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Shaqfor3

The usual suspects you know, Luka, Jokic, Coby White, maybe Giannis or Wemby


Ajdee6

I dont know about that list. Coby definitely top 5 tho


0_00_00_00_00_0

For sure, also they forgot Kyle Anderson


aroach1995

It’s gotta be the hair Cotton


Desperate-Warthog-70

One of these is not like the other…. Let’s see Wemby win a playoff game first


The_Champ_Son

What about Dick?


MansourBahrami

Dick Gradey sick as fuck


shook_-

Forgot to add in Dalano banton the fuck. The disrespect


Bestk3pts3cret

Luka and the joker


blingblingmofo

Wemby is putting up rookie stats like he’s a top 5 all time player. Way too early to say, but with the Spurs being the youngest team in the league they have a ton of time to grow.


GQDragon

Guys that tall historically have short careers. We’ll see.


jiggy_42

Well in relevance to having an all-time career, Magic only had 11 before he left the league and he still had an incredible career. Wemby in 10 years can prove he belongs up there with the greats.


lcsulla87gmail

You think wemby can win 5 titles in 11years?


_The_Honored_One_

Can’t compare the number of rings players have from different eras. The league has changed too much


Ok-Guide-3837

Idk why you’re downvoted, respectfully the league has just gotten deeper as time has gone. That’s not a slight on magic, kareem or Jordan. It’s just how things are


Robotslushie

Especially when one remembers that none of the reigning champions since Toronto have made it last the SECOND round. Truly crazy how much parity / depth the league currently has.


Dareal6

Magic won Finals MVP his rookie season lol. If any player can get a start like that, then sure they’d be in the conversation right away for potential Top 20 player. Wemby had a Top 30 rookie season of all time. He can climb, but it’s a long way up.


blingblingmofo

Wemby is not a normal tall guy. He has unmatched speed for his size, and he’s skilled enough to hit a logo 3. Not to mention the fact he doesn’t have to jump to dunk will make it easier on his body. He’s also not that much taller than Kareem, only about 2 inches. With modern medicine and training he can have a very long career. Most tall guys are tall and move awkwardly, Wemby moves more like a guard than a center.


StoneySteve420

I hope you're right but there hasn't really been a star level player over 7'3 who didn't have major injuries. There's 27 players 7'3 or taller all-time. Only 6 of those played 500 or more games. They are... Manute Bol Shawn Bradley Mark Eaton Rik Smits Zydrunas Ilgauskas Randy Brewer Quite a few of those are really good players. Vic is taller than Zydrunas and Randy. Notable players with less than 500 games would be Yao Ming, Ralph Sampson, and Arvydas Sabonis (although he didn't play in the NBA till he was 30 and still had almost as many games as Yao) I really hope he can break the mold, but modern medicine isn't perfect. We might have gotten another couple seasons out of a player like Yao with today's science, but who knows.


PineappleTraveler

Arvydas was the truth. If he’d played in the league from age 21-30 there’d be a lot of different conversations to be had.


gamertag0311

Really surprised Ilgauskas got to 500 games. Hidden gem of the vaunted 96 draft class


GQDragon

We’ll see. Ralph Sampson was really quick and athletic too.


StunningRing5465

No man you don’t get it, Wemby does pilates so they’ve completely solved the problem of injuries 


I-wanna-GO-FAST

I agree he's not a normal tall guy that has a better chance of lasting, but I think that's mostly because of how limber he is. Kareem did yoga too which probably helped him stay on the court. Flexibility can go a long way in preventing injuries, which is usually the biggest factor in limiting the career length of 7 footers.


newagesaltyseadog

Wemby undertakes quite a comprehensive stretching / yoga regime. He's smart enough to know this is the key to his longevity.


DarthPineapple5

Sure I guess, if you completely ignore his efficiency. Y'all are writing an awful lot of checks that kid needs to cash. Its not fair to him and its disrespectful to the greats


GBAGY2

If Jokic doesn’t win another ring and finals mvp I don’t think he gets top 20, that said the chances of him getting that are pretty good but big guys can age quickly from injuries you never know


Weak_Beginning3905

How? He has resume of Moses Malone at the age of thirty. His legacy will be better than guys like Dirk, Barkley, Robinson or Wade. How is that not top 20?


