So we just gonna pretend like Gilbert Arenas didn't just say something stupid?

[rtiff68]

You must be be a genius like Gilbert, because I don’t get your emoji (are you a 12 year old girl?), or the point of your original post.

Enlighten me, Einstein.

Your post doesn't even reflect what I typed, it's you exaggerating and then presuming you know anything about me or Arenas. Then you get offended and call me 12 year old girl and Einstein and are right off just all just because of one emoji. How much attention do you think you would give Arenas if he really said anything you disagreed with. So IMO post my more than stands as correct.

Oh and ...

My post reflects exactly what you typed, because you typed an emoji.

You also didn’t answer the question: what was your point?

[WillyJakkz]

False. Strip both of their athleticism away, Durant is taking Giannis every single team. Durant's bag is way bigger than Giannis.

Giannis built all his skills around his size in order to best utilize them. Even then, Giannis probably wins due to his far superior hustle, toughness, and heart. Durant would get knocked over once, quit, then look for 4 All Stars to team up with before challenging again.

Fair.

Still, raw skills, Durant is superior.

And that's why they (the like minded) are mad.

They can't comprehend how someone who can just "run and dunk" (yet entire opposing teams have to build a wall to stop him) can win a title.

But but he doesn't have a sweet hesi like... But but he can't pullup from 3 like... But but he doesn't have a back to the basket game like... But but he doesn't have a go to move like...

But but he won.

These serial 1st Rd 2nd Rd exit as "The Man" guys are full of filth flarn filth

[NBA4Lyfe]

until giannis gets a reliable jumper they'll always be skeptics

also the 3 second rule not only benefits him, but it benefited young lebron as well

[Jazz9]

Players/media/fans LOVE to overrate Kyrie because of how sweet his game looks.
Giannis is the opposite

[jaymo123]

Other than the "train his body" comment, his comments weren't really that bad. Giannis and countless other players can play smarter and make the game easier. For example, Lebron was a terrible post player offensively and has greatly improved that part of his game. Giannis still relies on brute force, which Lebron relied on at the same age. Giannis, I hope, will continue to improve that part of his game.

[AussieBuck]

False. Strip both of their athleticism away, Durant is taking Giannis every single team. Durant's bag is way bigger than Giannis.

Giannis built all his skills around his size in order to best utilize them. Even then, Giannis probably wins due to his far superior hustle, toughness, and heart. Durant would get knocked over once, quit, then look for 4 All Stars to team up with before challenging again.

I like Giannis but skill for skill he aint touching Durant in that department.

Durant is more skilled in one thing, jump shooting. Giannis is more skilled at every other part of basketball and in most categories significantly more so.

[theFireBlanket]

until giannis gets a reliable jumper they'll always be skeptics

also the 3 second rule not only benefits him, but it benefited young lebron as well

He shot better than a bunch of so called shotmakers last season.

[nikster]

Giannis built all his skills around his size in order to best utilize them. Even then, Giannis probably wins due to his far superior hustle, toughness, and heart. Durant would get knocked over once, quit, then look for 4 All Stars to team up with before challenging again.

I like Giannis but skill for skill he aint touching Durant in that department.

Durant is more skilled in one thing, jump shooting. Giannis is more skilled at every other part of basketball and in most categories significantly more so.

Free throw shooting, Ball handling, mid range game (floaters etc) running around screens...As a scorer Giannis is only better within 3 ft of the basket. If you think athleticism is separate from skill then that opens up questions about footwork, post game etc...

[AussieBuck]

I like Giannis but skill for skill he aint touching Durant in that department.

Durant is more skilled in one thing, jump shooting. Giannis is more skilled at every other part of basketball and in most categories significantly more so.

Free throw shooting, Ball handling, mid range game (floaters etc) running around screens...As a scorer Giannis is only better within 3 ft of the basket. If you think athleticism is separate from skill then that opens up questions about footwork, post game etc...

Durant isn't in the same galaxy as Giannis as a ball handler. That's just straight bad. He doesn't have the post game, can't score around the basket with either hand with the same variety, doesn't have the footwork, rebounding, the whole suite of defensive skills. This is just peak general board where shooting = skills.

[tsirigoj]

Durant is more skilled in one thing, jump shooting. Giannis is more skilled at every other part of basketball and in most categories significantly more so.

Free throw shooting, Ball handling, mid range game (floaters etc) running around screens...As a scorer Giannis is only better within 3 ft of the basket. If you think athleticism is separate from skill then that opens up questions about footwork, post game etc...

Durant isn't in the same galaxy as Giannis as a ball handler. That's just straight bad. He doesn't have the post game, can't score around the basket with either hand with the same variety, doesn't have the footwork, rebounding, the whole suite of defensive skills. This is just peak general board where shooting = skills.

I was reading this and agreeing with you, but then realized you were talking about GIANNIS, not Durant.

