After LeBron James won the 2019-20 title along with the Finals MVP that season, he was widely viewed as the best player in the world. LeBron James has been dominating the game for years before that, and even though he missed the playoffs during the 2018-2019 season, he bounced back with a title immediately. It is clear that LeBron James is still playing at a high level, but there are definitely other superstars in the league with an argument to be the best.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has cemented his status among the NBA’s elite during his postseason championship run and made his case for being the best player in the world. Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn Nets fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, but a part of that was due to injury issues, and many, including Giannis Antetokounmpo himself, view Durant as the top player in the league.
Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has recently cautioned LeBron James about Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant, saying that the two younger superstars are coming for LeBron James’ “throne”, suggesting that they are in the conversation for being the best in the NBA.
Watch out LeBron…KD and Giannis are right there coming for your throne👀
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2021
There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant are among the best superstars in the league. Both players dominate in their own way and with Giannis Antetkounmpo’s recent championship and Finals MVP win, both have shown that they can perform at the highest stage in NBA basketball. LeBron James is still playing at an MVP-caliber level, but other players will surely start to pop up in the conversation for best player in the league as he gets older.
Next season, we will be able to see if LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers can bounce back from a disappointing playoff run. Magic Johnson has a good point: other superstars are staking their claim to being the best. Perhaps next season, we’ll see LeBron James show why he should still be considered the league’s top player.
