Bucks Star Ranked Higher Than Other NBA Forwards By Insider

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Aug 28, 2025 10:02 PM ET

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is still at the apex of his stardom. Although he hasn't won the MVP award over the last five seasons after going back-to-back, he's still one of the best players in the NBA. Antetokounmpo has finished in the top five of the MVP voting during that span. He's also been a consistent All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defensive player.

He has, however, recently participated in trade negotiations.With the Bucks' lack of success over the past three seasons, there have been conversations about whether he'll stay in Milwaukee.

One NBA analyst, however, paid attention to the greatness of the Greek Freak. The Athletic's Zach Harper put the two-time MVP at the top of his list of the 40 best forwards in the league.

Antetokounmpo is Still the Best Forward in the NBA

Since Antetokounmpo emerged as a star, there have been a few talented forwards who have made it to the NBA. But according to Harper, the nine-time All-Star is still the best out of every forward in the league.

In the insider's list, he arranged the forwards into tiers. Antetokounmpo is in tier 1. The Bucks star is the only player in that tier. Harper listed Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero and Zion Williamson at tier 2, which is called "Still Elite, Just Not Giannis."

"Of course, Giannis is in a class all by himself. That’s not a knock on Tatum, Banchero or Zion, either. But Giannis is one of the two or three best players in the world," Harper wrote.

According to the NBA writer, Antetokounmpo should be treated like Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic. In the list of 40 best big men he made, Jokic was the only player listed in tier 1. With the MVPs, All-Star selections and NBA championship, the Serbian big man deserves to be at the top by himself.

The same goes with Antetokounmpo, who continues to dominate in the NBA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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