“Is this a joke?” - NBA fans pick Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo in best player in the league debate

Amid Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominant start to the season, debates about his placement among the NBA's premier players are circulating. According to most fans, Denver Nuggets and LA Lakers superstar big men Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis are performing at higher levels.

During Sunday's home matchup against the Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo tallied a game-high and season-best 43 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, shooting 62.1%. However, Milwaukee received limited production from its complementary players, and fell 113-107, dropping to 2-8.

Following the contest, NBA Central shared Antetokounmpo's early-season game log on X/Twitter. In its caption, the outlet asked fans if he should be considered "the best player in the league." Through nine outings, the two-time MVP is averaging a league-leading 31.6 points, 12.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 60.7%.

Nevertheless, many fans completely dismissed the notion.

"Is this a joke? (The) dirtiest in the league maybe," @Maverick_SZN said.

"Don't make me laugh," @Harden4threee wrote.

Instead, the most common choices for the designation were Jokic and Davis, who are each putting up standout numbers on teams above .500. Denver, riding a five-game winning streak, is 7-3, while LA is 6-4.

"Everyone knows Jokic runs the league," @NugsGetBuckets said.

"Anthony Davis, and it isn't close," @SixthManJake wrote.

Meanwhile, some seemingly implied that Antetokounmpo shouldn't even be in the running to be crowned the NBA's top player given the Bucks' poor record.

"The best player in the world wouldn't be 2-8," @CelticsAdam34 said.

"What's his team's record?" @RaptorsShaq wrote.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo says struggling Bucks are trending upward amid questions about his placement in NBA hierarchy

Despite Milwaukee losing two straight games and eight of its last nine, Giannis Antetokounmpo expressed optimism surrounding his squad's bounce-back ability.

Following Sunday's loss to Boston, he noted that the Bucks are trending upward, and gradually finding their identity despite the box score not reflecting so.

"I think we are trending toward the right direction," Antetokounmpo said. "Obviously, (it) doesn't show, but I think slowly we played better. Guys are competing. We competed tonight. So, slowly we are figuring out who we are."

(from 6:37 mark onwards)

Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee (2-8) continue their homestand on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors (2-9). The Raptors are the lone team below the Bucks in the league standings, so the matchup should provide them a prime opportunity to right the ship.

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