Ranking the top five leaders in the NBA

The annual NBA GM survey taken every preseason asks the league's executives a litany of questions, many of which are completely subjective. The most opinion-oriented inquiry this year was "Who is the best leader in the NBA?" 

Leadership is hard to quantify, though. There are no statistics to prove who the best leaders are. Sometimes leadership means stepping up when other teammates are injured. Other times it means taking blame for something that isn't your fault. Because a ranking of the best leaders might look completely different depending on the person you ask, it makes for a vibrant discussion. 

The NBA GM survey ranked Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Nikola Jokic, and Chris Paul as the top six (there were ties in the voting, hence the extra selection). 

Here's our stab at the five best leaders in the league:

5. LeBron James

King James is entering his 22nd season in the NBA and his reputation as a great leader was cemented quite a while ago. James leads by example and through mental mind games on social media. His passive-aggressive shots at teammates and coaches knock him a few spots down the list. Others lead with friendlier vibes and positivity, but the four championships he's won certainly speak to his abilities. James will have to settle for the fringes of the top five. 

4. Mike Conley Jr.

Conley calms his teammates and serves as the true definition of a floor general everywhere he plays. Whether it was as Greg Oden's sidekick in college at Ohio State University or as the mellow option on the Memphis Grizzlies Grit n' Grind era team in the early-to-mid 2010s, Conley possesses a poise that can't be taught. He's still serving as a mentor for a young core in Minnesota (more on another great leader on the Wolves later on).

3. Nikola Jokic

Jokic proves that a superstar doesn't have to scowl, yell or scream to get the most out of his team. Denver Nuggets teammates such as Aaron Gordon and DeAndre Jordan have bragged about how special playing next to Jokic is. His selfless demeanor, pass-first mentality, and serious dedication to the game remind many people of the way Tim Duncan used to operate with the San Antonio Spurs.

2. Anthony Edwards

Edwards might rub some people the wrong way when he's bragging about his talents or making a grand claim about the potential of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite his grandiose nature, Edwards has taken the torch from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the next old-school guard destined to dominate the NBA for years to come. When Edwards makes a guarantee, he takes the limelight off of his teammates and puts the onus on his own performance. This makes it easy for everyone else in the Twin Cities to shine. 

1. Stephen Curry

Steph Curry is like the sun in the solar system. Everyone and everything that passes through the Bay Area orbits around his greatness. He lets off a pure energy that uplifts the entire city of San Francisco and he never shies away from sacrificing for others. Draymond Green is getting booed in Boston during the 2022 NBA Finals? Steph is there to taunt the crown and turn the Celtics' fans against him instead. Kevin Durant has joined the Warriors in one of the most controversial moves in history? Curry steps back to give KD the room he needs. Nobody understands how to build a culture of greatness like Steph, and it's resulted in one of the best dynasties in modern sports.