With the 2023 NBA Finals done and dusted, NBA analyst Nick Wright took to Twitter to share his list of the Top 20 greatest players in the league since 1970, and unsurprisingly, had LeBron James at the top of his list.
To ensure that he wasn’t leaving out some marquee names, he also mentioned that Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West would be on his All-time list. It’s also worth noting that he Michael Jordan at No. 3, putting former Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar over the Bulls icon. Here’s his Top 20 in that order.
The Top 20 Since 1970, Updated:
1- LeBron
2- Kareem
3- MJ
4- Magic
5- Duncan
6- Kobe
7- Bird
8- Hakeem
9- Shaq
10- Steph
11- Dr. J
12- Moses
13- Durant
14- Giannis
15- Isiah
16- Dirk
17- Mailman
18- Barkley
19- Wade
20- Jokic
All time, Russell, Wilt & West obviously would be in
The Top 20 Since 1970, Updated:
1- LeBron
2- Kareem
3- MJ
4- Magic
5- Duncan
6- Kobe
7- Bird
8- Hakeem
9- Shaq
10- Steph
11- Dr. J
12- Moses
13- Durant
14- Giannis
15- Isiah
16- Dirk
17- Mailman
18- Barkley
19- Wade
20- Jokic
All time, Russell, Wilt & West obviously would be in
— nick wright (@getnickwright) June 13, 2023
This list comes on the back of his most-trusted players in the playoffs pyramid in April earlier this year where he had James at No. 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo was his first choice, followed by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant in the second tier. Equally perplexing from that was how he had labeled James as a better player than Durant and Giannis.
It looks like James’ dominance in the postseason and now that may have seen him back on top of Wright’s list.
Nick Wright Had His Reasons Why LeBron James Would Be The First Name On Most Lists
According to Wright, LeBron James’ recent performances in his last two years were looked at as the biggest reason why he would be the first name on most lists.
“This was a reminder, and it was a reminder of this. So, there was a point early in the year when LeBron got hurt, and I was like ‘Oh boy! Am I going to have to retool the player pyramid? Where Giannis is 1, and then there’s LeBron and KD right beneath him. Is LeBron going to have to drop?’ And the answer is, no I’m not.”
He further added: “It’s a reminder that LeBron still has an argument that if you were to pick any player in the league for a series or a game, that somehow it’s still him.”
“It’s a reminder, Wildes, that in year 19, where the most points ever scored for a game in year 19 was Kareem at 14 a game, and LeBron is currently second in the league in scoring, at nearly 29 a game, that the King somehow stays the King.”
Despite James’ greatness which reached a new level after he surpassed Kareem as the leading scorer in the NBA this season, the Lakers are yet to hit a championship run. He and the Lakers came close this season, but they fell short in the Conference Finals.
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