The annual NBA executive survey, conducted each preseason, asks league executives numerous questions, many of which are entirely subjective. This year the most popular question was, “Who is the best leader in the NBA?”
But leadership is hard to quantify. There are no statistics to prove who is the best leader. Sometimes leadership means stepping in when another teammate gets injured. Sometimes it means taking responsibility for things you can’t do. Rankings of excellent managers vary greatly from person to person, which leads to lively discussion.
Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Nikola Jokic, and Chris Paul were voted in the top six by the NBA GM survey (voting was tied, which is why an additional selection was made).
Here are our attempts to rank the top five league leaders:
- James LeBron
As he begins his 22nd NBA season, King James’ status as a legendary leader was established long ago. James sets an example on social media by playing mental games with users. He is ranked lower because of his passive-aggressive comments directed against coaches and teammates. While some leaders exude friendliness and positivity, his four championships are a testament to his skills. James will have to make do with the upper reaches of the top five.
- Mike Conley Jr.
Everywhere he plays, Conley is the epitome of a floor general, calm his teammates. Conley has an air of poise that is uncanny, whether he’s playing as Greg Oden’s backup at Ohio State University or as the quiet player on the Memphis Grizzlies Grit n’ Grind squad in the early to mid 2010s. In Minnesota, he continues to mentor a young core (more on another outstanding leader on the Wolves later on).
- Jokic Nikola
Jokic shows that a superstar can still motivate his team without frowning, screaming, or yelling. Colleagues of Jokic’s in the Denver Nuggets, like Aaron Gordon and DeAndre Jordan, have boasted about how unique it is to play next him. Many compare his unselfish approach, pass-first philosophy, and intense devotion to the game to Tim Duncan’s former style of play while he was a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
- Anthony Edwards
When Edwards boasts about his abilities or makes lofty claims about the potential of the Minnesota Timberwolves, it may irritate certain people. Edwards, for all his grandiosity, has succeeded Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the next generation of old-school guards who will rule the NBA for many years to come. Edwards shifts the focus away from his teammates and onto his own performance when he makes a promise. This facilitates the success of everyone else in the Twin Cities.
- Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is the sun in our solar system. Everyone and everything that passes through the Bay Area revolves around his greatness. He exudes pure energy that energizes the entire city of San Francisco and is never afraid to make sacrifices for others. Will Boston boo Draymond Green during the 2022 NBA Finals? Steph is there to make a mockery of the crown and Celtics fans instead. Kevin Durant moved to the Warriors in one of the most controversial transfers of all time? Curry moved down to give KD the space he needed. Nobody knows how to build a culture of greatness like Steph, and that has created one of the greatest dynasties in modern sports.