LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard stand atop The Bounce’s ranking of the NBA’s top 40 wins, according to The Athletic’s Zach Harper, who classifies those three stars as all-time legends who are still elite. Harper’s second tier, comprised of All-NBA level performers, includes Jimmy Butler, Jaylen Brown, Paul George and Jalen Williams.
We have more from the basketball world:
- Which NBA teams will exceed their predicted win total? Which will fall below expectations? ESPN’s Tim Bontemps makes his selections on five teams for each side of the ledger, with the Thunder and Clippers among the clubs on the plus side and the Pistons and Mavericks that won’t reach their projected records.
- Former NBA player and coach Kim Hughes has died, according to an Instagram post from former NBA center Meyers Leonard. Hughes, 73, played in the ABA and NBA from 1975-81. Following his playing career, Hughes worked as a scout and assistant coach, most recently with the Trail Blazers through the 2014/15 season. He also had a 33-game stint as the Clippers‘ head coach during the 2009/10 season.
- The Noblesville Boom, the Pacers‘ NBA G League affiliate, recently acquired the returning player rights to forward Jalen Slawson from the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans‘ G League affiliate, in exchange for returning player rights to center Garrison Brooks, according to a team press release. Slawson played for the Osceola Magic last season, averaging 11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Brooks has played in Lithuania the past two seasons.
“Still elite”? Paul George, LeBron? Yikes, was this article written 10 years ago. Is D Rose still on that list too?
Lebron is still elite yes, top 15 player. you don’t know ball I guess
With his age and him playing very little defense it would be close in saying he is a top 20 player. You would need to go with much younger players and more athletic.
LeBron did play decent defense last season. Even in recent years, as age has taken its toll, he still steps up defensively when it seems to matter.
Watch him how LeBron plays defense either top of key or on far sideline so he can be quickest down court on offense.
Playmakers who shoulder a heavy offensive load often conserve energy on the defensive end, but Scottie Pippen and Gary Payton were rare exceptions. Since the Luka trade, LeBron did defend at a solid level. Not like he did in his prime, but still disciplined and reliable when engaged.
Reason why the Lakers had to go after Marcus Smart. WWhjy they will need to play Vendy a lot more this year most likely in startiing lineup and 35 minutes a game. There is not a lot of defense on teh Lakers with Luka, LeBron, and Reeves on the court at the same time. Ayton needs to be the rim protector.
@arc89
There’s no chance of Vando starting, never mind 35 min/gm, not only because of his lack of offense, but his being prone to injuries.
Lakers will start Luka, Lebron, Rui, Reaves, and Ayton, and there’s a good chance that LaRavia gets more pt than Vando.
Vandy will be used a lot because with the starters you listed. That line up is mainly offense only. They will need to out score teams not hold teams offense down.
Sheesh, Chucktoad1! That wasn’t the best example. Sounds like you’re implying Scottie had the burden of being the top scoring option throughout his career. Aside from 1.5 seasons, that was nowhere near the case when you’ve got the GOTS-W (Greatest Offensive Threat Since Wilt) at your disposal. I’m gonna start saying that more, btw…..”you got the GOT? Ok then why you yappin’ so much”??
Pippen ran the offense for the Bulls while Jordan focused on scoring. Defensively, Jordan usually guarded the opponent’s second or third option so he could conserve energy for offense and generate steals by playing off the ball.
He plays more D than Luka ….
That’s the problem with guys like “aircastle”. They are quick to comment but slow to learn.
In 2025-26, I got all these guys being the pool of the top 20 (no order). Lebron is old and his D fell off a cliff last season, he’s falling off, these guys aren’t:
Steph, Wemby, Joker, SGA, Luka, Giannis, Tatum, Mitchell, Cade, Brunson, Booker, Haliburton, Zubac, Towns, Trae, Bam, Allen, Sabonis, Butler, Rudy, Chet
This will be the year of Paolo Banchero.
@Roccos Paolo is right there, I was tempted to add him. Franz Wagner in 2025-26 clears Lebron too.
In the meantime he already has seven thumps-up and counting, looks like there are several people “slow to learn”. Could you enlighten us?
The 8 or more does not like LBJ. The ones defending him, saying he’s still top tier likes LBJ. That’s just the way it is, something’s will never change…😆
You don’t need the quotes. Unless you are saying that’s not my handle here and then you may want to take that up with your therapist.
Didn’t know you were a Paul George fanboy. My apologies.
Lebron is definitely not top 15 – top 50, sure. He doesn’t play D anymore!
Maybe you should try reading the article before you comment.
Paul George, one of the most overrated player in the NBA in the last decade.
If Jimmy had 1 ring he would be on that top tier, right? Statistically he’s top tier.
Denver messed up when it didn’t play Hughes enough. RIP
Lebron isn’t top tier. PG13 isn’t all nba level. LBJ with his -54 net rating making all nba was laughable.
Why isn’t Tatum on the list.
I get wings is still a new term here. I always took it as teams who didn’t play a PF. And just used three wings.
Only they still have to play D and still have to rebound.
A wing can also be a player who can play the 2-3-4. Which really isn’t about playing it. It’s really more about defending it. KD, Bron, Kawhi are all big SFs. All time greats. They play the game like a SF always has ….. look up Bob Petit, Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, George McGinnis, Bob Love, DrJ ……. Real SFs who can own any 2 or 4. Wings to me is a word used as part of an offense teams use. I still find the 5 positions well named for what they do. In a 2Way sport. PG, SG, SF, PF, C …..
Just like in any sport. There are players who can play different positions. There are offensive systems that don’t use traditional players like a PG or C. Change and adapting to games. Only means that. Doesn’t mean the 5 positions aren’t used anymore. Depth today affords teams the ability to change it up.