Giannis and KD now stand firmly as the two best players in the NBA currently, but who will claim the throne and reign supreme?

After leading Team USA to another gold medal during the Tokyo Summer games, Kevin Durant now looks to be immersed in a two-player marathon for the crown of the best player in the world. His competition might not be who you think it is either.

Durant reminded everyone that he may still be the number one player in the world with his showing over the last two weeks in Tokyo. Not only did Durant lead America in scoring in these games averaging, 19.3ppg, but he also surpassed Carmelo Anthony as the all-time leading scorer for Team USA.

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KD showed that his Brooklyn Nets' disappointing loss to the eventual NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks has no lingering effects on his game. With a rough start to the Olympics witnessing Team USA lose, its first two exhibition games, and their first meaningful game to France. Durant and his squad were able to rally back, winning five straight en route to obtaining a fourth consecutive gold medal for men's USA basketball.

Add this performance in Tokyo to Durant's NBA return in 2021 from an Achilles injury suffered during the 2019 finals, KD has as good an argument as any other player for staking his claim for the crown of the best player in the world. While he does have a strong argument Durant's crowning may not be as clear-cut as many fans and media members might think.

A NEW CHALLENGER

One player who stands firmly in Durant's way for the crown is two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not only did Giannis best Durant head-to-head, but he also finished the job on a bad knee while dominating the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, bringing an NBA championship back to Milwaukee for the first time in 50 years.

With a resume that continues to grow year after year, Giannis' argument is gaining momentum and those who once saw him as less than a championship player are being forced to change their minds. How can  Giannis continue to be denied after the playoff run he led the Bucks on to cap off the 2020-21 season?

All-time greats like Shaquille O'Neal have even been forced to jump on the "Greek Freak" bandwagon after his finals victory and finals MVP award.

"Call him Superman, just call me Shaq," said O'Neal. Everybody knows once Shaq bestows a nickname upon a big man, only then can we say that said big man has truly arrived. Giannis hasn't just arrived but, he's taking over the league dominating the game on both ends of the court. For the first time in a while, it seems that there is no clear-cut best player in the world. So, this battle will certainly, carry over into the next NBA season, which starts in less than three months.

There is still the chance that Lebron James comes back next season and reclaims his throne, but at almost 37 years of age, this seems less likely with each passing season. With both Durant and Giannis in the eastern conference, this battle for the crown should be an epic one to follow over the next few years.