Giannis "The Greak Freak" Antetokounmpo Thread

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by YourAvgSutton

I’m an RPA guy so I love the differences in our lists. Something for everyone!

Exactly. One of the best parts about the hobby.

[LovelyLlamas]

Originally Posted by tjforce

I mean, ESPN has him at #27 already coming into this season. The guys in front of him:
-Wade
-Kawhi
-David Robinson
-Barkley
-Elgin Baylor
-Pippen
-Garnett
-Dirk

One title with the Bucks leap frogs him to the front of that list, and right in line with #18, 3-time MVP and 1 time Champion Moses Malone.

One title with the Bucks wouldn’t leap frog him over a guy like Dirk who has 30k points and won a championship with journeymen. Man hasn’t even scored 13k yet...let the man put in some more work first.

[LovelyLlamas]

He hasn’t even been the best player on the team in this first round. That honor would go to Holiday and his phenomenal perimeter defense and playmaking.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

One title with the Bucks wouldn’t leap frog him over a guy like Dirk who has 30k points and won a championship with journeymen. Man hasn’t even scored 13k yet...let the man put in some more work first.

I mean, he'd have more MVPs and just as many titles.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

He hasn’t even been the best player on the team in this first round. That honor would go to Holiday and his phenomenal perimeter defense and playmaking.

IDK man..

Through the first 2 games Giannis was averaging 29 pts, 16 rebs, 6 assists, 3 steals, compared to Jrue's 18, 5, and 6.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by tjforce

IDK man..

Through the first 2 games Giannis was averaging 29 pts, 16 rebs, 6 assists, 3 steals, compared to Jrue's 18, 5, and 6.

Those are just, like, stats man.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

Those are just, like, stats man.

Seriously.... anyone can put up those numbers and lead the team to a win in the playoffs.

Especially the season after he got ragged on for getting shut down by these guys.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Seriously.... anyone can put up those numbers and lead the team to a win in the playoffs.

Especially the season after he got ragged on for getting shut down by these guys.

Giannis is playing well as he has been doing for a few seasons. I’m just ready to see the bucks against some real competition and the heat isn’t it this year.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

Giannis is playing well as he has been doing for a few seasons. I’m just ready to see the bucks against some real competition and the heat isn’t it this year.

Bucks vs Brooklyn could be great.

It's the small market team built from the ground up vs the big market team out of a video game.

If the Bucks win it'll be a major shake up in the NBA world and card market.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Bucks vs Brooklyn could be great.

It's the small market team built from the ground up vs the big market team out of a video game.

If the Bucks win it'll be a major shake up in the NBA world and card market.

It will be a hell of an accomplishment if they manage to go through the nets, sixers, and the western conference winner.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

One title with the Bucks wouldn’t leap frog him over a guy like Dirk who has 30k points and won a championship with journeymen. Man hasn’t even scored 13k yet...let the man put in some more work first.

If he wins a championship - especially if it's with the Bucks - he'll easily leap frog Dirk in all time discussions.

[smalltown]

Should be interesting what this goes for tonite NT /10 RPA. Really nice patch too. Anyone going for it?

[LovelyLlamas]

Originally Posted by smalltown

If he wins a championship - especially if it's with the Bucks - he'll easily leap frog Dirk in all time discussions.

How...exactly?

Dirk’s championship would be just as meaningful as his path to the Finals involved taking down Kobe, Gasol, 6th man Harden, Durant, Westbrook, Bosh, Wade and prime Lebron. That’s a heck of a road. Giannis has way more help than Dirk ever had and his counting stats at this point demolish Giannis’. One extra MVP won’t leapfrog him.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

How...exactly?

Dirk’s championship would be just as meaningful as his path to the Finals involved taking down Kobe, Gasol, 6th man Harden, Durant, Westbrook, Bosh, Wade and prime Lebron. That’s a heck of a road. Giannis has way more help than Dirk ever had and his counting stats at this point demolish Giannis’. One extra MVP won’t leapfrog him.

Gasol?come on All-time great but not a superstar on his own. The Thunder were kids and far from their prime. Bosh a HOF that benefited from playing with Bron.

A title by 26 with the chance of more titles. The potential to eventually surpass Dirk would certainly be there.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

How...exactly?... One extra MVP won’t leapfrog him.

It wouldn't be just "one extra MVP". Barring injury he'll pass Dirk in most statistical categories. He rebounds better, passes better, And he's a much better defender - as seen by NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020), 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2019, 2020), NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2017).

[LovelyLlamas]

Originally Posted by smalltown

It wouldn't be just "one extra MVP". Barring injury he'll pass Dirk in most statistical categories. He rebounds better, passes better, And he's a much better defender - as seen by NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020), 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2019, 2020), NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2017).

