The NBA season is right around the corner, but before tip-off, the NBA world hasn’t slowed down one bit in keeping people talking, be it trade rumors, drama, or the debates fans can’t get enough of. This time, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo giving them something new to chew on.
Giannis has never been shy about offering his thoughts. He often goes out of his way to praise fellow players, sometimes even elevating them above himself. That same pattern showed up again when he was asked to name his top five players in the NBA.
Tellingly, Giannis passed on the veterans and multiple-time champions such as Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, instead naming the stars one would expect to headline this generation.
“The top five players I think are Luka, Jokic, SGA, Tatum and me. And it depends on the year you’re having. So if I, let’s say, this year go back and I’m improved and I help my team win the East and we go to the finals and we play against whatever team is there, I automatically become the best player in the world. But if Luka does it, he becomes the best player in the world. If Jokic does it, he’s the best player in the world.”
Giannis names the top 5 players in the NBA:
Luka Doncic
Nikola Jokic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jayson Tatum
Giannis Antetokounmpo“The top five players I think are Luka, Jokic, SGA, Tatum and me. And it depends on the year you’re having. So if I, let’s say, this year go back… pic.twitter.com/zBlD85VGuE
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 23, 2025