BlueHundred

I 100% agree. Imo the only argument Dirk has over Jokic is longevity, and I rank Dirk highest out of those four.


Far_Excitement6140

How many players have 3 MVP’s? That should settle it.


Novel_Board_6813

I dunno. Nowadays the best player is often rewarded with the MVP Before 2017, the best players also usually had to be a little lucky and play for the best or second best team Is Jokic’s career today already clearly better than Steph’s? KD’s? Kobe? Shaq? I don’t think so; at least not yet


suckamadicka

top 20 is the discussion, not Steph KD or Shaq. 3 MVPs and a title is hands down top 20.


BlueHundred

Agreed. Other notable guys in the mix for top 20: Karl, Moses, Dirk, KG, West, Dr. J, Chuck, Admiral, Baylor imo. I think Jokic is already a part of that group.


suckamadicka

100%, he's quite comfortably the best offensive player there by a fair bit, ridiculous efficiency and honestly he's at least a top 5 passer of all time. His longevity is a question and defensively he's not the guy, but his total package is beyond what most of those guys are offering.


elkresurgence

Moses won three MVPs and one ring, and he's been considered top 20 by most


Shame_Low

Can we stop the cap? If Moses Malone is there, Jokic is there


DarthBane6996

I think you can make a top 20 without Moses Malone though


Nubsondubs

You can, but it would be a mistake.


distichus_23

Jokic’s career already matches up well with KG, Dirk, and Moses, who are all considered top 20 now so…


scurry3-1

I always ask who are they replacing ?


ebonyseraphim

Luka if he plays long. Even though he’s only 25, he has a lot of basketball miles and his body’s recovery may be closer to a 30+ year old player. Along with his weight (increased body strain), and the nature of something Kyrie said in a post game interview lately, Luka might retire far earlier than expected.


kjmw

What did Kyrie say re: Luka?


ebonyseraphim

He said “if Luka doesn’t retire early” in a post game interview when asked about being a leader. Kyrie was referencing that Luka may be in his position one day, but it seemed odd to me to open question if Luka would be playing for a while in this league. To me the reason why this sticks with/for/about Luka is because even though he hasn’t had super obvious and consistent injuries like Embiid, he rarely seems super healthy and Luka doesn’t strike me as a player that wants to keep playing into twilight years with a huge statistical decline and just get injured more. To me, if Luka collects a ring this year, definitely after two, if he punishes his body another post season, he could retire very happy and might decide to. If he stays in the league, the front office will need to find another high speed star player if Kyrie isn’t still around.


Heir233

What did Kyrie say?


[deleted]

yeah Luka needs to condition the shit out of that body, and alter his playing style a bit. He is way too heavy for how physical his game is. 6 years in the league, and he has missed at least 12 games the past 5 seasons.


Bobba_fat

And that’s a crazy amount of games?


ccv707

Kinda, yeah. His career high gp is 72. In only one other season has he played at least 70, and it was exactly 70. He’s missed roughly 15-20% of games per season, except the shortened season where he only missed a few. He’s missed like close to a whole season’s worth of games, and because it’s spread out across every season he’s played, it isn’t like it was a one-off freak injury and he’s been fine outside of that. He consistently misses games. It’s not on Embiid’s level (dude has missed 48% of possible regular season games he in his career!), but it’s not great. Conditioning might be important before the wear and tear builds up any more.


Bobba_fat

Can’t complain on your logic. You absolutely right. But i feel this is the new normal basically. I haven’t checked the stats but this is just my feeling: Tyrese, Tatum, brown, Brunson etc also miss somewhere around there? Maybe I’m completely mistaken. Crazy to think that the normal is to miss 10-20 games a year and that’s just part of the game and the new normal. 🤷🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️😅


NatterinNabob

Yeah, I would say missing an average of 10 games a year puts you on the more participatory side of superstars today. Since the pandemic, Tatum has averaged 10 missed games a year, Maxey 13.5, Jokic 8.5, Giannis 16, Brunson 9, SGA 26, Luka 15, AD 30, Kawhi 37, Embiid 24, Curry 16, LeBron 23, Ja 32.5, KD 29.5, Hali 15, JB 17 Ant is a notable exception I found among the top dogs. He has averaged 6.5 missed games per season for his career, but has missed just 3 games each of the last 2 years as he has developed into a superstar.


