On Thursday’s Felger & Mazz radio program, Tony Massarotti ranked the best current players in the National Basketball Association.
Before we get to “Mazz’ Tiers” of current NBA players, let’s look at some news and notes from around the Association…
- All-Star Weekend wrapped up Sunday concluding with the NBA All-Star Game. The contest reverted back to the original East vs. West format. The underdog East walked away with a victory over the West, 122-186. Damian Lillard earned the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award.
- Prior to the All-Star Game, Saturday night featured the Association’s signature Three-Point and Slam Dunk Contests. G-Leaguer Mac McClung defended his Slam Dunk title by winning the competition in the final round over Boston Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown. McClung sealed the victory with a flashy dunk over Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal.
- Damian Lillard’s other piece of hardware from this past weekend includes the Three-Point Contest trophy. The Milwaukee point guard edged out Trae Young in the final round for the win.
- The NBA tried something new with a “battle of the sexes” type competition between Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu. The two battled in a Three-Point competition to see who could hit more buckets in an allotted period of time. Along with Curry, Ionescu shot from the NBA 3-point line, a mark that is roughly a foot-and-a-half further to the basket from the WNBA line.
- Curry narrowly defeated Ionescu, 29 to 26 points. Ionescu’s 26 would’ve placed her in the Three-Point Competition final if she had been competing with the rest of the field.
- The NBA returns to regularly scheduled action Thursday night, including the Boston Celtics, who take on the Chicago Bulls from the United Center. Tip-off set for 8 p.m. EST.
Now, here are Tony Massarotti’s best players currently in the NBA…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a foul during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TIER 1
Nikola Jokic
Jayson Tatum
Anthony Edwards
Luka Doncic
Joel Embiid
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TIER 2
Stephen Curry
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Donovan Mitchell
Jimmy Butler
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TIER 3
Kawhi Leonard
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Jalen Brunson
De’Aaron Fox
