Giannis' Development

[BRUNiNHO91]

Well not exactly, hardly a mention of him in the pg thread.

Page 3:

My eyes just popped out my damn head on that move by Giannis.

They have Antetokounmpo while we have freaking Olynyk...

**** Danny.

Giannis is everywhere right now, kid is a phenom no doubt

Holey smokes it's Giannis vs the Celtics.

Page 5:

Giannis about to drop 60 on us if this **** keeps up. What the ****.

Giannis with a 3-point shot is just unfair. Put in the Canadian Freak.

I think I speak for all Celtics fans when I say this..Giannis is a monster. I didn't even know he had a 3pt shot yet and he buried like 3 deep ones in the 1st quarter last night. You guys have your franchise player for years to come. Mentioned it in our game thread yesterday that he has that Chris Paul one hand dribble while putting the defender on his back move. If he can perfect that like CP3 did, with the size he has..wow..no words. Btw Jabari Parker is a hell of a player also.

[Wonka]

Unfortunately for us, our coaching isn't up to snuff at the moment. I would do anything to have Brad Stevens as our coach, you guys hit a home run with that hire. Your future is extremely bright in Boston, maybe the start of a nice rivalry in the future.

[MiltownHawkeye]

Yeah I really like how the Celtics have come together. They made me eat a lot of crow. If they land Simmons that would be huge.

[Prez]

Anyone else at times feel like Giannis is way, way ahead of his time? When I imagine what the ultimate goal of basketball is from an individual player perspective, I can't help but picture what I think is Giannis' max ceiling.

People always talk about players who can guard 1-5...but what about players who just ARE 1-5? Not just defense, but every facet of basketball? A player with the full capabilities of center (rim protection, rebounding, post game, post defense), the full capabilities of a point guard (ball handling, playmaking, game flow/tempo management, ability to defend guards), and everything in between. He's got a ways to go, the jumpshot being the main thing. But if he develops into a good shooter and continues his upward trend athletically to help defend smaller guards...is that not approaching the model of the ideal basketball player? Maybe it's the bud talking but I've just never seen a talent like Giannis and it's blowing my mind more and more each game.

Nope. Magic and Lebron were big players with ball handling skills that could and did play every position on the court depending on circumstance.

It's not a new concept. Just exceedingly rare to hit that level.

Millbuck, all true. However, all the same could be said about LBJ 12 years ago so it's not like this is the first time it's been done.

Neither Magic nor Lebron were ever really close to true centers as far as defense goes. They could guard certain centers 1 on 1 with varying levels of success, but they weren't ever defending the paint and blocking shots like a legit center. Giannis is not fully there in that respect but his upside as a rim protector/paint protector is miles ahead of those two, like he could be the equivalent of a legit defensive center on that end.

I mean as it is he allows a lower FG% at the rim than Deandre, Davis, KAT, Noel, etc. Since the ASB and being slotted more as a big defensively, he's averaging almost 2 blocks a game which would equal 9th in the whole league, just behind Porzingis and ahead of KAT, Noel, Favors, Biyombo, etc.

The defense at center is a good example of my point...there've been guys who you can streeeeetch the definition of 1-5 to fit, but Giannis could legitimately cover everything fully.

[Diggr14]

It would be interesting if they played Giannis at point-center. Surround him with players Middleton's height or taller.. and see what happens. Also, with that kind of lineup.. say guys 6'6-6'9 with Giannis.. I'd think about playing a zone too 1/3/1. Length everywhere. M2M they would be broken down too easy by a quicker/small pg and also Jabari has defensive P&R liabilities. This would force teams away from that.

[Magic Giannison]

Well not exactly, hardly a mention of him in the pg thread.

Page 3:

My eyes just popped out my damn head on that move by Giannis.

**** Danny.

Giannis is everywhere right now, kid is a phenom no doubt

Holey smokes it's Giannis vs the Celtics.

Page 5:

Giannis about to drop 60 on us if this **** keeps up. What the ****.

Giannis with a 3-point shot is just unfair. Put in the Canadian Freak.

