(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
We are now 24 years into the 21st century and have experienced a lot of NBA greatness.
But who has been the best of the best for these last 24 years?
According to NBACentral, ESPN just released its list of the top 25 players of the century.
The top ten features Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tim Duncan.
ESPN says the third-best player of the 21st century is Steph Curry, followed by Kobe Bryant and finally LeBron James.
ESPN’s top 25 players of the 21st century:
1.LeBron James
2.Kobe Bryant
3.Stephen Curry
4.Tim Duncan
5.Shaquille O’Neal
6.Kevin Garnett
7.Nikola Jokic
8.Dwyane Wade
9.Kevin Durant
10.Dirk Nowitzki
11.Giannis Antetokounmpo
12.Steve Nash
13.James Harden
14.Jason Kidd
15.Chris… pic.twitter.com/vdgqPmYGgf
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 25, 2024
Other players on the list include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ray Allen, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Steve Nash, and others.
Debate about this list will continue for a long time, with some people saying ESPN was way off-base and others saying they were very accurate.
One thing is clear: the league has had some terrific, historic players over the last 24 years.
There are quite a few current stars in ESPN’s ranking, such as James Harden, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis, and others.
That means that fans are still in a very special time in league history, filled with spectacular players who are leaving their mark.
Is James really the greatest star of this century?
He has earned four championships and quite literally changed the league.
However, the same could be said for Curry, who nabbed the third spot.
This list isn’t too surprising and there aren’t any choices that caught fans off-guard.
This is a fairly straightforward, agreeable ranking of the league.
But how will this ranking look in five or ten years and will James still be on top?
The post ESPN Ranks The Top-25 NBA Players Of The 21st Century appeared first on The Cold Wire.