The NBA Playoffs have reached their most pivotal stage, as the Conference Semifinals head into their final games and take center stage in American sports alongside the NHL Playoffs. And with the NFL offseason entering its quietest phase, many players have taken to social media to share thoughts on the NBA Playoffs and basketball in general.
In response to a post about the peak performance of 10 NBA players, Emmanuel Acho shared his ranking, sparking backlash from Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons, who was outraged by the omission of an NBA legend from the top spot.
Micah Parsons Rips Analyst for Leaving Stephen Curry Out of Top 10 NBA Peak Ranking
In a discussion on X, a user asked, “If everyone in the league was at their absolute peak, what would the top 10 look like?” Acho responded with his ranking, placing LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant all ahead of Curry.
My order:
LeBron (duh)
Kawhi (DPOY + MVP talent)
Giannis (DPOY + MVP talent)
KD
Steph
Jokic
ANT (assuming his peak)
AD
Luka
Westbrook https://t.co/SjdHDLxb7b— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) May 13, 2025
Among the many comments disagreeing with the former NFL player’s take, the one that stood out came from the Cowboys’ edge rusher. Parsons strongly disagreed with Curry’s placement on the list, stating:
“I’m sorry, not having Curry first is disrespectful!”
Im sorry not having curry first is disrespectful! https://t.co/kC8K7CXdtv
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) May 13, 2025
One follower supported Acho’s take, pointing to LeBron James’ 2018 version as the ultimate example. They argued that no one in today’s NBA reached a higher peak than LeBron did that season, when he single-handedly carried his team through the playoffs.
“2018 bron almost single handedly beat 2 top 15 all time talents in their prime while he had no one on his team, be so fr man,” an X user commented.
The debate has intensified in recent years, with valid arguments on both sides. LeBron holds the edge in individual numbers, having become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. However, Curry has the upper hand in head-to-head playoff matchups, leading 17–11 against LeBron and winning three of their four NBA Finals meetings.
Those who argue in favor of Curry often point to the fact that he catalyzed a revolution in the NBA with his unprecedented efficiency from beyond the arc. While the three-point shot was already becoming a growing trend, Curry’s dominance truly transformed the game. His impact reshaped how teams build offenses and defend, and he’s consistently mentioned in conversations as the greatest point guard of all time.
On the other hand, the conversation surrounding LeBron exists on an entirely different level — it’s not about whether he’s better than today’s stars, but whether he or Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time. His physical dominance and technical evolution have allowed him to remain elite deep into his career, still averaging 24.4 points per game at age 40.
The truth is, both LeBron and Curry have defined the modern era of the NBA, captivating a generation of fans through historic rivalries and signature playing styles that reshaped the game. Whether you side with Parsons or Acho, what’s undeniable is that the NBA has produced generational talents, and both LeBron and Curry are shining examples of that legacy.
