One of the most popular NBA debates is regarding who the best player currently in the league is. At this point, it is usually between the same few players. Nikola Jokic is a one-time champion and is the reigning MVP, the third such honor of his career. Joel Embiid is arguably the most dominant player in the league when healthy. LeBron James is still a top player in the league despite playing in the NBA for two decades. Additionally, there are many other notable players like Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, and Kevin Durant, to name a few. However, another one of these top players, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, recently revealed his pick for the best player in the league. While not entirely bold, it is a bit of an interesting pick, to say the least.
In a recent interview with Complex Sports, Antetokounmpo named reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown the best player in the league. Antetokoumpo, an NBA Finals MVP himself, noted that Brown was the best player on the Boston Celtics during their Finals run last season. This was his rationale for naming the Georgia native the best player in the league.
@complexsports “The best player in the NBA probably I would say Jaylen Brown.” Giannis reacts to Complex 50 Best NBA Player list. #NBA #giannis #jaylenbrown
“I feel like the best player is the guy that wins a championship, wins it all, and [is] the best player on his team,” Antetokounmpo said. “So the best player in the NBA, probably I would say Jaylen Brown.
“Because you cannot have your best player if you’re on a team who didn’t win. It doesn’t matter if you got the MVP or you’re All-NBA. If you don’t make your team win, you’re not the best.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Says Jaylen Brown Is the Best NBA Player
Evaluating Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Comments
There is no denying that Brown is a top player in the NBA. He is an elite two-way player who was arguably the Celtics’ best player in the NBA Finals last season. Brown contributes on both sides at a high level and might only get better from here on out. However, calling him the best player in the league is a bit strange. In theory, though, Antetokounmpo’s justification makes sense. Brown was named the NBA Finals MVP last season and was, given this accomplishment, the best player on the best team. Still, it is a bit of an interesting move from the Bucks star to put Brown over some of the other top players in the league, including himself.
The Last Word
Last night was the first time Brown played an official NBA game since winning Finals MVP. In what turned out to be a blowout against the New York Knicks, Brown did not disappoint. Two days before his 28th birthday, in 30 minutes, Brown recorded 23 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Additionally, despite shooting a poor 38.9% from the field, Brown was fantastic on the perimeter, going 5-for-9 (55.6%) from beyond the arc.
Brown remains a top player on the best team in the league. The Celtics won 64 games last season and went 16-3 in the playoffs. However, there is a legitimate reason to believe they will be even better this year due to their continuity. Brown already has one championship on his resume. It would not be a shock if he added another next year.
