Good analysis.
What I don’t understand is when I make this point, everyone is so defensive over McDust. The reality is that the top player can change every night based on who’s playing the best. Kuch, McDust, Mack, Drai have all held the crown at various points.
Mcdust is not the CONSENSUS best player let alone the best player
I guess it all boils down to what you mean by consensus?
Do you want 100% of the people to agree for it to be a consensus? Or just the majority?
Because I guarantee if you started a poll (which you won't because it will show you what you don't want to see) the consensus...I mean MAJORITY, would vote for McDavid.
And no shit the term 'very best' is fluid and can change from night to night or period to period. Hence why NO ONE uses it like that. Because that's impossible to gauge.
And last but not least, I am not a McDavid fan. I'm not really a big fan of any of the usual top 3-4 ranked players. Of the group Mackinnon is my favourite. But the reason I, and probably so many others, vehemently come to McDavid's defense, is because YOU post with one intention and one intention only, and its ridiculously transparent, everyone can see it, and we rightfully call you out on it.