The NBA is brimmed with immense talent across the league. In the league, there are role players, stars, and then there are superstars. A superstar is a player that is unquestionably the best player on their team. Furthermore, a superstar possesses the ability to lead their team to deep playoff runs and/or is immensely marketable for the sport. What games/moments did the following superstars have that helped them get put on the map?
The superstars in the league as of now are Stephen Curry, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo These crop of players have won MVPs and championships over the course of their careers and have had numerous seasons as top-five players.
Games/Moments That Put These Current Superstars on The Map
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is arguably the most influential basketball player the game has ever seen. Curry changed the way basketball is played due to his deep-shooting ability. He has also entertained the NBA community since entering the league in 2009.
Curry suffered frequent ankle issues that stunted his eventual rise to superstardom early in his career. However, his career-high 54-point performance at Madison Square Garden in 2013 gave a glimpse of just how dominant the 6’3 guard can be.
Curry went 11-13 (84%) from the three-point line and dished seven dimes in a game that put the league on notice. The 2009 draft pick went on to secure back-to-back MVPs, four championships, and a finals MVP since this illustrious performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic recently won his third MVP award within the last four seasons in 2024. Jokic also led the Nuggets to the franchise’s first championship in 2023. The 2015 draft second-round pick has solidified himself as an all-time great in less than 10 seasons.
The Nuggets big man is accredited for his highly effective playmaking skillset and rather simplistic way of scoring the basketball. Once again, this example is retorted to a singular play in a game between the Nuggets and the Portland Trailblazers in 2016.
Jokic displayed his savvy passing artistry as a center in the clip above. Jokic’s ability to distribute the basketball at a high level allows his teammates more opportunities to score effectively. This particular play is just a glimpse of what Jokic was capable in only his second season. Now, the entire world knows what Jokic is masterly of.
Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is known as one of the best scorers in NBA history. The 6’11 big man possesses a solid handle and can shoot from anywhere on the court. Durant was selected No. 2 overall in the 2007 draft, so he had superstar projections from the very beginning. In Durant’s case, the following play is just another glimpse of what Durant proved he could be prior to his illustrious career haven taken off.
The clip is from Durant’s rookie campaign in the 2007-2008 season and gave the NBA community a sneak peak of Durant’s potential. Durant went on to have countless clutch moments that includes back-to-back clutch three-pointers in the 2017 and 2018 NBA finals.
Lebron James
LeBron James, the 2003 No. 1 overall pick is widely regarded as the most hyped prospect in all of American sports history. In fact, James’s high school games were televised and it was appointment television whenever he would play. After 20-plus seasons, it is fair to say “The King” has lived up to the hype and then some.
Since James entered the league, he accumulated four MVP awards, four championships with three different franchises, and is the all-time leading scorer. James had astronomical expectations, but this game showed the world that the “Chosen One” has arrived.
James at this point had already proven that he was well on his way to becoming a superstar in association. However, in 2007 a 22-year old James played perhaps one of the best games of his career against a Pistons team that made four consecutive conference finals. Furthermore, the Pistons made back-to-back finals appearances and even won the championship in 2004. In Game 5 James scored 48 points including 25 straight points to secure the Cavs’ first finals appearance in franchise history.
The Cavaliers supporting cast that season featured Larry Hughes (14.9 PPG) and Zyndrunas Ilguaskas (11.9 PPG) as the leading scorers behind James. The four-time MVP displayed his will to win and ability to carry a team when need be. Those are the capabilities of a true superstar.
The Last Word
The players mentioned above will certainly be enshrined into the Hall of Fame whenever they call it quits. Each of those players embody the definition of a superstar. If a general manager wanted to construct a team and needed a player to get over the hump, any of these players would suffice.
