1. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)

LeBron is one of the best athletes in the world, and he is certainly still one of the best players in the NBA, if not the best player in the NBA. I’m convinced he could try any sport and immediately be at the professional level of that sport. There is really no other player in the NBA that drives to the basket as well as LeBron. He is one of the all-time greatest players, and he will likely lead his team to the finals for the third-consecutive year.

2. Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)

This year’s MVP race was mainly focused on the names Westbrook and Harden, but Kawhi Leonard should be in the conversation, as he is the best defender in the league. Leonard led his team to the Western Conference Finals with a supporting cast that is solid but not great, and averaged 25.5 points per game doing so. Leonard is the most underrated player in the game, and it will be a shame if he does not return in the playoffs due to injury.

3. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Stephen Curry had won the MVP twice in a row going into the season, but his production went down this season, leading people to call him overrated. However, Curry is still one of the top players in the league, and the reason for his decrease in production is Golden State’s addition of Kevin Durant, another superstar.

4. Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Kyrie Irving has been one of the best young stars in the NBA since he joined the league in 2011, and he deserves more credit for the Cavs’ success. Irving is constantly under shadowed because he is on the same as LeBron. Irving quietly averaged 25.2 points per game this year and had multiple buzzer-beaters.

5. Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)

KD was called a “cupcake” and a “traitor” for leaving Oklahoma City to join the Warriors, but his abilities prove he is not soft on the court. He was a major contributor in the Warriors’ 67-win season, for he averaged 25.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Him joining the Warriors made them a force that can only be stopped by possibly the Cavaliers.

6. Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

Klay Thompson has been a key player for the Warriors since joining the team in 2011, and he remains a key to the Warriors’ success, as he is one of the “Splash Brothers.” Few players in the NBA can shoot as well as him, as he made 41.4 percent of the three pointers he attempted this year, the highest percentage on the team.

7. Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics)

Isaiah Thomas may be the shortest player in the NBA, but his game is bigger than almost everyone else’s. IT4 has led his team to the conference finals this season, despite having one of the youngest, least experienced teams in the NBA. Thomas has crazy handles and is a great shooter, for he averaged 28.9 points per game in the regular season.

8. Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

Draymond Green is one of the most hated players in the NBA because he constantly records technical fouls and commits “dirty plays,” but he is one of the most underrated players and best defenders in the league. Green is under shadowed because of the Warriors’ stacked lineup, but he is a great contributor, as he averages more than seven assists and rebounds per game.