DBoom_11

This is the norm now a days IMO. Also missing 15-20% of games will actually pro long his career and it saves them for the playoffs when the game picks up defensively and physicality. Like you said this isn’t Embiid level missing 48% of career, Luka ain’t even close to that level. If he was the conversations about Luka would be very different. Just my 2 cents


Idbuytht4adollar

Seems like people don't realize how small , 20 is for how long the NBA has been around. Almost like the NBA started In 1985 or something if you think someone like Luka is top 20 think about who you would be taking out it would prob be someone on the level of Barkley or Jerry West. Are we there with Luka yet,


rayray1010

Luka hasnt even made it out of the conference finals yet


heddyneddy

I don’t think anyone is saying he’s top 20 right now it’s just projecting. If he plays another 8-10 years at his current level he’ll have a pretty good case.


Minimum-Ad-8056

Done


BamaX19

I was thinking the same thing. Top 20 is like the most elite of the elite.


seanconnery69696

Take that top 75 list from a couple years back. Cut it in half. Cut it in half again. Somehow jam in jokic and luka, and save half a slot for wemby's potential. No room for anyone else at all. That's the current "top 20 ever".


RIPseantaylor

The post says "finish" and with Luka's trajectory it's a reasonable guess he will Giannis and Jokic already are imo.


HyruleJedi

Other than a ring… how is Giannis so far ahead of say… embiiid that hes top 20? Id still put Jokic of over Giannis for sure


Silver_Bus_895

He has 1 more fmvp, mvp, and dpoy. Many more all nba first teams and all defense teams. Plus he’s actually made it past the second round several times. Throw in a MIP for good measure and yeah giannis is way ahead of embiid and indeed is top 20.


jdtpda18

May be a curmudgeonly take here but the numbers exist you can just look it up. Look at his production so far at 25 years old and then extrapolate that over a normal length of career. Or take a look at his numbers at his age and compare them to the numbers of those greats at that age. It’s really not difficult to figure out by the numbers or the eye test that he’s likely one of the greatest offensive players the game has ever seen. Offensively he’s up there with MJ, LeBron, Magic, etc. Defensively different story of course and playoff pedigree isn’t there. Not even a big Luka guy and I dislike Dallas but literally do the research.


ViacomCEO

Posts like these are more about a careers trajectory. If Luka keeps it up, he's almost assuredly gonna get there. But he has to keep it up. Gianni's and jokic don't even have to keep it up that much more. They're already knocking on the door if not already inside.


GreatLakesBard

Jokic’s three mvps and title put him there


bigbenis2021

Me personally I think Jokic and Giannis are already there.


redredrocks

I think they are both borderline there, but unless something tragic happens to both it seems hard to argue they’ll be there at the end of their careers.


FLGT12

3 MVPs, a championship for a formerly poverty franchise.Top 20 is like Wade or Dirk territory right? I think Jokic is already in that mix.


willpostbondd

Would you consider Bob petit a top 20 player all time?


DaftPunkyBrewster

Hell, yes, I would! BP was an absolute BEAST.


ProfessorBrownTrout

7 current players in the top 20. Recency bias much?


ogky

Smh I’m thinking the same exact thing


20124eva

They should break it up by century, there are way too many good players now, but nobody wants the older generations to be forgotten, so dumb arguments will be made to diminish the accomplishments of younger generations.


AB-AA-Mobile

Jokic is already in there


jschligs

As is Giannis. Both of them are insanely good, have MVPs to back it, and put up historic numbers each season. Even in a down year this year, Giannis did 30 on 60+% efficiency


BucketsAndBattles

So, just roughly throwing my top 20 up for sake of discussion, this definitely isn’t flawless especially the order: MJ; LeBron; Kareem; Bird; Magic; Russell; Wilt; Duncan; Kobe; Hakeem: Shaq; Oscar; Curry; Durant; Moses; Thomas; Karl; Erving; West; Garnett Some honorable mentions - Barkley, Dirk, Kawhi, Stockton, Admiral, Mikan, Harden Id say the two that actually have cases right now to be above some of these names (and therefore in the top 20) is Jokic and Giannis and therefore barring (or even with) crazy injury I’m comfortable saying they’ll be at least top 20 when they hang it up. Then there are some potential candidates that could get there with time, but championships and progression are so hard to predict so none are sure things just yet: One of Tatum or Luka will be a FMVP this year so I’ll start there - both definitely have the potential. Embiid sure has the talent but right now I’m more hesitant to put him in that list. Shai, Wemby, and Ant are too young to tell. Same with anyone else drafted the last few years. Lotta talent in the league that so many guys could end up so high!


