Who is the better player currently: Shai or Giannis

[Lockdown504090]

The guy who’s already proven it in the playoffs.

which one? shai killed it last year, they just lost.

[Big J]

The guy who’s already proven it in the playoffs.

which one? shai killed it last year, they just lost.

Winning is all that matters in the playoffs. It’s what the greats are judged on.

[Patches Perry]

SGA has clearly played better this season.

Giannis is still good enough to outplay anyone over the course of a playoff though.

This is the correct answer. Giannis can still play like the best player in the league but those showings are getting less frequent.

[tsherkin]

The guy who’s already proven it in the playoffs.

which one? shai killed it last year, they just lost.

Winning is all that matters in the playoffs. It’s what the greats are judged on.

Just because something has been traditionally true doesn't mean it isn't stupid.

When Jordan was losing in the playoffs to far better teams, it doesn't mean he was crap, it means that he faced better teams. Same for anyone. Same for Shai last year against Dallas. He went down like a boss, but the guys around him were kind of brutal, and individual performance isn't enough in the playoffs.

[Patches Perry]

which one? shai killed it last year, they just lost.

Winning is all that matters in the playoffs. It’s what the greats are judged on.

Just because something has been traditionally true doesn't mean it isn't stupid.

When Jordan was losing in the playoffs to far better teams, it doesn't mean he was crap, it means that he faced better teams. Same for anyone. Same for Shai last year against Dallas. He went down like a boss, but the guys around him were kind of brutal, and individual performance isn't enough in the playoffs.

There's also got to be some limiting principle. Are LeBron and Steph still #1 and #2 players in the league since they have the most playoff success?

This whole model of evaluation crumbles immediately with any bit of evaluation.

[tsherkin]

There's also got to be some limiting principle. Are LeBron and Steph still #1 and #2 players in the league since they have the most playoff success?

This whole model of evaluation crumbles immediately with any bit of evaluation.

Yeah. Resume and stuff is all well and good when you're looking at legacy and the like, but when you're evaluating in-season performance, all of that stuff goes out the window.

Now, that said.

THIS year, Giannis is still a 30.7 / 12.1 / 5.9 guy on 60.5 / 18.6 / 59.4 shooting splits. .503 FTr, 62.1% TS (+4.6% rTS).

His D has fallen off compared to his prime, but he's still a positive-value guy there. He's a monster. And his FT% is really limiting his overall efficiency and scoring volume over top what he's doing.

Shai is doing great things, for sure, but Giannis is still pretty epic and he isn't that far off his peak offensive value right now, which is impressive. Hell, he's developing his mid-range game, which is a little frightening. If that man ever figures out 70% at the foul line...

Of course right now, Shai is just on another level offensively, and he's been strong defensively as well. And he is either ahead or close to Giannis in deflections and contested shots, which tells you how far down Giannis' D has come compared to earlier years. SGA has been very active, pestering and getting his hands all over to cause trouble for the opposition. He's having an incredible season.

[-Luke-]

It's a sign that this was a good question when

a) the poll is 50/50 or very close and
b) not one user has written "... and it's not even close"-

[Buckeye-NBAFan]

The guy who’s already proven it in the playoffs.

By that criteria, Jordan's currently better

Giannis hasn't proven it in the playoffs since 2021. He wasn't better in 2022 than Shai was last year.

[Patches Perry]

There's also got to be some limiting principle. Are LeBron and Steph still #1 and #2 players in the league since they have the most playoff success?

This whole model of evaluation crumbles immediately with any bit of evaluation.

Yeah. Resume and stuff is all well and good when you're looking at legacy and the like, but when you're evaluating in-season performance, all of that stuff goes out the window.

Now, that said.

THIS year, Giannis is still a 30.7 / 12.1 / 5.9 guy on 60.5 / 18.6 / 59.4 shooting splits. .503 FTr, 62.1% TS (+4.6% rTS).

His D has fallen off compared to his prime, but he's still a positive-value guy there. He's a monster. And his FT% is really limiting his overall efficiency and scoring volume over top what he's doing.

Shai is doing great things, for sure, but Giannis is still pretty epic and he isn't that far off his peak offensive value right now, which is impressive. Hell, he's developing his mid-range game, which is a little frightening. If that man ever figures out 70% at the foul line...

Of course right now, Shai is just on another level offensively, and he's been strong defensively as well. And he is either ahead or close to Giannis in deflections and contested shots, which tells you how far down Giannis' D has come compared to earlier years. SGA has been very active, pestering and getting his hands all over to cause trouble for the opposition. He's having an incredible season.

Yes, I can see Giannis outplaying anyone in the league still for a game or series. It's not a matter of whether he's still that good, it's a matter of how you determine that. His playoff run 3-4 years ago is not in itself a good enough reason to hold him superior over players who have clearly been better for 2-3 years. In Shai's case, he's been better in both regular season and playoffs the last 2 years.

[tsherkin]

Yes, I can see Giannis outplaying anyone in the league still for a game or series. It's not a matter of whether he's still that good, it's a matter of how you determine that. His playoff run 3-4 years ago is not in itself a good enough reason to hold him superior over players who have clearly been better for 2-3 years. In Shai's case, he's been better in both regular season and playoffs the last 2 years.

Yep. Giannis is still very good, but things which didn't happen this season don't matter to in-season evaluation. And last year wasn't any different either.

