Who were the top 30 players of 2017-18? Unveiling the top 5

For the regular season's final week, theScore's eight NBA editors cumulatively ranked the top 30 players of 2017-18 in a four-part series. These rankings are based solely on performance during the season in question, with no consideration of past achievements or future projections.

Related: 30-21, 20-11, 10-6

5. Kevin Durant

By all accounts, this was a down year for Durant. Thanks to his bizarre heel turn, he led the league in ejections; he failed to sway popular sentiment back to his side after his controversial free-agency decision; and he couldn't prop up the Warriors in Stephen Curry's absence. Having said all that, Durant still averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 blocks while narrowly missing out on a 50/40/90 season. That's the greatness of Durant - he could literally roll out of bed and put up MVP numbers. Expect the reigning Finals MVP to take it up a notch in the playoffs. - William Lou

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo

A year after blossoming into a star and winning Most Improved Player, Antetokounmpo continued his meteoric rise and forced himself into the MVP conversation. The Greek Freak put the Bucks on his back, leading them in points (27.1) and rebounds (10) per game while finishing second in the NBA in minutes a night (36.9), fifth in PER (27.5), sixth in win shares (12.2), and seventh in usage (31.2 percent). While he won't win the award this year, expect the outrageously gifted 23-year-old to feature in the race for many years to come, especially as he does his part to elevate Milwaukee to championship contention. - Victoria Nguyen

3. Anthony Davis

The Pelicans won 48 games (their best record since '09) and clinched a playoff berth despite losing All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to injury in January, and that's largely a testament to Davis' greatness. After Boogie went down, Davis averaged 30.4 points on 51.8 percent shooting, 11.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, two steals, and 3.1 rejections. He's contributed career-high numbers nearly across the board, and arguably established himself as the top two-way talent in the game. Davis has the story and the production to back his MVP bid, and in most years, he'd be a no-brainer to take it. - Chris Walder

2. LeBron James

With 15 years and over 1,100 games on his odometer, he led the league in minutes at the age of 33. While you can question his help defense or his impact on the quandary the Cavs found themselves in, his stats stack up with Harden's in almost every category. The Beard may rightfully end up walking away with an MVP award, but let this season serve notice: In terms of singular dominance, this league still belongs to LeBron Raymone James. - John Chick

1. James Harden

Harden's astonishing season saw him lead the league in scoring on spectacular efficiency, authoring a 61.9 true shooting percentage while hoisting 10 threes per game. Throw in his superlative vision and passing, and you have a player who created over 51 points per game through points and assists to power one of the greatest offenses we've ever seen. Everything the Rockets' attack does sprouts directly from Harden's singular capabilities as a pull-up shooter, finisher, ball-handler, and playmaker. Despite Chris Paul coming aboard to shoulder more of the load, Harden's usage rate actually increased to a league-leading 36.1 percent.

From his unguardable step-backs to his bamboozling change-of-pace dribble to his power-stepping forays to the rim to his laser-guided skip passes, Harden was the most dynamic offensive player in the NBA this season; he put in an increased commitment at the other end of the floor for good measure, and he did it all for by far the league's best team. This was his masterpiece. - Joe Wolfond

theScore's top 30 players of 2017-18: