Ranked: NBA Eastern Conference players

Since LeBron's move to the Lakers, ESPN and other big outlets have made it a priority to convince you that the Eastern Conference is a laughing stock.

Don't buy it.

Yes, the Celtics are probably the only team that can say they have a legitimate shot at the title. But that doesn't mean that teams like the Pacers, 76ers, and Raptors won't be right on their heels.

Let's talk about the individual players in the East. For just about his entire career, LeBron was the best player in the Eastern Conference. Whether it was in Cleveland or Miami, it didn't matter. But King James has moved on to a different realm now, and it's time to see who'll take his place as the top dog.

This list is going to be based on the player's performance in the 2017-18 season and their overall importance to their respective teams. A couple of players were left off of the list because they missed a lot of games last year or have noticeable holes in their game.

Here's my top ten players in the Eastern Conference for next season. Let's get started.

Notable Omissions

Jayson Tatum, SF/SG, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum came of age in the 2018 playoffs. Without Kyrie Irving or Gordon Hayward, Tatum performed like a ten-year vet rather than a 20-year-old rookie. He took the reigns, and with the steady supporting cast of Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Marcus Smart, Tatum and the Celtics came within one game of the Finals before that same supporting cast laid an egg in Game 7 of the Conference Finals against the Cavs.

It's safe to say that Tatum and company will be back at it next season.

Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors

The problem with Kyle Lowry is simple. He can't play in a big game.

Great regular season player, makes others around him better for the most part, and can finish around the rim. This year, the Toronto front office swapped DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard, an instant upgrade if Leonard can remain healthy.

With that in mind, if Lowry can figure out his postseason issues, the Raptors' run as playoff chokers could come to an end.

Gordon Hayward, SF/SG, Boston Celtics

Belongs on this list, but played a grand total of five minutes last season. Not his fault, but still.

If Hayward comes back at full strength, the Celtics should have little to no problem reaching the Finals.

Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers

With LeBron out of town, Cleveland fans are hoping for the return of Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves edition. Clearly, the Cavaliers' front office is as well. They signed K-Love to a big extension this offseason, locking up the guy who's clearly the best player on this ugly Cavs roster (JR Smith, Larry Nance Jr., Kyle Korver, Tristan Thompson, Jordan Clarkson, you get the picture).

If Minnesota K-Love comes back, you can expect big numbers.

Blake Griffin, PF, Detroit Pistons

You could argue that Griffin belongs on my list, but Blake has shown some regression in the past couple seasons. He's still a good player, but not great like he once was in his early days with the Clippers.

After being traded to the Pistons at the deadline last year, it didn't seem to me like Griffin fit in with Detroit's other pieces. Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and company needed another piece, but I'm not sure Griffin is the one.

Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons

Drummond might be the most dominant rebounder in the NBA. He's a fantasy basketball gem, but so far hasn't translated to a lot of wins for the Pistons. Think of how good Drummond would be if he had any kind of jumper. Scary.

Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards

Beal was an All-Star last season, but I'm still not convinced he's even the best player on his own team. He'll get you some buckets with no problem, but the defense is questionable.

The Top 10

10) Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte Hornets

Without Kemba, the Hornets are left with nothing, and Michael Jordan knows it.

Last season, Walker averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 assists. It was also his third straight season averaging at least 20 points. Although Charlotte missed the playoffs for the second straight year, I think we can blame one guy for that: Dwight Howard.

There's no reason to believe that Kemba's slowing down. Keep an eye on this guy come fantasy season.

9) Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics

There's probably not many guys that are more important to their team than Al Horford.

Consistently underrated, yet one of the most consistent players in the game. His stats won't catch your attention, but when you're watching the game, you see Horford's impact on both ends of the floor.

The 2018 playoffs are all the evidence you'll need. He averaged a modest 15.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists (a high number for a big man). But take a closer look, specifically at his effort against Joel Embiid in the second round against Philly. Horford held maybe the best center in the league in check, and the Celtics won in five.

That's not a coincidence.

8) John Wall, PG, Washington Wizards

Wall's only 27, but it feels like he's been around forever. Maybe the fastest guy in the league, he's one of the best playmakers/passers in the game.

Even though Washington hasn't risen to the occasion in the past few seasons, Wall is the key to their success.

Take last season. When Wall went down with an injury, the Wizards fell sharply in the standings and ended up getting the eighth seed in the East. If he'd been healthy, I think they could've been a top five seed easily.

Wall and the Wizards could redeem themselves this year.

7) Kristaps Porzingis, PF, New York Knicks

Yes, the Knicks are one of the most incompetent franchises in the NBA. But in the past decade, they've gotten one thing right: Porzingis.

Booed on draft day, Porzingis quickly developed into a rising star, and eventually an All-Star in 2018 (funny what happens when you trade Carmelo Anthony). The Knicks weren't going to make the playoffs, but were clearly better off with Porzingis as the centerpiece.

Last year, he was averaging 22.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. He only played in 48 games before an ACL tear ended his season early. I'd like to see him average a few more boards, but Porzingis's ceiling should keep getting higher (if the knee doesn't become a big issue).

6) Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers

Your 2018 Rookie of the Year (Donovan Mitchell would beg to differ).

We finally got our first look at Ben Simmons in an NBA jersey last season, and it was great to watch. A 6-10 guy who played center at LSU, possessing the passing ability of an elite point guard. That's not common.

The knock on Simmons is that he can't shoot, a hole that Brad Stevens and the Celtics took advantage of in the playoffs. Tatum or Jaylen Brown would switch onto Simmons, with the double-team from Horford or another big coming soon. It forced Simmons into an unwanted jumper, just one of the reasons Boston came out on top.

If Ben can develop any kind of jumper, mid-range or otherwise, the threat level he'll present to opposing teams will skyrocket.

5) Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid is one of the top three centers in the league. You'd be a fool to deny it.

Besides some health concerns, Embiid is a pretty dominant force when he's on the floor. Last season, with averages of 22.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks, he and Simmons helped lead the Sixers to the third seed in the East.

Embiid can block shots, get boards, make shots from outside, and pass the ball pretty well for a big man. Personally, I think that Embiid is more important to Philly's success than Simmons, but we'll see.

4) Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana Pacers

I want to put Victor at the top spot, but I know better.

Next year, Oladipo is going to be scary good. But let's look at what he gave us last season. He averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.4 steals (led the league), and was easily named Most Improved Player. The guy can get to the bucket at any given time, and that's something Pacers fans aren't accustomed to seeing.

The Pacers were screwed out of the series against Cleveland, but Oladipo put the league on notice. In Game 1, he was clearly the best player on the floor and put up a triple-double in Game 6.

Victor is going to put on a show next season. Get ready.

3) Kyrie Irving, PG, Boston Celtics

The best ball-handler in the NBA. Period.

If Irving hadn't gone down with that knee injury last year, the Celtics would've been playing in the Finals. No question about it.

Across 60 games, Kyrie put up averages of 24.4 points and 5.1 assists while shooting close to 50% from the field. Celtics fans will be eager to see him back on the floor for Brad Stevens.

Very eager.

2) Kawhi Leonard, SF, Toronto Raptors

It's going to be weird seeing Kawhi Leonard in a different jersey next season. Then again, it's going to be weird seeing him in a jersey at all given his injuries.

It's simple with Kawhi. When he's healthy, he's the best two-way player in the league, capable of getting you 25 or 30 points on a nightly basis while also shutting down their best player, and with a good supporting cast, you're a contender.

Hopefully, for the fans' sake (and the Raptors'), Kawhi is healthy next year.

1) Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis is the best bet to take LeBron's spot as the best player in the East.

Giannis is the Bucks. Last season, he averaged 26.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists (not to mention 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks). He's nearly unstoppable, with the only gripe being his three-point shooting.

Think about that. Giannis is a poor three-point shooter, but still averaged about 27 points last season.

All I can say is, if you haven't seen this guy in person, try to. I went to a Bucks-Pacers game in 2017, which happened to be Antetokounmpo's breakout season. Wow.

Just. Wow.

Image credits: Twitter, sportingnews.com

YouTube channels: NBA, Tomasz Kordylewski, Washington Wizards, SkyDesigns NBA

Stats: NBA.com, Basketball Reference