Top 10 slashers in the NBA right now ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

#5 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Big men like Giannis Antetokounmpo drive to the basket effectively as well

NBA world champion Giannis Antetokounmpo is the embodiment of an Ernie Barnes painting. The length of his limbs and bliss of his otherworldly lift contributes to a player who will be seen as one of the most athletic players of all-time in any sport. He gets to the rim with relative ease. To be seven-foot with that much agility and power still at the edge of his youthful prime is unlawful. Giannis didn't have to shoot from the outside in the playoffs as much as any superstar usually would because his forays to the basket were just as efficient. As the NBA adapts to his current prominence, who are the defenders able enough to somehow neutralize a player still hungry to win it all again?

#4 LeBron James

LeBron James is as agile at his size as the NBA has seen

Think back to the early mentions of LeBron James. The driving force in his early superstardom was his versatility at 6'8" 250. He is also an athlete that will populate future lists of what the greatest athlete of all-time looks like. Operating at the left elbow just beyond the arc, he'll use a step back to hit threes and then crush the opposition with bully drives to the glass. He finishes with either hand because he's ambidextrous, and his dexterity is an underrated part of his game. LeBron James teams win because with a usage rate of 31.55 - which sits fifth all time in the NBA - he gets to the goal and scores more than most. To hit a career 50% clip with such consistency highlights how players can be effective when getting to the rim at will. No wonder it won't be long before he's the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

#3 Russell Westbrook

You better call somebody if you think Russell Westbrook isn't getting to the rim

At number two in usage rates behind Michael Jordan and just ahead of Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook's rim attacks are legendary stuff. Westbrook is relentless. His competitive will is also one of the best of all time in the NBA. How else could the career triple-double king amass so many versatile numbers at 6'3"? He once told me he didn't dunk a basketball until the last game of his senior year in high school.

It was crazy to hear then, and still sounds insane now, for Russell Westbrook is another in the greatest athletic realm. With a will not be denied mind and bunnies of strength and speed, Russell Westbrook the slasher is a natural one. Watch the former Westwood collegiate star add to the celebrity of Tinseltown this season, and his drives to the basket will be memorable with so much star quality around him.

#2 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant's deadly outside game augments his ability to dribble drive

That very same day, when Russell Westbrook told me of his late blooming dunking exploits, Kevin Durant spoke of his ambition to be great. Eleven years later, Durant is a basketball icon. He's one of the most feared scorers in NBA history and will most likely finish his career as the NBA's leading scorer - passing a future crowned LeBron James. Another seven-footer, Kevin Durant's passionate strides into the cup are set up by his dominant jumper from anywhere on the floor. He's a great enough athlete that he's easily able to get his shot off over anyone, yet when he drives, let it be known he will dunk on you as if you stole something from him.

#1 James Harden

Every defender will be seeking help when attempting to stop James Harden from entering the lane

If James Harden began his prolific scoring binge early in his career, he'd be higher on the scoring list by now. Some players take their talented time to settle in their prime, and James Harden is more than his signature move, the step back three. Having complete control of the defenders in front of him with such left-handed flair and patience makes James Harden the NBA's top slasher - right now. His ball handling breaks down the opposition just enough to expose a weakness that he willingly exploits on the way to the basket. While James Harden doesn't play above the rim too often, rest assured his bounce is enough to throw it down just when it's unexpected. That's the allure of James Harden's game: the sure ability to do the unexpected. To score in a myriad of ways that only he can. We are privy to one of the most unique NBA talents, and the slasher plays alongside two other extraordinary slashers, and we'll get to see just how good James Harden is at driving to the rim to NBA win.