Last week, our panel of 10 analysts voted on the Top 100 NBA player rankings, and it was revealed that seven of the top 10 players hail from the Western Conference. However, when looking beyond the top 10, there is a more even distribution between the East and West. In fact, 10 out of the 21 teams with at least four players on the top 100 list are from the East. there are slightly more players from the West (54) than from the East (46) in the top 100.
Interestingly, over the past three years, more top-end talent has shifted from West to East. Eight of this year’s top 30 players have switched conferences via trade or free agency since 2022, with five going from West to East. Only three have gone in reverse.
The Eastern Conference should not be underestimated. The Boston Celtics are reigning champions and teams like New York Knicks and Philadelphia Sixers have made significant acquisitions that put them in title contention.
Julius Randle of New York Knicks had an impressive season before his injury last year. He led his team to a strong record and showcased his scoring ability with multiple high-scoring games.
Evan Mobley of Cleveland Cavaliers is a versatile player who excels as both a center and power forward. His defensive skills make him valuable against elite opposing wings.
OG Anunoby of New York Knicks is known for his exceptional defense and reliable three-point shooting.
Cade Cunningham had a breakout season for Detroit Pistons last year despite playing on a struggling team. He showed improvement in efficiency and became an all-around threat on offense.
These are just some examples of talented Eastern Conference players who deserve recognition alongside their Western Conference counterparts.