I think I speak for all Celtics fans when I say this..Giannis is a monster. I didn't even know he had a 3pt shot yet and he buried like 3 deep ones in the 1st quarter last night. You guys have your franchise player for years to come. Mentioned it in our game thread yesterday that he has that Chris Paul one hand dribble while putting the defender on his back move. If he can perfect that like CP3 did, with the size he has..wow..no words. Btw Jabari Parker is a hell of a player also.

You guys got a fantastic coach, his mentality and understanding for the game is really good. He has taken a team with no superstars or BIG player and turned into a one that can win anyone in the league.
Good luck in the playoffs/.

[RRyder823]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

[Magic Giannison]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

What exactly Giannis is not doing that lebron or Magic was doing at 21 years of old.
Im really really curious.

[RRyder823]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

What exactly Giannis is not doing that lebron or Magic was doing at 21 years of old.
Im really really curious.

Well in the case of Magic he did win a Championship to go along with Finals MVP his rookie season for one....

Point is let's wait till he's a top 5 player in the league today before comparing him to top 5 players of all time

[Magic Giannison]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

What exactly Giannis is not doing that lebron or Magic was doing at 21 years of old.
Im really really curious.

Well in the case of Magic he did win a Championship to go along with Finals MVP his rookie season for one....

Point is let's wait till he's a top 5 player in the league today before comparing him to top 5 players of all time

yeah but lets take a look the teamates Magic had compared to Giannis.
Not saying Giannis is at that level yet but his playstyle and trajectory leans toward that.

[Prez]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

This is just a bunch of hot air. I never once said he's going to be the GOAT or better than Magic or Lebron, I don't know what you're talking about.

Versatility =/= pure ability. Just because you can do more things doesn't mean you're better, because there are degrees at which you can be good in a skill. Lebron and Magic are going to be much better at certain skills which will make them overall much better players...but that doesn't mean Giannis can't have a wider array of skills.

What skills did Magic or Lebron have that Giannis doesn't have the potential to be at least good at?

[RRyder823]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

This is just a bunch of hot air. I never once said he's going to be the GOAT or better than Magic or Lebron, I don't know what you're talking about.

Versatility =/= pure ability. Just because you can do more things doesn't mean you're better, because there are degrees at which you can be good in a skill. Lebron and Magic are going to be much better at certain skills which will make them overall much better players...but that doesn't mean Giannis can't have a wider array of skills.

What skills did Magic or Lebron have that Giannis doesn't have the potential to be at least good at?

Your the one that suggested that if Giannis develops a jumpshot and is able to stay with guards he'll be approaching the ideal basketball player.

The argument was also thrown out that Magic and Lebron only played center in certain situations. True. But then your also neglecting that Giannis will only be actually defending the opponents PG in certain situations.

Once again. I love him. But making comparisons to the 2 most versatile players ever and saying you think he'll end up even more versatile is jumping the gun just a little bit

[RRyder823]

What exactly Giannis is not doing that lebron or Magic was doing at 21 years of old.
Im really really curious.

Well in the case of Magic he did win a Championship to go along with Finals MVP his rookie season for one....

Point is let's wait till he's a top 5 player in the league today before comparing him to top 5 players of all time

yeah but lets take a look the teamates Magic had compared to Giannis.
Not saying Giannis is at that level yet but his playstyle and trajectory leans toward that.

Hey you asked I kid though. Of course Magic had a much better team around him


All well and good and we can project but still think it's best to hold off untill Giannis is a top 5 player in the league before drawing comparisons to top 5 guys of all time

[Sherman Douglas]

Well in the case of Magic he did win a Championship to go along with Finals MVP his rookie season for one....

Point is let's wait till he's a top 5 player in the league today before comparing him to top 5 players of all time

yeah but lets take a look the teamates Magic had compared to Giannis.
Not saying Giannis is at that level yet but his playstyle and trajectory leans toward that.

All well and good and we can project but still think it's best to hold off untill Giannis is a top 5 player in the league before drawing comparisons to top 5 guys of all time

As someone who was very slow to hop on the Giannis is a superstar bandwagon (I liked him, just was not as infatuated as some others), I don't think it's at all silly to make comparisons to someone like Magic at this point. Obviously, something could change. He could get hurt, or just not take that next big leap for whatever reason, but the guy is a **** 7 foot tall athletic freak with point guard skills, putting up triple doubles and regularly scoring 20+ at age 21. It is safe to say at this point he is a rare player with HOF potential.

