Top 10 Best NBA Players of the 2020-21 Season

This list is for the players who weren't just names on a roster but nightmares for defenders, headaches for coaches, and highlights waiting to happen. These were the guys who made you stay up late on a Tuesday just to catch the fourth quarter. The ones who put their teams on their backs, shredded game plans, and made the regular season feel like a preview for greatness.

You've seen the stats. You've seen the step-backs, the rejections, the triple-doubles that came with a side of swagger. Vote for the ones who turned the 2020-21 season into a grindhouse of skill, guts, and nonstop drama.

The Top Ten

  1. LeBron James

    LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers. He has won four NBA championships.

    LeBron will hold the title of best player in the league for at least one more year. He will most likely take a small break at the beginning of the season, and he honestly deserves it. He is the GOAT in my opinion, and he'll be back to lead the Lakers on another potential Finals run.

    I think he ranks in the top three best players ever.

  2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

    Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. He was selected 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. He is a two-time NBA MVP and led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021.

    Giannis is a superstar in the regular season. He is an absolute beast, and he will be looking to win a third straight MVP this year. If he can improve his passing ability and become more creative with his handles, that could go a long way in the playoffs.

  3. Kevin Durant

    Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He previously starred with the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. He was named NBA Finals MVP in both 2017 and 2018 after championship... read more

    Kevin Durant is back, and doesn't it feel good? Kevin Durant is incredibly talented and has so much skill. I have no doubts about his talent. He just needs to stay healthy, and I think he has a legitimate shot at MVP. He will be in the conversation for best player after this year.

  4. Kawhi Leonard

    Kawhi Anthony Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. He previously played for the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2014, and the Toronto Raptors, whom he led to their first title in 2019. Leonard... read more

    Kawhi is still the best two-way player in the game. He definitely disappointed in the playoffs when the Nuggets knocked them out, and Kawhi played horribly. It could just be a minor setback in his path to succeed LeBron as the best player.

  5. James Harden

    James Edward Harden Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. He is an 11-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2018. Harden is also recognized for leading the league in scoring for three consecutive seasons and for his exceptional... read more

    James Harden took a step back this year, in my opinion. There are now reports that he wants out of Houston, and it has really turned into a mess. It's one of the last things I expected. Still, he is one of the best offensive players in the league and is always a candidate for MVP.

  6. Luka Dončić

    Luka Doncic (born February 28, 1999) is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Since his rookie season, he's been selected to five NBA All-Star games and five All-NBA First Team selections. He also represents the Slovenian national... read more

    Luka is the next big thing. I think we're looking at a potential GOAT. He is so much more talented than everyone else that it's almost ridiculous. Luka will be the best player someday. He is my pick for MVP this year.

  7. Anthony Davis

    Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. (born March 11, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the NBA. He was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks on February 2, 2025, in a blockbuster midseason deal involving Luka Dončić. Davis later joined the Wizards... read more

    AD is about to take the mantle from LeBron in LA. He proved last year that he is a top-ten talent, perhaps a little underrated. AD should have won DPOY last year, but of course, they don't like giving the Lakers awards anymore.

  8. Stephen Curry

    Wardell Stephen Curry II is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA. He is widely considered one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and has set numerous records for three-point shooting. Curry is a two-time MVP and has helped lead the Warriors to four... read more

    Stephen Curry is back and fully healthy. I'll make the same prediction as last year: If Curry leads this team to the Western Conference playoffs without Thompson, I think he'll be MVP. If not, he'll fall further down this list.

  9. Kyrie Irving

    Kyrie Andrew Irving is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. He previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. He helped the Cavaliers win their first championship in 2016 by making the decisive three-pointer late in Game... read more

    Kyrie is back. In the few games we saw him last year, he was absolutely electric. He is incredibly talented, but he just needs to stop being so cocky and arrogant.

  10. Ben Simmons

    Benjamin David Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association. He was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft. Simmons has earned three All-Star selections and won the NBA Rookie... read more

    Ben Simmons is going to surprise some people, I think. He finally has good shooters and a great coach around him, and I think he can work with that. Ben Simmons may take a huge step and win MVP.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Trae Young

    Rayford Trae Young is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Young is known for his shooting and playmaking abilities and earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2020.

  12. ?

    Donovan Mitchell

    Donovan Vernell Mitchell Jr. (born September 7, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Spida," he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets and was subsequently traded to... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. Russell Westbrook

    Russell Westbrook III is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association. He has been recognized for his explosive athleticism and dynamic playing style throughout his career. Westbrook is a nine-time All-Star, won the NBA Most Valuable Player... read more

  14. Bol Bol

  15. Jimmy Butler

    Jimmy Butler III is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. Born in Houston, Butler grew up in Tomball, Texas, and attended Tyler Junior College before transferring to Marquette University. He is a six-time NBA All-Star and led... read more

  16. Jayson Tatum

    Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr. (born March 3, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

    He was a McDonald's All-American in high school in Missouri and played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Tatum was selected... read more

  17. Damian Lillard

    Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. He spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Trail Blazers before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 and returning to Portland in 2025. Lillard is known for his clutch... read more

  18. Pascal Siakam

    Pascal Siakam (born April 2, 1994) is a Cameroonian professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

    A four-time NBA All-Star (2020, 2023, 2025, 2026) and two-time All-NBA selection, Siakam won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019... read more

  19. Paul George

    Paul George (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. He previously played for the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. George is known for his two-way play, earning multiple All-Star... read more

  20. Nikola Jokic

    Nikola Jokić is a Serbian professional basketball player who plays for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association. He was drafted by the Nuggets in 2014 and has since become one of the league's top players. Jokić won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

  21. Joel Embiid

    Joel Hans Embiid is a Cameroonian-American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. He was born on March 16, 1994, and played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. Embiid was named... read more

  22. Bam Adebayo

  23. Karl-Anthony Towns

  24. Kyle Lowry

    Kyle Lowry is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association. He is best known for his time with the Toronto Raptors, where he played a key role in the team's 2019 NBA Championship victory. Lowry also represented the United States at the 2016... read more

  25. Zion Williamson

    Zion Lateef Williamson, born July 6, 2000, is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. He plays power forward and is widely known for his athleticism, strength, and explosive playing style. He was selected first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft after a standout... read more

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