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3 things The Ringer top 100 NBA player list got right and 1 they got wrong

By Matthew Razzano

Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being called for a foul against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after being called for a foul against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Right: Giannis Antetokounmpo at No. 1

Last, in terms of what the Ringer list gets right is Giannis Antetokounmpo taking the number one slot. There’s no Michael Jordan or LeBron James in the prime of their careers at the moment. There really is, and should be, some debate about who the best basketball player in the world is at the moment.

Nikola Jokic is the back-to-back MVP, while Luka Doncic has been a highlight reel so far this season. But over the course of the last several seasons, the most dominant player has been Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Greek Freak was given the following characteristics: positional versatility, interior scoring, and human highlight by the Ringer staff. All are true. Tack on 30.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, and he is also putting up MVP-type numbers again.

Unlike Shai, however, Giannis has the Milwaukee Bucks in the second spot in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics. There is still a lot of basketball left to play. His numbers could trail off, or the Bucks may not wind up atop the Eastern Conference. But if the Ringer’s list is meant to capture the best player in the world at this moment, then it nailed it with Giannis.

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