 2 in MVP voting, 3x Assist Leader, Free Throw Percentage Leader, 3x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss, First Round loss

23a. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2012-17

23b. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1979-84

23c. Elgin Baylor - SF - LAL - 1959-64

23d. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1977-82

23e. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1974-79

23f. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1960-65

23g. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 1999-04

23h. Steve Nash - PG - DAL/PHX - 2003-08

24. Moses Malone - C - HOU/PHI - 1978-83

26.8 Pts, 15.4 Reb, 1.7 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.6 Blk, .517 FG%, .063 3P%, .748 FT%

Finals MVP, 3x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 4x Top 4 in MVP voting, 4x Rebounding Leader, Champion, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss, 2x First Round loss

24a. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW - 2014-19

24b. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL/LAL - 1994-99

24c. Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2004-09

24d. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1985-90

24e. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2004-09

24f. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1984-89

24g. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1972-77

24h. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 1999-04

24i. Moses Malone - C - HOU/PHI - 1979-84

24j. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2011-16

24k. Jerry West - PG/SG - LAL - 1963-68

24l. Moses Malone - C - HOU/PHI - 1980-85

24m. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL/LAL - 1973-78

25. Bob Pettit - PF/C - STL - 1956-61

26.5 Pts, 17.2 Reb, 2.9 Ast, .431 FG%, .751 FT%

*Finals MVP, MVP, 5x All-NBA First Team, 5x Top 4 in MVP voting, Scoring Leader, Champion, 3x Finals loss, Conference Finals loss

Top 25 NBA 3-Year Peaks

This is a list of the top 25 three-season peak ranges for players in NBA/ABA history, with only the top 3-year period ranked for each player, and other qualifying 3-year ranges inserted in between. This is done using the same method as my Top 100 NBA Players of All Time ranking, and most of the players who make this list were also among the top 25 players of all time. (* marks awards that didn't exist at the time) 

1. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE - 2015-18

26.4 Pts, 8.2 Reb, 8.2 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.7 Blk, .537 FG%, .350 3P%, .712 FT%

Finals MVP, Championship, 2 Finals losses, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x Top 4 in MVP voting

Led league in MPG twice, total points once

1a. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2014-17

2. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1999-02

28.6 Pts, 12.4 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 2.6 Blk, .575 FG%, .529 FT%

3x Finals MVP, MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, 2x #3 in MVP voting

Led League in FG% three times, scoring once

3. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990-93

31.4 Pts, 6.4 Reb, 5.7 Ast, 2.6 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .517 FG%, .324 3P%, .840 FT%

3x Finals MVP, 2x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, #3 in MVP voting once

Led League in scoring three times, steals once, triple-doubles once

3a. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA/CLE - 2013-16

3b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1989-92

3c. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1998-01

3d. LeBron James - PF/SF - MIA - 2011-14

4. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1984-87

20.4 Pts, 6.1 Reb, 12.5 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .534 FG%, .210 3P%, .853 FT%

Finals MVP, MVP, 2x Championship, Conference Finals loss, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x top 3 in MVP voting

Led league in assists twice, triple-doubles once

4a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1986-89

4b. LeBron James - SF/PF - MIA - 2010-13

4c. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1988-91

5. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1992-95

27.0 Pts, 12.0 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 3.8 Blk, .525 FG%, .256 3P%, .851 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, 2x All-Defensive First Team, 2x Defensive POY, 3x top 5 in MVP voting, Second Round loss

Led league in blocks once

5a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1995-98

5b. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1985-88

6. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2014-17

26.4 Pts, 4.7 Reb, 7.0 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 0.2 Blk, .487 FG%, .436 3P%, .906 FT%

2x MVP, 2x Championship, 2x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, Finals loss

Led league in scoring twice, free throw percentage twice, steals once

6a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2000-03

7. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1965-68

28.8 Pts, 24.2 Reb, 7.2 Ast, .593 FG%, .446 FT%

3x MVP, Finals MVP*, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x Conference Finals loss

Led league in scoring once, rebounds three times, field goal percentage three times, MPG three times

7a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1964-67

7b. LeBron James - PF/PG/SF - CLE/LAL - 2017-20

8. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1948-51

28.0 Pts, 14.1 Reb, 3.2 Ast, .417 FG%, .785 FT%

3x MVP*, 2x Finals MVP*, 3x All-NBA First Team, Conference Finals loss

Led league in scoring three times

8a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW - 1961-64

8b. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1966-69

8c. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1993-96

9. Julius Erving - SF - NYN - 1973-76

28.2 Pts, 10.9 Reb, 5.2 Ast, 2.3 Stl, 2.1 Blk, .508 FG%, .343 3P%, .789 FT%

3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 3x All-ABA First Team, Second Round loss

Led league in scoring twice

9a. LeBron James - PF/SF - MIA/CLE - 2012-15

10. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2007-10

27.4 Pts, 5.6 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 0.4 Blk, .461 FG%, .349 3P%, .836 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, 3x top 3 in MVP voting, Finals loss

Led league in total points once

11. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1962-65

15.3 Pts, 24.1 Reb, 4.8 Ast, .434 FG%, .559 FT%

3x Finals MVP*, 2x MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, #3 in MVP voting once

Led league in rebounding twice, minutes once

12. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2018-21

28.5 Pts, 12.4 Reb, 5.8 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 1.3 Blk, .567 FG%, .290 3P%, .684 FT%

2x MVP, Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, Defensive POY, #4 in MVP voting once, Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

12a. LeBron James - SF - CLE/MIA - 2009-12

12b. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1997-00

12c. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1963-66

13. Larry Bird - SF/PF - BOS - 1983-86

26.2 Pts, 10.1 Reb, 6.7 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.9 Blk, .504 FG%, .392 3P%, .889 FT%

3x MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, Finals loss

Led league in free throw percentage twice, MPG once, triple-doubles once, 3PM once

13a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1991-95

13b. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1983-86

13c. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1949-52

13d. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1959-62

13e. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1961-63

13f. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1963-66

14. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2002-05

22.1 Pts, 12.2 Reb, 3.3 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 2.8 Blk, .504 FG%, .256 3P%, .660 FT%

2x Finals MVP, MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Defensive First Team, 3x top 4 in MVP voting, Second Round loss

14a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1962-65

14b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1961-64

14c. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1982-85

14d. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1951-54

14e. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1992-96

14f. LeBron James - SF/PF - CLE/LAL - 2016-19

14g. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2015-18

14h. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1959-62

14i. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1987-90

14j. LeBron James - SF - CLE/MIA - 2008-11

15. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1956-59

19.5 Pts, 5.1 Reb, 7.7 Ast, .372 FG%, .840 FT%

2x Finals MVP*, MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, Finals loss, #4 in MVP voting once

