1. Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid
With Kawhi Leonard out west, Giannis Antetokounmpo sits upon the mantle as the undisputed top player the Eastern Conference has to offer.
Other candidates may present their cases, but the Greek Freak is the reigning MVP who led his Milwaukee Bucks to a league-high 60 wins last season. This, while coming at what he claims is only 60 percent of his potential.
His biggest challenger is Joel Embiid, who combined size and athleticism to put up 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.9 blocks per game in 2018-19.
Despite reoccurring health issues, he is the engine that drives the Philadelphia 76ers towards title contention, a dream that rests largely on his shoulders.
The two are rarely tasked with slowing each other down, but one look of the box score shows an innate desire to best the other whenever their teams come together. In a 130-125 March victory for Philly, Embiid dropped 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Not to be outdone in a loss, Giannis went for a career-high 52 points along with 16 rebounds and seven assists.
In early April, Antetokounmpo got his revenge, posting 45 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks in a 128-122 Milwaukee win. Embiid was no scrub, dropping 34 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.
Ben Simmons provides a different challenge, similar in play style but less effective in executing it. Giannis sees the similarities in their oversized ballhandler roles and has taken on the challenge of proving his superiority.
In the two aforementioned games, while Antetokounmpo was imposing his will, Simmons combined for a total of 14 points, 22 assists and 13 rebounds.
While not surrounded by the snipers afforded to Milwaukee’s superstar, Simmons finds himself at the MVP’s mercy and will continue to until he can expand his range.
The Bucks and Sixers aren’t likely to go anywhere soon and are safe bets to find each other in the forthcoming Eastern Conference Finals.
The best for this trio has still yet to come, and whether it’s maintaining individual supremacy or a spot in the Finals on the line, the stakes will only add to the blood that’s already plenty boiled.