Anyone with me - SGA is the best player in the world RIGHT NOW

[ACCat#23]

ESPN article

He's doing Jordan type stuff.

Things only Kareem, Shaq and Jordan have accomplished - ever.

He's not better than these guys legacy-wise atm, but if he keeps it up, he could go down as one of the best ever.

Right now, he's the best player in the world.

Anyone agree?

 

[UKBB4Ever]

He might be in the discussion?

But so are Jokic and Giannis

 

[Anon1756769150]

ESPN article


Anyone agree?

Lots of folks agree.

 

[Anon1756769150]

He might be in the discussion?

But so are Jokic and Giannis

Giannis is quietly on pace to become the league's all-time leading scorer.

 

[ACCat#23]

Giannis is quietly on pace to become the league's all-time leading scorer.

They are all in the discussion. I'm just saying that SGA is quietly becoming one of the best to ever play the game.

Other guys are too.

But right this second, SGA might be the best there is.

 

[Blueism]

They are all in the discussion. I'm just saying that SGA is quietly becoming one of the best to ever play the game.

Other guys are too.

But right this second, SGA might be the best there is.

I love SGA and I'm ecstatic he's one of ours but I'd say slow the roll on this one. Right now, he is arguably the best player in the NBA, but that is very debatable. What isn't debatable, in my opinion, is whether he is "quietly becoming one of the best to ever play the game." Dude has one ring and one MVP. Can we at least let someone build a resume before we begin to anoint them in the all-time great category?

 

[ACCat#23]

I love SGA and I'm ecstatic he's one of ours but I'd say slow the roll on this one. Right now, he is arguably the best player in the NBA, but that is very debatable. What isn't debatable, in my opinion, is whether he is "quietly becoming one of the best to ever play the game." Dude has one ring and one MVP. Can we at least let someone build a resume before we begin to anoint them in the all-time great category?

I get your point, and agree. I get excited about our guys, and I've been a fan of SGA a long time, and I'm certainly biased.

His last season was just great, by any measure, and he's 26. If he keeps it up, he will go down as one of best ever.

We shall see.

 

[FinalF]

ESPN article

He's doing Jordan type stuff.

Things only Kareem, Shaq and Jordan have accomplished - ever.

He's not better than these guys legacy-wise atm, but if he keeps it up, he could go down as one of the best ever.

Right now, he's the best player in the world.

Anyone agree?

I agree he’s getting there but it’s still Jokic IMO. He should have been MVP 4 times in a row but voter fatigue and bigotry got in the way. This year my money is on Doncic barring an injury.

 

[BigKari]

I’d say it’s not a stretch to give the reigning MVP that title.

 

[BigKari]

I agree he’s getting there but it’s still Jokic IMO. He should have been MVP 4 times in a row but voter fatigue and bigotry got in the way. This year my money is on Doncic barring an injury.

“Bigotry” is wild. That didn’t happen.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

I agree he’s getting there but it’s still Jokic IMO. He should have been MVP 4 times in a row but voter fatigue and bigotry got in the way. This year my money is on Doncic barring an injury.

I agree it’s Jokic.

Maybe Doncic gets MVP because of the “his turn” thing?

But he plays no defense. Harden got it once without playing defense so maybe?

Best player is different from MVP most years.

 

[Drogon]

SGA has been great, but Jokic has finished 1, 1, 2. 1, 2, in the MVP race the last 5 seasons. Quite strongly arguably could have won the past 5 MVP. He is 78 total rebounds away from averaging a triple-double the previous 3 seasons. In those last 3 seasons he, too, like SGA has a championship. His WS the last 3 seasons is 48.3. SGA, 41.7 and Giannis, a meager 33.3... You pick the stat and Jokic pretty much leads for the most part .

I know some don't like BPM, but Jokic is smoking both SGA and Giannis. 39.5/27.8/27... Denver absolutely destroys teams with him on the floor
Jokic has also lead the league in PER the last 5 seasons.