Led league in assists three times, triple-doubles once

15a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW/SFW - 1960-63

15b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1987-90

15c. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1974-77

15d. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1958-61

15e. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2008-11

15f. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1984-87

15g. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2007-10

16. Kevin Durant - SF/PF - OKC/GSW - 2015-18

26.6 Pts, 7.8 Reb, 5.1 Ast, 0.9 Stl, 1.5 Blk, .518 FG%, .395 3P%, .888 FT%

2x Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, #5 in MVP voting once, Conference Finals loss

16a. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2000-03

16b. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1958-61

16c. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2013-16

16d. Tim Duncan - C - SAS - 2004-07

16e. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1994-97

17. Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2004-07

17.7 Pts, 3.7 Reb, 11.2 Ast, 0.8 Stl, 0.1 Blk, .516 FG%, .443 3P%, .903 FT%

2x MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, MVP runner-up, 2x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

Led league in assists three times, free throw percentage once

17a. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2016-19

17b. Kevin Durant - SF - GSW - 2016-19

18. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2015-18

26.8 Pts, 9.5 Reb, 10.3 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.3 Blk, .441 FG%, .318 3P%, .804 FT%

MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, 3x top 5 in MVP voting, Conference Finals loss, 2x First Round loss

Led league in scoring once, assists once, triple-doubles three times

18a. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2006-09

19. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1969-72

31.8 Pts, 15.7 Reb, 4.0 Ast, .557 FG%, .677 FT%

2x MVP, Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, 2x All-NBA First Team, 2x All-Defensive Second Team, All-NBA Second Team, #3 in MVP voting, 2x Conference Finals loss

Led league in scoring twice, total points three times

20. Elgin Baylor - PF - LAL - 1960-63

36.1 Pts, 17.3 Reb, 4.9 Ast, .438 FG%, .794 FT%

3x All-NBA First Team, 3x Top 4 in MVP voting, 2x Finals loss, Conference Finals loss

20a. Julius Erving - SF - NYN/PHI - 1975-78

20b. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1985-88

21. James Harden - PG/SG - HOU - 2016-19

31.9 Pts, 6.8 Reb, 9.2 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .443 FG%, .361 3P%, .861 FT%

MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 2x MVP runner-up, Conference Finals loss, 2x Second Round loss

Led league in scoring twice, assists once, 3PM twice

21a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2001-04

21b. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2006-09

21c. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1950-53

21d. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1957-60

21e. Michael Jordan - SG/SF - CHI/WAS - 1996-02

21f. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1988-91

21g. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1981-84

21h. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1964-67

21i. Tim Duncan - PF/C - SAS - 2001-04

22. Moses Malone - C - HOU/PHI - 1980-83

27.8 Pts, 14.9 Reb, 1.6 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.8 Blk, .515 FG%, .760 FT%

2x MVP, Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, Finals loss, First Round loss, #4 in MVP voting once

Led league in rebounding three times, MPG once

22a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1979-82

22b. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1994-97

22c. James Harden - PG/SG - HOU - 2017-20

23. Jerry West - SG/PG - LAL - 1967-70

28.1 Pts, 4.8 Reb, 6.9 Ast, .493 FG%, .820 FT%

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, 2x All-NBA Second Team, All-Defensive First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 3x Finals loss, MVP runner-up

Led league in scoring once

23a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1978-81

23b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1970-73

23c. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2014-17

23d. LeBron James - PG/SF - LAL - 2018-21

23e. Julius Erving - SF - NYN - 1971-74

23f. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1977-80

24. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1962-65

30.0 Pts, 9.8 Reb, 10.6 Ast, .493 FG%, .835 FT%

MVP, 3x All-NBA First Team, 3x Top 3 in MVP voting, 2x Conference Finals loss, Second Round loss

Led league in assists twice, free throw shooting once, MPG once, triple-doubles three times

24a. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1991-94

24b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1971-74

25. Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2004-07

26.1 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 6.9 Ast, 1.8 Stl, 1.0 Blk, .488 FG%, .235 3P%, .782 FT%

Finals MVP, 2x All-NBA Second Team, All-NBA Third Team, All-Defensive Second Team, Conference Finals loss, First Round loss

Top 25 NBA Seasons of All Time - Playoffs Included

This is a list of the top full seasons in all of NBA history using the same method I used to rank my top 100 players of all time, with one season ranked per player, and other qualifying seasons by a player already ranked inserted in between in the spot they would have ranked. Regular season stats marked RS, Playoff stats marked PS, * means award did not exist at the time, presumed winner:

1. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2015-16

RS: 25.3 Pts (#5), 7.4 Reb, 6.8 Ast (#9), 1.4 Stl, 0.6 Blk, .520 FG% (#14), .309 3P%, .731 FT%

PS: 26.3 Pts (#5), 9.5 Reb (#8), 7.6 Ast (#3), 2.3 Stl (#5), 1.3 Blk (#11), .525 FG% (#17), .340 3P%, .661 FT%

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, #3 in MVP voting

1b. LeBron James - PG - LAL - 2019-20

2. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1966-67

RS: 24.1 Pts (#5), 24.2 Reb (#1), 7.8 Ast (#3), .683 FG% (#1), .441 FT%

PS: 21.7 Pts (#7), 29.1 Reb (#1), 9.0 Ast (#2), .579 FG% (#2), .390 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP*, All-NBA First Team

3. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1999-00

RS: 29.7 Pts (#1), 13.6 Reb (#2), 3.8 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 3.0 Blk (#3), .574 FG% (#1), .524 FT%

PS: 30.7 Pts (#1), 15.4 Reb (#1), 3.1 Ast, 0.6 Stl, 2.4 Blk (#6), .566 FG% (#2), .456 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team

4. Julius Erving - SF - NYN - 1975-76

RS: 29.3 Pts (#1), 11.0 Reb (#5), 5.0 Ast (#7), 2.5 Stl (#3), 1.9 Blk (#7), .507 FG% (#10), .330 3P% (#6), .801 FT%

PS: 34.7 Pts (#1), 12.6 Reb (#2), 4.9 Ast (#6), 1.9 Stl (#3), 2.0 Blk (#3), .533 FG% (#6), .222 3P%, .804 FT% (#14)

MVP, Finals MVP, All-ABA First Team, All-Defensive First Team

5. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990-91

RS: 31.5 Pts (#1), 6.0 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 2.7 Stl (#3), 1.0 Blk, .539 FG% (#12), .312 3P%, .851 FT%

PS: 31.1 Pts (#1), 6.4 Reb, 8.4 Ast (#7), 2.4 Stl (#5), 1.4 Blk (#7), .524 FG%, .385 3P% (#11), .845 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team

6. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1986-87

RS: 23.9 Pts (#10), 6.3 Reb, 12.2 Ast (#1), 1.7 Stl (#16), 0.5 Blk, .522 FG%, .205 3P%, .848 FT% (#20)

PS: 21.8 Pts (#12), 7.7 Reb (#18), 12.2 Ast (#1), 1.7 Stl (#9), 0.4 Blk, .539 FG% (#20), .200 3P%, .831 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team

6a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2000-01

6b. LeBron James - SF - MIA - 2011-12

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1979-80

RS: 24.8 Pts (#6), 10.8 Reb (#8), 4.5 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 3.4 Blk (#1), .604 FG% (#2), .765 FT%

PS: 31.9 Pts (#2), 12.1 Pts (#2), 3.1 Ast, 1.1 Stl (#20), 3.9 Blk (#1), .572 FG% (#3), .790 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, Won Finals

8. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2020-21

RS: 28.1 Pts (#5), 11.0 Reb (#8), 5.9 Ast, 1.2 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#16), .569 FG% (#13), .303 3P%, .685 FT%

PS: 30.2 Pts (#7), 12.8 Reb (#1), 5.1 Ast (#17), 1.0 Stl (#19), 1.2 Blk (#6), .569 FG% (#11), .186 3P%, .587 FT%

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, #4 in MVP voting

9. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2002-03

RS: 23.3 Pts (#7), 12.9 Reb (#3), 3.9 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 2.9 Blk (#3), .513 FG% (#7), .710 FT%

PS: 24.7 Pts (#8), 15.4 Reb (#4), 5.3 Ast (#12), 0.6 Stl, 3.3 Blk (#1), .529 FG% (#10), .677 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team

10. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1994-95

RS: 27.8 Pts (#2), 10.8 Reb (#8), 3.5 Ast, 1.8 Stl (#9), 3.4 Blk (#2), .517 FG%, .756 FT%

PS: 33.0 Pts (#1), 10.3 Reb (#9), 4.5 Ast (#17), 1.2 Stl (#15), 2.8 Blk (#3), .531 FG% (#12), .681 FT%

Finals MVP, All-NBA Third Team, #5 in MVP voting

10b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1992-93

11. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1948-49

RS: 28.3 Pts (#1), 3.6 Ast (#8), .416 FG% (#2), .772 FT% (#14)

PS: 30.3 Pts (#1), 2.1 Ast, .454 FG% (#2), .802 FT% (#8)

MVP*, Finals MVP*, All-BAA First Team

11a. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1993-94

11b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1991-92

11c. LeBron James - PF - CLE - 2017-18

11d. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW - 1963-64

11e. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1984-85

11f. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1961-62

11g. LeBron James - SF - MIA - 2012-13

12. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2016-17

RS: 25.3 Pts (#10), 4.5 Reb, 6.6 Ast (#12), 1.8 Stl (#7), 0.2 Blk, .468 FG%, .411 3P% (#15), .898 FT% (#6)

PS: 28.1 Pts (#5), 6.2 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#9), 2.0 Stl (#4), 0.2 Blk, .484 FG%, .419 3P%, .904 FT% (#14)

All-NBA Second Team, #6 in MVP voting, Won Finals

12a. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2014-15

12b. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1949-50

13. Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2005-06

RS: 27.2 Pts (#5), 5.7 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#11), 1.9 Stl (#6), 0.8 Blk, .495 FG%, .783 FT%

PS: 28.4 Pts (#4), 5.9 Reb, 5.7 Ast (#9), 2.2 Stl (#1), 1.1 Blk (#12), .497 FG%, .808 FT%

Finals MVP, All-NBA Second Team, #6 in MVP voting

13a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2001-02

14. Kobe Bryant - SG - LAL - 2008-09

RS: 26.8 Pts (#3), 5.2 Reb, 4.9 Ast, 1.5 Stl (#12), 0.5 Blk, .467 FG%, .351 3P%, .856 FT%

PS: 30.2 Pts (#2), 5.3 Reb, 5.5 Ast (#11), 1.7 Stl (#7), 0.9 Blk (#14), .457 FG%, .349 3P%, .883 FT% (#16)

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, #2 in MVP voting

14a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1996-97

15. George McGinnis - PF - IND - 1974-75

RS: 29.8 Pts (#1), 14.3 Reb (#5), 6.3 Ast (#3), 2.6 Stl (#2), 0.7 Blk, .451 FG%, .354 3P% (#4), .724 FT%

PS: 32.3 Pts (#2), 15.9 Reb (#4), 8.2 Ast (#2), 2.0 Stl (#5), 0.6 Blk (#13), .468 FG%, .315 3P% (#6), .688 FT%

MVP, All-ABA First Team, Won Finals

15a. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1987-88

15b. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2016-17

16. Moses Malone - C - PHI - 1982-83

RS: 24.5 Pts (#5), 15.3 Reb (#1), 1.3 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 2.0 Blk (#10), .501 FG%, .761 FT%

PS: 26.0 Pts (#3), 15.8 Reb (#1), 1.5 Ast, 1.5 Stl (#10), 1.9 Blk (#5), .536 FG% (#14), .717 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team

17. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1983-84

RS: 24.2 Pts (#7), 10.1 Reb (#10), 6.6 Ast (#13), 1.8 Stl (#11), 0.9 Blk, .492 FG%, .247 3P%, .888 FT% (#1)

PS: 27.5 Pts (#4), 11.0 Reb (#5), 5.9 Ast (#12), 2.3 Stl (#6), 1.2 Blk (#14), .524 FG%, .412 3P% (#2), .879 FT% (#19)

MVP, Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team

17a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1970-71

18. Bill Russell - C - BOS - 1964-65

RS: 14.1 Pts, 24.1 Reb (#1), 5.3 Ast (#5), .438 FG%, .573 FT%

PS: 16.5 Pts (#12), 25.2 Reb (#2), 6.3 Ast (#2), .527 FG% (#3), .526 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP*, All-NBA First Team

19. Bob Cousy - PG - BOS - 1958-59

RS: 20.0 Pts (#9), 5.5 Reb, 8.6 Ast (#1), .384 FG%, .855 FT% (#4)

PS: 19.5 Pts (#9), 6.9 Reb (#14), 10.8 Ast (#1), .326 FG%, .745 FT%

Finals MVP*, All-NBA First Team, #4 in MVP voting

20. Rick Barry - SF - GSW - 1974-75

RS: 30.6 Pts (#2), 5.7 Reb, 6.2 Ast (#6), 2.9 Stl (#1), 0.4 Blk, .464 FG%, .904 FT% (#1)

