The Giannis Antetokounmpo Thread

[Talent Chaser]

I think it's time, he posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He's 6'9" and still growing and has a 7'4" wingspan. He has amazing court vision for a player his size. I think his floor is Lamar Odom at this point. I legitimately don't know what his ceiling is, but it seems he can be as good as he wants to be. I know a lot of us have been searching for the next great player to emerge from Europe, and I think he's the answer.

[cyclix]

He will be a great player in this league. Can see him having a Pippen like peak. Has terrific handles and does it all

[HornetJail]

I love this dude. He could be just about anything- a pure scorer, a distributor, a defender, or all of them. There is so much to work with. I hope for Milwaukee's sake he pans out. He's the kind of player I would have loved to trade down for in a draft like this one.

As for his future - hell, it could be anywhere between Josh McRoberts and Paul George.

[XTC]

The type of player he ends up as 100% depends on him. He has amazing physical tools, I just hope he puts in the work to become that special player, and I hope Milwaukee does all it can to maximize his potential.

[NaturalThunder]

So is he or does he have the potential to be the real deal? I've occasionally browsed the Bucks board and if you go by what they say, he's the next big thing...like on his way to Paul George or even Kevin Durant status in a few years. I know some of what they say is a bit sarcastic and meant to be a little over dramatic, but still, how much of that is legit hype?

Guess I need to watch a few Bucks games now that Giannis is starting and getting big minutes.

[Dr Positivity]

I am not as blown away by his physical tools as others are. He is more of a decent than elite athlete. Great fluidity obviously. Interested to see whether he can turn into a shooter.

[Quotatious]

I don't like his last name. Other than that, I can certainly see him being a star in a couple years. I don't think he'll be on the level of Durant, but Paul George is a good comparison, or AK 47 with better handles. Hopefully he won't become the next Tim Thomas.
He gets playing time with the Bucks, and they don't really have any foundational pieces other than him and Henson, so the future seems bright for him.

[Illmatic21]

I am not as blown away by his physical tools as others are. He is more of a decent than elite athlete. Great fluidity obviously. Interested to see whether he can turn into a shooter.

Athleticism isn't just quickness or leaping ability.. it includes physical measurables as well. Unless you see players with his hand size/wingspan every day, I don't know how anyone could not be impressed by his physical tools

[Quotatious]

Holy crap. I didn't realize his hands were so huge...He may even have a little longer palms than Dr. J.

[Dr Positivity]

I think his physical tools are impressive I just don't see it as elite enough to cover up other (possible) holes. I consider Oladipo's to be as valuable for eg

[AussieBuck]

He's a freak among freaks. Functionally longer than centers and absolutely frightening in the open court. The only holes in his game involve his jumper. He's incredibly well rounded.

[Ayt]

I am not as blown away by his physical tools as others are. He is more of a decent than elite athlete. Great fluidity obviously. Interested to see whether he can turn into a shooter.

The fluidity and coordination at his height combined with his length is what makes him an absurd physical specimen. He is also extremely fast and has very good short area quickness. About the only thing he lacks physically is an explosive vert, but he's not a terrible leaper by any stretch. He's never going to be a bull in terms of strength either obviously, but he already shows surprising functional strength (rebounding, ability to absorb contact, post D).

[Damon_3388]

Would people be disappointed if he turned out similarly to Nic Batum? He's a close match in terms of physical tools and ability at the same age.

[Quotatious]

Would people be disappointed if he turned out similarly to Nic Batum? He's a close match in terms of physical tools and ability at the same age.

Just a while ago, I thought that Batum would be a good comparison to him. No, I wouldn't really be disappointed if he 'just' turned out to be like Batum - Nic is a very good player who's still improving and will probably make at least one all-star appearance in his career, possibly more. Well, if Luol Deng is already played in two ASG, Batum sure as heck deserves it too.

[FLCL]

i don't know if he's the playmaker Odom is yet but he is unselfish in the open floor. last game the featured him and besides continous jumpers from behind the arc a good game. he should have gone #1.

[Ayt]

Would people be disappointed if he turned out similarly to Nic Batum? He's a close match in terms of physical tools and ability at the same age.

I don't think they are all that similar physically. Giannis is much more like Durant physically with his height and length combo than Batum.

In terms of ability, I think Giannis is a much better ball handler which gives him a higher ceiling offensively. That is already showing up in his ability to drive and finish or draw fouls.

[Damon_3388]

In terms of ability, I think Giannis is a much better ball handler which gives him a higher ceiling offensively. That is already showing up in his ability to drive and finish or draw fouls.

I don't really think that he's a "much better" ball handler than Batum.

[Ayt]

In terms of ability, I think Giannis is a much better ball handler which gives him a higher ceiling offensively. That is already showing up in his ability to drive and finish or draw fouls.

I don't really think that he's a "much better" ball handler than Batum.

Yeah. After thinking about it more, that isn't true. Batum is a very good ball handler. His problem offensively is that he just doesn't attack enough.

[Illmatic21]

Batum just turned 25.. he's far from a finished product himself.

[Young_Star11]

Enjoy watching him play. Doesn't have the scoring instincts of a Durant but I'm in awe of just about everything else.