LeBron James ranks six of the most unstoppable NBA players today, excluding Wembanyama

4 August 2025 4 August 2025

As basketball evolves in 2025, the debate about who defines unstoppable dominance on the court remains as fierce as ever. LeBron James, the NBA’s perennial force even entering his 23rd season, offered a revealing snapshot of today’s game by ranking six players he considers the toughest to guard. Remarkably, he left out Victor Wembanyama, a move that sparked more than a little controversy. This perspective from one of the greatest, still performing at an All-NBA caliber at age 40, gives us a real-time gauge of the league's fiercest offensive threats. What makes these athletes nearly impossible to contain reflects not just raw talent but mastery of their distinct styles.

NBA’s Most Unstoppable Players Ranked By LeBron James

King James’ list isn’t just a nod to star power; it offers insight into the variety of ways NBA stars impose their will on defenses. Dominance today comes in multiple forms, from the brute force of big men to the surgical precision of sharpshooters. Here’s a closer look at the six players LeBron singled out:

Joel Embiid – The embodiment of power and finesse, Embiid’s seven-foot, 280-pound frame couples with silky shooting to create one of the most feared scoring forces ever.
Nikola Jokic – Dubbed the most efficient high-volume scorer in history, Jokic’s mix of passing, rebounding, and uncanny post moves redefines what a center can be.
Luka Doncic – Donning the Lakers jersey, Doncic blends crafty playmaking with old-school strength, achieving historic numbers without relying on explosive athleticism.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – A modern-day freight train with the skills of a point guard, Giannis marries length, strength, and elite playmaking.
Stephen Curry – The court’s greatest space creator, Curry’s revolutionary shooting vexes defenses while opening lanes for teammates like Anthony Davis.
Kevin Durant – Even in his late 30s and past his athletic prime, Durant’s shooting ability tops the NBA, blending size and silky mechanics few can match.

Why Joel Embiid Tops LeBron’s List Of Unstoppable NBA Giants

Embiid's dominance is hard to overstate. Despite a recent injury-plagued stretch limiting him to 58 games over two seasons, his impact when healthy is devastating. His averages from 2021 to 2024—31.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on 63.7% true shooting—made him a two-time MVP runner-up and 2023 MVP winner. His combination of sheer strength and a delicate shooting touch make him arguably the NBA’s most unguardable one-on-one player when on the court. His continued battle with injuries leaves fans and analysts on edge, hoping to witness another dominant performance in the upcoming season.

Physical presence: 7'0", 280 lbs with quick shooting ability
Career true shooting: 61.3%, 19th all-time
Career points per game: 27.7, ranking fourth ever

Given Embiid’s well-documented struggles with injuries, his on-court dominance is a bittersweet spectacle. He’s not just a force; he’s the pinnacle of the modern big man’s game, an heir to legends of Nike and Jordan Brand-bound greatness.

Nikola Jokic’s Unique Brand Of Offensive Mastery

Jokic, the Denver Nuggets star whose brilliance contributed to his team's unprecedented run to the 2024 NBA Finals, is a unique blueprint of modern offensive dominance. The Serbian big man’s near triple-double averages and efficiency redefine “unstoppable.” Posting 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists last season with 63.8% true shooting—the highest among high-usage scorers—Jokic is the ultimate offensive Swiss Army knife.

Skills: League’s most efficient post-up scorer with exquisite touch
Passing: Best big man passer in NBA history
Rebounding: Uses offensive boards to extend possessions

While Jokic’s style might lack flash, its effectiveness is unmatched; he blends New Balance-like versatility with relentless creativity. His continued evolution is a key storyline for the Nuggets in 2025.

Luka Doncic: The Unorthodox Offensive Genius

Luka Doncic’s journey from a European prodigy to possibly LeBron’s new sidekick in the Lakers has been meteoric. His historic scoring prowess—already third all-time in points per game at 28.6—underscores a style heavily reliant on his basketball IQ and craft rather than pure athleticism. They say he moves like a chess master on the court, creating openings with finesse rather than brute force, a trait that echoes the legacy of fellow Nike-endorsed stars.

Strengths: Unpredictable handles and tough, mature body
Passing: Elite vision unusual for his age
Improvements needed: Defensive consistency and conditioning

Doncic’s ongoing battle to refine his defense will determine if he can join LeBron and Kyrie Irving as true all-around stars. Meanwhile, his offensive brilliance remains unstoppable, as seen in notable games like his 63-point eruption for the Mavs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Physical Beast Reshaping Dominance

When the conversation turns to power and aggression, Giannis remains the prototype. Standing 6'11" and moving like a point guard, he’s an unstoppable freight train consistently averaging 27+ points, 11+ rebounds, and 5+ assists over seven seasons. His relentless engine mirrors the durability and ferocity Anthony Davis exhibited, making defenses pay dearly whenever Giannis charges.

Role: Bucks’ primary playmaker despite support from Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday
Physical tools: Elite combination of length, speed, and strength
MVP credentials: Top-four in MVP voting seven straight seasons

Though Giannis lacks the shooting refinement of a Curry or Durant, his sheer physicality and skilled basketball mind keep opponents guessing. That success is a testament to his incredible work ethic, much like the commitment behind Under Armour stars revolutionizing training.

Stephen Curry: The Master Of Spacing And Shooting

Stephen Curry’s impact transcends traditional stats. His ability to stretch defenses to their breaking point creates opportunities that redefine teamwork. LeBron knows first-hand how impossible it is to guard Curry, having lost three out of four Finals matchups against the warriors' sharp shooter. Curry’s skill lies not just in his range but his sheer offensive gravity, forcing defenders to double him relentlessly and opening success for stars like Anthony Davis.

Range: Unlimited shooting beyond the arc and deep
Efficiency: 62.5% career true shooting, 7th all-time and best among guards
Playmaking: Elite passing enabled by constant defensive pressure

His status as perhaps the most unstoppable player ever in terms of spacing and offensive movement stands alongside the legacies of Adidas and Reebok icons who changed the game. Curry’s journey has been shaped by perseverance through injuries, such as the hamstring setback in 2024, but he remains a transformational figure.

Kevin Durant: The Timeless Scorer Still Shining

Despite the aging process and an Achilles injury damping his defensive impact, Kevin Durant remains a force on offense, ranked sixth by LeBron due to his unmatched scoring ability. Durant’s blend of height, handles, and shooting mechanics sets him apart—a trait that doesn’t fade with the years. Just like in his prime with OKC and Golden State, he continues to post 25-32 points per game with exceptional efficiency.

Strength: Elite shooting over defenders at nearly seven feet tall
Efficiency: 62% true shooting, 11th all-time
Legacy: Three NBA Finals matchups against LeBron with two Finals MVPs

Durant’s ability to remain effective despite the decline in athleticism is a testament to his skill set and body maintenance—attributes that also affect the choices players make in sponsorship deals, balancing comfort and performance between Nike and other brands like Puma and New Balance.

Each of these players embodies a unique form of unstoppable offense, underlining that mastering a style—rather than brute force alone—defines NBA greatness today. LeBron’s no-holds-barred rankings are more than opinions; they’re a blueprint for understanding the game’s current elite.