GeraltofBlackwater

Crazy thing is Shai is older than Luka.


Altbar

He is the same age as Tatum. Compare the discourse on these two as to where they are with their careers and what they should have achieved by now.


weebayfish

People talk like SGA is a second year player it's ridiculous. He was in 2018 draft people just wasnt that good first few years, and still cant hit a 3


iam_soyboy

He’s only played 2 less seasons than Embiid!


The_Outcast4

fewer\*


Remarkable_Medicine6

I mean he wasn't MVP calibre obviously, but he's been good relatively at every stage of his career lmfao. He was a top rookie (despite being drafted at like 11), a great second option his second year coming 6th in MIP voting, then took the level to all-stardom barring the quality of his teammates and games played, then he broke out into an MVP calibre his last two years. How the hell isn't he "not that good"? >still cant hit a 3 Well that's just B's lol. He takes less threes than I want him to take but he can definitely hit them. He ain't Josh Giddey


DarthPineapple5

Shai and Tatum are basically the same age


BucketsAndBattles

The reason I differentiated is because I think Tatum is a tier above in the high potential category. Shai is less certain as he’s accomplished less so far but because of his age it’s possible


DarthPineapple5

I agree on Tatum but Shai is not that young and he's well behind in accomplishments compared to other potentials who might get there. I guess its possible but that Thunder team has to go on a real crazy dynasty level run for it to happen


Rudy-219

Saying Harden and not Wade cost you my guy.


BucketsAndBattles

Lol Wade is a fine addition as well - bound to have missed some. Don't think he's Top 20 though I love him


pieguy00

I agree. Probably top 50 but not top 20.


Weak_Beginning3905

Shit I didnt even register that one. There are like 10 players he could have mentioned there


Jasperbeardly11

Embiid won't. Tatum won't.  Ant won't is my guess. He's too young to say. 


GreatLakesBard

I think Jokic and Giannis will both be remembered more than Leonard


mvd612351

I’m sorry, I just don’t see how Ant has top 20 potential. I think it’s only Jokic, Giannis, Luka, and Wemby (obviously extremely early to tell)


realfakejames

Having Barkley as an honorable mention but Malone and Garnett top 20 is legitimately funny


powderjunkie11

I like your first 13 (not necessarily in that order for me of course). Moses, Erving, and probably West should be pretty tough to bump out of the 20 (and they could certainly go higher), so there's really only 4 spots up for grabs. I'd say there are near infinite reasonable permutations for those final four spots, and a few of them should go to this next generation


Prestigious-Hippo950

If West is top 20 then baylor and Pettit in honorable mentions.


AOCourage

Why is Shaq so low and Isiah so high? Shaq dominated the league for 7 years. Shaq is definitely ahead of Kobe. Thomas 0.


redredrocks

Agreed. I do think people still underrate IT for a number of reasons, but it’s hard to argue Kobe or Shaq are below him in the rankings.


BucketsAndBattles

It's certainly debatable, all three of Shaq, Kobe, and Hakeem have led multiple teams to championships and dominated the league


bbbryce987

Tatum does not have top 20 all time potential what the fuck


Cheap-Fishing-4770

Its not absurd to think that this celtic squad could win 1,2 or 3 chips with some luck and he be the finals mvp for them. At which point it’d be hard to argue him outside of top 20


jolerud

Tatum is about to pass Kobe on the playoff under-27 points list. And he’s somehow 6th in assists in the same list. His numbers absolutely track with top-20 performers without mentioning he’s a better defender than several top-20 performers. But he’s missing the championships, as well as MVP consideration. If the chips start falling, the latter will get harder and harder to explain away.


kalechipz87

Why are we putting kd in top 20 all time? He scores a lot but I don't get it...hasn't won anything unless he was on a super team warriors....I guess I never understood the kd hype...seems like a drama queen who bounces himself to other teams when he's unhappy.. he is of course great but top 20??