Yes, you’re right. In terms of trajectory, he is far ahead of Dirk, but trajectory isn’t enough for someone to climb the ranks in my book. Gotta put in the work for many years before you can surpass the greats. Derrick Rose was on a great trajectory too until injuries happened. Alls I’m saying is that in terms of career numbers and accolades, he’s still trailing some of those guys. Not saying he won’t get there, but let the career play out first.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by LovelyLlamas

Yes, you’re right. In terms of trajectory, he is far ahead of Dirk, but trajectory isn’t enough for someone to climb the ranks in my book. Gotta put in the work for many years before you can surpass the greats. Derrick Rose was on a great trajectory too until injuries happened. Alls I’m saying is that in terms of career numbers and accolades, he’s still trailing some of those guys. Not saying he won’t get there, but let the career play out first.

I think when people say Player A surpasses Player B it doesn't mean at that particular point in time. It's just a projection of his career plus the extra accolade(s).

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I think when people say Player A surpasses Player B it doesn't mean at that particular point in time. It's just a projection of his career plus the extra accolade(s).

Then that makes no sense.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

Then that makes no sense.

Why not? I don't think it's crazy to think Giannis finishes his career with 10 All-Star games and 10 All-NBA teams. Assuming, of course, that he doesn't have a major injury.

The only additional variables to that are his rings and MVPs. That will eventually determine where he lands in an All-Time list.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Why not? I don't think it's crazy to think Giannis finishes his career with 10 All-Star games and 10 All-NBA teams. Assuming, of course, that he doesn't have a major injury.

The only additional variables to that are his rings and MVPs. That will eventually determine where he lands in an All-Time list.

We should say player x surpasses player y when it actually happens. It’s disrespectful to the players that have actually been there and done it.

[tjforce]

I'll make a few assumptions here, but compare Giannis at age 26 with Dirk's full career:

MVPs: 2 - 1
All NBA First Team: 3 - 4
All NBA First Team Defense: 3 -0
Defensive POY: 1 - 0
Career PPG: 20.9 - 20.7
Rebounds: 9.1 - 7.5
Assists: 4.5 - 2.4
FG%: 53% - 47%


Dirk really has 2 things over Giannis, counting stats from years played, and that Finals MVP (big one).

[LovelyLlamas]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

We should say player x surpasses player y when it actually happens. It’s disrespectful to the players that have actually been there and done it.

Exactly.

It’s why I try not to rank current players, especially young guys, until they are past their prime or their careers are winding down. Let their career play out before we displace the legends. I think Jokic could be a top 20 player ever but he has a loooooong way to go. That’s the fun part of watching these guys as they enter their prime. Maybe it happens, maybe not.

[Earvin32]

My 2 favorite Giannis rc's are the select insert Red Hot silver /25. The centering is horrible on all 25 of these for some reason but I like the white jersey along with the fire and the prizm effect.

I also like the Innovation stained glass


How many years had Giannis played basketball before the bucks picked him?

In 2011 Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's team of Filathlitikos in the semi-pro Greek B Basket League (Third Division) during the 2011–12 season.

He played 2 more seasons with a pro team before he was drafted by the Bucks. Giannis came in very raw and I think he has done a lot with what he was given. He did not grow up in the states playing AAU ball, High School, some college and then to the pros. He did his learning while playing against NBA talent. He spent some offseason time with Kobe learning from him. Let see where Giannis goes. He has the drive to do great things. Let's see what kind of leader he turns into and what kind of experience he has leading a team in the playoffs. Can he lead the bucks to crushing Miami in game 4? He learned about that when Toronto defeated his Bucks 2 seasons ago. Does anyone remember his ejection during a 1994 playoff exit against the bulls when he had too many hard fouls and could not keep his frustration in check? When he took that hard foul in game 2 and Trevor Ariza did a push up on him, Giannis kept his cool. He appears to be learning from his past and I look forward to seeing what he does this year in the playoffs. If this team has learning anything, they need to beat the heat in game 4

[gomiamigo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

I mean, he'd have more MVPs and just as many titles.

Perhaps but that still doesn't put him in Moses, Dirk or Dr. J territory.

And Elgin should be behind him because no one [but the 76ers] ever beat the Celts in the 1960s? Disagree.

And I like Giannis. Always have.

If we're going to assume X more years of top-level elite play then Durant is a top 5 alltime player- will get the points, has the MVP, rings, Finals MVPs, scoring titles, 6 all-nba 1sts and 3 2nd teams, etc

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by tjforce

I'll make a few assumptions here, but compare Giannis at age 26 with Dirk's full career:

MVPs: 2 - 1
All NBA First Team: 3 - 4
All NBA First Team Defense: 3 -0
Defensive POY: 1 - 0
Career PPG: 20.9 - 20.7
Rebounds: 9.1 - 7.5
Assists: 4.5 - 2.4
FG%: 53% - 47%


Dirk really has 2 things over Giannis, counting stats from years played, and that Finals MVP (big one).

Nice to look at but dirk has been selected to an all nba team 12 times (I know you were just posting first team selections) I have no question giannis is the better defender. We’re factoring in dirks twilight years in with his averages and that brings it down a lot. Giannis definitely has a good chance at surpassing dirk.