Who's the best at each position in the NBA? We have answers

Before you jump down our throat for ranking by position in a positionless NBA, take a deep breath. It’s fun. So, let it happen, and let’s talk hoops. The rest of the world is catching up to America’s basketball dominance. Out of the five positions, four of our picks are not from America. On the flip side, all but one of our runner-ups are American (Embiid was born in Cameroon, but is eligible to play for Team USA). So the international superstar talent remains top-heavy, for now.

We have selected the current best player at all five positions. This is not a popularity contest, the most awarded or based on their full careers. This is about the here and now. Even though we did list the up-and-coming young player who can be the face of the position in the future. Let’s debate.

Curry held this spot for the last decade. This makes SGA being named the top point guard in the NBA a new epoch. SGA is the best dribble penetrator in the NBA, becoming a legitimate MVP candidate and on track for consecutive All-NBA First Team honors. His superstar ascension has the Thunder in second place in the Western Conference. How he makes his teammates better and can be depended on to hit clutch shots reminds fans of another Canadian MVP — Steve Nash. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31 points, fourth in the NBA, on a staggering 55.8% shooting, leading all guards. Looking at his advanced stats, you see a legitimate case for MVP: fourth in Player Impact Estimate (19.5), eighth in Offensive Rating (122.6), and seventh in Net Rating (11). He has been in the top two of drives per game in the last two seasons while leading this season as well. His 878 total drives thus far are 200 more than second place, proving SGA driving to the rim is the most unstoppable play in the NBA.

Best Up-and-Comer: Cade Cunningham

It feels like every year, NBA lobbyists find a new player who has supposedly surpassed Dončić. And every year, Dončić makes them look like dumbasses. No other MVP candidate plays with a worse roster than the bums Dončić has to carry night after night. Kyrie Irving is the only hooper he has to run with and rookie Derek Lively is the only dude who plays consistent defense. Otherwise, it’s a collection of general manager Nico Harrison’s greatest misses. Yet, Dončić single-handedly keeps the Mavs barely above poverty status with his do-everything elite game. This season he tied LeBron James for the third most triple-doubles ever. He also hit the 10,000-point mark, good for seventh quickest in NBA history. His heliocentric style of play has been criticized for its usage and dominance, but there is no denying he is the biggest bucket in the NBA.

Best Up-and-Comer: Trey Murphy III

This is the weakest position of the five and the only one up for debate. There is a case for one of the two HOF players, Leonard and James, to have this spot, even at their ages. We’ve waited three years for Tatum to become the next great American player. But recent playoff chokes, especially two years ago in the Finals, have stagnated him as one of the elites. The stats are there: 27.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, but many of his numbers come on size, strength and skill rather than dominance. Tatum has the pedigree and potential, and plays for the most historic franchise in the NBA. But we need a dominant playoff run for him to join the league’s top-five echelon.

Best Up-and-Comer: Scottie Barnes

There is no debate: Giannis is the best forward in the NBA, the current face of the league and the best two-way player on the planet. He has the best partner-in-crime of his career in Dame Lillard and has his best chance to bring home a second championship. Giannis is already cemented as one of the greatest of all time. He set the single-game scoring mark with a 64-piece against the Indiana Pacers in mid-December. Three days later, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the Bucks’ all-time rebounds leader. Downhill, Giannis is unstoppable. It’s the same thing around the rim, from the free throw line and as a roller. His defensive rating is a career-worst, at 113.1, but his highest scoring average at 31.2 PPG. Giannis is the best overall player in the NBA, and it’s not close. There’s no one coming for his best forward title until Banchero reaches his full potential.

Best Up-and-Comer: Paolo Banchero

It’s not hyperbolic to predict that Jokic will be one of the greatest of all time when all is said and done. We’re talking about the top 10 ever. His combination of playmaking and scoring has never been seen at the center position. When players revolutionize their position, like Steph Curry at the point or Wilt Chamberlain at center, they end up on Mount Rushmore. Joker passes like Magic Johnson, scores on the block like the Big Fundamental and comes up clutch like Hakeem Olajuwon. It’s possible he could be the greatest international player of all time if he ties or surpasses Olajuwon’s two rings. In a recent game against the Pacers, Jokic made history with 25 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block on 92.3% from the field. Per Basketball Reference, Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record this stat line on at least 90% from the field. Stat lines like those are insane to think about from a center, but not surprising, considering Jokic is unlike any player before him. In the recent battle of MVP contenders, Embiid erupted for 41 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds, while Jokic battled admirably with 25 points and 19 rebounds, but ultimately came out on the losing end. But even Embiid admitted after the game he told Jokic, “he’s the best player in the league.”

Best Up-and-Comer: Victor Wembanyama