The official website ranks the top 10 stars in the Western Conference for the new season: Jokic is first, Doncic fourth, Curry fifth, and LeBron ninth.

On August 7, Beijing time, the NBA's official website announced the top 10 stars in the Western Conference for the 2025-26 season. Jokic is first, Alexander second, Doncic fourth, Curry fifth, and James ninth. Stars like Harden, Jaylen Brown, Booker, and Morant did not make the cut. Here are the specific rankings and the official analysis——

1. Jokic, Denver Nuggets

He is not only the best player in basketball today but is also experiencing one of the greatest peaks in basketball history. Since 2021, Jokic has won the regular season MVP three times, finishing second in the other two years. Even he believes that his "second-place" performance in the 2024-25 season might be the best of his career so far. Therefore, with such strong momentum, there is no doubt that Jokic is still at the peak of his powers, firmly seated at the top of the league. He has the ability to achieve triple-doubles every night and continues to carry his team on his own, all of which are evidence of his claim to being "the best in the league."

2. Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

From the perspective of awards, Alexander has had a historically significant season in the NBA—he swept the scoring title, was a starting All-Star, made the All-NBA First Team, won the regular season MVP, Western Conference Finals MVP, NBA Championship, and Finals MVP. He has been unstoppable on the NBA court and seems to be continually improving—at least, he has firmly locked in his peak state. Even if next season he falls slightly short in awards and achievements, Alexander will still rank among the elite. Even he himself would find it challenging to surpass such a performance.

3. Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

His skills are growing alongside his confidence, which is a positive sign. Edwards has high expectations for his role in basketball and his future development, which aligns with his transformation into a superstar. Last season, his three-point shooting showed impressive results in both attempts and accuracy, proving his desire to add new skills to his game and reflecting his awareness of his status. The only thing he currently lacks is a trip to the Finals. However, given his current momentum, after making it to the Western Conference Finals two years in a row, he is steadily moving towards his goal of winning a championship.

4. Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers

The challenge of adapting to a new team and system led to a brief setback for him. After being named to the All-NBA First Team for five consecutive years, he failed to make the cut last season (due to not meeting the required number of games). Even without this honor, he remains one of the most efficient triple-double players in the league, fully capable of leading his team and taking over games. This preseason, everyone is watching Doncic—after facing criticism regarding his conditioning, has he truly adjusted his physical state to its best? If he can achieve that, his defensive performance this season and in the future may improve.

5. Curry, Golden State Warriors

This is where veterans are holding their ground with undeniable endurance. Curry just experienced his lowest scoring average in nearly a decade (24.7 points) and the second-lowest three-point shooting percentage of his career (39.7%). Nevertheless, due to his performance still far exceeding that of most players, he remains one of the league's top scorers, with quite respectable efficiency. A decline in form is inevitable, perhaps even this season. But prior to that, his position in the Western Conference remains solid, and he is still one of the players who can change the game's outcome.

6. Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Regardless of the past, present, or future, health is the core issue for Davis. He couldn't even complete his first season with the Mavericks—he left the first game due to injury. This is the reality faced by one of the most versatile two-way players today. Undoubtedly, in terms of dominance on both ends of the court, Davis is nearly unmatched, and he should prove this again in the 2025-26 season. His shooting range and low-post skills can attract double teams, while his rebounding and shot-blocking abilities make him nearly irreplaceable. Unfortunately, his frequent injuries often put the team at a disadvantage.

7. Durant, Houston Rockets

Despite nearing 37 years old, Durant can still score effortlessly against any opponent. He may be running out of teams to join, but he hasn't reached the end of his career yet. Durant has the ability to score 30 or 40 points on any given night without forcing shots. His scoring off the dribble, mid-range jumpers, and three-point shooting keep him as the primary scoring option for his team. His performances in defense, rebounding, and passing are also quite good for his age. Like his teammates Curry and James on the 2024 USA Basketball team, Durant is skillfully battling aging, maintaining a high level of competitive performance.

Durant's trade to the Rockets seems like a perfect fit, giving the Rockets hope to build on their impressive performance from the 2024-25 season.

8. Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

The description used for Davis can equally apply to Kawhi. The phrase "when healthy" always accompanies him. However, when he can play and log over 35 minutes, his impact on games is evident. Over the past three seasons, his three-point shooting percentage has remained stable at 41%, with excellent one-on-one abilities and elite-level defense, making him still a top player in the league at 34. He has won the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award twice, but due to the minimum game requirement of 65 games, he may no longer be eligible for that award or any other honors. However, this ranking is about the "top 10 players," not the "10 most durable players."

9. James, Los Angeles Lakers

In NBA history, there is only one player who can still be called "elite" after two decades in the league, and that is James. Clearly, he is no longer at his peak, which is reasonable, but he still remains among the top tier—because his decline has been minimal, primarily affecting his defense. James can still fill the stat sheet, execute the final shot, and create opportunities for his teammates, all thanks to his pride and strict management of his physical condition. When "Father Time" finally defeats James in a one-on-one matchup, it will be a shocking moment—because even in his 40s, we still tend to believe he will continue to stay on the court and maintain a high level of competitive performance for years to come.

10. Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

He is the leader of the next generation of players, standing at 2.21 meters tall but possessing the skills of a smaller player. Almost from the moment he stepped onto the NBA court, he became a top defender. If he meets the minimum game requirement, he may be the best defensive player for several seasons to come. Wembanyama is not yet the league's marquee player and doesn't need to rush to wear that label. His skills are still evolving, and a frightening fact is that even if he doesn't improve further, he is already at an All-Star level.