15. Klay Thompson

Why Klay Thompson is Amazing:

• Klay can still get hot real quick
• One of, if not the best, catch-and-shoot players in the league
• One of the best perimeter defenders for the warriors

Klay Thompson details: https://hoopshype.com/player/klay-thompson/2k/

14. Karl Anthony-Towns

KAT may no longer have the talents of Jimmy Butler, KAT is still gonna dominate with his particular game in basketball. KAT has that scoring and can hit jumpers from all over the court at an elite level. KAT can also post up and move in for flowing layups and dunks inside.

Why Karl Anthony-Towns is Amazing:

• Probably the best-shooting big man in the game right now
• One of the best-scoring big men in the league
• Can rebound and putback shots well

Karl Anthony-Towns details: https://hoopshype.com/player/karl-anthony-towns/2k/

13. Russell Westbrook

Russ is no longer at OKC and is now helping Harden lead the Rockets to the promised land. Russ is still that athletic monster, doing it all on the court. Westbrook has that driving game that can almost always generate two points and of course his playmaking for everyone on the court

Why Russell Westbrook is Amazing:

• An athletic marvel, being the fastest guy on the court
• Insanely athletic finishes at the rim
• Thunderous dunks even in OKC
• One of the best rebounding guards in the league

Russell Westbrook details: https://hoopshype.com/player/russell-westbrook/2k/

12. Nikola Jokic

Jokic is still an incredible passing big man. He can simply do it all on the court, whether it’s passing and playmaking like no other player, or his own scoring game and rebounding. There’s a reason why he’s a triple-double threat every single game, and that’s because of his skill and moves all over the court.

Why Nikola Jokic is Amazing:

• Jokic still passes and makes insane dimes
• Jokic still has that clean fade away and post-game
• Can hit the three at an impressive rate for a big man
• Underrated defender

Nikola Jokic details: https://hoopshype.com/player/nikola-jokic/2k/

11. Kyrie Irving

 

Kyrie is now on a new team, leaving the Celtics for a dynamic duo with KD. Kyrie is still the greatest ball handler in the league, shaking up defenses with his brand of dribbling and size-ups. No player can keep up with Irving’s skill at basketball, especially with Irving’s skill as a pure shot creator.

Why Kyrie Irving is Amazing:

• Insane dribble moves that can torch even the best defenders
• Insane layup package at the rim
• Can make even the toughest shots look easy
• Underrated as a facilitator for his team

Kyrie Irving details: https://hoopshype.com/player/kyrie-irving/2k/

10. Joel Embiid

Embiid continues to dominate the east as one of the best centers in the entire NBA. Few bigs can even match up with Embiid’s production and skill. Embiid has the typical big man skills of rebounding and blocking shots, as well as a dominant inside game. But, Embiid also has that insane post-up game that is almost Kobe-esque with how fluidly he moves

WhyJoel Embiid is Amazing:

• His post-game is almost always a guaranteed 2 points or a foul
• Can rebound super well both offensively and defensively
• Super reliable midrange shot
• Super strength makes no one able to back him down in the paint
• Block shots around the rim super well.

Joel Embiid details: https://hoopshype.com/player/joel-embiid/2k/

9. Paul George

Paul George is out of OKC and is now playing as part of a formidable duo with Kawhi. PG can score with ease, like no other player and he still has that length to play lockdown defense. Pg can also still hit shots from all over the court including from deep.

Why Paul George is Amazing:

• Paul George still has that insane dunk package in transition
• PG can also still attack the rim for nice layins and dunks
• Can also block shots with his insane frame for the SF position
• Can hit shots from all over the floor.

Paul George details: https://hoopshype.com/player/paul-george/2k/

8. Damian Lillard

Dame prove last year that he deserves to be mentioned among the best in the league. No point guard can boast a skillset as balanced as Lillard. Lillard has the athleticism to make dunks and insane finishes while also still having the handling to get stumbles and falls. Lillard also has the playmaking to set up his teammates with super easy shots from all over the court.

Why Damian Lillard is Amazing:

• Lillard is still ice-cold hitting clutch daggers
• Insane scoring from all over the court as always
• Super dangerous Iso scorer
• Can dribble the ball well and is elite as a playmaker

Anthony Davis details: https://hoopshype.com/player/anthony-davis/2k/

7. Anthony Davis

Davis has left the Pelicans and has joined a championship contender in LA with the Lakers. AD still has all the tools that made him an insane big man, the ball handling, the outside shooting, the rebounding, and of course, the scoring. He and Lebron are ready to lead this team to another Chip.

