The 2023 calendar year featured an incredible amount of historic, must-see and viral moments. New records were set. Eagerly anticipated debuts were made. Champions were crowned.
The players themselves headline these moments. The visibility of NBA superstars has never been better, a fact punctuated by social media interaction. Here’s the list of the most-viewed players across the NBA’s social platforms (X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube) this year:
1. LeBron James – 2.8 billion views
James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader on Feb. 8, 2023. The inaugural In-Season Tournament MVP shows no sign of slowing down heading into his 39th birthday on Dec. 30.
2. Stephen Curry – 1.6 billion views
From the first-ever 50-point Game 7 in April to becoming the first to 3,500 career 3-pointers in December, Curry continues to redefine long-distance shooting.
3. Victor Wembanyama – 1.3 billion views
Few prospects have ever been as highly anticipated as Wembanyama, the French big man with guard skills and quickness to complement a 7-foot-4 big man’s frame and timing. The No. 1 overall pick is already the youngest ever with 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game.
4. Nikola Jokic – 1.2 billion views
Denver had never tasted the Finals, let alone an NBA championship, until Nikola Jokic powered the Nuggets to those heights. The Joker is now fourth all-time in triple-doubles, trailing only Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.
5. Luka Doncic – 914 million views
Fresh off becoming the fastest to 10,000 career points since Michael Jordan, Doncic looks even better after his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team season. His career scoring average of 28.1 ppg is now tops among all active players, and third all-time.
6. Jayson Tatum – 763 million views
After leading Boston to its fourth Eastern Conference Finals in six years, Tatum is headlining an elite Celtics squad so far this season. His four consecutive All-Star appearances are the most by a Celtic since Paul Pierce, and Tatum’s record 51-point Game 7 will be instant classic material for years to come.
7. Kevin Durant – 648 million views
Durant’s trade to Phoenix, the oldest NBA franchise without a championship, has eyes and expectations squarely centered on the Suns. The smooth-shooting forward will be a legend regardless, with his latest step being joining the league’s top 10 all-time scoring leaders.
8. Jimmy Butler – 634 million views
Jimmy Buckets reminded everyone why he and the Heat are dangerous no matter what their seed is come playoff time. Butler and Miami advanced from the edge of the Play-In Tournament all the way to the Finals. He followed that up with a truly memorable impression on Media Day.
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 592 million views
The Greek Freak has become a staple of interior dominance on the court and pure joy off of it. Antetokounmpo is fresh off becoming the Bucks’ all-time leading rebounder. His postseason comments on the relationship between sports and failure prompted some of the most thoughtful discussion we’ve seen.
10. Jamal Murray – 456 million views
Jokic might have defined the Nuggets’ ceiling, but Murray was the scintillating “what-if” to Denver’s championship hopes. His long-awaited and healthy return answered that question. Murray’s playoff run — highlighted by a Game 3 triple-double in the Finals — left no doubt about his star power on a championship team.
11. Anthony Davis – 456 million views
Davis remains the ceiling-setter for L.A., a fact reestablished by his 41-point, 20-rebound performance in the In-Season Tournament title game. His 30-point, 23-rebound gem in Game 1 against Golden State set the tone for that Western Conference semifinal series.
12. Kyrie Irving – 454 million views
Irving’s pairing with Luka Doncic in Dallas sent a jolt through the league. Now the pair of electric playmakers are intent on getting the Mavericks back to the postseason.
13. Austin Reaves – 410 million views
Undrafted success stories are few, and Reaves carving one under the Laker limelight has only added to the feel-good nature of his NBA breakthrough. Reaves’ moments with L.A. as well as Team USA have boosted his popularity and expectations. Nothing, perhaps, will eclipse his “I’m Him” moment from last postseason.
14. Joel Embiid – 396 million views
After years of knocking on the door, Embiid finally entered the Kia MVP room. If anything, he’s even better this season, as evidenced by his 51-point special against Minnesota’s top-ranked defense on Dec. 20.
15. Ja Morant – 385 million views
Morant’s electric play is fit for social media, but he missed significant time due to suspensions. His long-awaited return exceeded all hope and expectations, finishing with the storybook game-winner.
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