6Drip is proud to offer our list of the Top 20 NBA players of 2017, an exhaustive exercise that seeks to define who will be the league's best players in the 2016-17 season.

1. LeBron James, SF, Cavaliers 

Although LeBron James tops our list for the fourth straight time, it must be noted that a new king was nearly crowned. But just as his Heat narrowly staved off the Spurs in the 2013 Finals, James held on to the No. 1 spot thanks to a postseason run that went beyond brilliant and a Finals performance that went beyond historic. 

2. Kevin Durant, SF, Warriors 

The toughest call in this year’s rankings came down to two Golden State teammates: Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. There are many quality arguments in Curry’s favor: he is the back-to-back MVP, he averaged more points, he shot more efficiently, he drove a more efficient offense, he led the first 73-win team in NBA history, and he posted better marks in Player Efficiency Rating, Win Shares and Real Plus Minus. And, by the way, his Warriors defeated Durant’s Thunder in the Western Conference finals and then Durant decided to leave the only franchise he’s ever known to roll with the winners

3. Stephen Curry, PG, Warriors

4. Chris Paul, PG, Clippers

5. Russell Westbrook, PG, Thunder

6. Kawhi Leonard, SG, Spurs

7. James Harden, SG, Rockets

8. Anthony Davis, PF, Pelicans

9. Paul George, SF, Pacers

10. Blake Griffin, PF, Clippers

11. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF, Spurs

12. DeMarcus Cousins, C, Kings

13. Draymond Green, PF, Warriors

14. Kyle Lowry, PG, Raptors

15. Paul Millsap, PF, Hawks

16. Jimmy Butler, SG, Bulls

17. John Wall, PG, Wizards