Tunisia World Cup

As I sat watching the Sacramento Kings face off against the Los Angeles Clippers last Friday night, something special happened during the pre-game warmups that got me thinking about what truly makes an NBA player elite. There was LA Tenorio, the legendary Filipino point guard, sharing a heartfelt moment with his former teammate Jimmy Alapag right there on the court. Seeing these two basketball icons reunited reminded me that greatness in the NBA isn't just about raw stats or flashy highlights—it's about consistency, leadership, and that intangible quality that separates good players from truly transformative ones.

When we talk about the top NBA players in 2023, we're really discussing multiple tiers of excellence. At the absolute pinnacle sits Nikola Jokić, who just put together one of the most dominant postseason runs I've ever witnessed. The Joker averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during the Denver Nuggets' championship campaign, numbers that barely capture his revolutionary impact on the game. What makes Jokić special isn't just his statistical production—it's his basketball IQ that seems to operate two moves ahead of everyone else. I've watched nearly every game of his career, and I'm still amazed by passes he makes that I didn't even see were possible. He's redefining what a center can be, and honestly, we might be looking at the most skilled big man in league history.

Right there with him is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who continues to be an absolute force of nature. The Greek Freak put up 31.1 points and 11.8 rebounds per game this season while maintaining his status as the league's most terrifying transition player. What often gets overlooked is how Giannis has steadily improved his playmaking, averaging a career-high 5.7 assists this year. I remember watching him early in his career and thinking he was raw but had potential—nobody could have predicted he'd develop into this two-time MVP and Finals MVP. His combination of size, speed, and determination is something we might not see again for generations.

Then there's Stephen Curry, who at 35 years old remains the greatest shooter basketball has ever seen. Curry averaged 29.4 points while shooting 42.7% from three-point range on a ridiculous 11.4 attempts per game. Those numbers don't even tell the full story of how he warps defenses simply by existing on the court. I've been to Warriors games where you can feel the entire arena tense up the moment Curry crosses half-court—defenses have to account for him in ways they don't for any other player. His impact on the game extends beyond statistics; he's fundamentally changed how basketball is played at every level.

Luka Dončić belongs in this conversation too, despite Dallas' disappointing season. The Slovenian sensation averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8 assists while carrying one of the league's most inconsistent rosters. Watching Luka operate in the pick-and-roll is like watching a chess grandmaster—he sees angles and opportunities that other players don't even recognize exist. My only concern with him has been his conditioning and defensive focus, but when he's engaged, he's virtually unstoppable. At just 24 years old, he's already compiling a Hall of Fame-caliber resume.

Joel Embiid finally captured his MVP award this season after averaging 33.1 points and 10.2 rebounds before injuries hampered his playoff run. When healthy, Embiid might be the most complete scoring big man since Hakeem Olajuwon. His footwork in the post is absolutely sublime, and he's developed into a reliable three-point shooter at 33% this season. What impresses me most about Embiid is how he's improved his passing out of double teams, something that was a weakness earlier in his career. If he can maintain his health, there's no reason he can't lead Philadelphia to a championship.

Jayson Tatum has firmly established himself as a top-tier wing, averaging 30.1 points and 8.8 rebounds while leading Boston to another Eastern Conference Finals appearance. What's remarkable about Tatum's development is how he's improved as a playmaker, dishing out 4.6 assists per game while cutting down on turnovers. I've watched him grow from a promising rookie into a legitimate superstar, and his mid-range game has become virtually unguardable. At 25, he's just entering his prime, which should terrify the rest of the league.

Kevin Durant continues to defy Father Time, putting up 29.1 points on shooting splits of 56/40/92—those are video game numbers for a 34-year-old in his 16th season. Durant's scoring efficiency remains historically great, and his move to Phoenix has showcased his ability to adapt to new systems seamlessly. I've always believed KD is the purest scorer the game has ever seen—at 6'10" with that handle and shooting touch, he's essentially created a new prototype for what a scorer can be.

The younger generation is making their presence felt too. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as a bonafide superstar in Oklahoma City, averaging 31.4 points while leading the surprising Thunder to the play-in tournament. His combination of size, craft, and mid-range mastery reminds me of a young James Harden, but with better defensive instincts. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis put together an incredible season in Sacramento, averaging 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting 61.5% from the field. His partnership with De'Aaron Fox has revitalized the Kings franchise, and his rebounding numbers are simply staggering.

Which brings me back to that moment I witnessed between Tenorio and Alapag before the Kings-Clippers game. Watching them exchange jerseys and share that embrace reminded me that basketball greatness comes in many forms. Not every impactful player puts up gaudy statistics or makes All-Star teams. Some, like Alapag and Tenorio, build their legacies through leadership, consistency, and elevating those around them—qualities that often get overlooked in these player rankings conversations.

The beauty of the NBA in 2023 is that we're witnessing one of the most talented eras in league history. From established superstars like LeBron James, who at 38 continues to average 28.9 points, to rising talents like Ja Morant and his 26.2 points per game, the league has never been deeper. What makes ranking players so difficult—and so fascinating—is that we're comparing different styles, positions, and roles. A defensive anchor like Rudy Gobert provides value completely different from a scoring machine like Damian Lillard, yet both belong in conversations about impact.

As I left the Golden 1 Center that night, I kept thinking about how these player evaluations will continue to evolve. The game changes so rapidly—the three-point revolution, positionless basketball, advanced analytics—that our understanding of what makes a player "great" needs constant updating. The players I've highlighted represent the current standard of excellence, but the beautiful uncertainty of basketball means that next season could introduce new names to this conversation. That's what keeps me coming back game after game, season after season—the endless pursuit of understanding and appreciating basketball excellence in all its forms.