Who's the Best Player in the East?

[fairweatherfan]

This discussion broke out in another thread so I thought a poll would be good.

Who do you think is the best player in the East, and why? This doesn't have to mean best performer in the first 2 weeks, just who you think the superior player is.

I have a very tough choice between Giannis and Kawhi and I think I just barely lean Giannis. Just such an incredible force on the court, and he carries more of the load for his team too (partly out of necessity).

[Moranis]

Giannis.  I had him 4th overall before last year started and still have him there over a year later (Lebron, Durant, Curry).  He is just an absolute unguardable monster who does it all (even starting to develop that outside shot).  Leonard isn't that far behind.  No one else is realistically in the discussion.

[gouki88]

Quite surprised someone voted for Embiid.

For me it’s Kawhi. His ability to space the floor, score 25, grab 5+ rebounds and play the best wing defence in the league (arguably the best post-2000) is crazy. Giannis is almost impossible to stop inside, but if you can even limit his effectiveness in the paint it goes a long way to hurting his game

[indeedproceed]

Giannis

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Giannis then Kawhi. Nobody is even close to those 2.

[BitterJim]

When healthy, Kawhi is clearly better than Giannis. With Kawhi's health a questionmark, it gets very, very close (but I'll still go with Kawhi)

Giannis playing for Budenholzer this year could change my mind, though.  I'll be able to say with much more confidence in a month or so

[GreenEnvy]

Kawhi is right there with LeBron and Durant.

The next tier is where Giannis lies (with Davis, Curry, Harden, etc)

[slamtheking]

Giannis.  I had him 4th overall before last year started and still have him there over a year later (Lebron, Durant, Curry).  He is just an absolute unguardable monster who does it all (even starting to develop that outside shot).  Leonard isn't that far behind.  No one else is realistically in the discussion.

I'd absolutely put Anthony Davis in the top 3 discussion with Bron and Durant.  everyone else is fighting for the #4 slot

[Surferdad]

Better add Blake.  He's the best in his own mind.

[BitterJim]

Better add Blake.  He's the best in his own mind.

If we add people who are the best in their own mind, it'll take an hour to look through the list

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

LBJ. If KL is healthy it's him and KD in line (blegh). When healthy, KL has the ability to drag a team like LBJ can, that's rare, giannis is a great player on a team. Now, if giannis gets to the chip this season, maaaaaaybe he enters the discussion, I think others a better than him too because as you said, not really counting these first 2 weeks.

[fairweatherfan]

LBJ. If KL is healthy it's him and KD in line (blegh). When healthy, KL has the ability to drag a team like LBJ can, that's rare, giannis is a great player on a team. Now, if giannis gets to the chip this season, maaaaaaybe he enters the discussion, I think others a better than him too because as you said, not really counting these first 2 weeks.

Fortunately LeBron's not in the East anymore. I agree he's still the league's best player til someone takes it from him, which is probably coming before too long.

[Donoghus]

1A) Kawhi
1B) Giannis

Everybody else.

[Birdman]

1A) Kawhi
1B) Giannis

Everybody else.

I agree!!

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

LBJ. If KL is healthy it's him and KD in line (blegh). When healthy, KL has the ability to drag a team like LBJ can, that's rare, giannis is a great player on a team. Now, if giannis gets to the chip this season, maaaaaaybe he enters the discussion, I think others a better than him too because as you said, not really counting these first 2 weeks.

Fortunately LeBron's not in the East anymore. I agree he's still the league's best player til someone takes it from him, which is probably coming before too long.

Yeah realized after I wrote but got lazy.


KL and giannis then. Healthy Blake is underrated but not the best.