NBA Playoffs Fresh Blood Invigorating

The NBA Playoffs fresh blood is invigorating. So much so, that the usual conspiracy theories that circle the NBA playoffs every year can quiet down for a moment. If you follow NBA basketball you know there is a running gag that the NBA desires its major market teams and key stars go deep into the playoffs because that will translate into bigger ratings.

An example would be that the New York Knicks would receive favorable calls to help them win games. The league would LOVE for the Knicks to be good. And in their most recent playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks jumped out to a 2-0 series lead. Following Game 2, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle clipped together 78 video highlights (or lowlights) where officials blew calls in the first two games. Sure, 78 plays may have been a little overzealous on Carlisle's part. However, the Pacers, against all odds, won the series and will now play the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Out west, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 20 point deficit in Game 7 vs the defending champion Denver Nuggets to advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. You would think the NBA might want the defending champions to make another run at a title, but they are from a small market. Believe us when we tell you the league is more than happy to have Dallas in the mix!

If you want to follow the conspiracy theories, logic would tell you that the NBA does NOT want a Pacers vs Timberwolves NBA Final. But we will see how the conference finals go. We think NBA Playoffs fresh blood is good. For more on the playoffs tune in each weekday to Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida.

The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and it's been one of the most exciting playoffs in recent years. Many of the top NBA superstars today are in the playoffs, while others are watching, following some upset losses. Either way, there's no denying that the NBA has a ton of talent right now. So many of the games have come down to the wire, which makes for some pretty incredible, and stressful, endings. So, who are the top NBA superstars of the minute?

Before we get into the top NBA superstars today, let's do some NBA history and look at the top players of all time. There's a reason they call LeBron James the GOAT. He's the best ever, according to the raw statistics and numbers via NBA.com. James knows how to really handle the pressure and fame.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, James went into detail about his fame and how it has impacted his life, both personal and professional. "I don't want to say it ever becomes too much, but there are times when I wish I could do normal things," he said. "I wish I could go to Target sometimes and walk into Starbucks and have my name on the cup just like regular people." He obviously can't do that without everyone rushing to meet the greatest basketball player of all time. NBA experts know that when you have a superstar as big as James, he never plays an away game. No matter what city he's in, people will go to that game just to see him. I have yet to see the GOAT in action, so I hope he returns next year, so I can catch him live.

No. 2 on the list of the greatest NBA players of all time, according to the NBA's stats, is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He played until he was 42 in an era where that was even more rare than it is today. So, how did he avoid burning out? Speaking with the Harvard Business Review, Abdul-Jabbar said, "I just thought that I had the greatest job in the world, and I wanted to keep it as long as I could. I knew it wouldn't last forever." He also noted that in one of his books, he quoted Jackie Robinson saying, "Athletes die twice," because when you're no longer playing professional sports, it's a kind of a death. That's deep.

Now, let's get into the top NBA superstars today.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stats currently have him at No. 4 in the NBA, according to NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate. He's a great driver and fantastic defender. That's a dangerous combination. He's one of the hottest players of the season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is sitting at a Player Impact Estimate of No. 3 in the league via NBA.com. Sadly, before the playoffs began, Antetokounmpo suffered a calf injury, so he was unable to participate. Now, the Bucks are out.

Some might say that putting LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers this far up on the list is a bit surprising. Overall, as I mentioned above, he's the all-time greatest player in the NBA. However, he's currently No. 5 in the NBA right now, according to NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate. He's the GOAT, so I have to put him at No. 3.

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is an absolute beast on the court. That doesn't always mean his always team wins, but he's always out there, giving it his all. Doncic is ranked the No. 2 NBA player right now, via the NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, "the Joker," is one of the greatest centers of all time. He's ranked No. 1 in the NBA, according to NBA.com's Player Impact Estimate. He has gotten some raised eyebrows lately, due to some weak Nuggets games in the playoffs. But, there's no denying this MVP is the best right now.