Basketball has evolved into more than a sporting game; it is a source of entertainment. The late and great owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dr. Jerry Buss, envisioned the platform and reach of basketball as much more than a sport. Thus, “Showtime” was created in the ’80s, and basketball has never been the same. Players in today’s game provide countless spectacles that thrill the fans, drawing them to come back to see more every night.
Thanks to innovations like NBA League Pass, basketball fans are able to watch any and every game. Whether it’s displays of phenomenal scoring, moments of athletic, acrobatic dunks, or insane dimes, some players have the ability to capture the viewer’s attention even when the ball isn’t in their hands.
The following list is not about ranking the best players; it is about the players that draw viewers in the most and provide the most thrilling moments right now in the NBA. With that said, who are the ten most exciting players to watch this season? Let’s find out.
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Next In Line: James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard
10. Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks are a train wreck this season. Off-court distractions, player behavior, and the hot seat of coach Mike Woodson are just the headlining problems facing the historic franchise this year. Yet Carmelo Anthony presents the most intriguing and interesting storyline for New York this season. While the question of “will he stay or will he go?” strengthens each day the NBA gets closer to free agency, ‘Melo continues to put on shows of incredible scoring feats.
Anthony has long been regarded as one of the best pure scorers in the game, if not the best. Every basketball fan was glued to the TV in January as ‘Melo set the franchise record for scoring with 62 points, surpassing Bernard King‘s 60-point feat in 1984, and also breaking the scoring record at Madison Square Garden set by Kobe Bryant. As long as he continues putting the ball in the bucket at a high rate, ‘Melo will draw in viewers who want to be entertained by the scoring machine, even if that is the only reason to watch the Knicks this season.
9. Chris Paul
The vast majority of basketball fans consider Chris Paul the best point guard in the NBA. There isn’t much CP3 can’t do, as his all-around game poses a threat to every opponent. Watching Paul on the court is like watching an orchestrator arrange and control his orchestra. Paul may not got the crowd to their feet with marvelous displays of athleticism like Blake Griffin, but nine times out of ten, he is the one responsible for setting up those thrilling plays.
CP3 is equipped with the clutch gene and arguably the game’s best basketball I.Q. These qualities allow his mind-numbing myriad of passing and playmaking skills to shine under the bright lights of Los Angeles. Paul will find the smallest lane and find a way to take advantage. Whether he is throwing a beautiful lob, nailing a clutch shot, setting up a timely play off the ball, or showing off his renowned dribbling skills, CP3 sure knows how to electrify the crowd.
8. Paul George
A new superstar is emerging in the NBA right now, and is name is Paul George. PG has asserted himself as the legitimate face of the Pacers and the best player in Indiana. His acceleration as one of the top two-way players in the game allows fans to witness entertaining moments on both ends of the court, most of the time in consecutive plays. Whether it is locking down defenders or throwing down 360-degree windmills in transition, PG knows how to shine in the spotlight.
To put the excitement that PG creates into perspective, look at how much hype he caused by accepting an invitation for the Slam Dunk Contest at this year’s All-Star Weekend. Unfortunately for fans, the new format of the contest almost prevented creativity from ever happening, as the contest seemed to be over just as it began to heat up. The matchup between George and LeBron James so far this season has been pure entertainment, and the potential of a matchup between these two powerhouses in the playoffs already has fans anxiously waiting.
7. Russell Westbrook
Yes, Russell Westbrook has been sidelined for a large portion of the season with meniscus issues, but his rank as an exciting player to watch remains strong. The Thunder had lost their first three games since Westbrook’s latest return from his knee injury, but that shouldn’t be a precursor for how OKC will finish the season. The Thunder remains on top of the standings in the West, and having Russ back on the hardwood also remains a positive. But, I digress. The former Bruin has been dazzling the crowd with his intensity, aggressiveness and explosiveness for years. His accuracy and efficiency has been slow to come back, but that can be expected after returning from a prolonged absence and the fact that he is a streaky shooter.
Speaking of his streaky shooting, that is one of the most exciting elements in his game. While Kevin Durant represents consistency for OKC, Westbrook represents the necessary edge that can take the Thunder all the way. With plenty of games and opportunity remaining this season, Westbrook will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his exhilarating play for the fans.
6. Kyrie Irving
Is there any other player in the NBA that has the handles of Kyrie Irving today? The simple answer is no. Irving may be questioned for his hesitation in becoming a leader, but no one can deny that watching Kyrie with the ball in his hands is memorizing. Uncle Drew seems to pull off at least one crossover per game that will send the defender to the ground in embarrassing fashion–see Thabo Sefolosha on Wednesday. Irving also has the ability to turn heads in the lane, where his creativity to get to the rim truly shines. He can dish out flashy dimes and knock down clutch shots.