SGA is top 2-3, but he has work still to do. He's, imo, closer to #1 than he is 3. One thing to keep in mind is SGA is going in to his age 27 season whereas Giannis and Jokic are going in to their age 31 and 30 seasons, respectively.

 

[chroix]

He’s had the most impressive results of all of the Cal kids to me. Never thought he would have been as good as he was at UK and also subsequently in the pros. Clearly works his *** off to get better constantly and that’s what it takes to be the best so I’d say OP might be way too early but could be right.

 

[Dward13]

I’d give it to Jokic. But SGA is a lot more fun to watch than Jokic imo.

His movement and ball skills are a thing of beauty.

 

[wildcatknh]

ESPN article

He's doing Jordan type stuff.

Things only Kareem, Shaq and Jordan have accomplished - ever.

He's not better than these guys legacy-wise atm, but if he keeps it up, he could go down as one of the best ever.

Right now, he's the best player in the world.

Anyone agree?

'Legacy-wise' .... we're a good 15 years away from even starting a legacy discussion that involves SGA compared to those others.

 

[WallMash]

ah, and I remember when he was the 4 star afterthought when he came here. It even took him about ten games to become starting PG.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

ah, and I remember when he was the 4 star afterthought when he came here. It even took him about ten games to become starting PG.

I just saw a video of Trae Young talking about his recruitment. He said he wanted to go to a Blueblood but Quade was ready to commit early so he didn’t come to Kentucky, and whatever guard that was at Kansas was coming back. SGA was so overlooked back then.

 

[kybassfan]

SGA has had a good start to his career. Coming off a very good year. Is he in the top 10 best current players in the world? Maybe. In the conversation for among the best all time? Not close nor will the trajectory he is on get him there. No knock on him. The guy can definitely play the game. That said, to compare him with the likes of a Jordan, Bird, Chamberlin or a host of others that have dominated the game in the past shows a bit of ignorance of the stellar game those guys brought to floor. I’d love to see SGA elevate his game to stand with the greats. If that doesn’t happen he is still going to be a damn fine ball player, steward for KY basketball, not to mention very rich. Among the best all time? I think even SGA would find that laughable at this point in his career.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

I remember being at the Kansas game in Chicago and wishing, like most everyone it seemed, that Cal would quit putting him in the game.

Then I was there in St Louis at the SEC hoping Cal would never take him out.

 

[Dward13]

SGA has had a good start to his career. Coming off a very good year. Is he in the top 10 best current players in the world? Maybe. In the conversation for among the best all time? Not close nor will the trajectory he is on get him there. No knock on him. The guy can definitely play the game. That said, to compare him with the likes of a Jordan, Bird, Chamberlin or a host of others that have dominated the game in the past shows a bit of ignorance of the stellar game those guys brought to floor. I’d love to see SGA elevate his game to stand with the greats. If that doesn’t happen he is still going to be a damn fine ball player, steward for KY basketball, not to mention very rich. Among the best all time? I think even SGA would find that laughable at this point in his career.

There’s no maybe about it. He’s absolutely among the current top 10 players in the world and probably top 5.

3 straight seasons of 30+ ppg. Reigning MVP. Finished 5th, 2nd and 1st in mvp voting last 3 seasons. And 1st team all NBA 3 seasons in a row.

i’d say that puts him firmly in the top 5 with Jokic, Giannis and Luka. I think all 4 of those guys have separated themselves a bit now.

I do agree you can’t compare him to Jordan and Wilt yet. But…you can’t compare anyone to those guys until a career is complete to be fair. SGA is only 27.

Those guys and Lebron all sustained SGA’s current level for entire careers.

But currently he is a top 5 player in the world. I think there’s a strong argument hes top 3 because Luka is a traffic cone on defense.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

He's in the conversation.

We can revisit his all time status n 10 to 12 years.

 

[Aike]

One of the best right now. Not close to an all-time great.

