Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a career-high and Milwaukee Bucks franchise record 64 points on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. This was Giannis' eight 50+ point game of his career, one of six active players in the league with that honor. Additionally, Giannis is a 2-time MVP, NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, a seven time All Star, and seven time all-team honors.
Giannis is undoubtedly one of the top players in the league, but should he be considered in an exclusive conversation for 'the face of the league'? Should he be included in a conversation with Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James? I say no, and here's why...
Giannis is the most physically dominated we have seen in the NBA since Shaquille O'Neal - a title that Giannis has proved time and time again. I classify him as more of a trademark player who is leaving a mark on the league in his own unique way that will set the trend for future NBA stars. For example, here are the list of players who I believe have been 'trendsetters', but not face of the league worthy:
- Wilt Chamberlain / Bill Russell - dominated the game due to size mixed with athleticism that was ahead of their time.
- Magic Johnson - the league had never seen a player with this much swag and unique flashiness as a floor general.
- Larry Bird - the league had never seen a player with this much offensive talent produce such eye-popping stat lines in such a non-athletic way if you will. Not strictly with brute force, no unworldly size, not a silky-smooth aspect to his game, just putting the ball in the hoop.
- Shaq - the most physically dominate player the league has ever seen. Not only taller and wider than the competition, but smooth footwork and coordination to go along with his strength made him nearly unstoppable.
- Steph Curry - Set the world on fire by shooting off-the-dribble in a way that no one had ever seen. Transformed the game into what we see on the court today.
This is the category that Giannis lies. He does not have the all-around game to meet the category of greatest of all time. Brandon agrees, and we gave our full explanation and reasoning earlier today on 'In The Zone'. In the podcast linked below, we discuss this angle of Giannis, a brawl for the game-ball afterwords, and Draymond Green suspended by the NBA indefinitely.