Top 10 NBA players of 2021
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
- Who was the best player in the NBA this year? This video takes a detailed, 360-degree view to rank the top players in basketball in 2021, using scouting reports, analytics, advanced stats and value-concepts based on research on impact and the value of skills.
Player art by @CrumpledJumper
Resources:
Jokic's 2021 offense: • Nikola Jokic is revolu...
Curry' peak: • Why Steph Curry might ...
Durant's peak: • How good was Kevin Dur...
Kawhi vs. LeBron on defense: • Kawhi vs. LeBron: The ...
Kawhi's playmaking improvements: • Kawhi's passing, super...
Giannis defensive profile: • How Giannis makes the ...
Luka's Leap: • How Luka Doncic is red...
Harden post defense: • Harden's post defense,...
Harden passing study: • Mitchell's All-Star bi...
Lillard offensive profile: • Damian Lillard analysi...
Gobert defensive profile: • Does Rudy Gobert's def...
Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music: Restless Knight (Greg Collins) and The Way Forward
#ThinkingBasketball - Sport
Just when the world needed him most, the GOAT returned
fr
Yeh
By the way, I made an NBA skit that is terrible so if you want to have fun, don't watch it
Onggggg
Hell yea
Jokic’s character model makes me laugh lol still giving him that double chin even though he was in better shape last year
They did him dirty
Him and Harden looking like Southpark characters
Big Honey is an anomaly as a player and so good with the chonk or not. Look how far he took his team in the post season last year with a line up that consisted of a 36 year old Millsap, Austin Rivers who was out of the league until Denver signed him. Campazzo who came off the bench as a 4th option PG and of course Gordon who was a great addition but newly acquired. But, the Nuggs need Murray back(maybe post season if they're lucky, I hope)and they need MPJ to be consistent to progress further in the play offs. Joker is the real deal tho and has a huge basketball IQ.
Big Chungus
The fact that Steph had almost zero spacing and had a 15 win team playing on a 60 win pace says it all to me, his impact on the court is just different
People bash KD and his offense for not winning, and against the champ Big 3 Bucks with no Harden and Kyrie.
Meanwhile prime, alien, freakish Curry gets mauled out of the playoffs (and exactly put up hollow and losing stats, and even small stats in itself, especially compared to all those reg season 40s, 50s, 60s) by the nursing Lakers and Ja Morant.
And with no Warriors' development-focus on Wiseman in sight to bash on, but his regular season eruption is still the one who gets the prime focus and gets called the best offensive weapon of all time.
@@dusk6159 he had incredible scoring numbers on crazy efficiency along with extremely high creation for team mates while facing the most defensive attention of any player in nba history in those 2 play-in games. how can you jus diminish that to “losing stats”?
@@sl0jit If 2018 Cavs cadavers Lebron James or MJ (these are just the top cream, one can mention any other star playoffs deep runner, or anyone who didn't crash and shy down in performance in the first bouts of the playoffs) did none of what Curry can do, and they either get constant championships or (to provide the example that completely dwarfs the "bad Warriors point" excuse in both bad team and result from the individual) drag everything past everyone, win no matter what and drop 40s in the playoffs, in do or die final games, 51 8 8 on the strongest superteam of all time in the Finals with no Draymond to playmake for him etc, why does Curry get the unquestionable title of being the best weapon of the best?
But especially surprising is the plain and visible complete stoppage of performance by Steph come Playoffs time, he didn't even look like Curry (not even to me, he even broke my expectations on him lol), let alone the nuclear Curry in specific stretches of his whole lit up regular season.
And it's not like he didn't break expectations either, people were calling, with similar complete confidence, the surefire Curry 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s points nights to come from Curry because he is that good, and how teams were scared and about to die in droves for just meeting Playoffs Curry (basically was the talk of the pre-play in official start, at the end of the regular season with Curry scorching hot).
Why do reality not even adjustes or gets acknowledged, in the judging of Curry now that the 2021 regular season ended, and his 2021 playoffs ended before starting?
It's fine to not crash him down on the judgement, but Steph still gets called the best of the best with blind reverence and plain disregard of anything past May 16 2021.
@@luhjayceho Where are the "not just 40s, he'll drop 50s, 60s, 70, and teams will get bounced droves, because Curry is that good"?
And facing the nursing Lakers and Grizzlies (definitely not the personnel of all-timers or the 08 Celtics or 90s Bulls, and the best offensive weapon by far ever, videogame etc wouldn't even get that mucj fazed even by that level)?
And the best of the best still getting at least some kind of result? Or at least losing stats but big stats and not just cut down?
Or at least not getting outclassed in footprint and value by the other opposing star?
Not even just reaching some kimd of result in the first round but at least winning one of the two chances in the play in?
