Top NBA Players of the 21st Century: Why The Athletic Put LeBron at No.1 and Curry at No.2
The Athletic — via the NYTimes Athletic channel — recently published a widely shared expert poll ranking the top NBA players of the 21st century. The list has reignited the perennial GOAT debate, with LeBron James named No. 1 and Stephen Curry slotting in at No. 2. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Quick take: What the ranking means
The ranking reflects a blend of career longevity, awards, peak performance and influence on the modern game. That combination is why LeBron — whose statistical resume, championships and adaptability span two decades — tops the list, while Curry's seismic impact on shot location, spacing and the three-point revolution earns him the No.2 spot. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Tim Duncan
- Kobe Bryant
- Nikola Jokić
- Kevin Durant
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Dwyane Wade
Why LeBron sits at No. 1
LeBron's case is rooted in unmatched longevity at elite levels. Across scoring, playmaking and leadership, he has been an All-NBA mainstay since the 2000s, setting career records and collecting championships while maintaining statistical excellence. Voters who favor consistency, era-spanning dominance and adaptability often place LeBron at the top. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Why Curry is No.2 — and why the debate rages on
Curry's influence is both tangible and cultural: he rewrote the rulebook on spacing and long-range shooting, making the three-point shot a central weapon across the league. Even voters who put him at No.2 acknowledge Curry's transformative role, which makes the LeBron–Curry comparison more about values (longevity vs. game-changing impact) than raw counting stats alone. The Athletic's analysts and related podcast discussions have spent ample time weighing these tradeoffs. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
What to watch next: Younger stars and the evolving list
Lists like this are living documents. As new seasons add MVP-caliber campaigns from younger stars — and veterans continue to add to their resumes — rankings will shift. Names like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić and Victor Wembanyama are already part of the conversation for future climbs, depending on championships and sustained peak performance. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
How fans reacted
Social media lit up with reactions — from full-throated support of LeBron's top spot to defenders of Curry's candidacy for No.1. The Athletic’s own podcast panel broke down the methodology and the nuance behind each placement, helping readers understand why certain players are valued more for peak and others for career totals. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Trendy News verdict
Rankings will always reflect subjective weighting of championships, individual awards, peak seasons and cultural impact. The Athletic’s list provides a thoughtful expert snapshot that fuels smart debate — and for fans, that debate is part of the fun. Whether you prioritize LeBron's complete resume or Curry's game-changing influence, the conversation itself adds to the appreciation of modern basketball greatness.
Read more: For the full original roundup and the Athletic’s write-up, see The Athletic’s coverage distributed via the NYTimes Athletic feed and related discussions on the Athletic podcast. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
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