In the 90‘s, it was the common opinion that Michael Jordan was the best player in the league, even if he didnt win the MVP every season. So at least from 1991-1998, Jordan was the leagues best player.
But after 1998, which players would you say held the unofficial title of „the best player in the league“? What were the time spans between the respective passing the torch?
I find this thread really interesting. I don’t view “best player in the league” as a year by year thing but more of a title that someone has until the lose it. Almost like a passing of the torch, and it last longer than a lot of these answers. Like to me, Shaq was still the best player in the world in 03-05. His stats went down because he was accommodating new teammates and the ever growing need for the ball from Kobe, but when push came to shove he was still the best in the league until after his first year in Miami. I think my list would be something like this:
Shaq from 99-05 Kobe from 06-09 Lebron fron 09ish-2018 Here it gets murky but I think Steph had the claim from 2019-22, I just think lebron had kind of lost the consensus by this time. Since last year it’s been Jokic
Guys like KG and Duncan were obviously incredible players who during different seasons had the best year of anybody in the league, but never really took over the “best player in the world” title that goes beyond “who was the best this year. I only think it’s been 4 guys this century, going on 5
Without making a big deal out of this and I get your logic but imo, the logic doesn’t hold up if Tim Duncan can do what he did in 02-03 and somehow Shaq retain the title as best player.
If that’s not losing it, I don’t know what is.
Lebron got voted the best player in the world by a wide majority by players and gms in 21.5 untill Solomon hill injury , he came off a finals mvp and was heavy favourite for mvp over jokic . Once embid went down it was Brons mvp to lose . Weird how people forget things.