To borrow a phrase from the great American poet Walt Whitman, City of Orem employees contain multitudes. While they are obviously the city’s expert in their given professional field, each employee has a hidden area of expertise. This is an on-going series on Walter where our hidden experts enlighten their fellow employees in their area of previously unknown expertise. Today’s feature is from Office Clerk and NBA Superfan, Nathan Granados.
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5. Steph Curry
Wardell Stephen Curry, more commonly known as Steph Curry, has changed the way modern NBA basketball is played. The three-point line is his home, and for good reason. Curry is without a doubt the greatest three-point shooter in basketball history (No, Ray Allen is not the best, enough of that). Winner of three championships, two MVP trophies, one of them being unanimous MVP, and a six-time All-Star, Curry has it all. The only accolade missing in his collection is winning Finals MVP, but there is still time for that.
4. Kawhi Leonard
Dubbed The Klaw for the tenacious defense he plays on the court, Leonard is the quiet, fun guy of the NBA. When other superstars of the league see you and dread the next offensive possession, you know you’re an elite defender. Don’t allow the fundamental mindset of Kawhi fool you, he is also a menace on offense. He has won two NBA championships, both of which he won Finals MVP and on two different teams, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a four-time All-Star. When it’s all said and done, Kawhi Leonard lets his game do the talking.
3. Kevin Durant
Say what you want about his controversial decision to leave the Thunder for the 70+ win Warriors, Kevin Durant is someone special. Standing at a near seven feet tall, KD is a true force to be reckoned with. When healthy Durant is an offensive machine and a lockdown defender. His height and length alone is a battle for the defender, then you add efficient shooting, handles, and athleticism, oh boy, you’re in for a long game. Having won two NBA championships, two Finals MVP trophies, an MVP, and a ten-time All-Star that puts Kevin Durant in the top three best players in the NBA.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
To be the only player on this list to have yet to win an NBA championship must mean he’s pretty darn good. Hailing from Greece, Giannis was given the nickname the Greek Freak. Why is he a freak? Antetokounmpo is fast, powerful, athletic, oh and he’s 6’ 11”. What he lacks in shooting (which isn’t really all that terrible) he makes up for in the rest of his game. Winner of an MVP and a four-time All-Star, he still has room on his shelf for more awards and they will start showing up. Being a young player, Giannis has a fair bit of time left in his career to continue making noise in the NBA.
1. LeBron James
At number one we have King James. Is anyone surprised at this? For being in his 17thseason as a player and still putting up MVP numbers is a feat on its own. LeBron has been the best player in the league for years now and for good reason. His greatest attribute is not shooting or defense, although he is still a threat when those come into play. LeBron is the best leader and floor general in the NBA. When he steps into the game, his teammates get better. Pair that with LeBron’s playmaking capabilities and you have a problem on your hands. These are just a fragment of what The King brings to a franchise and he still has time to bring more. Winner of three NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, four MVPs, and a sixteen-time All-Star, the only opponent stopping LeBron is time.