RealGM

My buddy and I have been discussing this question. We both say Giannis, although we have no statistical data to back up our belief. It just seems like Giannis has more of an ability to push his team on both ends of the court, but especially offensively, in a way KG could not.

give me the guy who had 50 points in a closeout finals game while also having incredible plays on the defensive end like the Alley Nope

I have KG top 10 all-time, but honestly this might actually be Giannis in a peak comparison.

imo, this one is close enough that it really depends upon the surrounding cast and scheme you want to plug this player into.

In a vacuum, idk, I might go with peak Garnett by a whisker.

Giannis's main advantage is his ability to attack the rim [and finish, and draw fouls].
Garnett spreads the floor a little more (elite mid-range shooter, equal [probably marginally better if reared in today's era] 3pt shooter), is a more reliable FT-shooter, is [imo] a slightly better passer (though tbf probably less capable of creating off the dribble), takes a little better care of the ball, and imo is the better [and more versatile] defensive PF (as great as Giannis is on that end).

I thus just feel there's a little more plug-n-play utility with Garnett.

Giannis , more explosive offensive player

Giannis is worse on both ends, even at his absolute best

Giannis turns dynamic lead guards and competent post players into stationary corner 3 addicts. To an absurd degree. Look at how terrible of a year Lillard just had compared to his prime.

And this is a thing that has been blatantly documented...for year and years. But people take Giannis' offensive numbers at face value and don't consider the collateral damage when it comes to usage and floor space.

2018-2019 season:

TS% with Giannis, then TS without Giannis:
Bledsoe: 55.8 to 61.3
Lopez: 59.6 to 62.0
Middleton: 53.4 to 56.9
Brogdon: 60.1 to 61.6

PP100 with Giannis, then PP100 without Giannis:
Bledsoe: 22.2 to 32.9
Lopez: 19.4 to 22.5
Middleton: 21.5 to 36.7
Brogdon: 24.1 to 30.7

That's insane stuff for a supposed elite offensive option. Or any player in general. That's almost as bad of an effect as Curry's effect was good in his prime.



KG makes any team(mates) better in practically every way.

2021 Finals Giannis is far better than any version of Garnett. Garnett may have been a better overall player than Giannis in the regular season, but we've never seen a total 1 man wrecking ball carry job from Garnett the way we saw 2021 Giannis in the FInals. Reminded me of 2006 Wade and how a singularly dominant superstar can impact this game more than in any other team sport.

Giannis by a slim margin. Defensively it's a push but Giannis is more explosive on offense.