Fansided

The best NBA player, right now, of every age

By Matthew Miranda

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans interact in the third quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans interact in the third quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on January 31, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls 133-118. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 31: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on January 31, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Brooklyn Nets defeated the Chicago Bulls 133-118. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The best 27-year-old: Kyrie Irving

Between the ages of 20 and 30, Kevin Durant played alongside Russell Westbrook or Steph Curry. That’s like your first car being a Porsche and your second a Jaguar. So when he left the Bay, he wasn’t settling for no Volvo. KD didn’t choose Brooklyn for its culture of success or practice facility or Kenny Atkinson (clearly). He chose Kyrie Irving, another luxury-class lead guard. Irving’s clutch credentials were established in the 2016 Finals, crowned by his Game 7 last-minute title-clincher. All he’s done post-Cleveland is near a 50/40/90 shooting line over three seasons as the lead option for two different franchises. Not a lot went right last year in Brooklyn. Next season, the Nets will be on the shortlist of title contenders, and not just because Durant will be back, but Kyrie, too.

The best 28-year-old: Kawhi Leonard

The numbers will never do Kawhi Leonard justice, though many players would gnaw off an arm to post the 27-7-5 he did in his first year with the Clippers. The two-time Finals MVP has been a silent assassin throughout his career, and that quality of quietude may be even more impressive than his resume. Leonard won his first Finals and Finals MVP after his two-way breakout party against LeBron James in 2014. Last year he outplayed Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference Finals before putting the Warriors dreams of a three-peat to bed in the 2019 Finals. If you include him forcing a trade out of San Antonio, that’s four franchises whose title/dynasty hopes Leonard has put to the sword. Before this season ended it appeared Kawhi’s Clippers were destined for a Western showdown with LeBron and the Lakers. Had he come out on top, even Leonard would be powerless to quiet the accolades that’d rain down.

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