PS: 28.2 Pts (#2), 5.5 Reb (#20), 6.1 Ast (#5), 2.9 Stl (#3), 0.9 Blk (#11), .444 FG%, .918 FT% (#3)

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, #4 in MVP voting

20a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1995-96

20b. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1997-98

20c. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1973-74

20d. Larry Bird - SF - BOS - 1985-86

20e. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2008-09

21. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2015-16

RS: 23.5 Pts (#8), 7.8 Reb, 10.4 Ast (#2), 2.0 Stl (#5), 0.3 Blk, .454 FG%, .296 3P%, .812 FT%

PS: 26.0 Pts (#6), 6.9 Reb (#17), 11.0 Ast (#1), 2.6 Stl (#1), 0.1 Blk, .405 FG%, .324 3P%, .829 FT%

All-NBA First Team, #4 in MVP voting, lost in Conference Finals

22. Kevin Durant - SF - GSW - 2017-18

RS: 26.4 Pts (#6), 6.8 Reb, 5.4 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 1.8 Blk (#5), .516 FG% (#20), .419 3P% (#18), .889 FT% (#8)

PS: 29.0 Pts (#4), 7.8 Reb (#16), 4.7 Ast (#18), 0.7 Stl, 1.2 Blk (#11), .487 FG%, .341 3P%, .901 FT% (#7)

Finals MVP, All-NBA First Team, #7 in MVP voting

22a. Julius Erving - SF - NYN - 1973-74

23. Jerry West - PG - LAL - 1971-72

RS: 25.8 Pts (#7), 4.2 Reb, 9.7 Ast (#1), .477 FG%, .814 FT% (#13)

PS: 22.9 Pts (#10), 4.9 Reb, 8.9 Ast (#1), .376 FG%, .830 FT% (#20)

All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, #2 in MVP voting, Won Finals

24. Connie Hawkins - C - PTP - 1967-68

RS: 26.8 Pts (#1), 13.5 Reb (#2), 4.6 Ast (#3), .519 FG% (#2), .764 FT%

PS: 29.9 Pts (#1), 12.3 Reb (#5), 4.6 Ast (#3), .594 FG% (#1), .729 FT%

MVP, Finals MVP, All-ABA First Team

24a. Tim Duncan - C - SAS - 2006-07

24b. Tim Duncan - C - SAS - 2004-05

25. Arnie Risen - C - ROC - 1950-51

RS: 16.3 Pts (#9), 12.0 Reb (#4), 2.4 Ast, .401 FG% (#11), .734 FT%

PD: 19.5 Pts (#3), 14.0 Reb (#2), 2.4 Ast (#13), .389 FG% (#16), .644 FT%

Finals MVP*

Top 25 NBA Regular Seasons of All Time

Here is a list of the top 25 statistical regular seasons of all time, ranking only the top regular season for each player included, with other qualifying seasons by the same player listed in between the rankings. This is done using the same method I used for my overall all-time player rankings.

1. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1961-62

50.4 Pts (#1), 25.7 Reb (#1), 2.4 Ast, 48.5 Min (#1), .506 FG% (#2), .613 FT%

All-NBA First Team, MVP Runner-up, 49-31 record

1a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW - 1962-63

2. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2016-17

31.6 Pts (#1), 10.7 Reb (#10), 10.4 Ast (#3), 1.6 Stl (#12), 0.4 Blk, 34.6 Min (#20), .425 FG%, .343 3P%, .845 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 47-35 record

2a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW - 1963-64

3. LeBron James - PF - CLE - 2017-18

27.5 Pts (#3), 8.6 Reb (#15), 9.1 Ast (#2), 1.4 Stl, 0.9 Blk, 36.9 Min (#1), .542 FG% (#14), .367 3P%, .731 FT%

All-NBA First Team, MVP Runner-up, 50-32 record

4. James Harden - PG - HOU - 2016-17

29.1 Pts (#2), 8.1 Reb, 11.2 Ast (#1), 1.5 Stl (#19), 0.5 Blk, 36.4 Min (#6), .440 FG%, .347 3P%, .847 FT%

All-NBA First Team, MVP Runner-up, 55-27 record

4a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1960-61

5. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 1999-00

29.7 Pts (#1), 13.6 Reb (#2), 3.8 Ast, 0.5 Stl, 3.0 Blk (#3), 40.0 Min (#4), .574 FG% (#1), .524 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 67-15 record

5a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHW - 1959-60

5b. LeBron James - PG - LAL - 2019-20

5c. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1966-67

6. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1963-64

31.4 Pts (#2), 9.9 Reb (#16), 11.0 Ast (#1), 45.1 Min (#2), .483 FG% (#7), .853 FT% (#1)

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 55-25 record

6a. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2015-16

7. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2019-20

29.5 Pts (#5), 13.6 Reb (#2), 5.6 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.0 Blk, 30.4 Min, .553 FG% (#13), .304 3P%, .633 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive First Team, 56-17 record

7a. LeBron James - SF- CLE - 2015-16

8. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1988-89

32.5 Pts (#1), 8.0 Reb, 8.0 Ast (#10), 2.9 Stl (#3), 0.8 Blk, 40.2 Min (#1), .538 FG% (#11), .276 3P%, .850 FT%

All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, MVP Runner-up, 47-35 record

8a. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2008-09

9. Nikola Jokic - C - DEN - 2021-21

26.4 Pts (#12), 10.8 Reb (#9), 8.3 Ast (#6), 1.3 Stl, 0.7 Blk, 34.6 Min (#15), .566 FG% (#14), .388 3P%, .868 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 47-25 record

9a. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1965-66

9b. James Harden - PG - HOU - 2018-19

9c. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1964-65

10. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1986-87

23.9 Pts (#10), 6.3 Reb, 12.2 Ast (#1), 1.7 Stl (#16), 0.5 Blk, 36.3 Min, .522 FG%, .205 3P%, .848 FT% (#20)

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 65-17 record

11. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2015-16

30.1 Pts (#1), 5.4 Reb, 6.7 Ast (#10), 2.1 Stl (#1), 0.2 Blk, 34.2 Min, .504 FG%, .454 3P% (#2), .908 FT% (#1)

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 73-9 record 

11a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1989-90

11b. Wilt Chamberlain - C - PHI - 1965-66

11c. LeBron James - SF - MIA - 2011-12

11d. James Harden - SG - HOU - 2019-20

11e. Wilt Chamberlain - C - SFW/PHI - 1964-65

11f. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2009-10

12. George McGinnis - PF - IND - 1974-75

29.8 Pts (#1), 14.3 Reb (#5), 6.3 Ast (#3), 2.6 Stl (#2), 0.7 Blk, 40.4 Min (#5), .451 FG%, .354 3P% (#4), .724 FT%

MVP, All-ABA First Team, 45-39 record

12a. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2020-21

12b. LeBron James - SF - CLE - 2016-17

12c. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1961-62

13. Bob McAdoo - C - BUF - 1974-75

34.5 Pts (#1), 14.1 Reb (#4), 2.2 Ast, 1.1 Stl, 2.1 Blk (#6), 43.2 Min (#1), .512 FG% (#5), .805 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 49-33 record