 

[DraftCat]

It's okay to be early on the SGA train a lot of posters are playing the be patient game.

The fact is he has an elite squad and barring injuries they will be right back in the finals next year.

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

I’d say it’s not a stretch to give the reigning MVP that title.

It's not. He could've won MVP the previous year too. He led his team to the best record, won the title (beat the reigning MVP, beat the new player they want to be the next big thing, and beat the old guy they wanted to be the next big thing) and won all the awards.

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

Also... SGA defends at a high level. Outside of Giannis the rest of the players folks want to consider for the Best are weak links on that end.

 

[Rick Honcho]

They are all in the discussion. I'm just saying that SGA is quietly becoming one of the best to ever play the game.

Other guys are too.

But right this second, SGA might be the best there is.

I’m among those who disagree. But I’m also among those who say the GOAT list goes no further than Wilt, Russell and Jabbar.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Yes hes the best. Jokic is very very close but sga has his hands on the ball a bit more making his impact a little greater.

Wemby is probably next. Depending on his health, this coming season he could catapult to the top.

 

[kybassfan]

There’s no maybe about it. He’s absolutely among the current top 10 players in the world and probably top 5.

3 straight seasons of 30+ ppg. Reigning MVP. Finished 5th, 2nd and 1st in mvp voting last 3 seasons. And 1st team all NBA 3 seasons in a row.

i’d say that puts him firmly in the top 5 with Jokic, Giannis and Luka. I think all 4 of those guys have separated themselves a bit now.

I do agree you can’t compare him to Jordan and Wilt yet. But…you can’t compare anyone to those guys until a career is complete to be fair. SGA is only 27.

Those guys and Lebron all sustained SGA’s current level for entire careers.

But currently he is a top 5 player in the world. I think there’s a strong argument hes top 3 because Luka is a traffic cone on defense.

We can have this discussion in another few years. Yes he’s good but he is an injury away from being another one that should’a or could’a. Also, PPG is just a partial contribution to this consideration. He needs more time.

 

[Cat2016win]

I get your point, and agree. I get excited about our guys, and I've been a fan of SGA a long time, and I'm certainly biased.

His last season was just great, by any measure, and he's 26. If he keeps it up, he will go down as one of best ever.

We shall see.

You just keep repeating do gown as one of the best ever. Everyone is trying point out he’s just getting started and it’s hard to know right now, but he’s damn good.

 

[ACCat#23]

SGA has been great, but Jokic has finished 1, 1, 2. 1, 2, in the MVP race the last 5 seasons. Quite strongly arguably could have won the past 5 MVP. He is 78 total rebounds away from averaging a triple-double the previous 3 seasons. In those last 3 seasons he, too, like SGA has a championship. His WS the last 3 seasons is 48.3. SGA, 41.7 and Giannis, a meager 33.3... You pick the stat and Jokic pretty much leads for the most part .

I know some don't like BPM, but Jokic is smoking both SGA and Giannis. 39.5/27.8/27... Denver absolutely destroys teams with him on the floor
Jokic has also lead the league in PER the last 5 seasons.

SGA is top 2-3, but he has work still to do. He's, imo, closer to #1 than he is 3. One thing to keep in mind is SGA is going in to his age 27 season whereas Giannis and Jokic are going in to their age 31 and 30 seasons, respectively.

I like this breakdown. Yeah SGA needs more sustained success, even if his last 3 seasons were insane,

 

[ACCat#23]

ah, and I remember when he was the 4 star afterthought when he came here. It even took him about ten games to become starting PG.

That was ridiculous to me at the time. In preseason I remember thinking " this kid has LEGIT ball skills". I've been a fan since day one, and can't help but root for a guy like him compared to his peers stars.

 

[ACCat#23]

He's in the conversation.

We can revisit his all time status n 10 to 12 years.

Wisely put sir

 

[ScrewDuke1]

He's a really good player but saying he is a GOAT? Little early for that lol.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

I love SGA and that he played for UK but GOAT he's got quite a few years left and a lot more accomplishments to achieve to be in that category. Jordan and those 6 rings will have something to at least say about G.O.A.T!

