Ranking the top 5 NBA players in the Eastern Conference

#3 James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)

New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets

James Harden will be raring to go this season after ending the 2021 NBA playoffs on a sour note. He was injured during the series against the Milwaukee Bucks. but is expected to be back for the opening-day game against the same opposition.

Harden is one of the best players in the league, and it can be argued that he has been the best offensive talent in the last decade. Harden won the NBA MVP award in 2018, and there have been at least two more years where he could have won the Maurice Podoloff trophy.

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#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

Milwaukee Bucks vs Minnesota Timberwolves

The winner of the 2021 NBA Finals MVP trophy, Giannis Antetokounmpo has briskly ascended from a raw talent to one of the best players in the league. Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP winner, proved that he is not a flat track bully in the 2021 NBA playoffs. That's because he put up some strong performances against the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns.

The 'Greek Freak' averaged 28 points, 11 rebounds and close to six assists in the 2020-21 NBA season. He will be looking to make it two championships in as many years when he takes to the court with the Milwaukee Bucks next season.

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#1 Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

Men's Basketball Medal Ceremony: Day 15

Arguably the best player in the world, Kevin Durant was inches away from leading his team to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals last season.

With Kyrie Irving and James Harden injured for most of the series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Durant took over as a one-man offense. He got involved in almost every point the Brooklyn Nets scored in that series.

Durant followed that up by leading Team USA to an Olympic Gold in Tokyo. He will need to continue his stellar exploits once again if the Brooklyn Nets are to win the NBA championship in 2022.