NBA: Ranking the top 10 blue chip players in the Association

6.  Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets 

No, we can’t forget about Kevin Durant. While he isn’t as popular as LeBron, he’s a better shooter, and arguably tougher to defend based on his height (7’0″) and ability to shoot over you.

If Durant returns next season (as expected) and can avoid any major injuries going forward, Brooklyn will have a real chance at winning an NBA championship before 2025. However, all of that will depend on Durant recovering and getting back to 100 percent.

5.  James Harden, Houston Rockets 

James Harden might not be the most popular player on this list (or even his own team), but from pure skill and a defensive-scheming standpoint, he’s in the top 2 in terms of how he affects a game plan.

The step back/drive/dish game is nearly impossible to defend and Harden doesn’t get enough credit for how good he really is. His inability to win a championship thus far hurts his standing here, but he’s averaging almost 36 points per game which is absolutely unheard of.