As the Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Thunder, the NBA’s veteran superstars — Curry, Durant, and James — have all been eliminated. Curry fell in the play-in tournament, Durant in the first round, and James in the second round. These three represent the highest honors and biggest draws in the modern game. But this postseason, only one aging star remains in the fight: James Harden of the Cavaliers. Harden’s chance at a championship is slim — Cleveland hasn’t shown dominance in the playoffs, scraping through both series. Even if they survive the East, they would face a team like the Thunder or Spurs in the Finals, and Harden’s scoring is far from his Houston peak. The era is shifting.
Harden, James, Curry, Durant — they still command the biggest fan bases, but their individual dominance is fading. Time waits for no one, and staying at an All-Star level into their 40s is already remarkable. Now, the league needs new leaders. In recent years, the top talents were centers like Jokić, Antetokounmpo, and Embiid. But this season, none of them occupy the pinnacle. Jokić’s defense is a weakness, Giannis is battling injuries, and Embiid has lost his MVP form while dealing with persistent injuries. The two best players this season are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. Shai is elite — he swept individual honors last season and is undefeated in the playoffs this year, though he benefits from favorable officiating. But in terms of pure dominance, Wembanyama is even more special. His ceiling is the highest among the new generation. Standing 7’4″, he handles the ball like a guard and has developed a reliable outside shot. It’s hard to believe someone with Yao Ming’s height has such coordination. On both ends, Wembanyama is a nightmare — a true anomaly in the league.
Since entering the NBA as the No. 1 pick, Wembanyama has improved relentlessly, winning three straight blocks titles. This year, he’s reached MVP level, and the award will likely come down to him or Shai. In the playoffs, he’s already set historic marks: a 35-point, 5-three-pointer debut (first ever), averaging 15