13b. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1966-67

14. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1975-76

27.7 Pts (#2), 16.9 Reb (#1), 5.0 Ast (#15), 1.5 Stl, 4.1 Blk (#1), 41.2 Min (#2), .529 FG% (#5), .703 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, 40-42 record

15. Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2004-05

15.5 Pts, 3.3 Reb, 11.5 Ast (#1), 1.0 Stl, 0.1 Blk, 34.3 Min, .502 FG%, .431 3P% (#6), .887 FT% (#6)

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 62-20 record

15a. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL - 2018-19

15b. James Harden - SG - HOU - 2017-18

15c. Russell Westbrook - PG - OKC - 2017-18

15d. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1990-91

15e. Shaquille O'Neal - C - ORL - 1994-95

15f. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1987-88

16. Tiny Archibald - PG - KCO - 1972-73

34.0 Pts (#1), 2.8 Reb, 11.4 Ast (#1), 46.0 Min (#1), .488 FG% (#20), .847 FT% (#12)

All-NBA First Team, #3 in MVP voting, 36-46 record

17. Chris Paul - PG - NOH - 2007-08

21.1 Pts (#19), 4.0 Reb, 11.6 Ast (#1), 2.7 Stl (#1), 0.1 Blk, 37.6 Min, .488 FG%, .369 3P%, .851 FT%

All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, MVP Runner-up, 56-26 record

17a. Oscar Robertson - PG - CIN - 1965-66

17b. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - MIL - 1971-72

17c. Stephen Curry - PG - GSW - 2014-15

17d. LeBron James - PF - MIA - 2012-13

17e. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - C - LAL - 1976-77

17f. Steve Nash - PG - PHX - 2005-06

17g. Magic Johnson - PG - LAL - 1988-89

18. Kevin Durant - SF - OKC - 2013-14

32.0 Pts (#1), 7.4 Reb, 5.5 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.7 Blk, 38.5 Min (#3), .503 FG%, .391 3P%, .873 FT% (#7)

MVP, All-NBA First Team, 59-23 record

19. Kevin Garnett - PF - MIN - 2003-04

24.2 Pts (#3), 13.9 Reb (#1), 5.0 Ast, 1.5 Stl (#19), 2.2 Blk (#11), 39.4 Min, .499 FG% (#11), .256 3P%, .791 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, 58-24 record

20. George Mikan - C - MNL - 1950-51

28.4 Pts (#1), 14.1 Reb (#2), 3.1 Ast (#19), .428 FG% (#3), .803 FT% (#11)

All-NBA First Team, 44-24 record

20a. Shaquille O'Neal - C - LAL - 2000-01

21. Allen Iverson - PG - PHI - 2004-05

30.7 Pts (#1), 4.0 Reb, 7.9 Ast (#5), 2.4 Stl (#2), 0.1 Blk, 42.3 Min (#2), .424 FG%, .308 3P%, .835 FT%

All-NBA First Team, #5 in MVP voting, 43-39 record

22. Dwyane Wade - SG - MIA - 2008-09

30.2 Pts (#1), 5.0 Reb, 7.5 Ast (#8), 2.2 Stl (#2), 1.3 Blk (#16), 38.6 Min (#6), .491 FG%, .317 3P%, .765 FT%

All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive Second Team, #3 in MVP voting, 43-39 record

23. John Wall - PG - WAS - 2016-17

23.1 Pts (#18), 4.2 Reb, 10.7 Ast (#2), 2.0 Stl (#2), 0.6 Blk, 36.4 Min (#7), .451 FG%, .327 3P%, .801 FT%

All-NBA Third Team, #7 in MVP voting, 49-33 record

24. Hakeem Olajuwon - C - HOU - 1993-94

27.3 Pts (#3), 11.9 Reb (#4), 3.6 Ast, 1.6 Stl, 3.7 Blk (#2), 41.0 Min (#2), .528 FG% (#10), .421 3P%, .716 FT%

MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, 58-24 record

24a. Michael Jordan - SG - CHI - 1992-93

25. Tim Duncan - PF - SAS - 2002-03

23.3 Pts (#7), 12.9 Reb (#3), 3.9 Ast, 0.7 Stl, 2.9 Blk (#3), 39.3 Min (#18), .513 FG% (#7), .273 3P%, .710 FT%

MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, 60-22 record

Top 100 NBA Players: #1 - LeBron James

LeBron James

Teams

Cleveland Cavaliers - 2003-10, 2014-18

Miami Heat - 2010-14

Los Angeles Lakers - 2018-present

Playoffs

Appearances - 15 (2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2020,2021)

Conference Finals - 11 (2007,2009,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2020)

NBA Finals - 10 (2007,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2020)

Championships - 4 (2012,2013,2016,2020)

Awards and Honors

Rookie of the Year - 2004

MVP - 4 (2009,2010,2012,2013,2018,2020)

Finals MVP - 4 (2012,2013,2016,2020)

All-NBA First Team - 13 (2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2020)

All-NBA Second Team - 3 (2005,2007,2021)

All-NBA Third Team - 1 (2019,2021)

*(actual in bold, deserved in italics)

All-Time Ranks

Total Points - #3

Points Per Game - #6

Total Assists - #8

Three-Pointers Made - #13

Total Steals - #14

Assists Per Game - #23

Total Rebounds - #46

Steals Per Game - #70

League Leads

Total Points (#1-2018, #2-2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012, #3-2013,2014, #4-2015,2016)

Points Per Game (#1-2008, #2-2009,2010,2011, #3-2005,2006,2012,2014,2015,2018, #4-2007,2013, #5-2016)

Total Assists (#1-2020, #2-2018, #5-2005,2017)

Total Steals (#2-2005, #4-2012)

Field Goal Percentage (#4-2014, #5-2013)

Assists Per Game (#1-2020, #2-2018)

Steals Per Game (#3-2005,2012)

After winning 3 state championships in 4 years of high school, LeBron James was drafted by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers with the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

James had a very strong rookie season, averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, and was the runaway winner of the Rookie of the Year award. He helped the Cavaliers double their win total from the previous year, but they still fell short of missing the playoffs.