Basketball fans witnessed just how Irving can take over a game with his ridiculous set of offensive skills during the All-Star Game, which resulted in the former Blue Devil winning the All-Star MVP award. When healthy, engaged and aggressive, Irving is one of the most compelling players to watch. It will be interesting to see if he stays in Cleveland or opts to showcase his mind-blowing individual talents in a larger market in the near future. In the meantime, fans can still enjoy Uncle Drew putting opponents on skates every night.
5. John Wall
The Washington Wizards unofficially announced John Wall as their face of the franchise and their entire future when the front office extended the former first pick to a max contract ($80 million) last July. While debate existed as to whether or not Wall deserved the max deal, his performance this season has put those questions to rest. Wall has expanded his impressive individual talents to include abilities to make his teammates better. Wall is the quickest player in the league, but he has found control in using that lightening speed to demolish the competition, whether presented in the open court or by chasing down opponents for blocks. While his shooting has slowly improved, his ability to slice and dice through the lane is beautiful to watch. The first-time All-Star has a mean crossover and can finish with craftiness. The Wizards are on track to make the playoffs, as they are currently one of the only five teams in the Eastern Conference to hold a .500 or better record. The team’s success begins and ends with Wall, and his game continues to be one of the most entertaining to watch.
4. Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin has evolved his overall offensive game to the point that he no longer has to depend on the playmaking of Chris Paul to do some damage. Sure, he remains a human highlight reel with his thunderous dunks and his athletic prowess in the open court on any given night, which ignites the interests from viewers. But it has been his growth as an individual leader that has quickly shed his reputation as a “one-trick pony.”
Griffin is a walking double-double, as he has joined the small group of players who average 20 and 10 per game. Griffin has scored at least 20 points in 19 straight games–a career-best–and while Kevin Durant was deservedly hoarding the spotlight in February with his stellar scoring streak, Griffin actually topped KD in scoring for most of the month before conceding the scoring title for February to Durant. The Clippers remained on top during the 19-game stretch without CP3 largely due to the emergence of Griffin as the first option. His efficiency in the post, in the midrange, and at the charity stripe is fun for the true basketball nerds to watch–myself included. It doesn’t hurt that his explosiveness to attack the rim is thrilling for even the most casual fan out there.
3. LeBron James
There is a reason why LeBron James is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league today. He simply gets better every year, which is a statement that seems insane. Each season, his efficiency gets a little higher, while his range gets a little longer. For the last two seasons, LeBron’s hunger for a championship peaked, which is why fans saw him perform out of his mind and collect back-to-back Larry O’Brien trophies as a result. As the NBA has already passed the halfway mark of the 2013-14 season and is in post-All-Star Game mode, mindsets and gameplans are tightening up as playoff standings become more and more important to teams and the players.
‘Bron has always been the marquee player to watch for his dazzling abilities from his days in Cleveland to his reign in Miami. His power, strength, speed, explosiveness are characteristics that bring fans to their feet and eyes to the screen. ‘Bron is on a mission to get back to the Finals for the fourth straight year and do something only a few in NBA history have done: three-peat. Watching his natural talents be channeled toward a mission is nothing but must-see T.V.
2. Kevin Durant
This may be the first year that Kevin Durant may legitimately dethrone LeBron James from his MVP reign. KD–I believe that’s what he wants to be called these days–is playing his best basketball of his career this season… by far. That may be enough to push him past the status of being a number two. His ridiculous scoring streak, which is still active, has been one of those performances that will live on and be talked about for years to come. And for all of those critics that sighted KD’s rank and value was only because he had Russell Westbrook as his sidekick, they have treaded back as his brilliance over the last 2-plus months has come with Russ on the bench.
The uber-efficient KD has posted 25 points in each of the last 25 games–four games less than his 2009-10 streak of 29 games. His all-around game has grown, as he has evolved in strength and I.Q. It has been well known that an aggressive Durant is an unguardable Durant. An unguardable and aggressive KD is downright dangerous and gives the fans some of the best entertainment the game has to offer today.
1. Stephen Curry
There is arguably no better shooter in the NBA today than 25-year-old Stephen Curry. Even the reigning MVP and the best player in the game, LeBron James, praised Curry’s shooting abilities and dubbed him as “one of the best shooters the NBA will see” after an early January matchup against the Warriors in South Beach, where Steph exploded for 36 points and 12 dimes. His natural shooting technique that has made him a household name and a 2014 All-Star starter is in his genetics, as his father, Dell Curry, remains regarded as one of the best sharpshooters in history.
Steph is aggressive and intense, and his clutch shooting from distance–even when off-balanced–makes him a constant threat to catch fire and distinguish all momentum and hope in the opposing team. As long as Curry is on the floor, Dubs fans can be assured that the All-Star will find a way for his team to compete, whether he is leading his team in a comeback or throwing down a triple-double at Madison Square Garden in only three quarters. Steph Curry is the brightest star in Oakland, and continually plays in a way that causes anyone watching to be completely enamored.
Which players can you absolutely not turn the channel on?
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