Where are the excuses good enough to still make one be the unquestionable best offensive weapon of the best, one in a kind videogame etc all not even close to others?
@@dusk6159 Enough people (likely Bron cultists) bash Curry for whatever comes to their feeble little minds that it balances out fairly evenly.
This is, BY FAR, the best basketball content out there. The only thing that compared in the last 20 years was the Kobe analysis series. I love the mix of advanced metrics and the eye test, it gives it a lot more weight than the usual "stat geek" abstracts and old school fans like me can trust both theory and practice in you vids. Thanks!
Which Kobe series ??
@@TheMaradona1996 detail
Have you seen basketball examined? That man is the real goat
@@cesar_malca1224 How can I watch that?
@@NOYOUSHUTUP3.14 is a CZcams channel and has the best quality nba content I’ve seen
this officially marks the beginning of the season
Lol not really it's a biased list tho, how can u be #1 without D. according to "my models" foh 😂😂 season been on 😂😂
@@khabibnoma859 stfu literally nobody cares what you think. Now go off and play with your model toy cars because that’s more your sort of thing 🤡
@@khabibnoma859 I'm not saying I agree with the list but if there's a player that could it's Steph
@@khabibnoma859 Are you under the impression that he does not in fact have mathematical models to gauge player impact?
@@khabibnoma859 And what kind of list wouldn't be biased? I'm sure YOUR list would be unbiased, as the arbiter of logic and mathematical basketball truths in this world.
Ben spazzed too hard with the Greatest peaks series. A well deserved break if you ask me, super happy to see you back though.
It's not even funny how superior TB is in both modus operandi and quality, compared to the literal wiling bs below him, trying to harvest clicks more than anything.
@@dusk6159 Thinking Basketball is one of my favorite basketball channels. The analytical deep dives are what gets me.
@@cameroncampbell1638 yep
And front
Don't forget to check..
-Kobe's "Detailed" series
-On youtube "Basketball Examined"
-Also youtube's White Kyrie's "Heat Check"
-Coach whatshisface with "BBall Breakdown"
Also dope content
I was surprised to see Ben Simmons in all ten spots but I can't exactly hate it.
Benthony Taylortano
@@dariengarcia6439 i was wondering if anyone would get the reference to his comment sections
Men of culture
I was more surprised he only gave player analysis for Luka and Jokic. Very distasteful after reading the description to find him calling the other players the the list “N*ggers.”
Subbed and Liked
@@BringBackStoning "Keep in mind that this was after the monkey league merged with the more talented one, so his melanin probably far outpaces his actual impact. It's not totally clear how well these skills transfer to swimming pools, as we don't have accurate tracking data for players I would consider to be about three-fifths as strong as the average Aryan of the time."
This video aged very well, so far. Curry is on an absolute tear right now
Curry for MVP 2021-2022
Not for the lebron part
Aged poorly for weeks now
@@xeonbladev18 😂😂😂
@@jeroen6275 this aged badly
I had to look up Jokic’ advanced metrics on basketball reference. He really had a historic season. He doesn’t get as much pub as others because his game isn’t as sleek, but he’s highly effective. He’s basically what Larry Bird would be if he was a center.
Or maybe he doesn't get as much attention because he didn't deserve mvp
@@Anonymous-go2uh jeez imagine watching this video and still believing that. and hes a huge net positive on defense this year too lmao.
@@Anonymous-go2uh Imagine being a hater.
Hes bill walton with scoring
@@coreygolphenee9633 he doesn’t defend like bill Walton. Bill Walton (healthy) is more along the lines of Tim Duncan. Jokic is like a center version of Larry Bird or a souped up Jack Sikma/Bill Laimbeer/Vlade Divac
That #1 pick tho. If anyone still has doubts about the validity of this content... Grats Steph on Finals MVP June 2022.
this aged well
How?
Great to have this video, I was very curious to see where your ranges would land. It feels like every player ranking today is so influenced by the media and narratives, but you never let those things impact your analysis. Your list differs a lot from most typical top 10 lists, but there's such a strong rationale for where every player is placed with data to back it up, and the use of ranges makes so much more sense than firm placements. At the very top of the league, the gap between the very best players is often a lot smaller than we'd like to make it out.
The difference is tiny with this top 9. I think there is just a tiny bit more between 9-10 (no offense to Paul George).
The Goat is back. The only Top Players list I was looking forward to.
Deadass
Lol joker and curry dont play D, whack list with good edit. 😂
Great list.
I would've put Trae at the 10 spot over PG though.
@@khabibnoma859 they are still some of the most valuable players in the league for their teams. Take them away and their teams will drop drastically
Mere seconds ago I was like damn, I hope Ben gets around to his top 10 of 2021. Honestly haven't been so excited for a youtube video in months.
Thinking Basketball has a CZcams Algorithm +/- rarely seen outside of Sweden. Best YT channel ever!
