Karl Malone vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo

[Amare_1_Knicks]

Long as Giannis doesn't go the Malone route and develop into a perennial postseason choker, this is an easy question. Dude is playing at a ridiculous level especially for his age. Like easily one of the three or four best 23 year old seasons ever so far alongside LeBron, Michael Jordan, and Chris Paul.

There are a host of other players aside from those four that have been better at age 22-23 than Giannis is, if nothing else, just because we’ve seen an actual full season from them at this age. Giannis has looked outstanding thus far, but we all knew that hot start wasn’t sustainable. Let’s see where he actually tops out at, as far his production goes come seasons end. Let’s see where Milwaukee is as well.

[NormanDale]

Long as Giannis doesn't go the Malone route and develop into a perennial postseason choker, this is an easy question. Dude is playing at a ridiculous level especially for his age. Like easily one of the three or four best 23 year old seasons ever so far alongside LeBron, Michael Jordan, and Chris Paul.

There are a host of other players aside from those four that have been better at age 22-23 than Giannis is, if nothing else, just because we’ve seen an actual full season from them at this age. Giannis has looked outstanding thus far, but we all knew that hot start wasn’t sustainable. Let’s see where he actually tops out at, as far his production goes come seasons end. Let’s see where Milwaukee is as well.

Exactly. People should really have at least a basic knowledge of basketball history before throwing out statements like that.

At age 23 (as a rookie), Wilt led the league in scoring and rebounding, going for 38-27.

At age 23, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went for 32 and 16 on 58% shooting, won League MVP, led his team to the championship and won Finals MVP as well.

Heck, let's get more recent: At age 22, Shaq went for 29-11 on 58% shooting, leading the league in scoring and carrying his team to the Finals.

...yet the 3-4 best 22-23 year old seasons include Chris Paul?

[Joao Saraiva]

I would take Malone. Scoring machine, rebounding machine, played good D with very quick hands, good passer when operating in the post, one of the best PnR offensive players of all time, good jumper from midrange... I mean, he was truly great on offense.

Watch his 98 run since his post game was more polished than in his younger days (even tough I think he might have peaked in the early 90s) and you'll get an idea on how great Malone could play.

97 is out of the question for me as Karl's peak. He actually had a brutal RS but his post season.. eeeh not so great.


Btw if you guys want to see him play at his best:

Watch on YouTube

[JordansBulls]

Don't need peak Malone, any Malone from 1988 to 1999 is better.