As the new season approaches, the NBA community continues to make predictions on what might be in store over the next couple of months.
Recently, ESPN’s panel of experts came out with a list predicting who they think will be NBA’s top 100 players for the upcoming season. And while much of the list was highly controversial, their top 10 drew the most attention, as it quickly became a talking point among the basketball community.
🗣️ THE TOP 10 OF OUR NBA RANK IS HERE!
From No. 10 to No. 1 ➡️ https://t.co/6S0ZxE3qcM (ESPN+) pic.twitter.com/0Iw1lLN08F
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2020
Off the bat, Steph, Harden, and KD being outside of the top 5 is certainly a hot take, and many were quick to criticize for the “error.”
Durant at 6 is so disrespectful. There isn’t a universe that exists where Kawhi is better than Kevin Durant.
— Jacoby (@JacobyFC) December 10, 2020
Stephen Curry is a top 5 player. Ratio!
— SGG Media (@SGG_hq) December 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/OvertimeSimmo/status/1337036170522406915https://twitter.com/LOWsBurner/status/1337043156186132480
Of course, the placements of Anthony Davis (2) and Luka Doncic (4) also rubbed some folks the wrong way.
https://twitter.com/GOATBR0N/status/1337036966207102977
Luka is damn well not better than Kawhi, KD, Steph, or Harden yet. Not even close. AD is also not better than those four, and not better than Giannis as well. Again, not arguable. Damian, is for god damn sure not better than Harden or Steph. Awful takes, but it’s ESPN so…
— Picafavo (@FavoTime) December 10, 2020
I love Luka…he ain’t there yet.
AD ain’t the second best player in the world.
Dame ain’t better than Curry.
Giannis ain’t better than Kawhi my god what is this list?
— Brandon Charles (@BrandonHRC) December 10, 2020
A lot of factors will be at play this season, and there are still a lot of unknowns. Will Kevin Durant be able to play at an MVP level after his Achilles injury? Will Luka take the leap that it seems he’s capable of? Will LeBron still be himself going into his 18th season?
A lot of questions, no doubt, but it won’t be long now before we get some answers.