Yooooo, it’s finally here! Long awaited
I’ve been binge watching your greatest peak videos and your jokic videos cause I’ve been dying for intellectual bball insight. 🐐
Joker is the goat!
You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this!
You must be rubbing one out to seeing Kawhi put ahead of LeBron...
Yessir finally! I’ve been needing some thinking basketball
Finally, a new video. Thanks for this TB.
Holy shit hes back
Let’s go
"Guess who's back, back again.."
HES BACK FINALLY
What a twist at the end with PG! Amazing. Shoutout Paul George.
Damn only 3 months?? Felt like a whole year and I ain’t exaggerating at all! Glad you’re back!
Each videos have so much value though, I don't mind long breaks.
Been waiting on this one already know it’s gonna be a banger 🔥
Thanks for a thorough breakdown video. Entertaining and informative, my cup of tea.
Been waiting for this for so long bro THANK YOU
That take on curry… aged like fine wine.
How?
@@ZZ-ex8py 🤣
I never clicked so fast. You’re fucking GOATED bro
Easy man no need for premature clickulation
@@pzooka 😂😂😂
Respect. Always insightful. I'm glad you gave Steph his props. I've been saying loudly that 32 ppg at 65.5% true shooting is historically unheard of.
🤓1988-89 Michael Jeffery Jordan has entered the chat:
32.5 ppg, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 2.9 steals, 0.9 blocks 61.4%TS( league average TS was 53.7%).
This isn’t even Jordan’s best scoring season lol.
@@Oppenheimer1967 I do love MJ, but the gap in efficiency is not trivial - 65.5% v 61.4% TS. Like I said, no one, not even MJ, has ever shot at that volume and at that level of efficiency.
@@joshb.1118 I get that Steph's efficiency is better but rTS matters too, because the spacing and 3par were much different.
I've been waiting for a year and a half for this video :)
got to be my favorite basketball analysis available, what a pleasure. thank you
Love that old man Kyrie bobble head. Took me a second to remember that add. That’s a throwback!
you have no idea how long i’ve waited for this video benjamin
I was waiting for this, they delivered at the right time
Bro thank you for coming back you literally my favorite basketball channel
We need a 2022 version!
Hopefully he does 2023 and he accidentally missed last year lol
@@kizitokatende4122022 was only on patreon. No video just a ranking with some notes, stats. 2023 is in podcast form this year.
@@TheMissinLinkwhere can I find the 2023 podcast?
@@broskie9362 any streaming service and the More Thinking Basketball channel on YT. Anywhere you can listen to a podcast really
*Definately the highlight of my day to see this video.*
been waiting for this, dang I'm so hyped!!!
I've been waiting for this!
Can’t wait for 2022
I knew Lebron would have the biggest range, he’s such a question mark. I feel like if he load manages and stays healthy he will get to do his thing in the playoffs. Very interesting year!
LeBron was excellent before his ankle injury. Like top 3 MVP voting good.
Edit: even on defense he was all defensive 1st team production
Lebron carried the Lakers without AD before he went down himself. He was still a top 3 player easily. Right now Giannis and KD are the only two players who are clearly better and thats only bc they lack the mileage.
LeBron didn't carry anything, he straight up gave up when AD was gone vs the Suns. Dozens of possessions where he would refuse to get back on defense so he could complain at the refs. But some of yall have short term memory. He's been doing this his whole career, always telling people to switch for him so he can save energy on the defensive end.
@@JL-fh4qw So you watch that from some highlights? Watch the game and see what really happened before you judge why he did that
@@JL-fh4qw Lebron certainly wasn't himself against sun but you need to watch the full game. The sun defense is just design to stop him. The rest of the crew also have a off season including Caruso which is usually solid. Anyone can put together a montage to make someone look bad so you got to watch the game ya
So glad Thinking Basketball videos are back !
Highly highly anticipated video. Welcome back king 👑
I've been waiting for this moment for so long.
Your video quality is so amazing, solid list imo, for me its KD, Giannis, Steph at 1 2 and 3
KD 1? Hyhyhy, no.
I’ve been waiting for this for so long great to have you back
I’ve been waiting for this!!!
Thank you Ben for giving JOKIC his deserved respect ! Great vid as always !
It’s finally here
THATS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR
I've been waiting patiently
Really enjoy this series. Great analysis as always. Should we also be expecting any finals analysis videos from these past playoffs? Thank you for all this content!
This is like when Michael Jordan came back from retirement the first time.
The goatttttt. Excellent breakdown.
Yes! Been waiting for this! Always the best takes.
Was just listening to your postdraft podcast ep with J. Kyle Mann. Very glad to see this!
What pod is that?
I was just on Spotify waiting for a new pod
Just commenting to say how much I've appreciated your videos over the years. Great stuff, as always.