In his second season, he averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists, a clear improvement over the previous season, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, the first of 17 straight seasons being named to one of the teams, a streak that is still active and the longest of any player in history. The team improved again, but still fell just short of making the playoffs.

In his third season, he averaged a career high 31.4 points per game, along with 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, and finished as the MVP runner-up. He led Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time in his career, and they advanced to the second round, where their playoff run ended.

In 2007, his regular season averages dropped off a bit, but in the playoffs, he led Cleveland all the way to the NBA Finals despite not having any other star players on the roster. They faced the experienced Spurs in that series, and LeBron was unable to overcome the star power of San Antonio, who swept the series.

The next year, LeBron led the league in scoring for the first time with 30.0 per game, along with 7.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, but the team lost to Boston in the second round. The next year, he led Cleveland to 66 wins, best in the league, and won his first MVP award. He led the Cavaliers to the Conference Finals, but despite his 35.3 points per game in the playoffs, they weren't able to beat the Magic, losing one step short of the Finals for the only time in his career so far.

He led Cleveland to the best record in the league again the next season, and won a second straight MVP after averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.6 assists. Despite this, they only reached the second round of the playoffs, losing to Boston in 6 games, even though LeBron had a triple-double in the final game.

After that season, LeBron decided to leave Cleveland as a free agent and sign with Miami, though he officially ended up being traded for 4 draft picks. He joined former Finals MVP Dwyane Wade on the Heat, and the pair was able to lead Miami to the NBA Finals, but LeBron struggled in that series, averaging only 17.8 points per game, and they lost to Dallas in 6 games.

He bounced back in a big way the next season, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, and won his third MVP in 4 seasons. He led Miami back to the Finals, and averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists against the Thunder, including a triple-double in the deciding 5th game, winning his first championship and Finals MVP as a result.

The next year he led the Heat to the best record in the league while his averages remained pretty much the same as the year before, which earned him his 4th MVP award, a number surpassed by only Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He led Miami back to the Finals, where they beat the Spurs in 7 games, with LeBron scoring 37 in the final game to earn his second straight Finals MVP.

The Heat struggled with injuries the next year, with LeBron being one of the few players to remain healthy throughout the year, but he was still able to lead Miami to the Finals for the 4th year in a row. They had a rematch with the Spurs, his third time facing them in the Finals, and they ended up falling short, losing to San Antonio in 5 games.

After that season, LeBron decided to leave as a free agent and return to Cleveland, feeling that he still owed the city a championship. He had another strong season back with the Cavaliers, and led them to the Finals for the second time in team history, where they faced Golden State. James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in the Finals, but it wasn't enough to beat the Warriors, who took the title in 6 games.

The next year, Cleveland coasted through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs, losing only 2 games on their way back to the Finals, where they met the record-setting 73-win Warriors. Cleveland fell behind 3-1 in the Finals, but LeBron had back-to-back 41-point games to even the series, then a triple-double in Game 7 to complete the comeback. He averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks in the Finals, becoming the first player ever to lead both teams in all 5 categories in a playoff round and earning his 3rd Finals MVP.

He led Cleveland back to the Finals again the next year, the 7th year in a row that he would play in the last round, and they were once again facing the Warriors, this time with Kevin Durant added to their rivals. James became the first player to ever average a triple-double in the Finals, with 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists, but it wasn't enough to prevent Cleveland from losing in 5 games.

In his 4th season back in Cleveland, he reached the NBA Finals yet again, the 8th straight time he had reached that point, something that has never been done by anyone who didn't play for the Celtics in the 1960s. He had another great individual series, but the team had traded away Kyrie Irving before the season, leaving him without a star teammate, and Cleveland's season ended in a sweep.

He decided to leave Cleveland again after that season, joining the Lakers as a free agent, hoping to resurrect another franchise that had missed the playoffs for several years in a row. He injured his groin on Christmas Day, the first major injury of his career, and he ended up missing 27 total games, and the Lakers were unable to reach the playoffs without their star on the court.

The Lakers traded for Anthony Davis before the next season, and LeBron shifted to playing more of a point guard role, even leading the league in assists with 10.2 per game. He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the 13th time, 2 more than any other player in history, and led the Lakers to the NBA Finals, where they beat the Heat in 6 games, with James earning his 4th Finals MVP, becoming the second-oldest player to ever win the award.

Last season, James suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss the most games he has ever missed in his career, returning just in time to start the playoffs. He did finish the season with an average of 25.0 points per game, marking the 17th year in a row he had met that mark, but the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs after Davis suffered a groin injury, spoiling their chance at a repeat. 

LeBron James has played at a high level for longer than any other player in history. He has averaged at least 25 points per game for the past 17 seasons, 5 more than any other player ever, and has reached the NBA Finals 10 times, a number only Sam Jones and Bill Russell have surpassed, though James is the only one who was the best player on all 10 Finals teams. He has been named to the All-NBA First Team 13 times, all well-deserved, which is 2 times more than anyone else, and he is still playing at the same high level, which leaves room to extend all of those marks.

He is currently #3 on the all-time scoring list, behind only Kareem and Karl Malone, and is also #8 on the all-time assist leaderboard, the only player in the top 30 who was not a point guard. His career scoring average of 27.0 per game is #6 all time, despite the fact that he has only led the league in scoring once. There are many players with great longevity, many with great playoff success, many who are great in 2 or 3 different statistical categories, but LeBron James has excelled in all of these areas, and is the greatest to ever play the game of basketball.

NBA MVP Rankings - 17 Apr

With this week's serious injury to Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic will have to take on even more of the load on a team that was already heavily dependent on him. If he is able to keep the Nuggets in the top 4 in the West, I don't see a way that he doesn't win the MVP, because right now the race for best player isn't even close, so if he is able to translate that into enough wins, it would be wrong to give the award to anyone else. Here are my current MVP rankings, with previous ranking in parentheses:

1 (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

26.1 Pts (#10), 11.0 Reb (#8), 8.8 Ast (#4), 1.5 Stl (#15), 0.6 Blk

.567 FG% (#13), .422 3P% (#19), .855 FT%

2 (2) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

28.5 Pts (#4), 11.2 Reb (#7), 6.1 Ast (#20), 1.2 Stl, 1.3 Blk (#11)

.565 FG% (#15), .304 3P%, .684 FT%

3 (3) Joel Embiid - C - PHI*

30.0 Pts, 11.1 Reb, 3.0 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 1.4 Blk

.516 FG%, .379 3P%, .855 FT%

*Not qualified for leaderboards due to too many missed games currently

4 (6) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

28.4 Pts (#5), 7.9 Reb, 8.8 Ast (#5), 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk

.485 FG%, .361 3P%, .733 FT%

5 (4) James Harden - PG - BKN

25.2 Pts (#15), 8.0 Reb, 10.9 Ast (#1), 1.2 Stl, 0.7 Blk

.463 FG%, .358 3P%, .870 FT%

6 (7) Stephen Curry - PG - GSW

30.7 Pts (#2), 5.5 Reb, 5.9 Ast, 1.3 Stl, 0.1 Blk

.489 FG%, .422 3P% (#20), .927 FT% (#5)

