When Shaq, Charles, and Kenny speak, people tend to listen.
The beloved ‘Inside the NBA‘ crew members recently revealed their top 50 players ahead of the 2024-25 season tip off.
Shaq and Charles came up with the list alongside Kenny ‘The Jet’ SmithGetty
Barkley, O’Neal and Smith all made their personal top 50s with their own specific criteria.
Smith based his list on six critical factors (scoring, rebounding, passing, defense, leadership and the ability to control the pace of a game).
‘Chuck’ largely based his off a player’s versatility and Shaq prioritized winning.
“You have to be a winner,” The Big Diesel said. “You have to win at that level.”
“Don’t get upset if you see your name at 30 or 40 or 50…What you should be doing is trying to get your name up in that top 10.”
When all three lists were submitted, Bleacher Report combined them for an aggregate 50. Players were given 50 points for a first-place vote, 49 points for a second-place vote, 48 points for a third-place vote, all the way down to one point for their 50th pick.
The scores were then tallied up and a ranking was formed.
The top 20 was dominated by international stars, speaking to the global nature of the modern NBA.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic (Serbia) came out on top, followed by 2021 champion and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece).
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic (Slovenia) was third, ahead of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (Cameroonian-American) in fourth.
Jokic was voted the best player in the NBA
Four-time champions LeBron and Curry came fifth and sixth, respectively
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, now in his 22nd season in The Association, failed to crack the top four, coming in fifth.
‘King James’ was one place ahead of fellow Team USA Olympic gold medalist Steph Curry (sixth).
Young Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was seventh, Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) was eighth, reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics) was ninth and teammate Jayson Tatum was tenth.
The rest of the top 20 was named up of a combination of All-Stars, MVP candidates, rising talents and established veterans.
It read as follows: Anthony Edwards (11th), Anthony Davis (12th), Devin Booker (13th), Jalen Brunson (14th), Bam Adebayo (15th), Ja Morant (16th), Paolo Banchero (17th), Kyrie Irving (18th) Victor Wembanyama (19th), Paul George (20th).
Inside the NBA’s top 20 players for 2024-25 season
1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
3. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
4. Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
5. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
6. Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
8. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
9. Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
10. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
11. Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
12. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
13. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
14. Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
15. Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
16. Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
17. Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
18. Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
19. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
20. Paul George (Philadelphia 76ers)
As with any kind of rankings list, there wasn’t without controversy.
NBA fans caught wind of the rankings and shared their thoughts online and which players they thought had been snubbed.
“Paolo Banchero over Kyrie is hilarious,” one fan wrote.
“Paul George not a top 20 player, Tyrese Maxey is over PG, Wemby is over Kyrie, Shai is top 5 so swap him with LeBron,” another added.
“Embiid over Steph is crazyyy,” a third weighed in with.
“Brown isn’t better than Tatum,” a fourth argued.
Tatum and Brown won last season’s title togetherGetty
“After seeing this list, I support the NBA’s decision to reject TNT’s TV deal,” someone joked.
Of course, any list such as this is entirely subjective, which is what makes it so fun.
The players from 21-50 are equally as contentious, and likely to spark all kinds of barbershop conversations up and down the country.
Inside the NBA’s top 50-21 players for 2024-25 season
50. Derrick White (Celtics)
49. Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)
48. Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
47. Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
46. Tyler Hero (Heat)
45. Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
44. Aaron Gordon (Nuggets)
43. Bradley Beal (Suns)
42. LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
41. DeMar DeRozan (Kings)
40. Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics)
39. James Harden (Clippers)
38. Lauri Markkanen (Jazz)
37. Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)
36. Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
35. Trae Young (Hawks)
34. Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
33. Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
32. Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
31. Julius Randle (Timberwolves)
30. Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
29. Tyrese Maxey (Clippers)
28. Jrue Holiday (Celtics)
27. Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
26. Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
25. Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers)
24. De’Aaron Fox (Kings)
23. Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
22. Damian Lillard (Bucks)
