Jayson Tatum Brilliantly Explains Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Is the Best Player in the NBA

• Jayson Tatum has declared Giannis Antetokounmpo the best player in the NBA
• The Boston Celtics star has come up against the 'Greek Freak' several times now
• The Bucks star has proven several times that he is one of the best in the league

There's no denying that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum are two of the best players in the Eastern Conference alongside Joel Embiid.

The Boston Celtics star did not hesitate when asked who the best player in the NBA is. He called Milwaukee Bucks star, Giannis Antetokoumpo the star of the league.

Tatum and Antetokounmpo have battled for the Eastern Conference crown for the last few seasons. The Celtics' young star won it last season, beating Antetokounmpo, who won the 2021 NBA title.

Those two, along with Philadelphia 76ers big man, Joel Embiid are in this season's NBA MVP conversation.

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They are joined by two European stalwarts in Luka Doncic and reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic. For Tatum to pick his rival, it shows the impact Antetokounmpo is making in the league.

Tatum on Antetokounmpo

Tatum joined fellow All-Stars, Doncic, Memphis' Ja Morant, and Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell for an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews during the All-Star Game.

In a short clip from the interview, Andrews asked the Boston Celtics star who he believes the best player in the NBA is right now.

“If I had to pick, I think I might say [Antetokounmpo]. The way he impacts both sides; scoring, rebounding, how hard he plays. We all have off nights, but when he has an off night it’s still 25 and 15 instead of 40 and 20. And, he's won. He's won a championship," Tatum said via NBC Sports.

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Antetokounmpo won the 2019 and 2020 MVP awards and then added the 2021 NBA Finals MVP. The Celtics star is still looking to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season.

He's averaging 30.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists and is in the MVP conversation.

Tatum wins Kobe Bryant Trophy

Sports Brief earlier reported on Tatum winning the Kobe Bryant trophy at the just-concluded All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah.

He scored 55 points - a record for the All-Star Game - rewarding Antetokounmpo for picking him in the draft just before tipoff.

The late great Kobe Bryant is Tatum's idol, and he commented on winning an award named after the Lakers legend.