NBA is the world's highest-level basketball competition, gathering more than 400 of the world's best basketball players. However, some players are called superstars or even superstars because of their excellent ball skills, leadership abilities, and brilliant personal honors.
Recently, Lakers legend Magic Johnson talked about the current state of the NBA in an interview. In his view, there are only three superstars in the current lineup, followed by the star category. So, let's take a look at who is on Magic's list.
Superstars: James, Durant, Curry
At this summer's Paris Olympics, James, Durant, and Curry once again proved that they are still the best basketball players on the planet, perfectly interpreting what it means to be "old but strong." In fact, James, Durant, and Curry have also been at the top of the NBA pyramid over the past decade. James' resume speaks for itself; just the achievement of 4+4+4+historical scoring champion is enough to put him into the discussion of GOAT, and it's not too much to say he's the modern-day Jordan. Curry, on the other hand, is the pioneer of the small-ball era. He opened the door to the small-ball era with his incredible three-point shots and won four championship trophies for the Warriors, with an influence in basketball history that no one can match.
Durant, although a controversial player, has undeniable strength. As a groundbreaking scorer, Durant combines the physique of a center with the skills of a guard, giving him an advantage in offense where he can take what he wants, forming mismatches against anyone, and winning the scoring title four times is enough to show how powerful he is.
Stars: Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Tatum, Doncic
In terms of overall strength, Jokic is undoubtedly the best active player. His influence in the game is unmatched, with comprehensive skills in offense, rebounding, and organizing. After leading the Nuggets to their first championship in team history and being elected the regular season MVP three times, Jokic has firmly established his position as the league's number one player. Antetokounmpo is the representative of both offense and defense, with a dominance in the paint comparable to O'Neal and top-notch defensive capabilities. In the eyes of many media and fans, with 1 championship + 1 FMVP + 2 MVPs, Antetokounmpo has surpassed legendary stars like Garnett and Nowitzki.
Although Tatum and Doncic have not yet won the regular season MVP, judging from their performances over the past few seasons, they are already top-five players in the league and have led their teams to the finals as core players. It is believed that with the accumulation of personal honors in the future, they will surely enter the ranks of superstars.