3. Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Green might be the best defender on the planet, bar none. His versatility is the engine that drives Golden State’s elite defense, whether it be weak-side shot blocking or suffocating the opposing point guard. He can defend the entire positional spectrum, and then some.
On offense, Green led the Warriors is assists per game last season. His three-point shooting has dropped off in recent years, but he’s a high-I.Q. big who thrives in the pick-and-roll. He’s the epitome of beyond-the-box-score impact.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo is gearing up for a run at the MVP award. The Bucks finally have a competent (even above-average) coach in Mike Budenholzer, while Brook Lopez‘s floor spacing will be a welcomed addition at the five spot.
Boasting limitless defensive versatility and unrivaled physical tools, Antetokounmpo is a superstar on both sides of the ball. If he can continue his growth as a three-point shooter, things will only get more difficult for those tasked with defending the Freak.
1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron is the best player in the NBA and it isn’t particularly close. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis are waiting in the wings, but James has secured his spot atop the mountain until further notice. That makes putting him No. 1 on this list a no-brainer.
James has slacked off on defense in recent years, but that’s largely due to the offensive load he had to carry in Cleveland. His depth chart won’t improve much with L.A., but he’s an all-time facilitator and an all-time scorer. He has every offensive base covered.
As if his general scoring prowess wasn’t enough, James shot 36.7 percent from deep and 73.1 percent from the free-throw line last season. He’s still finding ways to improve and evolve, which is frightening.