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The Ringer recently came out with its ranking of the top 125 players in the NBA, and the list starts with selections most can agree on.
Nikola Jokic, the newly minted NBA Finals MVP and leader of the world champion Denver Nuggets, is on top of the list. Right behind him is Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid in that order.
Then the list becomes debatable.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James came in at No. 12, despite averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game this past season. Ahead of him are Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker and the oft-injured Kawhi Leonard.
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith let his displeasure over James’ low ranking be known.
Any list that doesn’t have LeBron James in the top five isn’t worth paying attention to pic.twitter.com/GyhXVciA5I
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) July 25, 2023
James may not have the same athleticism or explosiveness he used to have, and he’s certainly not the best player in the world anymore. But he has to be, at a minimum, considered one of the 10 best players in the game today.