[PostGameDaVinci]

Shai is having the better season, but also plays with a better roster with more continuity. Giannis is the better player & it'll be more clear when he turns it up in the playoffs.

He's obviously been limited by injuries, but Giannis dominates both sides of the court in the post season. If his newfound midrange game translates too, the question will be is Giannis or Jokic better.

[HMFFL]

I voted Giannis.

SGA has a losing record against majority of the elite talents in the league. He has worl to do and needs to win a championship. He has a 1-8 record against Giannis.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

[tsherkin]

I voted Giannis.

SGA has a losing record against majority of the elite talents in the league. He has worl to do and needs to win a championship. He has a 1-8 record against Giannis.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

How has he individually played in those games? How have his teammates played? And the same with his counterparts?

Team record is only so meaningful, most especially over such small samples.

[HMFFL]

I voted Giannis.

SGA has a losing record against majority of the elite talents in the league. He has worl to do and needs to win a championship. He has a 1-8 record against Giannis.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

How has he individually played in those games? How have his teammates played? And the same with his counterparts?

Team record is only so meaningful, most especially over such small samples.

Giannis averages 30.3pts. 15.4rebs, 6ast, 1.7stls, 1.8blks.

SGA 18.8pts, 5.1rebs, 4.4ast, 1.6 stls.

SGA being a few years younger and having a young team is a factor but I will stay with Giannis.

https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_between/giannis_antetokounmpo_vs_shai_gilgeous_alexander.htm

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

[tsherkin]

I voted Giannis.

SGA has a losing record against majority of the elite talents in the league. He has worl to do and needs to win a championship. He has a 1-8 record against Giannis.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using RealGM mobile app

How has he individually played in those games? How have his teammates played? And the same with his counterparts?

Team record is only so meaningful, most especially over such small samples.

Giannis averages 30.3pts. 15.4rebs, 6ast, 1.7stls, 1.8blks.

SGA 18.8pts, 5.1rebs, 4.4ast, 1.6 stls.

SGA being a few years younger and having a young team is a factor but I will stay with Giannis.

https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_between/giannis_antetokounmpo_vs_shai_gilgeous_alexander.htm

Mind that this stretches back to 2019, when he was a 10.8 ppg player. And an injured 2021. And prior to 2023, his career-high average was 24.5 ppg.

So, aside from the fact that team record in seasons not this one are not relevant, there's also a pretty volatile sample which doesn't account for Shai's growth as a scorer, or his health.

Food for thought.

[HMFFL]

How has he individually played in those games? How have his teammates played? And the same with his counterparts?

Team record is only so meaningful, most especially over such small samples.

Giannis averages 30.3pts. 15.4rebs, 6ast, 1.7stls, 1.8blks.

SGA 18.8pts, 5.1rebs, 4.4ast, 1.6 stls.

SGA being a few years younger and having a young team is a factor but I will stay with Giannis.

https://www.landofbasketball.com/games_between/giannis_antetokounmpo_vs_shai_gilgeous_alexander.htm

Mind that this stretches back to 2019, when he was a 10.8 ppg player. And an injured 2021. And prior to 2023, his career-high average was 24.5 ppg.

So, aside from the fact that team record in seasons not this one are not relevant, there's also a pretty volatile sample which doesn't account for Shai's growth as a scorer, or his health.

Food for thought.

I understand.

I will see if SGA can lead OKC to a title and I hope he can.

Both have worked very hard to be their best.

[_NoMas]

If they had comparable rosters, I’d take the team with Giannis in 6.

[Lockdown504090]

There's also got to be some limiting principle. Are LeBron and Steph still #1 and #2 players in the league since they have the most playoff success?

This whole model of evaluation crumbles immediately with any bit of evaluation.

Yeah. Resume and stuff is all well and good when you're looking at legacy and the like, but when you're evaluating in-season performance, all of that stuff goes out the window.

Now, that said.

THIS year, Giannis is still a 30.7 / 12.1 / 5.9 guy on 60.5 / 18.6 / 59.4 shooting splits. .503 FTr, 62.1% TS (+4.6% rTS).

His D has fallen off compared to his prime, but he's still a positive-value guy there. He's a monster. And his FT% is really limiting his overall efficiency and scoring volume over top what he's doing.

Shai is doing great things, for sure, but Giannis is still pretty epic and he isn't that far off his peak offensive value right now, which is impressive. Hell, he's developing his mid-range game, which is a little frightening. If that man ever figures out 70% at the foul line...

Of course right now, Shai is just on another level offensively, and he's been strong defensively as well. And he is either ahead or close to Giannis in deflections and contested shots, which tells you how far down Giannis' D has come compared to earlier years. SGA has been very active, pestering and getting his hands all over to cause trouble for the opposition. He's having an incredible season.

see i prefer hearing this. I understand when we are talking all time rankings which people do based on accomplishments production and situation, but like we have the most film and data ever, rings to shoot the ball. we can say the way freak is still the guy who dogged on the suns, say he can still do that when he wants, and say hey, maybe there are more things a team can do to stop shai, than there are ways to stop giannis, which is possibly true.

[tsherkin]

I will see if SGA can lead OKC to a title and I hope he can.

Both have worked very hard to be their best.

They are both awesome players, no doubt. And Shai's postseason should be very interesting indeed!

[web123888]

SGA quite easily. Giannis is not an elite offensive weapon in crunch time. Very easily contained and limited when it matters.