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We all recognize the growth and effectiveness of Paul George since he entered the League. He's also clearly changed the Indiana Pacers franchise and I'm wondering if folks feel Giannis Antetokounmpo will do the same as an individual and for the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.

To me, Giannis seems to have the brightest star potential of any player on the Bucks roster, but Paul George is also setting the bar very high.

However, Giannis has entered the NBA a year earlier than George while missing out on the US college experience.


So where are you when comparing these two players as individual talents and their respective impacts on their franchises?


BR for each player

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... tgi01.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... gpa01.html



That said, I do believe Giannis will blossom into the star George has become, but the Bucks must play him more.

No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Most didn't think this when George entered the League either, other than me and Europa, of course.

I like what I've seen of Giannis. His stroke has improved already in a very short period of time. And, who's to say. BUT...

No way. Giannis is way too raw. Giannis also doesn't possess the footwork or lateral quickness of George. Sure, he could develop this over time. I vote 'Doubtful'.

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Agreed. Even if you put George in only the top 15 (which he's better than now) Giannis isn't getting there.

He may though eventually be the second "above average" starter that Hammond has acquired in his six years here to go with Sanders.

Doubtful. Paul George is arguably the 2nd best perimeter defender in the league. He has a silky smooth jumper to go along with a (now) complete offensive skill set, and elite athleticism. Giannis is an impressive athlete, but he doesn't have the leaping ability, quickness, and explosive first step that George has. I'll say what I said months ago in that I think he becomes Nic Batum with a better handle and vision, which would still make him one heck of a basketball player.

Doubtful. I like Giannis' upside obviously but he's a project and I wouldn't put my money on him being a legit star in the league.

paulpressey25 wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Agreed. Even if you put George in only the top 15 (which he's better than now) Giannis isn't getting there.

He may though eventually be the second "above average" starter that Hammond has acquired in his six years here to go with Sanders.

I wouldn't put a cap on his potential given his tools. I don't think top 15-20 is out of the question, however unlikely. But I don't see a top four player.

ReasonablySober wrote:I wouldn't put a cap on his potential given his tools. I don't think top 15-20 is out of the question, however unlikely. But I don't see a top four player.

I'm curious to see who your top 4 are. I'm assuming LeBron, Durant, CP3 occupy the first 3 spots?

Nebula1 wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Most didn't think this when George entered the League either, other than me and Europa, of course.

George was my favorite prospect in that draft. Course I always seem to like 6'6 - 6'10 SG/SF types that can dunk.

Ron Swanson wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:I wouldn't put a cap on his potential given his tools. I don't think top 15-20 is out of the question, however unlikely. But I don't see a top four player.

I'm curious to see who your top 4 are. I'm assuming LeBron, Durant, CP3 occupy the first 3 spots?

Yup.

ReasonablySober wrote:

Ron Swanson wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:I wouldn't put a cap on his potential given his tools. I don't think top 15-20 is out of the question, however unlikely. But I don't see a top four player.

I'm curious to see who your top 4 are. I'm assuming LeBron, Durant, CP3 occupy the first 3 spots?

Yup.

Do you know what Chis Paul's preferred footwear is?















Flip Flops

(drum roll....I just had to. It just came to me. And, I love crap spontaneous jokes like this )

paulpressey25 wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Agreed. Even if you put George in only the top 15 (which he's better than now) Giannis isn't getting there.

He may though eventually be the second "above average" starter that Hammond has acquired in his six years here to go with Sanders.

I don't think that's fair to say. His potential is through the roof, and that's been the consensus since he was drafted. He certainly hasn't done anything to show bust, if anything he has impressed with his limited time.

Aaron It Out wrote:

paulpressey25 wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Agreed. Even if you put George in only the top 15 (which he's better than now) Giannis isn't getting there.

He may though eventually be the second "above average" starter that Hammond has acquired in his six years here to go with Sanders.

I don't think that's fair to say. His potential is through the roof, and that's been the consensus since he was drafted. He certainly hasn't done anything to show bust, if anything he has impressed with his limited time.