7 (9) Nikola Vucevic - C - CHI

24.1 Pts, 11.4 Reb (#6), 3.7 Ast, 1.0 Stl, 0.7 Blk

.484 FG%, .415 3P%, .833 FT%

8 (8) Damian Lillard - PG - POR

28.7 Pts (#3), 4.2 Reb, 7.7 Ast (#9), 0.9 Stl, 0.3 Blk

.440 FG%, .379 3P%, .925 FT% (#6)

9 (10) Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC

26.0 Pts (#11), 6.6 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 1.7 Stl (#4), 0.4 Blk

.515 FG%, .395 3P%, .878 FT% (#19)

10 (5) LeBron James - PG - LAL

25.4 Pts (#14), 7.9 Reb, 7.9 Ast (#8), 1.0 Stl, 0.6 Blk

.513 FG%, .368 3P%, .703 FT%

Honorable Mention

Trae Young - PG - ATL

Rudy Gobert - C - UTA

Donovan Mitchell - PG - UTA

Kyrie Irving - PG - BKN

Russell Westbrook - PG - WAS

Zion Williamson - PF - NOP

NBA MVP Rankings - 7 Mar

The NBA season is half over, and nearly every team is still in the playoff hunt, which makes a clear MVP ranking hard, but there is one player who has quietly outplayed every other in the league for the first half of the season, so he is still my pick for the #1 spot at this point. Here are my full MVP rankings, along with my picks for Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man:

MVP

1. (1) Nikola Jokic - C - DEN

27.1 PTS (#8), 11.0 REB (#11), 8.6 AST (#7), 1.6 STL (#6), 0.6 BLK

.567 FG% (#12), .418 3P%, .881 FT%

2. (4) Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

29.0 PTS (#5), 11.7 REB (#4), 5.9 AST, 1.3 STL, 1.4 BLK (#12)

.557 FG% (#15), .285 3P%, .661 FT%

3. (5) Joel Embiid - C - PHI

30.2 PTS (#2), 11.6 REB (#5), 3.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.4 BLK (#13)

.521 FG%, .416 3P%, .856 FT%

4. (NR) James Harden - PG - BKN

25.3 PTS (#13), 7.8 REB, 11.1 AST (#1), 1.2 STL, 0.7 BLK

.484 FG%, .401 3P%, .859 FT%

5. (2) LeBron James - PG - LAL

25.8 PTS (#11), 8.0 REB, 7.8 AST (#9), 1.1 STL, 0.6 BLK

.509 FG%, .358 3P%, .692 FT%

6. (9) Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

28.6 PTS (#7), 8.4 REB (#17), 9.0 AST (#4), 1.0 STL, 0.7 BLK

.478 FG%, .357 3P%, .757 FT%

7. (NR) Stephen Curry - PG - GSW

29.7 PTS (#4), 5.5 REB, 6.3 AST (#18), 1.3 STL, 0.1 BLK

.478 FG%, .411 3P%, .934 FT% (#6)

8. (NR) Damian Lillard - PG - POR

29.8 PTS (#3), 4.3 REB, 8.0 AST (#8), 1.0 STL, 0.3 BLK

.445 FG%, .384 3P%, .933 FT% (#7)

9. (NR) Nikola Vucevic - C - ORL

24.6 PTS (#18), 11.6 REB (#6), 3.7 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.6 BLK

.483 FG%, .412 3P%, .851 FT%

10. (8) Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC

26.6 PTS (#9), 6.3 REB, 4.9 AST, 1.5 STL (#9), 0.5 BLK

.511 FG%, .387 3P%, .873 FT%

Honorable Mention: Trae Young - PG - ATL, Bradley Beal - SG - WAS, Kyrie Irving - PG - BKN, Zach LaVine - SG - CHI, Julius Randle - PF - NYK, Ruby Gobert - C - UTA, Zion Williamson - PF - NOP

Rookie of the Year

1. LaMelo Ball - PG - CHA

15.8 PTS, 6.0 REB, 6.3 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.4 BLK

.449 FG%, .378 3P%, .802 FT%

2. Tyrese Haliburton - PG - SAC

13.2 PTS, 3.6 REB, 5.4 AST, 1.4 STL, 0.6 BLK

.494 FG%, .433 3P%, .833 FT%

3. James Wiseman - C - GSW

11.8 PTS, 5.9 REB, 0.7 AST, 0.3 STL, 1.1 BLK

.510 FG%, .370 3P%, .629 FT%

Sixth Man of the Year

1. Chris Boucher - C - TOR

13.6 PTS, 6.5 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.6 STL, 1.9 BLK (#5)

.534 FG% (#20), .445 3P% (#10), .759 FT%

2. Montrezl Harrell - C - LAL

13.8 PTS, 6.4 REB, 1.1 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.7 BLK

.626 FG% (#4), .756 FT%

3. Jordan Clarkson - SG - UTA

17.9 PTS, 4.0 REB, 2.3 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK

.447 FG%, .370 3P%, .967 FT% (#1)

4. Thaddeus Young - PF - CHI

12.1 PTS, 5.9 REB, 4.4 AST, 1.4 STL (#14), 0.6 BLK

.609 FG% (#6), .500 FT%

5. Bobby Portis - C - MIL

10.9 PTS, 7.1 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.4 BLK

.546 FG% (#16), .500 3P% (#2), .697 FT%

NBA All-Star Picks - 13 Feb

With the NBA All-Star game about a month away, here are my picks for the players who should be picked from each conference based on performance so far, with 5 alternates from each conference who are also currently in the running. Starters according to current voting underlined, reserves italicized:

