The single best basketball player in the world in 2025

[Street Hunger]

Don't think about the MVP award or how well his team did in the playoffs, just think about the individual player.

Based entirely on the ability to play amazing basketball, who is the best basketball player in the world in 2025?

[Full Court]

Anthony Davis.

[j3lademaster]

Jokic or Giannis

[SouBeachTalents]

LeBron James.

[sdot_thadon]

Obvious answer here is Russell Westbrook.

[Xiao Yao You]

Jokic. Not really close.

[FultzNationRISE]

Um, well lets see.

Lebron was recently proclaimed by universal consensus the Forever King.

And gee, ya know, last I checked 2025 is pretty much within the parameters of 'forever.' Correct me if I'm mistaken on that.

So......

I guess when all that is taken into account and duly considered, each factor weighed properly in its turn, then probably THE ANSWER IS LEBRON YOU ****IN JESTERS.

[Full Court]

Um, well lets see.

Lebron was recently proclaimed by universal consensus the Forever King.

And gee, ya know, last I checked 2025 is pretty much within the parameters of 'forever.' Correct me if I'm mistaken on that.

So......

I guess when all that is taken into account and duly considered, each factor weighed properly in its turn, then probably THE ANSWER IS LEBRON YOU ****IN JESTERS.

The one thing I feel obligated to correct you on is that he was, in fact, proclaimed by universal consensus as LeShrivel.

[Yes or No]

Nikola > Luka > Giannis

The Nuggets would not be in the playoffs without Nikola. Precisely 0% chance of even making the playoffs. With him, every year is a title chance year, as slim as it may be. No other player in the league is capable of doing that except maybe Luka if he goes on a heater for multiple series in a row.

[fsvr54]

Jokic, then Kawhi

[k0kakw0rld]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

[Naero]

Jokic or Giannis

This. They've been the top two since probably '21, though I'd say Jokic is the clear-cut BITW at the moment.

I won't necessarily argue against SGA outranking Giannis now, though, if only because the latter's been injured too often. I just don't feel Shai's playoff run was individually dominant enough to unseat Jokic, but you can't scoff at the historic feat of winning MVP, FMVP, and the scoring title in one season.

I won't write off Luka either now that he's entering his peak years after a summer of recomp. Hard to envision a new career-best season not warranting the BITW title, but obviously that's for him to prove in the months to come.

[j3lademaster]

This. They've been the top two since probably '21, though I'd say Jokic is the clear-cut BITW at the moment.

I won't necessarily argue against SGA outranking Giannis now, though, if only because the latter's been injured too often. I just don't feel Shai's postseason was dominant enough to unseat Jokic, but you can't scoff at the historic feat of winning MVP, FMVP, and the scoring title in one season.

I won't write off Luka either now that he's entering his peak ages after a summer of recomp. Hard envision his potentially new career-best year not warranting the BITW title, but obviously that's for him to prove in the months to come.I honestly don't see how anyone can put SGA over Giannis yet. Giannis is an absolute monster, and puts way more pressure on the defense with his relentless attacking than SGA does... and is one of the best defenders in the league at the same time. He was phenomenal against the Pacers, but it's a team sport and that's just how it is sometimes. Even Jordan was 1st round fodder until he got Pippen.

[Full Court]

This. They've been the top two since probably '21, though I'd say Jokic is the clear-cut BITW at the moment.

I won't necessarily argue against SGA outranking Giannis now, though, if only because the latter's been injured too often. I just don't feel Shai's playoff run was individually dominant enough to unseat Jokic, but you can't scoff at the historic feat of winning MVP, FMVP, and the scoring title in one season.

I won't write off Luka either now that he's entering his peak years after a summer of recomp. Hard to envision a new career-best season not warranting the BITW title, but obviously that's for him to prove in the months to come.

Jokic is top five for sure....but I have a hard time anointing him as best in the world seeing how when the game's on the line, the ball goes into the hands of




Murray.

[Wally450]

Nikola Jokic

[Axe]

They say it would've been wemby if he didn't become sidelined. Looks like the hype is slowly dying now, i guess.


Kawhi
https://i.ibb.co/XZ5qVsYf/Screenshot-20250703-235925.jpg (https://i.ibb.co/gDsySW3/IMG-20230603-203842.jpg)

[Full Court]

^Stinky idiot still has yet to make an post that shows any intelligence at all.

No surprise he was voted biggest loser on ISH. :lol

[k0kakw0rld]

Nikola Jokic
Jokic got cooked by Sengun not long ago. His ass is overrated. He can't play defense to save his life. He doesn't even try. Offense isn't the end of the story.