Why Anthony Davis is Amazing:

• AD can catch an insane amount of lobs and oops and finish them with ease
• Blocks every single shot on the court
• Boxes out and grabs rebounds, especially on offense
• Outside shot is still a dangerous weapon
• Is still a dangerous post-up machine

Anthony Davis details: https://hoopshype.com/player/anthony-davis/2k/

6. Steph Curry

Curry continues to be the leader of the Warriors. With Klay sidelined with injuries and Durant leaving, it’s up to Curry to keep the Warriors afloat. Curry still has the three-ball at his disposal making shots from deep with ease, almost every single time down. Curry also still has that gravity that just gets all of the defense's attention

Why Stephen Curry is Amazing:

• Curry continues to bend defenses with his threat to shoot
• Crazy floaters and high-up lays inside
• Curry slides and dribbles are still as slippery as ever
• Can still hit every single kind of three imaginable

Steph Curry details: https://hoopshype.com/player/stephen-curry/2k/

5. James Harden

James Harden was the runner-up MVP for a reason. Harden continues to go crazy with his scoring, leading the league and with no other player even close. Harden can hit the craziest three-pointers and continues to have the full package on offense, scoring from everywhere.

Why James Harden is Amazing:

• Continues to hit an insane amount of three-pointers
• Insane finishes with his finesse and floater game
• Can make anyone touch the court with his ball-handling
• Throws up perfect passes to outside shooters and lob threats
• Is a big body inside for a guard playing good defense in the paint

James Harden details: https://hoopshype.com/player/james-harden/2k/

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is coming off an MVP season where he dominated everyone. Giannis is simply unstoppable going for drives, with his blend of speed, strength, and athleticism, any kind of defense at the hoop gets blasted with this guy. Giannis also continues to show off his insane versatility as a defender blocking shots from all over the court and being a nightmare guarding all 5 positions.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo is Amazing:

• Drives to the rim are almost always unstoppable
• Can power through even the tallest big men
• His speed can keep up with most point guards
• Insane ball-handling ability for his height

Giannis Antetekounmpo details: https://hoopshype.com/player/giannis-antetokounmpo/2k/

3. Kevin Durant

KD had a rough go last year struggling with injuries during the entire post-season, but that shouldn’t stop you from remembering how dominant Durant was when healthy. Now that he’s left the Warriors to pull off a duo with Kyrie in Brooklyn, the future is crystal clear, with him ready to take on the East as the sole leader of this burgeoning Nets team. Durant still has that insane offensive bag to pull from with his blend of jumpers, inside finished and all manner of scoring moves.

Why Kevin Durant is Amazing:

• KD can still hit shots from everywhere on the court
• Nobody can guard this guy once he gets into his shot, contests mean nothing to this guy
• He still has that giant frame to go at the rim for dunks and layups
• He continues to dominate with that fadeaway that would make Dirk proud
• Still underrated as a ball handler and rim protector

Kevin Durant details: https://hoopshype.com/player/kevin-durant/2k/

2. Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi got it done on the Raptors, leading the team to their first-ever championship through his leadership and play, and now he’s ready to do the same for the Clippers. Kawhi showed that he is still one of the best players in the league, even challenging Lebron for his throne. Kawhi still has that insane offensive game scoring off his self-created midrange jumpers, or hitting shots from outside. Kawhi can also take it to the rim with his size and power. Kawhi has also proved he has that it factor, serving up shots even in the clutch

Why Kawhi Leonard is Amazing:

• Kawhi is automatic from midrange, even when heavily contested
• The machine going to the rim for dunks and layups 
• Can hit deep shots at an elite level
• Can trigger easy fastbreaks through his steals
• Still one of the best man-to-man defenders in the league

Kawhi Leonard details: https://hoopshype.com/player/kawhi-leonard/2k/

1. Lebron James

Lebron may have missed the playoff for the first time in a bajillion years, but Lebron is anything but washed. Lebron may be a step slower but he still has that insane game driving to the rim for points. Lebron continues to work on adding to his game, and his post fade in particular has reached elite status. Lebron also has that improved jumpshot and can even hit shots from curry range with regularity. Safe to say Lebron may have lost a step but he is still deserving of the crown as the best player in the league.

Why Lebron James is Amazing:

• Still an absolute beast in transition, always finishing with powerful dunks, or with finesse
• If not taking it himself, he can also finish fastbreaks with perfect passes to a finisher or an open shooter
• Post-game continues to be refined, and now he has the most reliable midrange he has ever had.
• Can hit half-court threes with regularity
• Lebron can still play all 5 positions with his blend of size and ball-handling skills
• The best non-point guard passer still in this league.

Lebron James details: https://hoopshype.com/player/lebron-james/2k/