East

Starters

F - Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL

F - Kevin Durant - BKN

C - Joel Embiid - PHI

G - James Harden - BKN

G - Zach LaVine - CHI

Reserves

C - Nikola Vucevic - ORL

G - Trae Young - ATL

G - Bradley Beal - WAS

F - Khris Middleton - MIL

F - Domantas Sabonis - IND

F - Julius Randle - NYK

C - Bam Adebayo - MIA

Alternates

G - Kyrie Irving - BKN

G - Jaylen Brown - BOS

F - Jayson Tatum - BOS

C - Andre Drummond - CLE

G - Ben Simmons - PHI

West

Starters

F - LeBron James - LAL

F - Kawhi Leonard - LAC

C - Nikola Jokic - DEN

G - Luka Doncic - DAL

G - Stephen Curry - GSW

Reserves

G - Damian Lillard - POR

F - Paul George - LAC

F - Anthony Davis - LAL

G - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - OKC

C - Rudy Gobert - UTA

F - Zion Williamson - NOP

F - DeMar DeRozan - SAS

Alternates

F - Brandon Ingram - NOP

C - Christian Wood - HOU

G - De'Aaron Fox - SAC

G - Donovan Mitchell - UTA

G - Chris Paul - PHX

NBA MVP Rankings - 21 Jan

This year's first MVP rankings have a lot of the usual guys, but also a few younger rising stars, and a surprise at the top. Players are rated based on how they compare to other players in each statistical category, and also on how well their team is playing overall, with points deducted for missing games. Here are my full current MVP rankings:

1. Nikola Jokic - C -  DEN

25.1 PTS (#14), 11.4 REB (#6), 10.0 AST (#2), 1.9 STL (#5)

.573 FG% (#14), .354 3P%, .852 FT%

Not only is Jokic averaging a triple-double, which is unheard of for a center, he is leading the league with 5 triple-doubles already this season, and has the most total assists of any player. He is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and free throw percentage, which is tough to do when you are already a fringe superstar in the league. The Nuggets are currently outside the playoffs in the West, but they are surging in the right direction, and Jokic is the reason why.

2. LeBron James - PG - LAL

23.7 PTS (#18), 7.9 REB, 7.5 AST (#7)

.479 FG%, .375 3P%, .719 FT%

LeBron's numbers are slightly down from last season, but he is 36 years old and has his team in first place coming off the shortest offseason in league history. This is the 17th straight season in which he is a contender for MVP, which is easily the most in history, but he probably won't win without a truly historic season, much like Michael Jordan 25 years ago.

3. Kevin Durant - PF - BKN

31.3 PTS (#2), 7.5 REB, 6.0 AST (#20), 1.3 BLK (#19)

.534 FG% (#20), .466 3P% (#19), .867 FT%

It is so good to see Durant back fully healthy, and he didn't just pick up where he left off, he is playing better than he has in years. Brooklyn is still working out the kinks with all the changes to their roster, but Durant is keeping them afloat, and it looks like he will have some help with Harden and Irving joining him on the court this week.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo - PF - MIL

27.2 PTS (#6), 10.2 REB (#13), 5.3 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.1 BLK

.531 FG%, .308 3P%, .586 FT%

It's extremely difficult to repeat as MVP, but nearly impossible to win three in a row, as only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Larry Bird have ever done it. Giannis is in the running again this year, but it's unlikely unless he brings his numbers up to where they were last year.

5. Joel Embiid - C - PHI

26.4 PTS (#9), 11.3 REB (#7), 2.8 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.4 BLK (#17)

.545 FG% (#17), .368 3P%, .839 FT%

Embiid has become a dominant force for the 76ers, and a big part of his leap this year has been better shooting across the board. He is finally playing in nearly every game, and it's making Philly a real threat to win the East for the first time in 20 years.

6. Anthony Davis - PF - LAL

21.3 PTS, 9.0 REB (#18), 3.4 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.9 BLK (#4)

.532 FG%, .361 3P%, .750 FT%

7. Paul George - SF - LAC

24.4 PTS (#16), 6.2 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.2 STL

.514 FG%, .505 3P% (#5), .910 FT% (#12)

8. Kawhi Leonard - SF - LAC

24.9 PTS (#15), 4.9 REB, 5.8 AST, 2.1 STL (#2)

.500 FG%, .448 3P%, .882 FT% (#12)

9. Luka Doncic - PG - DAL

27.0 PTS (#10), 10.4 REB (#14), 9.9 AST (#3), 1.0 STL

.453 FG%, .278 3P%, .750 FT%

10. Khris Middleton - SF - MIL

22.1 PTS, 6.3 REB, 5.6 AST, 1.1 STL

.527 FG%, .439 3P%, .932 FT% (#8)

Honorable Mention - Nikola Vucevic - C - ORL, James Harden - SG - BKN, Stephen Curry - PG - GSW, Domantas Sabonis - PF - IND, Bradley Beal - SG - WAS, Damian Lillard - PG - POR

NBA Playoff Odds - Update 3

 The second round is in full swing, and it has not gone as expected for the favorites, causing a huge shakeup in the current odds. After picking the first 6 series winners correctly, my final 2 picks lost in the final seconds of games 7, and now 2 of my picks are trailing in round 2. Here are each remaining team's current odds of advancing through the next two rounds and of winning it all, with change since Sunday in parentheses.

Odds of Reaching Conference Finals

1. Clippers - 92.2% (+26.0)

2. Heat - 82.8% (+68.3)

3. Celtics - 69.6% (+23.3)

4. Lakers - 52.3% (-21.6)

5. Rockets - 47.7% (+25.9)

6. Raptors - 30.4% (-23.4)

7. Bucks - 17.2% (-68.3)

8. Nuggets - 7.8% (+3.8)

Milwaukee's odds plummeted this week after falling behind 3-0 to Miami, a deficit that has never been overcome in NBA history, but that doesn't mean it's over for the Bucks. 17% is not great, but it isn't zero, and they are still more likely than the Nuggets to advance. The Lakers are still slightly favored in their series despite being down 1-0 after last night's loss.

Odds of Reaching NBA Finals

1. Clippers - 61.3% (+22.6)

2. Celtics - 44.1% (+27.2)

3. Heat - 26.2% (+22.2)

4. Lakers - 23.5% (-18.3)

5. Raptors - 18.9% (-2.6)

6. Rockets - 13.1% (+5.5)

7. Bucks - 10.8% (-46.9)

8. Nuggets - 2.1% (+1.2)

The Clippers, who are the only favorites currently leading their series, are now the most likely team to reach the Finals, which would be the first time in franchise history, which would mean that Kawhi Leonard would have led two teams to their first Finals appearance and possibly first-ever championship in consecutive seasons.

Odds of Winning Championship

1. Clippers - 36.9% (+19.7)

2. Celtics - 21.9% (+13.4)

3. Lakers - 12.3% (-5.2)

4. Raptors - 9.2% (-2.4)

5. Heat - 8.3% (+7.1)

6. Bucks - 6.7% (-33.1)

7. Rockets - 4.4% (+2.7)

8. Nuggets - 0.4% (+0.3)

The Clippers are the favorites to win the title, knocking the Bucks from that position for the first time this season, and Kawhi is now leading LeBron in the race to become the first player ever to win Finals MVP for 3 separate franchises.