Whether it’s their pure shooting, ability to attack the rim or defensive dominance, every NBA superstar has their one major strength that stands above an impressive overall body of attributes. There are so many factors that go in to what makes up an NBA superstar and when it comes to the best of the best we have certainly seen some impressive performances already this year. Here is a look at the five best superstars in the NBA so far this season.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry’s MVP season cemented his place among the elite players in the NBA and he has followed that up by winning an NBA championship and then leading Golden State to the best start in NBA history this season. Curry’s pure shooting ability is easily the best in the association right now and his ability to improvise and fire off his shot at a moment’s notice makes him the most dangerous offensive weapon in the NBA right now. The fact that the Warriors have been so dominant as a team has actually limited Curry’s numbers since he has spent so many fourth quarters on the bench once Golden State’s games have already gotten out of reach but he has still managed to average 23.8 points including 3.6 three-point shots per game along with 7.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals so far this season.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
There are some that will still argue LeBron is the most complete player in the NBA and that might be true as even though he is not the force that he was at the peak of his career with the Miami Heat he has still been one of the best superstars in the association again this season. LeBron has averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.7 three-point shots and 1.6 steals per game while playing more of a hybrid role for Cleveland with Kyrie Irving sidelined for the first couple of months of the season and the Cavaliers will be that much more dangerous with two elite playmakers in their lineup as Irving works his way back in to shape. LeBron still has the potential to take a team on his back and lead them to the NBA Finals the way we saw him do last season but he will be that much more dangerous with fresh legs if Irving and Kevin Love can stay healthy for this year’s playoff run.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant is the former MVP but it is Westbrook who has been Oklahoma City’s best player this season including an NBA-best 28.1 points per game. In fact, Westbrook’s productivity so far this season has been at a historic rate as no player in the history of the league has ever recorded a full season PER and usage percentage as his as his current marks. In addition to his league-best 28.1 points per game, Westbrook has averaged 8.6 rebounds, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.3 three-point shots per game and if you continues to produce at such an elite level he could challenge for his own MVP award this season.
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant has been able to overcome injuries to play at a high level again this season as he has averaged 25.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.4 three-point shots per game to team with Westbrook and help re-establish the Thunder as a legitimate NBA championship contender again this season. LeBron put it best when he said about Durant, “He’s a 7-footer with 6-foot ball-handling skills and a jump shot. And athleticism. It’s never been done in our league. Never had a guy that’s 7-foot, can jump like that, can shoot like that, handle the ball like that. So it sets him apart.” Durability will be the key for Durant once again this season and moving forward but there is no doubt he has been one of the NBA’s best superstars so far this year and that he is in line for a big payday when he becomes a free agent at the end of this season.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
For all of the talk about the Spurs loading up in the offseason with the additions of LaMarcus Aldridge and David West their best player by far this season has been Leonard as he continues to morph in to one of the game’s most complete superstars. Leonard has averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 three-point shots per game but it’s his ability at the defensive end of the floor where he has been at his best as he has averaged a combined 3.1 blocks and steals per game this season. There aren’t many players that can take a game over at both ends of the floor but Leonard has shown that ability in San Antonio and that is why he is the final player on this list of the five best superstars in the NBA so far this season.