IntraspaceAlien

I rank him based on how good he is at playing basketball. Do not care if he’s a “drama queen”. That’s about likability, not how good someone was as a player.


[deleted]

[удалено]


kjmw

He might finish as high as 6th all time in scoring (he’s 8th currently) and will have the highest TS% for folks near the top of that list. Finishing 6th with all the time missed due to injury plus an MVP award…I don’t think Top 20 is crazy at all.


powderjunkie11

Karl Malone is 3rd and Dirk is 6th. Neither is a Top 15 player (but anywhere from \~15th to 30th is reasonable). It's not crazy to have KD in the top 20...as long as he is right around #20.


rajs1286

KD also has 4!!!! Scoring titles


powderjunkie11

So do Iverson and Gervin


Disastrous_Income205

Iverson 51% TS, Gervin 57%, Durant 61% Gervin and iverson never won a title. Durant won two finals mvps on arguably the most dominant nba teams in history.


happilynobody

Durant is also a multiple time 50-40-90 shooter. He’s one of the best offensive players of all time, without question


Topnikoms416

Recency bias


JertellP22

I think Jokic and Giannis are already top 20 but I think those 4 are reaching top 15 status at worst


Numerous_Delay_1361

The Joker is already top 15


WindigoMac

In what world is KD finishing top 20 all time? Took the bitch route to get a few titles by joining the team he couldn’t beat and has done little (read nothing) of substance since leaving. Yes the injury is a bummer, but he seems entirely uninterested in altering his game to enhance his teammates and play to his current strengths since.


iJon_v2

Good lord some of you must be 14 years old. The top 20 all time is stacked. I’d love to know who you’d take out for someone like Giannis? Did y’all even watch the NBA 20 years ago even?


eamonious

Giannis has 2 MVP and 1 title, only 12 other players who have ever done that. “What about guys like Shaq and Kobe who only won 1 MVP for whatever reason but won 3+ rings?”, you might say. The list of players who’ve done that is those two guys and Bob Cousy. You can have a look through the handful of 1 MVP, 2 ring guys, it includes Willis Reed, Dave Cowens, Bob McAdoo, David Robinson, but I think you’ll agree the only ones that have any real argument over Giannis are Hakeem and Durant. So there, that’s a solid argument for Giannis at 18th all time or higher. Meanwhile you act like it’s crazy. Other guys like Dr. J, Barkley, Malone, Garnett, Oscar, were not necessarily as dominant as you think they were. Many were more impactful on one end than the other, while Giannis has been truly elite on both. I might consider Dr. J (or possibly Oscar) higher than Giannis all time because of how iconic they are in the history of the game, but the others, it’s perfectly reasonable to rank them beneath him. And so yes, I have Giannis in the 17-20 range all time. And I think you could argue him as high as 14-15 if you wanted. The only guys who are *no question* higher all time than Giannis are Jordan, Lebron, Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Magic, Bird, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe, Curry, Jokic, Hakeem. After that, I’d still put Dr J, Durant, Oscar over him, but it’s at least arguable. Then there’s IT, Malone, Barkley in the 17-20 range with Giannis for me. But like, IT has no MVPs; the other two have no rings. You’re underselling the specialness of Giannis.


NoButterfly2642

I would take out KG for Giannis in a heartbeat


AbbreviationsHot4482

You don’t know shit about basketball if you think Giannis isnt top 20 all time lol


disasterwitness

These nephews be trifling.


candycorntrunk

It's absolutely insane how nuts some of these takes are. Top 50? Sure, we can debate that.


RIPDM99

Prob Poole


saada15

Luka if he wins a championship and Jokic


UnhingedPastor

None. In fact, I think the argument can be made that KD doesn't belong in this conversation, and Curry is marginal.


canibanoglu

How is Curry marginal? The dude literally changed the game


dinardo

I think Jokic is most likely, then Wemby, then Luka… and I wouldn’t bet on Giannis finishing top 20.