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Love how Pope is staying connected to all Kentucky players no matter who they played for. That is how Kentucky basketball should be.

 

[wildcatknh]

In an attempt to provide some perspective to the SGA legacy/GOAT discussion ... here are the college and NBA awards and accomplishments of SGA and MJ by the age of 27. This is a straight apples-to-apples comparison of where both were by the age of 27. The ONLY accomplishment that SGA has that MJ didn't have by the age of 27 was that SGA has won his first NBA Championship. Keep in mind that starting at the age of 28, MJ won 6 of the next 8 NBA Championships.

So ... to summarize ... at the age of 27, SGA is already pretty significantly behind MJ in terms of career accomplishments and awards. He'll have to surpass the accomplishments of MJ during MJ's prime years to catch up enough to even begin a legacy/GOAT conversation with MJ. Who knows what the future will bring ... but it's a pretty tall task for anyone to even try to compare legacies with MJ.

College:

SGA​	MJ​
'18 UK finished 4th in SEC, won the SECT and lost in the Sweet 16 of the NCAAT.	'82 UNC won the ACC, won the ACCT, won the NCAAT with MJ hitting the game-winning shot in the title game as a Freshman. '83 UNC won the ACC and lost in the Sweet 16 of the NCAAT. '84 UNC won the ACC and lost in the 2nd round of the NCAAT.
​	​

NBA:

SGA​	MJ​
3x All-Star 3x All-NBA First Team 1x Scoring Champion 1x NBA Champion	6x All-Star 4x All-NBA First Team 4x Scoring Champion 3x All-Defensive First Team 1x All-Rookie First Team
	​

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Its jokic IMO. And I think hes on his own tier, alone. But, I would put SGA at the next tier down i think.

The difference for me, and when you get to this level of greatness, its rrally splitting hairs.. but I ding SGA for being a bit of that James Harden "free throw merchant" element to his game. And thats a factor because say hes playing in a tough road environment.. and he doesnt get the calls. His game is still great. But its not quite on Jokers level.

 

[ACCat#23]

Its jokic IMO. And I think hes on his own tier, alone. But, I would put SGA at the next tier down i think.

The difference for me, and when you get to this level of greatness, its rrally splitting hairs.. but I ding SGA for being a bit of that James Harden "free throw merchant" element to his game. And thats a factor because say hes playing in a tough road environment.. and he doesnt get the calls. His game is still great. But its not quite on Jokers level.

That's a fair take. I can't really argue with anyone who'd prefer Jokic, the guy is simply unbelievable.

And I appreciate you understanding what I meant with my post. I wasnt talking GOAT or anything, merely who is the best in the world AT THE GIVEN MOMENT. Thanks for entertaining my question even if we disagree.

Like you said, it's like splitting hairs, and a few guys have a solid argument.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

That's a fair take. I can't really argue with anyone who'd prefer Jokic, the guy is simply unbelievable.

And I appreciate you understanding what I meant with my post. I wasnt talking GOAT or anything, merely who is the best in the world AT THE GIVEN MOMENT. Thanks for entertaining my question even if we disagree.

Like you said, it's like splitting hairs, and a few guys have a solid argument.

It's not even really a knock against SGA either, because they really are so close.. but Joker is playing this center position in a way we probably have never seen. I think he's going to make a push to be one of the top10 greatest NBA players. If he can win a few more titles, he might even be able to push top 5.

This doesn't tell the whole story, but check out his fantasy basketball scoring stats. He's a cheat code. In a points league, you're happy if your guys can score 30 fantasy points a night, and you're thrilled if they can score 40 to 50.. Joker was scoring 63 fantasy points a game on average last year. The 2nd highest player was Wemby at 54, with Giannis/SGA coming in at like 49. That's INSANE when you look at fantasy sports, to be that much higher than #2.