The League Leader

Another year of tight and close records between tens of Western Conference teams shows again how competitive the Wild West is. Thanks to these players, the Western Conference Playoffs always remain exciting. However, as the older stars get older and the younger stars rise, you may see a few unexpected appearances in this ranking. However, realize that this list is based on the players’ performance when they are healthy. Anyways, this is the California Basketball’s Top 10 Western Conference Players Rankings entering the 2023-24 Seasons.

Honorable Mentions

• Damian Lillard
• De’Aaron Fox
• Anthony Edwards
• Paul George
• Lauri Markkanen

10. Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)

Leading the Kings to the most efficient offense in league history, Domantas Sabonis had the best season of his career. He finished the season averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists while leading the Kings with De’Aaron Fox to the 3rd seed and making the All-NBA 3rd team. Sabonis finished 10th in the rankings due to the team success and only trailing Finals MVP Nikola Jokic when it came to Triple Doubles through the entire regular season with 14. Although there could be arguments whether players like Damian Lillard could top Sabonis in the rankings, Sabonis was ranked 10th due to their team’s overwhelming success that he provided.

9. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)

Finishing the season as the 4th seed, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns had a fantastic season. Despite the collapse to the eventual champions, they took the Nuggets to more games in the series than any teams did. The main way they did so was obvious: Devin Booker. Booker had one of the best individual postseasons in the last few seasons, averaging nearly 34 points per game, the second highest in the league. This has shown how high his ceiling can be, putting him into this ranking.

8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)

The young star has finally proved himself to the world. Shai Gilgeous Alexander was one of the best guards in the league last season, becoming the first guard since Russell Westbrook to finish in the All-NBA first team as a Thunder’s player. SGA’s scoring ability and his ability to break down his defenders was quietly one of the most deadly in the league. He averaged nearly 31 points 5 rebounds 6 assists last season while carrying the young Thunder to the 9th seed in the wild west. It is believed that the up-and-coming star may become the first player to reach a 300 million extension in the future.

7. Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)

When he’s healthy, he can be a top 5 player in the league. That’s who Kawhi is. The former 2x FMVP finally was healthy for a portion of the game last season as he played at a high level. Despite only playing for 2 games in the playoffs, Kawhi Leonard had 2 historical performance that was quietly under the radar. However, due to his lack of games played, he will only sit at the 7th place on the rankings because there are not a lot of clues on exactly what level he is currently on.

6. Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

Finishing his 20th Season, the 38 years old NBA’s All-Time Scoring leader made the Conference Finals. Again. Not letting up to the next generation, the former MVP averaged nearly 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Together with Jokic, Doncic, and other players, Lebron is still one of the most impactful players on the court with his Basketball IQ and his ability to dominate.

5. Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)

One of the most lethal scorers in Basketball history, Kevin Durant is apparently still in the top of his game. After becoming the first player to shoot on 55/40/90 efficiency in NBA History, the former MVP and his Super Team reached the 2nd round but got knocked out by the eventual champions. However, the Suns managed to give the best fight against Jokic’s Nuggets as they dragged the series to the most games. With his smooth shooting stroke and a magnificent ability to easily add points to his team’s scoreboard, Kevin Durant edges out over Lebron just a little bit and sits at the 5th spot on the rankings.

4. Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)

Despite not making the playoffs, Luka Doncic is still ranked 4th on the list. Doncic has gave us a Luka Magic Regular Season, averaging 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists through 66 games. He has proved himself as one of the league’s best offensive players and a future MVP candidate as no players has shown they can lock Doncic down, with him being even better in the playoffs. Based on his ability to break down his defender, his smart basketball IQ, and his magical scoring ability, Doncic is ranked 4th on the list.

3. Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)

During the 2022-23 Playoffs, the best players were obvious: Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, and … Anthony Davis. Carrying the Lakers on a unexpected run to the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Davis looked like one of the best defender we’ve seen in the last few years. With his versatile ability to stretch the floor as a 2-way bigman, Davis was one of the most significant players on the court last season. In the playoffs, the Lakers were plus 2.4 points per 100 possessions with Davis on the floor and minus-3.9 without him. Davis versatile ability on the court is unique above others, making him the 3rd best player on this list.

2. Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Although you can make a close debate for whether he should top the list, Stephen Curry sits right on the 2nd spot on this ranking. With his historical shooting and off-ball movement, Stephen Curry is undoubtedly one of the most unguardable players in league history. However, because of the playoff disappointment, he will be ranked second on the list.

1. Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

Universally known as (probably) the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic easily took the No. 1 spot. Breaking tens of records in last years playoffs, Nikola Jokic lead the Denver Nuggets to win the 2023 Championship. During the incredible run, Jokic became the 1st player in NBA history to lead all players in points, rebounds and assists in a single postseason and established himself as one of the best passers in league history. He also established himself as the most impactful player on the court for his team as he nearly won his 3rd straight MVP because of his undeniable impact, offensive versatility, and next level Basketball IQ.