Frdoco11

Too early to include Wemby


tridentboy3

I'm pretty sure that after this next generation we're going to stop doing top x lists and start going by tiers just cause there will be too much talent over a too long period of time. I think that Giannis will fall right outside the "top 10" tier and will finish in the same tier as guys like KD, KG, Dirk, Wade etc. Jokic has a very strong shot at finishing in the tier with guys like Bird, Magic, Shaq, Kobe, Duncan, Steph, Hakeem etc. Luka, tbh, will highly likely finish in that "top 10" tier and has a very outside shot of getting into the GOAT debate with MJ and Lebron. Wemby is too hard to pin down right now. His rate of improvement is insane to the point where he already looks like a borderline top 10 player right now as a rookie. If he can keep this up the sky is the limit.


Dubonthetrac

Giannis and Luka for sure. I feel like jokic is going to be like Oscar Robertson where his stats and achievements are there just the position is so loaded its going to be hard to put him there. If you think about it most top 20 are the top 3 at every position then the next 5 best players in some sort of order. And I'm just being real I've never seen someone wemby size stay healthy especially the way he plays hope I'm wrong and modern medicine has caught up.


HyruleJedi

TIL this sub already knighted wemby Let’s get through his first serious injury before calling him top 20. He’s a big man, its not if…. Its when. As it is for all players… they just hit big men different.


MambaSaidKnockYouOut

Jokic, Giannis and Luka are basically shoe-ins at this point. Giannis and Jokic might be top 20 today - how many players with 2 MVP’s and a championship aren’t considered top 20?


lazyass133

All it really takes is a championship run or two. If you’re a high volume scorer, and all that is missing is a championship on your resume, you are knocking on the door of a top 20 player. Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Luka, Embiid, Etc Imagine how people saw Dirk before he won a chip. A championship changes the way people views you.


Drummallumin

Player rankings are just so stupid cuz either you’re lying and pretending that old players with objectively less skillsets are better just cuz of legacy or you’re setting impossible standards for modern players to reach due to greater competition league wide and modern CBA rules


ThisAintSaturday

Kd not top 20 sorry


aghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I think Jokic and Giannis already are and i think you nailed it with the other two. Im not sure theres anyone else close


thecultcanburn

“All time” could be 500 years after I’m dead. None of these players may be in the “all time”


[deleted]

the recency bias is beyond absurd on this thread. Jokic is in there. Giannis is borderline. Everyone else is a hard no regardless who wins the chip this year.


spicybhole420

I included Giannis and Jokic in my last list just knowing they are going to finish there. Luka, Wemby seem like safe bets. Other than it's pretty impossible to say, who knows what situations will present themselves with the right rosters, coaching, luck, etc. Too many "what-if's" and uncertainties. ie what if Chet and Shai win 6 together? What if Kawhi ends up somewhere and gets two more titles? What if Klay left and won 2 more but Steph never made playoffs again?


ericmb4

Saying Wemby is a safe bet only 1 year into his career is WILD.


[deleted]

wild take? not for someone who was started watching last year


thebagisgoyard

The glaze for wemby is off the charts.


CockBronson

I think when you compare his rookie numbers to any other player in history and the end result is they only compare to players who had long legendary careers, it’s a safe bet under the assumption he doesn’t have a career ending injury early on. He’s already had historic regular seasons games (not just among rookies). He’s a safe bet. Edit: please look at u/derrick123 reply to this comment to see where his rookie season stands among other all time great rookie seasons and compare that to where those players ended up at the end of their career. A “safe bet” is not a “sure thing”.


DarthPineapple5

This is called survivorship bias, there are tons of players who put up legendary numbers for short periods only to be derailed by injury or whatever


ericmb4

Does he have the potential? Yes. But calling it a safe bet, after just one year, is just kinda dumb to me.


AnyEstablishment5723

We haven’t seen Wemby in the playoffs and the league hasn’t had any time to scheme against him we don’t have any idea what his future holds because he just started. He has that potential but saying now that he will finish top 20 is disrespectful to all the very accomplished players already in the top 20.


SconesBurnerAccount

For sure guys Jokic, Giannis, Luka Close maybe Tatum Need to see more but great chance Ant Wemby


KamalaHarrisFan2024

Tatum won’t even be close.


aviatorbassist

Not even close? Assuming he keeps up his Iron man streak and his production stays relatively the same he will be top 10 in total points scored. That’s not including all-nba teams or the title he will most likely win.


