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If you’re looking for the best players in the NBA right now, look no further than Nikola Jokic, Nikola Malone, Joel Embiid, and Brandon Ingram. These players are all having stellar seasons, and their respective teams are struggling to compete without them. While the entire league has been impressed with their recent performances, they’re not quite at the level of LeBron James. Let’s examine the players we feel are on the verge of breakthroughs and why they’re the top players in the league right now.
Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram has been on a tear since joining the Pelicans. He’s only 24 but has already recorded career highs in points, assists, and rebounds.
Against the Spurs, he scored 27 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists. The Pelicans were never without Ingram, and he averaged 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists in the playoff series. Ingram also made the game-winning three-pointer in the fourth quarter of the playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, with 0.8 seconds left in the game.
A versatile athlete, Ingram spent his high school years on the bench with the Kinston Vikings. As a freshman, he played on the bench but became the varsity’s main scorer in his junior year. In 2013, his team won the NCHSAA 2-A boys basketball state title with his help, and he scored 28 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. The year following, he attended the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Virginia, where he competed against players from top NBA teams. Despite being an incoming NBA player, he also played in an off-season event in his home state: the East Coast Invitational. This AAU tournament allows players to show off other passions outside of basketball.
Nikola Jokic
While the NBA is filled with elite players, Nikola Jokic is quickly rising in the rankings. As a back-to-back MVP nominee, he set a new player efficiency rating in the 21-22 season.
His 9.8 VORP and 13.7 boxes plus/minus led the NBA. In addition to his incredible scoring ability, Jokic also averaged 13.6 rebounds per game, 7.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.9 blocks. Those numbers alone make him one of the top 10 players in the NBA right now.
In addition to his recent MVP award, Jokic has also been praised for his defense and ability to rebound. He has been an excellent teammate for Denver Nuggets guard Joel Embiid, who was drafted by the Lakers in the second round. The Lakers have been a surprisingly good team in Jokic’s rookie season, and he’s already earned a spot on the bench.
Joel Embiid
The Philadelphia 76ers’ center Joel Embiid is a freak of nature. At 7’2″ and 280 pounds, he’s one of the most athletic players in the NBA.
His shooting ability has also earned him praise for his efficiency. His recent struggles with turnovers have been minimized by his ability to make effective shots and improve on his performance from last season. Joel Embiid is an MVP candidate this year, and his improved play this season has prompted many to praise him.
The comparison between Kobe and Michael Jordan is a little overblown, but his scoring prowess is a big part of his game. It’s no surprise that Embiid is ranked among the top 10 NBA players right now. He’s already over seven feet tall, so he’s not likely to be hampered by an undersized forward.
LeBron James
It is hard to argue that LeBron James is one of the top NBA players right now, especially since he’s been at the top of the game for several years now.
He was part of the original “super team” of the league – the Miami Heat – and has been playing all five positions on any given night. While he’s relied more on three-point shooting this season, he’s still a legitimate threat to score at will. His all-time vision and lethal rock-back jumper make it hard for opponents to stop him. However, despite his talent, his success is not enough to keep him in the top 10.
There are many reasons why LeBron James is a top player. He’s an icon in the NBA and arguably the greatest in sports history. He’s incredibly talented, a great leader, and one of the best players in the world. This season, he’ll try to win a record fifth ring. Let’s take a look at just a few of the reasons why he’s in the top 10 of the NBA right now.
Porzingis
The question of whether Kristaps Porzingis is one of the top 10 NBA players right now is an incredibly difficult one to answer. 
The NBA has a long history of identifying superstar players, but few have been as successful as Porzingis has been. As a rookie in Dallas, Porzingis was ranked 34th by ESPN heading into the season. In 2020, he will be listed 41st. Last season, however, Porzingis struggled on the defensive end of the court, and his defense suffered.
Kristaps Porzingis was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Upon his drafting, he was booed by some New York fans but vowed to change their minds. The Knicks then traded Porzingis to the Wizards ahead of the trade deadline, making him the highest drafted Latvian player in NBA history. However, after only a few games, Porzingis tore his left ACL against the Milwaukee Bucks and missed the rest of the season.
