Tahaad Pettiford Has Unexpected Answer For Best Player in NBA Question
The NBA is awaiting the next wave of stars as the 2025 NBA Draft is coming up in late June. Already, the Dallas Mavericks shocked the world when they were awarded the No. 1 overall pick.
The San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers follow Dallas, as the worst three teams last season all fell out of the top three.
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Some of the top players in college hoops were asked on who the best player in the NBA is as they prepare to enter the same stage.
Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford revealed a shocking answer to the best player in the NBA currently, saying that James Harden is his No. 1 because "he's unstoppable."
Auburn Tigers guard Tahaad Pettiford (0).© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Expected answers from Florida Gators' Walter Clayton Jr., Duke Blue Devils and likely No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, and Rutgers' Ace Bailey all said Nikola Jokic was the best player in the NBA, while Bailey said that to him it's Kevin Durant.
Harden is an interesting one for Pettiford to make, but maybe has something to do with the fact that they are both left-handed shooters.
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To further this point, Pettiford and Harden in college shared incredibly similar shooting stats. Harden edges out Pettiford expectedly, but only by one percent in 3-point percentage (37.6% to 36.6%), while Pettiford gets the five percent edge on the free-throw line (80.4% to 75.5%).
Since entering the NBA in 2009, the No. 3 overall pick has been named an NBA All Star 11 times, earning one MVP, seven All-NBA selections, and a three-time scoring champion.
While it may be a stretch to currently call him the best player in the NBA, he is certainly one of the most prolific scorers.
After losing to the Nuggets in seven games in the first round, Harden looks ahead to next year, and who knows, maybe Pettiford will get drafted and play alongside his 'best player in the NBA.'
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