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Lakers: Ranking LeBron James and the 10 best players in the NBA

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic’s insane 2021-22 season is getting overlooked because of how good he was last year as well. If Jokic was having this season without the appetizer last year then it would be getting much more media attention than it currently is.

However, last season was the true breakout year into being one of the best players in the NBA and this is simply a better version of that, making it easier to overlook. When it all comes down to it, though, Jokic has been the most valuable and impactful player in the entire league this season.

Jokic led the entire NBA in Box Plus/Minus with a number that is historically important. Jokic’s 13.7 BPM is the best a player has had in a single season in NBA history with at least 2,000 minutes played. Better than LeBron, better than Michael Jordan, better than everyone.

Jokic is averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game on a Nuggets team that does not have much talent at all. He is playing center on the defensive end and point guard on the offensive end. He is one of the most gifted players we have ever seen.

So why rank Jokic as the third-best player in the league if he just had the best season of all time? Well, there are still two players in the league I would take over him in a do-or-die situation as I believe the ceiling of these two players is simply higher than everyone else.