LeBron James: The Best Basketball Player In The NBA?

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
LeBron James
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

No Doubt That The Best Player Is Playing For The Defending Champions

Joe Russo

It might be time to admit that LeBron James is not the best player in the NBA anymore. Sure, he might be the most skilled player at his size in the league, but he sits at fourth right now in ESPN’s John Hollinger’s PER rankings, 6.25 points behind the league leader, Steph Curry.

Saying LeBron is not the best player in the NBA is not an indictment on his play. He is one of a handful of players in the NBA that are true elite players. It is just his undeniable status as the best is no longer valid.

The answer now is Curry. It is hard to argue with what Curry accomplished last year and has done thus far in the 2015-2016 season. He leads the league in scoring, PER, three-pointers, and unfathomable performances.

Curry is shooting 51% from the floor, 45% from deep, and 91% from the free throw line. He also adds 5.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists per night. Really, this debate is a no-brainer.

Curry has shaken off early injury issues to become the most unstoppable force in the NBA. No one combines his skill set and ability to take over games. Just look at the Warriors’ dismantling of the Cavs earlier in the year.

A case can be made that Cleveland’s loss to the Warriors is what sealed the deal to fire David Blatt.

Next: James Is Not The Face Of The NBA Anymore

Sorry LeBron but Curry is now the face of the NBA.