'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Paul George
Paul George is one of the most underrated players in today's NBA. But he provided glimpses of his potential when leading a team in the NBA Playoffs in 2021.
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George probably had the worst time of his career during the 2020 NBA Bubble. But he came back for the 2020-21 NBA season with solid displays, which he had shown before during his days with the Indiana Pacers and the OKC Thunder.
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Last season, George averaged 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game with 46/41/86 shooting splits in the NBA regular campaign. In the NBA Playoffs, George averaged 26.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, though he made only 33% of his three-pointers.
When Kawhi Leonard got injured in Game 4 of the Western Conference semi-finals, George took over and took the LA Clippers to the Finals. He had some free-throw glitches in the NBA Playoffs. But George has proved that he can be a leader on the biggest stages of the postseason.
#2 LeBron James
Yes, LeBron James is only #2 on this list. Considering that he will be playing in his 19th NBA season, the 36-year-old is still playing at a high level. That is a testament to how good he has been throughout his career.
Though some of his physical attributes have diminished, LeBron James is still in the conversation for the best player in today's NBA/ The LA Lakers will be NBA title contenders in the 2021-22 season as long as the team's best players remain healthy.
Last campaign, James averaged 25 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in the regular season. James was one of the early contenders for the NBA MVP award, before an ankle injury meant he played just 45 games in the regular season.
Nevertheless, he earned his 17th All-NBA appearance and his 17th appearance in the All-Star Game and a record 17th All-Star starting appearance. He did so in his 17th consecutive selection, which is another record.
#1 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is considered by many as the best player in the current NBA. The Brooklyn Nets' superstar was hugely impressive in the 2020-21 NBA season, even after missing 18 months due to injury.
Durant struggled with injuries in the regular season. But he played 35 games and averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game with an incredible 53/45/88 shooting split.
In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the heavily-favored Brooklyn Nets fell in the second round. But Durant was impressive despite Kyrie Irving out and James Harden struggling.
In the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Durant averaged 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game with 51/40/87 shooting splits in 12 games.
In the second-round loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. Durant produced a series of unbelievable performances. He put up a 49-point triple-double in the fifth game of the series, and then scored 48 points and hit a game-tying shot (almost a game winner) in the closing seconds of Game 7.
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