I don't think anyone is saying he looks like a bust. Far from it. I think the naysayers are just being pragmatic: It would be extremely improbable for Giannis to become a top 5 NBA player of the likes of Paul George. George is insanely good. Though, as PP noted, it could happen that Giannis becomes an 'above average' starter. The odds are way more in favor of that than top 5. That's all we're saying.

Lippo wrote:

Nebula1 wrote:

ReasonablySober wrote:No, I don't think Giannis will be a top four player in the NBA.

Most didn't think this when George entered the League either, other than me and Europa, of course.

George was my favorite prospect in that draft. Course I always seem to like 6'6 - 6'8 SG/SF types that can dunk.

I'm with you in terms of his outlook as a prospect coming into the League, but even still, he wasn't that great as a rookie or even in his second term. Giannis is a year younger than George entering the NBA and yet is longer and just as fluid.

Paul George has certainly been incredible the past couple seasons, but I don't see why Giannis can't share a similar growth rate.

I do think part of what makes George as great as he is, is his willingness to be a great defender. Giannis may be able to become an equally able defender with his size.


I argue Giannis' second season should be able to match George's rookie year if the Bucks can find him enough playing time and trust the player to grow.

I expect Giannis to be a star by 23 no different than George.

Nebula1 wrote:

Lippo wrote:

Nebula1 wrote:

Most didn't think this when George entered the League either, other than me and Europa, of course.

George was my favorite prospect in that draft. Course I always seem to like 6'6 - 6'8 SG/SF types that can dunk.

I'm with you in terms of his outlook as a prospect coming into the League, but even still, he wasn't that great as a rookie or even in his second term. Giannis is a year younger than George entering the NBA and yet is longer and just as fluid.

Paul George has certainly been incredible the past couple seasons, but I don't see why Giannis can't share a similar growth rate.

I do think part of what makes George as great as he is, is his willingness to be a great defender. Giannis may be able to become an equally able defender with his size.


I argue Giannis' second season should be able to match George's rookie year if the Bucks can find him enough playing time and trust the player to grow.

I expect Giannis to be a star by 23 no different than George.

If that doesn't happen, Nebs...I vow to be here to console you. If it does happen, however, I'll gladly pat you on the back and jump on the bandwagon

bizarro wrote:If that doesn't happen, Nebs...I vow to be here to console you. If it does happen, however, I'll gladly pat you on the back and jump on the bandwagon

I appreciate that and I'm comfortable being a minority here. It took awhile for people to come around on George as well even after his second year in the League.

I'll be sure to bump this in 4-5 years...


However, the major factor here is the Bucks actually playing him. You can't grow if you don't play.

Nebula1 wrote:

bizarro wrote:If that doesn't happen, Nebs...I vow to be here to console you. If it does happen, however, I'll gladly pat you on the back and jump on the bandwagon

I appreciate that and I'm comfortable being a minority here. It took awhile for people to come around on George as well even after his second year in the League.

I'll be sure to bump this in 4-5 years...


However, the major factor here is the Bucks actually playing him. You can't grow if you don't play.

I don't remember George playing much his rookie year. Did he?

bizarro wrote:

Nebula1 wrote:

bizarro wrote:If that doesn't happen, Nebs...I vow to be here to console you. If it does happen, however, I'll gladly pat you on the back and jump on the bandwagon

I appreciate that and I'm comfortable being a minority here. It took awhile for people to come around on George as well even after his second year in the League.

I'll be sure to bump this in 4-5 years...


However, the major factor here is the Bucks actually playing him. You can't grow if you don't play.

I don't remember George playing much his rookie year. Did he?

I think he averaged like 6 or 7 a game. played good d though. He really came on the scene year 2 and 3.

bizarro wrote:

Nebula1 wrote:

bizarro wrote:If that doesn't happen, Nebs...I vow to be here to console you. If it does happen, however, I'll gladly pat you on the back and jump on the bandwagon

I appreciate that and I'm comfortable being a minority here. It took awhile for people to come around on George as well even after his second year in the League.

I'll be sure to bump this in 4-5 years...


However, the major factor here is the Bucks actually playing him. You can't grow if you don't play.

I don't remember George playing much his rookie year. Did he?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... gpa01.html

I think Giannis can manage similar numbers next season as the same age player.



I've decided to not tell on the Board when Giannis becomes an All Star.