[Full Court]

Jokic got cooked by Sengun not long ago. His ass is overrated. He can't play defense to save his life. He doesn't even try. Offense isn't the end of the story.

I'm in the camp that Jokic is slightly overrated, but saying he can't play defense is just not accurate. He's not an elite defender, but he is a defensive presense in the paint. And he'll wrangle down some contested rebounds. He's certainly not a below average defender.

[k0kakw0rld]

I'm in the camp that Jokic is slightly overrated, but saying he can't play defense is just not accurate. He's not an elite defender, but he is a defensive presense in the paint. And he'll wrangle down some contested rebounds. He's certainly not a below average defender.
Remove his size and he's probably the worst defender in the league.

[Overdrive]

Jokic is top five for sure....but I have a hard time anointing him as best in the world seeing how when the game's on the line, the ball goes into the hands of




Murray.

Can't call Jordan GOAT seeing when the chip is on the line the ball goes into the hands of







Paxson





Or







Kerr.

[Overdrive]

Remove his size and he's probably the worst defender in the league.

Remove his size and he's a different player? Yeah take 30cm off of SGA and his career ends as an undersized HS point guard. What kind of revelation is this supposed to be?

[Xiao Yao You]

Can't call Jordan GOAT seeing when the chip is on the line the ball goes into the hands of







Paxson





Or







Kerr.

The ball was in mjs hands. That is why paxson and kerr were wide open :facepalm

[beasted]

It's really a toss up. To me, the best player in world must be able to do both of these when the game is onthe line:

1. Figure out a way to get me a bucket at all costs even from a broken play/ no play.

2. Regularly get me stops against high quality offensive players

Jokic is not a 1 in 1 player, and is going to be doing zero switching defensively.

Giannis is slightly closer on the 1 on 1 standard, but Middleton was the finisher when they won and that Haliburton game winner is fresh in my memory...

SGA is probably a top 3 1 on 1 scorer but foul-baits and hides defensively.

Luka cannot play a lick of defense.

Wemby has not bared his fangs offensively in the clutch.

James too old and washed.

In an ideal scenario based on my criteria it has to be Kawhi putting injuries aside, but you can't just put injuries aside.

This is definitely not like the earlier times. Over the history of basketball there were years when clear as day Wilt, Kareem, Jordan, Shaq, and LeBron were the head and shoulders best players in the NBA. This is not one of those times where it's a clear to me.

[Full Court]

Can't call Jordan GOAT seeing when the chip is on the line the ball goes into the hands of







Paxson





Or







Kerr.


Nice try. Those were rare occurrences that just showed Jordan's court IQ. Jordan was the go-to guy in the clutch and you know it. For Denver, Murray is the go-to guy in the clutch.

[Wally450]

Remove his size and he's probably the worst defender in the league.

Take away Steph Curry's shooting ability and he's one of the worst players in the league.

You see how dumb that sounds?

[k0kakw0rld]

Take away Steph Curry's shooting ability and he's one of the worst players in the league.

You see how dumb that sounds?
"Shooting ability" and "size" go together in basketball how? Are you okay?
KD got size (length) and he is regarded as one of the greatest pure scorer ever, because of his shooting ability. If you remove KD's size he would see be better than the average player.

You see how dumb you sound?

People make fun of Gobert because he can't guard anybody on the perimeter like AD could, despite winning 4 DPOYs.
Well, Jokic is a cone out there and nobody says a thing. we are only focusing on his offensive abilities.

He is not the best player in the league. Basketball is a two-way street. I got Giannis, SGA ahead of Jokic, I am sorry.
LeBron gets crucified when still being called one of the best players in the league. Because he no longer plays defense the way he used to. Keep the same energy with joker.

[Axe]

Can't call Jordan GOAT seeing when the chip is on the line the ball goes into the hands of







Paxson





Or







Kerr.
:lebronamazed: (https://i.ibb.co/LRYVhvB/IMG-20240928-122514.jpg)

[Xiao Yao You]

"Shooting ability" and "size" go together in basketball how? Are you okay?
KD got size (length) and he is regarded as one of the greatest pure scorer ever, because of his shooting ability. If you remove KD's size he would see be better than the average player.

You see how dumb you sound?

People make fun of Gobert because he can't guard anybody on the perimeter like AD could, despite winning 4 DPOYs.
Well, Jokic is a cone out there and nobody says a thing. we are only focusing on his offensive abilities.

He is not the best player in the league. Basketball is a two-way street. I got Giannis, SGA ahead of Jokic, I am sorry.
LeBron gets crucified when still being called one of the best players in the league. Because he no longer plays defense the way he used to. Keep the same energy with joker.

The numbers tell a different story on gobert fuarding the perimeter. Facts vs fiction