FudgeDangerous2086

total points lol that’s great melo is a top 10 scorer nobody has them in their top 20 all time.


patriots47

That is an awful comparison. Melo was a terrible defender with subpar rebounding skills and a nonexistent passing game. He also only made it to the second round of playoffs 3 times over his career, and made it to the conference finals only once. His overall record in the playoffs was 28-55. For reference, Tatum in 7 seasons has a playoff record of 64-44 with 5 conference finals appearances, 2 finals appearances, and only 1 first round exit. He’s also currently 2nd in all time playoff points by any player under the age of 27, already passing Lebron, and 95 points away from passing Kobe for the #1 spot.


aviatorbassist

If he scores 25 points in 4 games in the finals he will have the most playoff points for someone under 27. I mean you don’t know until you know but that’s a good sign.


trentyz

Tatum in the top 20 ALL TIME?! He’s not even a top 5 player in the league this year. He’s arguably not even the top player on his own team half the time


supercereality

Finally someone with common sense who can see past the Tatum glaze.


Jealous_Foot8613

That’s just not true


SconesBurnerAccount

Yes he has a chance to be top 20 player of all time. He has a lot more accolades already than SGA, Brunson and Ant. The only sure bets ahead of him are Luka, Jokic and Giannis. And yes he’s the best player on the Celtics, just because Jaylen Brown can score while Tatum gets the tougher defensive attention doesn’t mean JB is better than Tatum.


trentyz

Huge disagree man, only time will tell but that’s never going to happen lol


SmellMyDirk

Accolades mean shit if he’s still a worse player than anyone in the top 25


GodlySpaghetti

I think people are severely underrating how hard it is to be top 20. You think there are 7 active players that are top 20 all time? Good enough to bump out guys like Charles Barkley, Dirk, KG? Besides those 3, Jokic the only one IMO. MAYBE Giannis due to his two-way presence.


xEternal408x

Recency bias is big here lol


Effective-March-3032

Why is kd top 20? Can't win anything without daddy steph


NeighborhoodPizzaGuy

I feel like he is reasonable right at twenty. By the numbers, one of the greatest scorers all time, will probably end 6th in points on amazing efficiency, 4? Scoring titles, was a foot size away from most likely winning a chip with Brooklyn


IntraspaceAlien

I rank more off of production and accolades than narrative. Save that shit for skip bayless.


lord_assius

Jokic and Giannis almost certainly will, if Embiid wins a ring and has a few more years at the level he’s been at the past few seasons (another MVP) he should make it as well, but it seems unlikely given his consistent heath issues (He’ll likely retire more in the Kawhi range of players who were absolutely incredible when they played but not healthy enough to tally up the totals and accolades for T20 all time). Luka *should* get there as well, he should rack up some MVPs (or at least one and imo should’ve won it this year) and I doubt he retires ringless but if somehow neither of those things happen I guess he won’t be remembered all too fondly given how much the discourse surrounding greatness revolves around hardware. If Harden wins a ring as a major contributor his legacy changes practically overnight also, I’m just not sure if it changes to T20 level (it should maybe, considering he’s top 20 in points, top 15 in assists and top 40 in steals already and doesn’t look close to retirement quite yet) honestly. That’s all I can think of this early. If im giving shotgun predictions Wemby probably will barring injury or just never ever progressing at all as a player (unlikely given how much progress he showed in just the first season) I guess. Can’t think of anyone else though.


MrDeeds117

Zach edey!!!


Indian_Kid_Chicago69

hold up you’re missing THANASIS


hitstyx

I think Giannis and Jokic already are. Only thing they lack is longevity


xESxSoda

Wemby if he stays healthy


ArkanoidbrokemyAnkle

If Harden, Kyrie, or Klay somehow find the fountain of youth and re-enter their prime, they have a shot.


Legendver2

Jokic, Giannis, and maybe Luka, but he needs a ring and MVP to be in the convo


Beginning_Border7854

Seth curry


Jonthegoat_09

Wemby kawhi Luka jokic Gianni’s russs harden cp3 all can imo


ghostfacestealer

Giannis & Joker


The_SqueakyWheel

Jokic


nixhomunculus

Wemby, Luka, Jokic, ANT, possibly Tatum.


shook_-

Portlands franchise player Dalano banton


denimjeg

Kd lebron steph luka jokic giannis Wemby cp3 kawhi


Dumbass1171

Jokic is ahead of KD


GrymReePoetic47

Current top 20 players: Jokic, Kawhi, KD, Curry, Lebron... I don't think anyone else will out rank any of them. Giannis is the closest, but his window is closing soon


Dear_Zookeepergame30

It’s not that hard for giannis. He wins another ring and hes in scarce company.


