Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis was the best player in basketball during the 2020 NBA Finals — a two-way colossus who averaged 25.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks as the Lakers swept through the bubble playoffs to win the championship. His Game 2 buzzer-beater against Denver in the Western Conference Finals was the defining shot of the bubble, and his defensive dominance throughout the postseason was the kind of performance that defines a legacy.

Davis's physical tools are staggering. At 6'10" with guard skills, a 7'6" wingspan, and elite agility for his size, he can guard all five positions, block shots at an elite rate, and score from anywhere on the floor. His mid-range game is automatic, his face-up game from the elbow is devastating, and his finishing at the rim is among the best in the league. When healthy, he is one of the five most talented players in basketball.

The 'when healthy' caveat is the recurring theme of Davis's career. Injuries have limited his availability in most seasons and have prevented him from building the kind of sustained excellence that defines the all-time greats. His partnership with LeBron James produced a championship, but the expectation was multiple titles, and health has been the primary obstacle.