In the world of professional basketball, the players themselves are often the central figures who elicit adoration or disdain from fans. The NBA has seen its fair share of beloved and reviled athletes, individuals who have captured the hearts of supporters or have become the target of intense criticism. Imagining a head-to-head clash between the most loved and most hated NBA players in a 7-game series is an intriguing concept that stirs up emotions and sparks debates among basketball enthusiasts.
It is time to analyze a riveting 7-game series pitting the most loved NBA players against the most hated NBA players. While determining the “most loved” and “most hated” players can be subjective, we’ll explore two distinct groups of athletes who have garnered widespread admiration and animosity respectively. Luckily, we have looked at the most beloved players in the game and realized just how much Stephen Curry is appreciated in the NBA. At the same time, we are aware of the NBA’s most disliked players and noticed how Kevin Durant leads the pack. A 7-game series between the most loved and most hated NBA players represents more than just a hypothetical contest.
It encapsulates the clash of contrasting personalities and playing styles that have captivated and divided fans. Each game of the series would carry immense significance, with fans passionately supporting their favorite players and fervently rooting against their most disliked counterparts. Here is the player breakdown and the final result of an all-time great showdown over seven games.
Rosters For Each Team
The Most Loved NBA Team: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic
The Most Hated NBA Team: Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Joel Embiid
Stephen Curry vs. Kyrie Irving
Stephen Curry, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, revolutionized the game with his long-range shooting and ability to stretch defenses. His deep shooting range, quick release, and remarkable accuracy make him a constant threat from anywhere on the court. Curry’s exceptional handles and off-ball movement allow him to navigate through defenses, create his own shot, and find open teammates for high-percentage looks.
On the other side, Kyrie Irving is known for his dazzling ball-handling skills and exceptional finishing ability at the rim. He possesses a unique combination of speed, agility, and creativity, which enables him to maneuver through defenses with ease and finish at the basket with acrobatic layups and floaters. Irving’s ability to change direction on a dime and his wizardry with the ball make him a nightmare to defend one-on-one. Moreover, his knack for hitting clutch shots and delivering in crucial moments will be pivotal in this matchup at times.
Jimmy Butler vs. James Harden
Jimmy Butler is known for his tenacious defense, physicality, and relentless work ethic. He is an exceptional two-way player who prides himself on shutting down opponents while also contributing to the offense. Butler’s defensive prowess and ability to guard multiple positions make him a formidable opponent for any player. On the offensive end, he excels in attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and using his strength to finish strong and will take advantage of Harden’s inconsistent perimeter defense.
James Harden, on the other hand, is a scoring machine renowned for his offensive versatility and playmaking skills. Harden’s ability to score from anywhere on the court, his exceptional ball-handling, and his knack for drawing fouls make him a nightmare to defend. He is a highly skilled scorer who can hit contested shots, drive to the basket, and drain shots from beyond the arc. Additionally, Harden’s court vision and passing ability allow him to create opportunities for his teammates, and will excel alongside Kyrie Irving in the backcourt.
Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum has quickly established himself as one of the brightest talents in the NBA. He possesses a smooth shooting stroke, the ability to create his own shot and excellent scoring instincts. Tatum’s combination of size, athleticism, and skill make him a difficult matchup for defenders. He has shown the ability to score from all areas of the court, including mid-range jumpers, three-pointers, and aggressive drives to the basket, and will place relentless pressure on The Slim Reaper.
Kevin Durant is a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end of the court. Durant combines size, skill, and exceptional basketball IQ to dominate games. His ability to score in a variety of ways and control the pace of the game sets him apart. Additionally, his versatility allows him to guard multiple positions effectively and contribute to the boards as needed. No doubt, as the best player on his team in terms of pure scoring power, Durant will be the driving force of the team even if he shares scoring duties with other superstar scorers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Draymond Green
Giannis Antetokounmpo, often referred to as the “Greek Freak,” is a dominant force on both ends of the court. Standing at an imposing height with incredible athleticism, Antetokounmpo has the ability to score at will near the rim and finish with thunderous dunks. His length and agility also make him a formidable defender, capable of guarding multiple positions and providing rim protection. Antetokounmpo’s combination of size, speed, and skill make him a nightmare matchup for any opponent, including former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green.
Draymond Green will have to focus on defending Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite not having the same physical attributes as Antetokounmpo, Green’s defensive instincts, intensity, and communication skills have made him one of the best defenders in the NBA. He excels at reading opponents’ plays, providing help defense, and disrupting passing lanes. Green’s defensive presence and ability to guard multiple positions will be useful when he has to switch on defense.
Nikola Jokic vs. Joel Embiid
The Joker is known for his exceptional passing ability, basketball IQ, and versatile offensive game. He possesses a unique combination of size, skill, and court vision, allowing him to excel as a playmaker from the center position. Nikola Jokic’s passing skills, both in the half-court and in transition, make him a constant threat to find open teammates and create scoring opportunities. Additionally, he possesses a soft shooting touch, solid post moves, and the ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting. No doubt, the marquee matchup between Jokic and Embiid will be the highlight of this 7-game series.
The reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid is a dominant force in the paint with his size, strength, and scoring ability. He utilizes his physicality to overpower opponents and finish at the rim with dunks and layups. Embiid is a skilled post-scorer with an array of moves and excellent footwork. He can also step outside and knock down mid-range jumpers, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Even if Embiid has to handle Jokic defensively, the Cameroonian center will try to counter via his own offense.
