Ranking the top 5 NBA players in the Eastern Conference

The current era of the NBA is filled with some ridiculous talent. The likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo are some of the best active players in the sport.

The Eastern Conference, in particular, has a good number of 'top ten' players in the league. As many as four teams are in contention in the East to reach the NBA Finals. Defending champions Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets are the favorites. But it is difficult to ignore the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers too. All four aforementioned teams are led by some stellar players.

On that note, here are the five best players currently playing in the NBA Eastern Conference:

#5 Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)

Jimmy Butler has been called the 'heart and soul' of the Miami Heat. His style of play - grittiness, defensive solidity and offensive prowess - personifies the Miami Heat.

Butler is one of the best defensive talents in the league, and his accolades (five-time NBA All-Defensive, 2020-21 NBA steal champion) are testament to that.

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Moreover, Butler is also a superb player on the offensive side of the ball. He can both play the role of both scorer and facilitator. His high basketball IQ allows him to act as the point guard of the team, and his ability to draw fouls in the paint means he seldom has poor scoring nights.

#4 Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks - Game Six

Joel Embiid might have to do some heavy lifting in the 2021-22 NBA season. That's because there is a great probability that Ben Simmons could get traded before the start of the new campaign. However, considering his performances in the last few NBA seasons, the Cameroonian big should be more than up for the task.

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Embiid averaged 28 points and ten rebounds per game last season, while registering 1.4 blocks and a steal per game. He also improved his shooting from downtown, connecting on nearly 38% of his attempts from the deep.

#3 James Harden (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.

#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.

#1 Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

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.