ESPN's Latest Ranking Places Veteran Stars Outside Top 20
Recent rankings by ESPN's Zach Kram for the ongoing NBA postseason have ignited discussion, with prominent figures like LeBron James reportedly falling outside the top 20 and Stephen Curry positioned around the 50th spot. This placement challenges conventional perceptions of player impact during critical playoff stages. Kram's analysis aimed to identify the 50 players most likely to influence the postseason outcome.
The rankings, released as the playoffs unfold, contrast sharply with historical assessments and other recent player evaluations. For instance, a December 2025 poll by The Athletic's readers placed LeBron James at number one and Stephen Curry at number two, with Tim Duncan rounding out the top three. In that same reader poll, players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saw movement, as did point guards Steve Nash and Luka Dončić.
Legacy vs. Current Impact in Player Evaluation
These varying perspectives highlight a recurring tension in evaluating athletes: the weight given to established legacies versus immediate, postseason-specific contributions. While LeBron James remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer in both the regular season and playoffs, boasting numerous records including the most games with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists (971 games), his perceived postseason influence appears to be under new scrutiny. His career playoff statistics, including a record 8,289 playoff points, stand as a testament to his sustained high-level performance over many years.
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Similarly, Stephen Curry, often lauded for his revolutionary shooting and impact on the game, is noted in other evaluations from late 2024 and early 2025 as still being among the league's top talents. CBS Sports, in September 2024, placed Curry at number six, James at eighth, and Kevin Durant at ninth in their top 100, suggesting a collective belief in their continued top-tier status. However, this latest ESPN ranking suggests a potential shift in how current postseason impact is being measured.
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The ESPN list also featured other notable names, including Anthony Edwards, Jalen Williams, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, with their rankings appearing to draw from recent performance metrics and perceived playoff potential. The inclusion and positioning of players like Neemias Queta, ranked in a lower tier of role players, further illustrate the granular approach of the ranking system.
Contextualizing Player Rankings
These playoff rankings arrive amidst a broader landscape of player evaluations. For example, earlier in the 2025-26 season, some analyses considered LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant to be entering a phase where their time among the absolute top 10 players might be limited. Yet, other reports from September 2025 indicated that James, Curry, and Durant were still projected to remain in the top 10 for the upcoming season, with James averaging 25.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in the previous regular season.
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The debate over player rankings is a persistent feature of sports commentary, often reflecting different methodologies and criteria. The recent ESPN postseason rankings inject a new perspective into this ongoing conversation, prompting a re-examination of how player value is perceived when the stakes are highest.