Blue_Nyx07

I feel like Giannis and Jokic are already there. Luka is a championship and a MVP away.


KatFishFatty

Wemby lol


Intrepid-Metal4621

These are some wild takes. 


Worldly-Fox7605

People that doubt wemby longevity arr just making the assumption thatvtall equals injury prone. While it is backed by history the only other big in nba history i know of that had a siniliar toutine to him was kareem. People said kareem was insane for dooing yoga yet his longevity is top 5 all time. Wemby and his trainer have confirned they do not plan to bulk him up mucsle mass wise mainly they want core strength and flexability in joints with his feet and ankles being loose as possible. He is doing the most modern medical approach to body maintence and i think it will benefit him. I also think him being non ameeican and not forced into weightlifting early hugely benefited him. Personally i believe that was the fall of zion; Gaining 100 pounds in a year isnt a good approach for a growing body.


lxkandel06

Jokic is a lock, Wemby if he doesn't get hurt, and one of either Luka or Giannis depending on how the rest of their careers go


Bodanski

Jokic and Giannis are already top 20 (I have them at 13 and 17 respectively), and I think Luka and Wemby will make it too. Embiid could make it skill wise but I think injuries will hold him back. I think Jokic ends up top 5-10, Giannis and Luka end up top 10-15, and Wemby is a wild card. He could theoretically end up top 5, but rookie year is too small of a sample size to tell.


Bobba_fat

Jokic has solidified his place. The verdict still out on the rest. Top 20 is a hard list to crack. Depending on your list it’s about around the scottie pippen wade malone Baylor nowitzki tier.


GamerRav

Joker's probably a shoe in at this point. 3 time MVP, perennial All-NBA player, Champion, Finals MVP. I'd say Giannis too, but he really hasn't done much since 2021. And the fact that he was a little bit of a late bloomer when it came to reaching superstardom means his all time totals may not get up there with some of the greats. And it's far too early to tell with Luka and Wemby tho.


EliachTCQ

Your list seems accurate, but I could also see none of them finish top 20 of they don't win multiple championships. In fact I don't think of KD as a top 20 player based on how he's failed in Brooklyn and Phoenix.


Unable_Bite8680

Luka, Giannis and Jokic will finish there pretty easily. Granted I don't rank players who played before the merger in the top 25. Wemby put up great numbers but we have to see his career play out. Injuries can play a factor in his career due to his size.


luckyincode

It’s getting to the point where the NBA has been around long enough and there aren’t enough spots. I think it’s easier to think of players in buckets. GOATS in their time bucket. Amazing players bucket. Players so good I’ve never watched but still talked about bucket (which is different for everyone). Players I enjoyed watching bucket.


BranGod22

How you win 3x MVP and 1x final MVP not in top 20? Jokic is already in. Imma say also Giannis in it too.


space9610

I think Gianni’s and Jokic are pretty much there already. Luka will probably finish top 20. Other than that hard to say. No one else is on the trajectory yet.


Leather-String1641

Giannis , Jokic, Luka, Brunson


nagarayan

Giannis Jokic CP3


PartyPo1s0n

If this celtics team can realize its potential and win a few chips we’ll be talking very differently about tatum in a few years


TRTVitorBelfort

Really wonder how long before we start checking if KD ends up top 20. Trajectory wise it’s wild that he doesn’t feel locked in but I think he’s right now in that 15-20 group which isn’t locked in by any means.


Relative_Wallaby1108

Durant is top 20? News to me.


bmanley620

3. Ben Simmons, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Davis Bertans


NoButterfly2642

Jokic is already there and Giannis is banging on the door


Malt_and_Salt

Luka, Joker, Giannis feel like locks Wemby is too soon to tell but easily could be.


Rhythm_Flunky

Derek White is already the goat


cookiesNcreme89

Not sure how many "will" besides Joker, but outside of him some that have a shot: Luka, Wemby, & Giannis.


Silly_Stable_

I don’t think something like this can be quantified.