King James Gospel
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LeBron James ranked the NBA’s best player according to SI

By Nathan Beighle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being struck in the face against the Indiana Pacers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts after being struck in the face against the Indiana Pacers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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As well all expected, Sports Illustrated ended their ranking of the top 100 NBA players with the Cavaliers’ superstar LeBron James.

LeBron James is a Cleveland hero, and he again took home Sports Illustrated’s best NBA player. James was ranked No. 1 followed by Warriors’ Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden rounded out the top 5. 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook came in at No. 6 on the list.

It seems like Sports Illustrated has ranked their top 100 players for several years. Their first rankings came following the 2013-2014 season. Each of the four rankings has had the King at No. 1. It is certainly a possibility that this could be LeBron’s last season as the NBA’s best player. Players like Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant are just entering the primes, and they could easily topple LBJ after this upcoming season. Until then, the King reigns, and his numbers prove it.

Here’s an excerpt of what Sports Illustrated said about LeBron.

More from King James Gospel

"Nevertheless, James enters this season facing more questions and potential landmines than at any time since he won his first title in 2012. Kyrie Irving’s departure combined with Isaiah Thomas’s hip injury will place an even greater burden on his shoulders during the regular season. The rumor mill surrounding his 2018 free-agency has already been going full tilt since June. The gap between the Warriors and Cavaliers has only grown wider during the offseason. The typical production/age curve suggests that Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden—all under-30 talents that fill out this list’s top-five—should expect to make up ground on the 32-year-old James."

James captained one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses, and he did it with career-high in both rebounds and assists. He put up a line of 26.4/8.6/8.7 on 54.8% from the field. Those numbers with that efficiency have never been done in NBA history until last season. Even as he ages, James continues to revolutionize the NBA.

Along with Sports Illustrated, ESPN has been releasing their #NBARank which is basically the exact same thing. Having yet reached the top 10, it will be intriguing to see if they place LeBron James as the league’s best player like SI did.

Must Read: 5 bold predictions for the 2017-2018 Cavs' season

The 32-year-old is the best player on the planet, and he deserves this rank.