Top 100 NBA players — 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo has earned the nickname “Greek Freak” and then some. He has only gotten better since last season’s Finals run, which he capped off with his first (and probably not only) Finals MVP. Antetokounmpo is neck-and-neck with LeBron and Embiid for the scoring title, he’s a strong candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year (a second time), and all of a sudden, it feels like he might swoop out of the shadows to claim his third MVP trophy. Regardless of whether he wins or not, the fact is simple: Giannis is an all-time talent.
The Bucks are the current favorites to win the East and, if you’re taking last season into account, should maybe be the favorites to win it all. Giannis has expanded the range and versatility of his jump shot, without sacrificing the sheer physical dominance of his long-legged forays to the rim. He’s the ultimate purveyor of bully ball, the most physically dominant player in the league. Many have him at No. 1 and you will not hear much of an argument from me.
Top 100 NBA players — 1. Kevin Durant, Nets
All that said, Kevin Durant sticks around at No. 1 to end the season. Despite injuries, and despite the relative uncertainty around this Nets team, it is impossible to count Kevin Durant out. We have seen him take matters into his own hands before, and there isn’t a soul in basketball who can match Durant shot-for-shot when he’s on a proper hot streak. Efficiency, volume, difficultly — Durant’s shot-making profile is impossible to match. He’s too tall for most defenders to adequately contest, and he’s too fast for those who can match him in size.
There’s just something about Durant, who is playing with as much confidence and poise as ever. He has been gunning for LeBron’s seat atop the NBA for years, and right now, he feels like the rightful king. Giannis, Jokic, Embiid — there are too many great players to count. Anyone could look like the best player on any given night. But, as far as trust — as far as which player is most bankable in nearly every high-stakes situation — my bet is Kevin Durant. Period.