NBA legend Allen Iverson was a guest on the debut episode of Vernon Maxwell’s new podcast, “Maxed Out!” and listed his top five players in the game today. Noticeable omissions from his list include Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic and Kevin Durant.
Who Is in Allen Iverson’s Top 5 NBA Players?
For the record AI says the five best players in the game today are: Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum. That’s not a bad list and he has a solid argument for everyone on that list save Zion.
Williamson missed all of last season, and while he’s playing well and regaining his form, he’s not quite there yet. Everyone else on AI’s list has made an All-NBA team, Williamson has not. Will that change this year? Perhaps.
But let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this list.
Luka Doncic is a lock. He’s had a monster season so far. His counting stats are through the roof, though you should know by now that’s not the be all end all. He leads the league in EPM at +7.9. That means when he is on the floor, taking into account who his teammates are and the level of competition, the Dallas Mavericks outscore their opponents by nearly 8 points per 100 possessions.
Do you know who is second on that list?
AI Snubs Steph Curry On Top 5 List
Stephen Curry at +7.7. We’re talking two hundredths of a point and the Golden State Warriors have roughly the same record as Luka’s Mavericks. For those of you that love counting stats, Curry is averaging 30 points per game while shooting 43 percent from three on nearly 12 attempts per game. Two points per game less than Doncic on a much lower usage rate.
Two-Time Reigning MVP Joker Didn’t Make AI Top 5
AI didn’t include the reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in his top five list either. Strange … many past and current players don’t seem to respect Jokic’s game. The Denver Nuggets big man is third in EPM at +7.5. He’s absurdly efficient, 66 eFG% and 70 TS%. He is the hub of the Nuggets offense. Maybe it’s because his counting stats aren’t great. He’s only averaging 23 points 10 rebounds and nine assists per game.
Allen Iverson Left KD Off His Top 5?
KD didn’t make AI’s list either. Maybe he forgot about the seven-foot sniper who’s averaging 29.9 points per game while shooting 62 percent from two and an uber efficient 59 eFG% and 67 TS%. All that while not shooting at his usual elite average from three. KD is also sixth in EPM at +6.8. Ahead of Giannis, Morant, Tatum and Zion.
Everyone on AI’s list plus the players that were left off are all elite. Add in Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Devin Booker and these have been the elite players in the league so far this year.
But the top five list or the mythical “best player in the world” moniker is ever changing. It’s rare that a player holds onto it for an entire season much less multiple seasons in a row. The game has its ebbs and flows, and there are so many talented players in the league right now.
Forget about top five. Do you know what will be difficult? If these guys play excellent all year, who will make the three All-NBA teams?
