Bay Area’s Top 10 enjoyable athletes? No. 1 is straightforward however No. 2 would possibly shock

Bay Area sports activities has all the time been about thrills.

That’s not as a result of we worth type over substance, it’s merely that we respect a combo, as in our all-time Bay Area Mount Rushmore of enjoyable gamers — Willie, Joe, Rickey and Steph. (Plus Barry, in the event you don’t thoughts the asterisk.)

Who are our most entertaining gamers proper now? Here’s my thrill crew, the Bay Area’s Top 10 Most Fun Athletes to Watch.

First, apologies to some who missed the reduce however all the time mild up the celebration: Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, see you in ’26. Jonathan Kuminga, you may make the record quickly, or disappear perpetually, however you’re using the pines proper now. Ricky Pearsall, you’re knockin’ on the door. Gary Payton II, I by no means go away my sofa once you test into the sport. Bryce Eldridge, you’re waving three bats within the on-deck circle.

All proper, right here we go, beginning with No. 10:

• Logan Webb. Something old-school enjoyable a few pitcher who racks up innings and mows down hitters with no quick fastball (averages round 93 mph). This record isn’t about stats, however final season Webb led MLB pitchers in innings, and led the NL in strikeouts. He retains his crew within the sport each outing, which makes the video games enjoyable.

• Draymond Green. A plodding outdated warhorse on the Most Fun record? Hell yeah. Draymond is the man you invite to the celebration over your spouse’s objections, then you definitely cover the breakables and warn the neighbors. It’s not simply Green’s distinctive antics that brighten up the proceedings, it’s that the Golden State Warriors’ fabulous machine isn’t itself except he’s on the market. Because of the spice he brings to the festivities, Green ought to be larger on this record, however I don’t need to reward unhealthy conduct.

• Veronica Burton. We love our from-outta-nowhere tales. Burton was a WNBA no one till she stumbled into the arms of the Golden State Valkyries, then she grew to become a dynamic catalyst on a enjoyable, thrilling staff. Like Draymond, Burton makes protection thrilling. Adding to her underdog attract was her wage: $78,831 final season. No, that’s not per sport. Ah, however can the Valks maintain Burton round? If the WNBA settles its labor dispute, she might be a restricted free agent, and she is going to get her bag someplace, however will or not it’s right here? Wait, I simply remembered who owns the Valkyries. Burton might be again.

• Brock Purdy. He will all the time be Mr. Irrelevant, which carries its personal cool issue. Recently Purdy is bringing pleasure of the cringey selection, with interceptions. But lurking close to the floor is the Brock Star of two seasons in the past, when there was no throw he couldn’t make, no predicament too dire. Plus, Purdy’s bought delicate swag. After the final sport, he was sporting a “Toyotathon” jacket with a big “PURDY 13” embroidered on the again. Nobody does that.

• Rafael Devers. This is extra of a hopeful decide. You need Buster Posey’s miracle commerce to be an excellent one, and Devers is able to bust out, or not less than get again to the .300 hitter he as soon as was. Most would say final season was disappointing, an anemic .236 batting common with the Giants, however the man did contribute 35 homers and 109 RBIs. Tick, tick …

• Jimmy Butler. On offense, he parks deep within the right-hand nook, like an outdated man settling in to observe a parade, however then the parade swirls round him. Butler is the Warrior least prone to wind up on the “SportsCenter” Top 10 highlights, nevertheless it’s fascinating to observe him make the entire celebration livelier. Stylewise, no one tops Jimmy and his cool vibe. Big plus: He doesn’t crybaby to the refs, which makes him much more enjoyable to observe.

• George Kittle. He’s the tight finish created within the Fun Lab. Great fingers, harmful YAC, killer blocking. Along with one different particular person on this record (see: No. 1), Kittle reveals up decided to have extra enjoyable than anybody else within the joint. In media relations, he vies with Draymond Green for Most Entertaining Philosopher. No journalist’s sport story or column is full with no Kittle quote.

• Christian McCaffrey. How can an aged working again averaging 3.7 yards per carry make this record? Easy. Remember once you have been a teen and probably the most enjoyable you may have was taking part in pickup sort out soccer within the mud together with your friends? McCaffrey by no means left that stage of growth. Flashback: In his second sport as a 49er, McCaffrey scored a landing working, receiving and throwing, a 34-yard strike. Hey, Kyle, time to mud off that play?

• Macklin Celebrini. The instant-coffee famous person, simply add ice. Celebrini is forcing devoted hockey ignorers (my hand is raised) to concentrate. At 19, he ought to be getting his butt kicked nightly by gnarly adults, however no. It’s not honest to name Celebrini a famous person but, however he’s taking part in at that degree, so he’s shaping up because the youngest Bay Area famous person ever.

• Stephen Curry. If you need to quibble with anybody on or off this record, I welcome the alternate (sostler@sfchronicle). However, in the event you dispute my No. 1 decide, your e-mail received’t make it previous my spam filter. The solely argument is likely to be whether or not Curry is No. 1 on the all-time/all-sports Most Fun record.

Happy holidays, go have your self some enjoyable.