NBA 2021 Player Power Rankings Analysis Update Feb. 26th

Ask 20 people to rank the best players in the NBA, and there will be several people that agree on all five spots. There will be some debate, because no two people have a completely identical thought process. This might be just another top-5 NBA player ranking set, but it will be relatively accurate. That being said, let’s get right to it so you can keep making your bets against their NBA odds.

Updated 2021 NBA Players Rankings

5) Nikola Jokic

Nikola Jokic making a top five spot? There is no question that the Nuggets big man is an incredibly talented athlete, and it is also true that Denver would be a horrible team without him around this year. There is hardly anything more that he could be asked to do this season.

He is averaging close to a triple-double, something you just don’t see from players that are 6’10 or taller. He’s had an incredible campaign and is inside the top three of the MVP race. The best players and those close in the MVP race are very different. But Jokic is a beast. He’s a top-two center.

4) Kevin Durant

Even though he has been limited to just 19 games this year, Kevin Durant still gets a spot in the top five. Because when he is on the floor, he is as dangerous as any player in the game. Before his injury two years ago, he was likely in the top three. He’s won two titles, and will probably get at least one in Brooklyn.

He’s got some stars around him, but he’s been great in his return. Averaging 29 points per game shooting 52% from the floor and 44% from three while being un-guardable will put you in this spot. And doing it on a winning team is even better.

3) Stephen Curry

What a return to glory it has been for Stephen Curry this year. He is scoring over 30 points per game, while lifting a Klay-less Warriors team to a winning record. Most folks jumped ship after an 0-2 start to the year, but real ones stayed patient.

Curry has been on another level all year long, and is looking to continue to ride that hot streak. No player can heat up quite like him, and even though he has his cold spells, he’s the third best player in the game right now.

2) Giannis Antetokounmpo

Even though he won’t win another MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo is still having an incredible year. His jumper is slowly but surely improving, and he’s finding ways to beat up on lesser teams. Giannis is racking up double-doubles, while scoring at will. What else could he be asked to do?

The Bucks record sits at 19-13, and could stand to be better. But, Giannis continues to be incredible, and will have them playing good basketball in meaningful games before too long. Don’t sleep on the 2X reigning most valuable player and last year’s defensive player of the year.

1) LeBron James

It really doesn’t matter what his exact stats are each game. Nobody can control a game like LeBron can, even as he has gotten into his older years. The Lakers have struggled to win of late, but he still draws as much attention as any other star in the league.

LeBron is going to return to the MVP form we had been seeing earlier in the year sooner rather than later. If we as basketball folks know one thing about him, it’s that his slumps are a lot briefer than that of any other great over the years. He’ll be fine. He’s still the best.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?