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It is always fun to watch the NBA because it's exciting and full of promising players in both Eastern and Western Conferences.
In the past decade or so, we witnessed the West being more competitive simply because West has better players than the East. But the best player in the NBA, LeBron James, was in the Eastern Conference. He downright dominated the East and has an NBA Finals appearance streak running to eight consecutive years.
It is his presence that has prevented some worthy teams from making the Conference Finals or the NBA Finals - which goes to demonstrate his sheer supremacy. It is no wonder then, that he is known as The King.
This summer he made the Decision 3.0 to join the Los Angeles Lakers in an already stacked Western Conference. So with LeBron taking his talents to the West, we are likely to see the rise of certain players who can take over the East at any time.
Here are the top 3 players who have the potential to do so.
#1 Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving already evinced that he can be the face of a franchise team by joining the Boston Celtics last season leaving LeBron and the Cavs in despair.
They were the best one-two punch in the league that time but Kyrie did not appreciate being overshadowed by the hype of LeBron James.
He was one of the sole reasons why Cleveland Cavaliers have a championship banner hanging at the Quicken Loans Arena. He averaged 27.1 points including a 41-point Game 5 in the 2016 NBA Finals.
He also hit the dagger three on Steph Curry which sealed the deal for the Cavs.
Kyrie will always be one of the elite players in the league because of his artistic handles and his ability to move past the defenders with ease. He has got masters and degrees in finishing at the rim.
But with LeBron James heading West, Kyrie has a chance to be the best player and dominate the East. With the likes of Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and Jayson Tatum by his side, it seems possible.
#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak is the best player from the Milwaukee Bucks and a rising star in the league at 23 years of age.
The Milwaukee Bucks picked Giannis as the 15th overall first-round draft pick in 2013.
The 6'11'' forward is so athletic and adept that he can play and guard any position in the league. He led the entire Bucks team in points, rebounds, steals and blocks in the 2016-17 season, becoming only the fifth player to lead the franchise in five major statistical categories.
Last season he averaged a career-high 26.9 points per game which included nine 35+ point games. He was also the youngest Bucks player to record a triple-double. Through the first five games of 2017-18 NBA season, he scored 175 points, had 53 rebounds and dished 28 assists which is a record in the NBA.
He was named as a starter on the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2017 and 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
His best career accomplishment was the Most Improved Player award he got in 2017. Even the great NBA legends have admired his game. Reggie Miller commented that he wants to return as Giannis in his next basketball life. Who doesn't?
With a player of this eminence, he could be a future star and forthwith become the best player in the league. If he adds the legitimate jumper to his game, defenders will have nightmares about him.
This high octane player is deeply loved by the fans of Milwaukee and would certainly hope that he brings a championship to their city.
#3 Joel Embiid
From wanting to become a professional volleyball player to becoming an All-Star starter in 2018, Joel Embiid's basketball journey has come a long way.
Joel Embiid acknowledged that watching the 2010 Lakers and Kobe Bryant in the finals, he fell in love with basketball and instantly became a fan.
The big man was drafted as the 3rd overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers but due to injuries had to wait two seasons for the debut. In the 2016-17 season, his rookie season, he played only 31 games but managed to make it to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Despite having minutes restriction in the 2017-18 season he went on to average 22.9 points per game. Embiid can shoot the three ball well, has a solid mid-range, can post up and defends the rim. What more can we ask from a center?
During a regular season game against the Lakers, he scored a career-high 46 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, had 7 assists and 7 blocks. He was nominated for NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award last season.
In the coming season along with 2018 Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, he would certainly look for a break out season.
Joel Embiid is a fun loving, hardworking person but sometimes finds himself involved in friendly trash talk with the players. His off game characteristics and hilarious tweets are surely loved by the fans.
