Boston Celtics: Ranking the top 10 players out east in the Disney bubble

No. 1) Giannis Antetokounmpo

I know, we shocked you guys with Giannis Antetokounmpo being ranked the number one player in the Eastern Conference, right? ( **he says with a sarcastic tone reminiscent of Chandler Bing**)

To put it simply, while some — myself included — can argue the superstar’s placement within the entire league’s individual power-rankings, there is absolutely no WAY you can argue that he’s not the best player in his respective conference.

Since being switched to a point-forward position back in the 2016-17 season (something Jason Kidd doesn’t get nearly enough credit for), the man known as the “Greek Freak” has proven to be one of, if not the most unstoppable force the NBA has to offer.

Posting incredible all-around averages of 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, one steal, and one block per game on 55 percent shooting from the field in just under 31 minutes per game (kudos to Mike Budenholzer, by the way), the reigning league MVP has astonishingly found a way to get even better from his earth-shattering performance from the season prior.

Currently boasting the ninth-highest box plus/minus for a single season in NBA history (11.5), Giannis finds himself leading the charge towards his second consecutive MVP award and, more impressive, his first Defensive Player of the Year award, a feat not seen outside of Michael Jordan (1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994).

Bleacher Report went further into just how impressive the seventh-year superstar has been on the less-glamorous side of the ball this season:

"In addition to his 12.7 defensive rebounds (first this season and third-most all time), 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per 75 possessions, Milwaukee allow 11.3 fewer points per 100 possessions when Giannis is on the floor, giving him a defensive rating swing that ranked in the 98th percentile. For further context, the Bucks allow just 97.7 points per 100 possessions when Giannis plays. The league average defensive rating this season is 110.4."

With all this considered, coupled with the facts that he has guided his team to the best record (53-12) both out east and in the entire league, and that virtually every power-ranking has the Milwaukee Bucks placed either first or second in the standings, there should be no debate about it: the best player in the Eastern Conference is Giannis Antetokounmpo, bubble or not.