Most Loved Team Advantages
This team can shoot the lights out and also compete inside the paint. With Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum in the backcourt, this lineup would have two exceptional shooters who can space the floor and stretch the defense. Curry’s unparalleled long-range shooting ability, combined with Tatum’s smooth stroke, would create open scoring opportunities for the team. Defensively, Jimmy Butler and Giannis Antetokounmpo are two of the premier defensive players in the league.
Their combination of size, athleticism, and tenacity would allow them to guard multiple positions effectively. Butler’s lockdown perimeter defense and Antetokounmpo’s shot-blocking and ability to defend the rim would anchor the team’s defense. Finally, Nikola Jokic’s playmaking ability as a center is unparalleled. His exceptional court vision and passing skills would provide the team with a skilled facilitator, allowing for effective ball movement and finding open teammates for high-percentage shots. Jokic’s ability to initiate offense from the high post or facilitate from the low post would create scoring opportunities for the entire lineup.
Most Hated Team Advantages
This lineup features three elite scorers in Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, each capable of taking over games and scoring from all areas of the court. They possess a combination of shooting, driving ability, and shot creation that would make it extremely challenging for opposing defenses to contain. The scoring versatility of this trio would provide a constant threat and put immense pressure on opponents.
The lineup includes several exceptional playmakers. Kyrie Irving’s ball-handling skills and court vision, combined with the elite passing ability of James Harden and Draymond Green, would facilitate seamless ball movement and create high-quality scoring opportunities for teammates. Durant’s ability to score and make plays would further enhance the team’s offensive efficiency. Finally, with Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid in the frontcourt, this lineup would possess significant height and length advantages over most opponents. This length would help disrupt passing lanes, contest shots effectively, and secure rebounds, creating a challenging environment for opponents to score and control the boards.
Who Wins A Best-Of-7 Series?
In Game 1, Stephen Curry and Nikola Jokic come out strong, utilizing Curry’s shooting and Jokic’s playmaking to secure a close victory. Curry goes 7-15 from the three-point line as Kyrie Irving and James Harden fail to keep up with the sharpshooter who comes off screens. Amazingly, Jokic leads all players with 14 assists as he plays point-center for most of the game. Despite 30 points from Kevin Durant, the duo of Curry and Jokic are simply too efficient offensively, winning the game 115-93.
Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Joel Embiid respond with a dominant performance, capitalizing on the first three players’ offensive prowess and strong defensive presence from Green and Embiid to even the series. Kyrie finishes with 27 points, Harden drops 25 points, and Durant scores 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. The trio heats up in the second half, going on a 16-5 run to start the third quarter. The Most Loved Players can’t come back fast enough, losing the game by 11 points.
Game 3 is extremely exciting. In a tightly contested game, Jayson Tatum’s scoring prowess and Jimmy Butler’s defensive intensity propel their team to a narrow victory, with the former hitting clutch shots down the stretch. Jayson leads all scorers with 35 points, and Butler leads all players with six steals, four coming in the second half. The dynamic duo is the story of the game, and the opposing team cannot manage to find their offensive rhythm, as they shoot only 22% from the three-point line.
Kevin Durant and James Harden combine for a scoring explosion, overwhelming the opposing defense and leading their team to a convincing win. Draymond Green’s all-around impact and Embiid’s dominance in the paint prove instrumental in the victory. Durant and Harden combine for 50 points, and Embiid dominates Jokic by posting 22 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Jokic is left with 14 points, and that proves to be the difference in Game 4.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s exceptional all-around performance, complemented by Tatum’s scoring and Jokic’s playmaking, guides their team to a hard-fought victory. Giannis has a massive triple-double, going for 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists to go along with 2 steals and 2 blocks. The Greek Freak attacks the basket all game long, finishes around the basket, and also dominates on defense. Jokic chips in 9 assists, and Tatum scores 27 points as well to secure a dominant 120-99 victory.
With their backs against the wall, Kyrie Irving takes over, displaying his scoring prowess and clutch playmaking to lead his team to a crucial victory. Durant’s scoring ability and Embiid’s dominance in the paint play significant roles in the win as well, but Kyrie’s performance was absolutely needed. The dominant offensive scorer just finds his rhythm early, finishing the game with seven made three-pointers on only 12 attempts. On the other end, the Most Loved Players cannot find the rhythm as they only shoot only 39% from the field. Credit goes to Embiid for playing terrific defense.
In a thrilling and closely contested final game, Stephen Curry’s shooting brilliance, combined with Butler’s defensive tenacity, propel their team to a hard-earned victory. Tatum’s scoring, Antetokounmpo’s versatility, and Jokic’s playmaking contribute to a team effort that seals the series as well. Every player competes at their best, as Curry makes six three-pointers, Butler finishes with 10 rebounds and 4 steals, and Jokic leads all players with 12 assists. Finally, Giannis scores 30 points in the game, including going 10-12 from the free-throw line. There are a lot of competitors for the Finals MVP award, but Nikola Jokic earns it by leading all players in total assists and rebounds.
Final Result: Most Loved vs. Most Hated 4-3
Finals MVP: Nikola Jokic
