A couple of days ago, ESPN created mayhem on social media with their infamous list of the top 10 best NBA players under 25 years old. While they got the names right, the order was controversial, to say the least.
Obviously, most of the rankings are always subjective, meaning that a lot of people will always get mad at you when you put one together. This time, however, it seems like they really messed things up.
That’s why today, we took the liberty of re-doing the ranking the way it should’ve been in the first place. So, without further ado, let’s break it down.
Re-Doing ESPN’s Controversial List Of The 10 Top NBA Players Under 25
ESPN’s List
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. Bam Adebayo
8. Devin Booker
7. Ben Simmons
6. De’Aaron Fox
5. Jayson Tatum
4. Donovan Mitchell
3. LaMelo Ball
2. Zion Williamson
1. Luka Doncic
Bolavip’s List
10. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
9. De’Aaron Fox
8. Ben Simmons
7. Bam Adebayo
6. LaMelo Ball
5. Donovan Mitchell
4. Devin Booker
3. Jayson Tatum
2. Zion Williamson
1. Luka Doncic
Well, for starters, we can all agree that ESPN got it right with number 10 and the first two spots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the tools to become a dominant two-way player but his proneness to get hurt puts him below the rest. As for Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson, they’re looking like superstars already.
Then, it seems like Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker don’t get the credit they deserve. We’re talking about youngsters that continue to improve every aspect of their game on a yearly basis and that are already franchise players and first-scoring options.
Donovan Mitchell made some great strides this season and he’s coming off historically great playoff performances in the bubble. The question is whether his defense can catch up with his offense.
No disrespect to LaMelo Ball whatsoever, he’s shown flashes of greatness and of being a franchise player, but he’s yet to prove his worth ahead of the other 5 guys ranked on top of him. I mean, he didn’t even play 50 games and he’s already a top-10 youngster in the league, which is a lot to say, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Bam Adebayo doesn’t get enough credit for his game but he went from a borderline rotation player to one of the most skilled big men in the league and a starter for the Heat. He’s a playmaker and a lockdown defender and his offense continues to evolve.
As for Ben Simmons, there’s no denying that he’s one of the craftiest passers and most versatile defenders in the world but he’s shown little-to-none signs of improvement or development since he made the league.
Last, but not least, I feel like De’Aaron Fox could’ve been ranked way higher if it wasn’t for the team he plays in. He continues to improve as a scorer and defender but he’s yet to prove that he can lead the Kings to the playoffs.