Top 5 players to watch out for on NBA opening night 2021

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#3 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Reigning NBA Champions Milwaukee Bucks will be led by Giannis Antetokounmpo

Still only 26-years-old, Giannis Antetokounmpo has one of the most enviable resumes in the league. He is a two-time MVP, title winner and Finals MVP winner along with a DPOY award. He excels on both ends of the floor, and the Brooklyn Nets will have to be wary of Antetokounmpo's two-way threat when the two sides clash at the Fiserv Forum.

The Greek Freak made his case for being the best player in the league in the 2021 NBA playoffs, and will now have to prove that he offers a similar production for a second year running.

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#2 LeBron James, LA Lakers

LA Lakers superstar LeBron James is entering Year 19 in the NBA

After winning the championship in 2020, LeBron James and the LA Lakers had a poor outing in the 2021 Playoffs, crashing out in the first round itself following a loss to the Phoenix Suns. James and the Lakers caught considerable flak for it, and the 4-time NBA championship winner will be desperate to prove his critics wrong in the upcoming season.

His first test will be against a familiar face in Stephen Curry, who the King has a losing record against. The LA Lakers have been hyped up as championship favorites since Russell Westbrook's arrival, and they will have to justify that tag against the Warriors on opening day.

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#1 Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is acknowledged as the best player in the world

Very few NBA players have made successful comebacks from Achilles injuries, but Kevin Durant has not only done that, he has comeback as arguably the best player in the NBA. He was inches away from leading his side to the Eastern Conference finals, and then proceeded to help Team USA win a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Durant is in inspired form and has the Brooklyn Nets as the firm favorites for the 2022 NBA championship win despite the Kyrie Irving controversy. He is also in contention to win the NBA MVP award this season, but will have to face stiff competition from the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.