Giannis has built his entire career thus far off his athleticism. He isn't wrong for doing so.

Let me put it this way: If you played basketball at a high level and have been watching basketball (with the knowledge of schemes and for love of the game, not for love of a team), you would easily understand that Durant is a more skilled basketball player than Giannis. Durant is one of the most skilled basketball players ever. His detractors are his attitude and work ethic (both were NOT issues earlier in his career, but money and fame can do this to anyone). Also, we cannot forget that he's much older than Giannis and had a pretty bad injury at Golden State. All else equal, Durant is the superior basketball player.

[AussieBuck]

Free throw shooting, Ball handling, mid range game (floaters etc) running around screens...As a scorer Giannis is only better within 3 ft of the basket. If you think athleticism is separate from skill then that opens up questions about footwork, post game etc...

Durant isn't in the same galaxy as Giannis as a ball handler. That's just straight bad. He doesn't have the post game, can't score around the basket with either hand with the same variety, doesn't have the footwork, rebounding, the whole suite of defensive skills. This is just peak general board where shooting = skills.

I was reading this and agreeing with you, but then realized you were talking about GIANNIS, not Durant.

Giannis has built his entire career thus far off his athleticism. He isn't wrong for doing so.

Let me put it this way: If you played basketball at a high level and have been watching basketball (with the knowledge of schemes and for love of the game, not for love of a team), you would easily understand that Durant is a more skilled basketball player than Giannis. Durant is one of the most skilled basketball players ever. His detractors are his attitude and work ethic (both were NOT issues earlier in his career, but money and fame can do this to anyone). Also, we cannot forget that he's much older than Giannis and had a pretty bad injury at Golden State. All else equal, Durant is the superior basketball player.

I mean I guess you think it's compelling to state something without evidence. Durant isn't exceptionally skilled at all for an elite scorer. He's outlier tall and has great shooting touch. He's otherwise less skilled than his peers. Playing the 'I understand basketball better than you' card while falling for a fancy crossover and little else was funny though.

[tsirigoj]

Durant isn't in the same galaxy as Giannis as a ball handler. That's just straight bad. He doesn't have the post game, can't score around the basket with either hand with the same variety, doesn't have the footwork, rebounding, the whole suite of defensive skills. This is just peak general board where shooting = skills.

I was reading this and agreeing with you, but then realized you were talking about GIANNIS, not Durant.

Giannis has built his entire career thus far off his athleticism. He isn't wrong for doing so.

Let me put it this way: If you played basketball at a high level and have been watching basketball (with the knowledge of schemes and for love of the game, not for love of a team), you would easily understand that Durant is a more skilled basketball player than Giannis. Durant is one of the most skilled basketball players ever. His detractors are his attitude and work ethic (both were NOT issues earlier in his career, but money and fame can do this to anyone). Also, we cannot forget that he's much older than Giannis and had a pretty bad injury at Golden State. All else equal, Durant is the superior basketball player.

I mean I guess you think it's compelling to state something without evidence. Durant isn't exceptionally skilled at all for an elite scorer. He's outlier tall and has great shooting touch. He's otherwise less skilled than his peers. Playing the 'I understand basketball better than you' card while falling for a fancy crossover and little else was funny though.

I mean, you do you, and I think it's admirable that you defend your guy like you are, but anyone worth their salt knows Durant is one of the most skilled players AND one of the most skilled scorers to ever play the game, on a level that Giannis COULD one day reach, but isn't quite there yet.

[RRyder823]

I was reading this and agreeing with you, but then realized you were talking about GIANNIS, not Durant.

Giannis has built his entire career thus far off his athleticism. He isn't wrong for doing so.

Let me put it this way: If you played basketball at a high level and have been watching basketball (with the knowledge of schemes and for love of the game, not for love of a team), you would easily understand that Durant is a more skilled basketball player than Giannis. Durant is one of the most skilled basketball players ever. His detractors are his attitude and work ethic (both were NOT issues earlier in his career, but money and fame can do this to anyone). Also, we cannot forget that he's much older than Giannis and had a pretty bad injury at Golden State. All else equal, Durant is the superior basketball player.

I mean I guess you think it's compelling to state something without evidence. Durant isn't exceptionally skilled at all for an elite scorer. He's outlier tall and has great shooting touch. He's otherwise less skilled than his peers. Playing the 'I understand basketball better than you' card while falling for a fancy crossover and little else was funny though.

I mean, you do you, and I think it's admirable that you defend your guy like you are, but anyone worth their salt knows Durant is one of the most skilled players AND one of the most skilled scorers to ever play the game, on a level that Giannis COULD one day reach, but isn't quite there yet.

Giannis is allready a better scorer. Durant is a more versatile scorer.

Sent from my SM-G975U using RealGM mobile app

[Hoop Heavy]

Put finna in the title or we're locking this.

