'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The NBA is the best and most competitive basketball league in the world. It is no surprise, therefore, that the greatest players of the sport have played in the American league. There have been infinite conversations and debates about the greatest players and scorers of the 21st century, but not much discourse about who are the greatest playmakers of the present century.
NBA's 5 greatest playmakers of the 21st century
Without playmakers, any scorer is incomplete. Without a great playmaker, teams cannot ideate or strategize a championship campaign. In this list, we will mention the 5 greatest playmakers of the 21st century.
#5 LeBron James
LeBron James is the best NBA player of the 21st century. His sheer presence on the court is reason enough for rivals to shiver with fear. A young LeBron rushing to the paint at full speed was akin to the Abrams M1A2 tank approaching enemy bunkers. The way James pierced, still pierces, opponents' defense makes him a destructive god.
He is, simply put, unstoppable as he drives to the bucket. Once in the restricted area, James can finish with a dunk or spectacular layups. But as he has gotten older, his speed and power have deteriorated and so have his scoring abilities.
To remain relevant and a threat in recent NBA seasons, LeBron has turned into a playmaker. His game IQ, space creation, and ball rotation have improved. He regularly creates influential plays and leads his team in assists. For these reasons, LeBron James is without a doubt one of the best playmakers in the NBA of the 21st century.
#4 Jason Kidd
If Dirk Nowitzki was one of the most threatening scorers from 2007 to 2011, Jason Kidd was one of the most threatening playmakers in the NBA at the same time. Kidd made Nowitzki's life easier with his skills.
Jason, in the Mavs championship season, averaged 2.2 turnovers and 8.2 assists a game. He took every team he ever played for to the playoffs. He wasn't just an incredible regular season player either, Kidd has lodged brilliant playoffs performances throughout his career.
Take the 2000-2001 NBA postseason, for example. Kidd averaged 13.3 assists, three turnovers and two steals per game. Undoubtedly one of the top five most noteworthy playmakers of this century.
Also check out: Latest NBA News, Rumors and Updates
#3 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook had 38 triple-double games in the 2020-21 NBA season. To put Westbrook's greatness in perspective, the second player on the list with the most triple-doubles last season was Luka Doncic with 16 such games. Brodie had more than double that.
The reason Russ ranks above Kidd on this list is not merely because he is still active. Of course, Brodie has no rings but his stats clearly prove his supremacy. Of the last 5 NBA regular seasons, he has averaged 10+ assists in four seasons. In 2020-21, he registered 11.7 assists, 4.8 turnovers and 1.4 steals per game, creating more offensive chances than anyone else on his team.
#2 Chris Paul
Chris Paul has had an incredible past season. He reached his first finals in the 16 NBA seasons he has played. Point God claims to be addicted to playing in the finals now, as anyone would be after such an exceptional postseason. If things go well, there is a high probability that Paul will play in another finals in 2021-22.
CP3 is currently the best playmaker in the NBA. He has performed exceptionally season after season, proving his might alongside a variety of players in a variety of teams. He has also led the league in assists for four seasons, appearing in 11 All-Star games. He's won the 2005-06 Rookie of the Year award and the 2012-2013 All-Star MVP.
#1 Steve Nash
Steve Nash is one of the greatest playmakers to ever play in the NBA, and without an ounce of a doubt the best playmaker of the 21st century. He was a true and commanding general for every team he has played for.
Nash could never win a championship ring but that in no way undermines his exceptional playmaking prowess. The current Brooklyn Nets coach had a career average of 17.3 points, 8.8 assists and 3.2 turnovers per game. His extraordinary game-sense, vision and passing cement his position as the number one on this list.