Great to have you back.
Look at curry man so inspirational.
Curry's defense inspired up and coming Ja Morant too much, he looked like prime MJ in the eating and Lebron in the mismatch hunting.
Poor Warriors.
@Myztinct Damn you beat me to this comment...why are bronsexuals always so salty???
@Myztinct Stop liking your own comments man, that's even more ridicolous and basic than your take
@@dusk6159 Nah man, Curry is great
@@dusk6159 didn’t curry drop 50 against ja😅😅
I was having a bad day today glad you posted fam 🔥
This content is too good. Thanks for your work man
Thanks for the vid
You always surprise me with your list you always put players on interesting spots we always have such interesting information as of why you put them on that spot and I like that you aren’t afraid to be bold in fact I don’t think you even think that
wow this was so right.
Ayyyy he's back!!
This video is simply amazing 🔥
ANOTHER TOP 10 PLS 2023!!!!
Well well well, looks like ben was right
Been WAITING for this. Great work as always Ben.
Very quality videos these are some of the only videos I can rewatch
Thank you for being truthful about Rudy!
I wanna see this man build his own Perfect Nba team with any player in NBA History
This analysis is so interesting!
I've been waiting to watch this video
Are you planning on doing a 2022 version?
Amazing video as always! Where would you place CP3? Him and the Suns had a great playoff run and he's a two-way player that scores, spaces and creates for his teammates.
I wouldn’t say Chris Paul is a two way player anymore imo a good team defender I agree with but he hasn’t been the same defender since his first year in Houston
maybe top 20
I’ve never been so excited to see a video from you! Honestly was beginning to get worried something happened man. Thank you for the great consistent content!
FINALLY! Great vid!
Ayo Ben finally remembered his youtube account password
Welcome back!
Damn i havent clicked anything this fast
bro I love this channel so much
I love your graphs. Thank you 👍
FINALLYYYY!!!!!
The quality of this dude's content is second to none
Not even funny how completely far above he is to every single one.
@@dusk6159 He lightyear-lapped the field.
FINALLY. CON UNA CHINGADA. I've been waiting for this so long. I've seen your influence in more channels and even popular spanish ones have been incluenced by you. You are the best analyst rn
Finally, after months of absence..
I LOVE your videos man! Awesome as always.. 👏🏻
Greatest players make others around them better. Firmly agree. Those top 3 are beautiful to watch.
I strongly agree jokic is my favorite player and watching giannis dunk or Steph make a 3 on 3 defenders is beautiful basketball indeed.
It’s always interesting to see how much great offense can make up for subpar defense, at least in your evaluations
Individual offense is more important than individual defense. You can hide a poor defender around good defensive role players and still be a great defensive team. For example, the Warriors had the 5th best defensive rating last season despite Curry being a slight negative on that end.
@@nolanrussell6326 Funnily enough, not only Steph offense was completely thrown away by two different opponents in two different Playoffs occasions, but Ja Morant daggering and upsetting and defeating the prime Curry-led Warriors happened because sophomore Morant could target Steph lol.
The original comment nailed, it's truly stark to look at (not that Ben is necessarily wrong in doing that).
@@dusk6159 you gonna add in context there or just state it like fact? Curry is guarded in an unprecedented manner. He is picked up at half court and is frequently guarded by 2 to 3 people. Hes a 6'3 gaurd. The fact his teammates (mostly Wiggins Wiggins green) were unable to hit wide open shots is what doomed them not ja morant.
And "prime" lol you tripping. Nothing about lats years warriors were prime.
@@nolanrussell6326 Curry is not really a negative but I see wym
@@ubadman1 he is talking about Prime Curry not the Warriors
I barely watch the NBA anymore but I always watch your videos. Phenomenal content!
cant wait to see your videos as the regular season Is shaping up to start, some of the best content on the site
Not many youtubers make me stop everything and watch when they upload
Kawhi has had one the best primes ever and it’s being ruined time and time again by injuries . It’s really sad because his lack of longevity is what is gonna keep him away from challenging the all time greats.
@Wendigo He be the GOAT? Nah, That's pushing it too far.
@Wendigo Pushing for Top 20 to 15? Sure but GOAT? Doubtful
I swear Kwahi against Mavs was some another level monster. IDC what anyone says but that he looked Jordan on some stretches.
@Wendigo I don’t think that would stop kawhi’s injury problem. It’s clear that he has structural problems, that if Zaza didn’t injure him, something else would cause the injury
@@lik7953 yea but i feel like it would have happened later on
Great to have this channel back, and an excellent video
WE MISSED YOU MAN!!!! Keep the vids coming please lol
As a nuggs fan I’m pleasantly surprised 😳
Welcome back - you’ve been missed!
Hell yeah I'm excited to watch
I’ve been waiting for you