This is great! I possess some sort of "finna" radar. I'm like a "finna" homing beacon.

I saw the thread and said ...

I'm "finna" find that word in there.

Long Live "finna" and all the little "finnasters"

[AussieBuck]

I was reading this and agreeing with you, but then realized you were talking about GIANNIS, not Durant.

Giannis has built his entire career thus far off his athleticism. He isn't wrong for doing so.

Let me put it this way: If you played basketball at a high level and have been watching basketball (with the knowledge of schemes and for love of the game, not for love of a team), you would easily understand that Durant is a more skilled basketball player than Giannis. Durant is one of the most skilled basketball players ever. His detractors are his attitude and work ethic (both were NOT issues earlier in his career, but money and fame can do this to anyone). Also, we cannot forget that he's much older than Giannis and had a pretty bad injury at Golden State. All else equal, Durant is the superior basketball player.

I mean I guess you think it's compelling to state something without evidence. Durant isn't exceptionally skilled at all for an elite scorer. He's outlier tall and has great shooting touch. He's otherwise less skilled than his peers. Playing the 'I understand basketball better than you' card while falling for a fancy crossover and little else was funny though.

I mean, you do you, and I think it's admirable that you defend your guy like you are, but anyone worth their salt knows Durant is one of the most skilled players AND one of the most skilled scorers to ever play the game, on a level that Giannis COULD one day reach, but isn't quite there yet.

My original reply took issue with just Durant not the other players mentioned specifically because Durant is not that skilled, it has little to do with Giannis other than by direct comparison. I'm not here to argue that Giannis is one of the most skilled ever. The idea that Durant one of the most skilled to ever play is supremely daft. He's not adept at all at getting to the rim for a wing, has an extremely lose handle for a star, he's very one sided, this is why he could come back so well from his Achilles injury, he's left foot dominant. He doesn't have the rest of the all round skills that don't include scoring. Sorry mate, you have no idea what you're looking at when you watch basketball and you've hit me with a casual fan take.

[Drakeem]

This whole discourse about "skill" is so stupid to me. Who the hell cares?

If there was a player who could score 50 points a game simply by dunking over anyone who's in their path and had insane defensive instincts and skills, idc if he can shoot a jumper or not, that's the GOAT.

Disassociate what you enjoy watching vs who is more effective.

[Clyde Frazier]

Other than the "train his body" comment, his comments weren't really that bad. Giannis and countless other players can play smarter and make the game easier. For example, Lebron was a terrible post player offensively and has greatly improved that part of his game. Giannis still relies on brute force, which Lebron relied on at the same age. Giannis, I hope, will continue to improve that part of his game.

Stop lying

[BobbyPortisEyes]

This whole discourse about "skill" is so stupid to me. Who the hell cares?

It's all about the craft, bro. That's why Kevin Durant wants to play with Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. Doesn't matter if they go 3 for 14 in a deciding game or sit in the stands, as long as they look good doing it.

[RRyder823]

This whole discourse about "skill" is so stupid to me. Who the hell cares?

It's all about the craft, bro. That's why Kevin Durant wants to play with Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. Doesn't matter if they go 3 for 14 in a deciding game or sit in the stands, as long as they look good doing it.

Getting some White Men Can't Jump vibez from that last sentence. Intended or not always appreciated

Sent from my SM-G975U using RealGM mobile app

[tsirigoj]

I mean I guess you think it's compelling to state something without evidence. Durant isn't exceptionally skilled at all for an elite scorer. He's outlier tall and has great shooting touch. He's otherwise less skilled than his peers. Playing the 'I understand basketball better than you' card while falling for a fancy crossover and little else was funny though.

I mean, you do you, and I think it's admirable that you defend your guy like you are, but anyone worth their salt knows Durant is one of the most skilled players AND one of the most skilled scorers to ever play the game, on a level that Giannis COULD one day reach, but isn't quite there yet.

My original reply took issue with just Durant not the other players mentioned specifically because Durant is not that skilled, it has little to do with Giannis other than by direct comparison. I'm not here to argue that Giannis is one of the most skilled ever. The idea that Durant one of the most skilled to ever play is supremely daft. He's not adept at all at getting to the rim for a wing, has an extremely lose handle for a star, he's very one sided, this is why he could come back so well from his Achilles injury, he's left foot dominant. He doesn't have the rest of the all round skills that don't include scoring. Sorry mate, you have no idea what you're looking at when you watch basketball and you've hit me with a casual fan take.

Your take is just simply untrue and makes me wonder if you're pigeon-holing KD into 33 year old Durant rather than look at his career as a whole?

Even NBA stars, present and past, recognize that Durant is one of (some say THE) most skilled scorers ever. You can also find quite a few videos by basketball analysts (no ESPN analysts, I'm talking actual scouts, past or present) who support this.