Ranking the top 5 power forwards in the Eastern Conference ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers)

Indiana Pacers v Charlotte Hornets

Sabonis made his second consecutive NBA All-Star weekend appearance in 2021. Riding career-best numbers of 20.3 ppg and 6.7 apg in 2020-21, Sabonis has become one of the better passing big men in the game today. That he also gave the Indiana Pacers 12.0 rpg while shooting 53.5% from the field is an added bonus.

The Pacers power forward has made an attempt to launch a lot more long-range shots this season. His 2.6 attempts per game from behind the arc was the most he has averaged in his five-year NBA career. He did improve his shooting efficiency from downtown, going 32.1% compared to 25.4% in 2019-20. But if he has to become more impactful, he will have to push that efficiency more towards the mid-30 percent range.

#2 Julius Randle (New York Knicks)

New York Knicks v Miami Heat

If the New York Knicks made their first playoff appearance in eight NBA seasons in 2021, then it was largely due to the efforts of Julius Randle. The New York power forward had a career season across scoring (24.1 ppg), rebounding (10.2, tied with 2015-16), assists (6.0 apg), three point shooting (41.1% at a career-best 5.5 attempts per game) and free throw shooting (81.1%).

Randle also led the league in minutes averages, tallying 37.6 mpg. For his efforts, Randle, deservedly, walked away with the 2021 NBA Most Improved Player award.

The one disappointing note, however, for Randle was that the Knicks were eliminated by the lower-ranked Hawks in the first round of the 2021 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Randle himself wasn’t able to make much of an impact, averaging only 18.0 ppg while shooting under 30% from the field. Randle would do well to use the loss as motivation to achieve greater success in the 2021-22 NBA season.

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

2021 NBA Finals - Game Six

Giannis would be the best power forward not just in the Eastern Conference but in the entire NBA. Two months shy of turning 27 (born 6 December 1994), he is in contention for being not just the greatest international player in NBA history, but one of the all-time greats of the game.

Giannis followed up back-to-back regular season MVPs (2019 and 2020), with a 2021 Finals MVP award while leading Milwaukee to their first championship in 50 years. Heading into the 2021 postseason, Giannis improved his scoring average from 28.1 ppg in the regular season to 30.2 ppg in the playoffs while shooting a remarkable 56.9% from the field all through.

He led the league in rebounding in the playoffs with 12.8 rpg and was an absolute defensive beast for the Bucks. It is hard to say how much better Giannis can get, but if he starts knocking down his mid-range jumpers and three-point shots with greater efficiency, the rest of the NBA will be in big trouble.