It seems as though every year, basketball fans and experts debate the merits of the NBA’s best players in an effort to identify a single superstar as the best in the game. The arrival of fantasy sports has made that trend even more popular over the years. Stephen Curry is the NBA player that’s the reigning MVP and he’s an absolute fantasy stud. However, if you were building a roster from scratch right now, is he the NBA player you’d start with? Here is a look at the top five guys most people would rebuild around.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
When it comes to building a roster from scratch, there is simply nobody in the NBA that will provide more for a team than King James. LeBron is an absolute beast at 6’8’’ and 250 pounds, and his ability to do it all at both ends of the floor makes him the ideal player to build a team around. James has averaged 24.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game this season but more than the stats, we know that this is a guy who elevates the play of everyone else around him. He does that better than anyone else.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Speaking of players that can do it all, it is pretty clear at this point that Westbrook certainly deserves to be on this list as one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA. Westbrook has really matured over the past couple of seasons and he has shown the ability to carry an NBA team on his back when Kevin Durant has been sidelined. Westbrook leads the NBA in triple-doubles over the last two years and he has averaged a ridiculous 24.0 points, 9.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game this season.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s very important to remember that Durant is a four-time scoring champion. Injuries took their toll on him last season but KD has been very durable overall throughout his career and his numbers illustrate his dominance when healthy. Durant has averaged 27.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists overall this season but his averages jump to 30.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists over the last two weeks now that he is back at full strength. There might not be a more lethal pure scorer in the NBA right now.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry is clearly the exception to the rule when it comes to evaluating the NBA’s best pure talents. He doesn’t have the size or strength of the players listed ahead of him on this list. He isn’t an elite defender. He was never considered an elite prospect in high school or college. However, Curry has transformed into a scoring machine in the NBA and there is no doubt that he is the most lethal shooter in the game right now. He might be the best shooter of all-time. The defending NBA MVP has averaged 29.4 points, 6.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game this season and the scariest part is that his scoring totals could be even higher if the Warriors didn’t blow away so many opponents this season. Curry has also hit 45-percent of his three-point shots while averaging 4.8 made three-point attempts per game. His pure scoring ability combined with his improved passing ability has him as the fourth NBA player on our list right now.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
The final spot on this list goes to arguably the most underrated player in the NBA and an outstanding two-way player in Leonard. The 24-year-old has thrived in the association as the ultimate two-way player at both ends of the court. His ability to consistently match up against the opponent’s best player makes him a ridiculous weapon and he has really improved at the offensive end of the floor as well. Leonard has averaged 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season and his elite two-way ability has him holding down the final spot on this list.
