Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The reigning Finals MVP has picked up right where he left off. The Bucks have been relatively quiet this season, but they’re right on track to compete for the conference crown with Brooklyn. Giannis is not only a bona fide MVP candidate, but also a ludicrously overlooked Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Any top-3 list should include Giannis — with all due apologies to bench player Matisse Thybulle.
Antetokounmpo is more than a wrecking ball. He’s a deeply intelligent and thoughtful player who knows how to leverage his freakish athleticism to the utmost effect. He can pummel any matchup against any defense. On the other end, he’s the glue that holds Milwaukee’s top-tier scheme together. He’s only not in the MVP conversation because of voter fatigue (and, again, the absurd amount of talent atop the NBA right now).
Ranking the top 100 NBA players — 1. Kevin Durant
Plenty of people will disagree with this take, but again — there’s no one who can outright reject Kevin Durant as the NBA’s best player. It’s a series of coin flips, but when push comes to shove, Durant sits comfortably atop the throne. His postseason performance was one for the ages, and had the entire roster around him not crumbled away, we’d be talking about Brooklyn as the reigning champs and Durant as the reigning Finals MVP.
The Nets at full strength are still the most formidable NBA team, in large part because Durant is truly unguardable. He’s a cheat code. He can get his shot off anywhere, against any defender. He can facilitate on the move, spot up and stretch the floor or teammates, or play the roll man. He’s also a nifty defender who can fit into any number of Brooklyn’s wacky lineup combinations.
So, that’s that — KD is the best player in the NBA right now.