Greatest of the Game: Top 5 NBA players of the 2020s so far

The 2020s have already carved a remarkable chapter in NBA history. A decade marked by resilience, innovation, and electrifying performances. From the unprecedented NBA Bubble in Orlando, where the Los Angeles Lakers captured the 2020 championship behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, to the dramatic rise of new contenders, this era has tested players both on and off the court.

The decade has already produced unforgettable moments. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-point masterpiece in Game 6 of the 2021 Finals secured the Milwaukee Bucks’ first championship in 50 years, cementing his place among the league’s elite. Luka Dončić has delivered countless jaw-dropping performances, including a 46-point triple-double against the Clippers in the 2020 playoffs, signaling the rise of a new generational superstar. Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors to the 2022 championship with a dazzling display of long-range shooting, including several record-breaking three-point performances. Off the court, the league has embraced social activism, with players uniting to champion justice and equity, further demonstrating the influence of NBA stars beyond basketball.

Here are the top 5 NBA players of the 2020s so far:

5. Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić entered the 2020s as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, dazzling fans with his size, skill, and basketball IQ. A master of the step-back three, fearless drives, and clutch shot-making, Luka quickly established himself as the face of the Dallas Mavericks. His breakout moment came in the 2020 playoffs, when he recorded a 46-point triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers, signaling that he was not just a rising star but a generational talent.

The decade took an unexpected turn when Luka was surprisingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that instantly reshaped the Western Conference landscape. Now paired with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Dončić’s dynamic playmaking, creativity, and scoring prowess promise to make the Lakers an even greater contender. Fans have already witnessed Luka’s ability to elevate the game in high-stakes moments, from buzzer-beaters to late-game heroics, proving he can thrive alongside established superstars.

4. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry has continued to redefine what it means to be a superstar in the 2020s, proving that even a decade into his career, he remains one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors’ floor general has maintained his uncanny shooting, lightning-quick release, and court vision, dominating games with the very style that revolutionized modern basketball. From deep threes to gravity-defying finishes, Curry’s offensive wizardry keeps defenses constantly on edge.

Curry’s sustained dominance is best exemplified by the Warriors’ resurgence in the early 2020s. In 2022, he led Golden State to its fourth championship of the decade, securing Finals MVP honors while delivering a series of clutch performances, including long-range bombs and orchestrated comebacks that reminded the league why he remains one of the all-time greats. Beyond championships, Curry consistently fills stat sheets, sets records, and influences how the game is played, inspiring a new generation of shooters and point guards.

3. LeBron James

Even as the NBA enters a new era, LeBron James remains the ultimate benchmark for greatness in the 2020s. Entering the decade already a four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, LeBron has continued to redefine what it means to dominate across eras. His combination of size, skill, basketball IQ, and leadership allows him to impact every facet of the game—from scoring to playmaking to defense—at an elite level, year after year.

The 2020s have already produced unforgettable LeBron moments. Leading the Los Angeles Lakers, he captured the 2020 NBA championship in the Orlando bubble, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s greatest closers in unprecedented circumstances. Even beyond championships, LeBron has delivered countless highlight-reel performances, triple-doubles, and clutch playoff heroics, proving that age is no barrier to excellence. His ability to elevate teammates, orchestrate offenses, and dominate in high-stakes situations showcases a rare combination of longevity and sustained supremacy.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo has emerged as the defining force never-before-seen in the NBA. A generational talent whose combination of size, speed, and skill makes him nearly impossible to stop. The “Greek Freak” dominates on both ends of the floor, blending relentless drives to the rim, elite playmaking, and versatile defense that allows him to guard virtually every position. His athleticism and work ethic have propelled him from a rising star to a two-time NBA MVP and a Finals MVP, firmly establishing him among the era’s elite.

Giannis’s crowning moment came in 2021, when he led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 50 years, delivering a 50-point performance in Game 6 of the Finals against the Phoenix Suns—one of the most dominant Finals performances in NBA history. Beyond the title, he has repeatedly carried Milwaukee deep into the playoffs, producing highlight-reel dunks, clutch blocks, and game-winning plays that make him a nightmare matchup night after night.

What sets Giannis apart in the 2020s is his combination of individual brilliance and team impact. He elevates every player around him, transforms franchises, and consistently demonstrates that his dominance is not a flash in the pan but a sustained force shaping the decade. As one of the league’s most physically and strategically complete players, Giannis stands as a modern colossus, poised to leave an indelible mark on NBA history.

1. Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić is redefining what it means to be a superstar in the 2020s NBA. Unlike any player before him, Jokić combines the vision and playmaking of a point guard with the size, skill, and versatility of a modern center, creating a style of basketball that feels simultaneously revolutionary and effortless. His ability to orchestrate an offense from the post, deliver pinpoint passes, and score from anywhere on the court has made him the engine of the Denver Nuggets and a matchup nightmare for any opponent.

Jokić’s defining moments in the decade include leading Denver to its first Western Conference Finals appearances in years and delivering historic playoff performances with his signature calm, unflappable demeanor. He has captured multiple MVP awards in the 2020s, becoming the first center since the 1970s to dominate the league so thoroughly while setting new standards for efficiency and creativity. His triple-doubles, deep-range shooting, and court-spanning vision have turned him into a basketball phenom whose impact is both measurable in stats and felt in the way defenses are constructed around him.

What makes Jokić truly unique is his cerebral approach to the game. He transcends traditional positions, blurs the lines between playmaker and scorer, and brings a style of basketball that feels both subtle and breathtaking. In an era dominated by athleticism and pace, Jokić proves that intelligence, skill, and creativity can not only compete but can redefine the entire decade. 

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