The NBA Finals are just a few days away and fans are eagerly waiting to get a taste of the action. The Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors should serve up a thriller with all the stars on show, and we can hope that it turns out to be an instant classic.
With the aforementioned star power on display, one NBA fan had the question of how they would stack up when compared to each other. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown have all been immense in these playoffs, and ranking them can prove to be quite difficult.
Rank these players in the NBA Finals 1-4. pic.twitter.com/j4Tr1k0U5p
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 1, 2022
As expected, NBA Twitter had a lot to say about this topic, and here’s a look at some of the responses:
“Tatum, Curry, JB, Klay. Only reason I give Tatum 1 is cuz Tatum’s defense. Curry isn’t a bad defender but Tatum’s is on another level than his”
“I see 6 rings in this picture, and Tatum and brown have none of them”
“Steph Brown Klay Tatum Only correct order”
“Tatum, Curry, Brown, Thompson at this point you can argue for curry or Tatum as number one, i go with Tatum because i feel that while Curry a better shooter, Tatum is better overall player”
“Steph Large gap Tatum Brown Klay”
“Klay is last, and JB is third and that’s not debatable. I personally have Curry over Tatum but I’d listen to your argument if you had it the other way around”
“Right now: Tatum, Curry, Brown, Klay”
“1. JT 2. Curry 3. JB 4. Klay Currys the best shooter but not great defender. Idc how much shit I get. JT beat KD, Kyrie and defending Champs to get here. All NBA, ECF Larry Bird MVP and got DPOY votes. JBs athleticism, he’s offense and D#. JT and JB aren’t in prime yet.”
“Undecided on Steph n Tatum but Jaylen is better than Klay at this point n will outplay him in the series”
“Jt-most versatile scorer and best defender on list Steph-best shooter/elite off-ball but liability on d Jb-solid/elite on both ends of the floor Klay-marginally better scorer than JB but has lost a step on d jt n jb=more versatile n better all-around Warriors have pedigree tho”
“1. Steph (a legendary player. One of best PGs ever) 2. Jayson Tatum (a great 2 way superstar. Underrated shooter) 3. Jaylon Brown (a 2 way star but not quite the gifted scorer Tatum is) 4. Klay (a 3 and D guy whose D is not elite. Can’t carry a team on his own whatsoever).”
“Tatum, Steph, Jaylen, Klay Miss me with the Klay is better crap. Minus turnovers, JB is better in every facet of the game. Klay is a defensive liability more than Steph! Def Rating: Tatum: 106.3 Steph: 107.6 Jaylen: 107.5 Klay: 110”
“It goes Steph, Tatum, Jaylen and Klay, BUT it all depends on certain situations. Klay might play so sharp in necessary moments, that he might become most lethal and therefore most important”
“1. Steph 2. JT 3. JB 4. Klay. JB is better than Klay right now. Klay is better all time and idek if JB can catch him in terms of all time, but right now JB is better”
“Steph Curry *gap* Jayson Tatum *gap* Jaylen Brown Klay Thompson”
“….Curry, Klay, Tatum, Brown…that ones not hard”
“If we are strictly talking about how each has played in this postseason I’d go with (1) Tatum (2) Curry (3) Brown (4) Thompson If I’m ranking them at this stage in their careers I have Curry slightly ahead of Tatum. Although that will likely change over next couple seasons.”
“JT Curry JB Klay Tatum has more total points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals than curry and has very identical FG and 3P % this playoffs JT went head to head in scoring during matches with curry before I just hope he doesn’t turnover the ball like in some games”
“If tatum can hit shots and get his teammates involved and not playing hero ball and most Importantly not let his emotions dictate his gameplay he’s the best player in the series,”
“Why is everyone putting Klay below Brown? Klay is more reliable on O and D. And experience is going to play a huge factor.”
One thing that definitely stands out here is that Tatum and Brown have done their reputations a world of good with this playoff run, and deservedly so. Steve Kerr had high praise especially for Tatum, as he called him, one of the best players in the league. They have been excellent for the majority of these playoffs and have helped the Celtics eliminate the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks as well as the top-seeded Miami Heat.
If they do pull it off and win the Finals, it will be one of the more impressive championship runs in recent history. Steph Curry and the Warriors will be their biggest challenge, but the Celtics have stepped up to the occasion time and time again this postseason.