And yeah, Magic won a championship, great...Giannis isn't playing with Kareem. No, Giannis isn't a top 5 player yet, but he very well could be within a year or two.

[Prez]

I love Giannis as much as the next Bucks fan but please guys just settle down a little. Comparing Giannis versatility to Magic and Lebron and then going on to say you "think" he'll be even MORE versatile than those guys when he's done developing is overkill to say the least.

It's like saying you "think" he's going to be the greatest player of all time.

I love Giannis and think he'll become a stud for us but can't we wait till he's a top 5 player in the league before we start even throwing out the idea that he'll be more versatile than probably the 2 most versatile players of all time?

This is just a bunch of hot air. I never once said he's going to be the GOAT or better than Magic or Lebron, I don't know what you're talking about.

Versatility =/= pure ability. Just because you can do more things doesn't mean you're better, because there are degrees at which you can be good in a skill. Lebron and Magic are going to be much better at certain skills which will make them overall much better players...but that doesn't mean Giannis can't have a wider array of skills.

What skills did Magic or Lebron have that Giannis doesn't have the potential to be at least good at?

Your the one that suggested that if Giannis develops a jumpshot and is able to stay with guards he'll be approaching the ideal basketball player.

The argument was also thrown out that Magic and Lebron only played center in certain situations. True. But then your also neglecting that Giannis will only be actually defending the opponents PG in certain situations.

Once again. I love him. But making comparisons to the 2 most versatile players ever and saying you think he'll end up even more versatile is jumping the gun just a little bit

I said he would approach the model of the ideal basketball player, I never said he'd be completely perfect. You're just disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing and putting words in my mouth..actually break down the argument and tell me what's wrong with it. Like if Giannis develops into a good shooter and continues to mature athletically to guard quicker guards...who would do more things than him?

And Magic couldn't guard small PGs very effectively (especially not in today's) so that's a moot point. And Lebron only did it in spurts as well, he never guarded PGs consistently. And the times he "shut down" PGs, he had amazing help defense backing him with Miami's tenacious perimeter defense swarming and trapping at all times.

You still have yet to name one skill that Magic or Lebron had that Giannis can't become good at.

[RRyder823]

yeah but lets take a look the teamates Magic had compared to Giannis.
Not saying Giannis is at that level yet but his playstyle and trajectory leans toward that.

All well and good and we can project but still think it's best to hold off untill Giannis is a top 5 player in the league before drawing comparisons to top 5 guys of all time

As someone who was very slow to hop on the Giannis is a superstar bandwagon (I liked him, just was not as infatuated as some others), I don't think it's at all silly to make comparisons to someone like Magic at this point. Obviously, something could change. He could get hurt, or just not take that next big leap for whatever reason, but the guy is a **** 7 foot tall athletic freak with point guard skills, putting up triple doubles and regularly scoring 20+ at age 21. It is safe to say at this point he is a rare player with HOF potential.

And yeah, Magic won a championship, great...Giannis isn't playing with Kareem.

And Magic was 6'9, built like a brick house, won a finals MVP after starting at center for an injured Kareem his rookie season and had PG skills that Giannis, (or damn near any player who has ever played the point for that matter,) can only dream about.

Yeah and I did acknowledge Magic playing with a better team. Funny you took that part out.

Like I said I just don't think it's right to compare a guy to a top 5 player of all time if he isn't even a top 5 player in the league yet. Mind you I'm saying yet. Just saying let's pump the breaks for a second

[HaroldinGMinor]

Like I said I just don't think it's right to compare a guy to a top 5 player of all time if he isn't even a top 5 player in the league yet. Mind you I'm saying yet. Just saying let's pump the breaks for a second

I think people are saying Giannis has the potential to be that good. He may not reach it but to do what he's done the last couple of months as a 21 year old is grounds for making comparisons to the all timers.

[AussieBuck]

Unless something goes wrong Giannis is on a very short trip to superstardom. How anyone who regularly watches him can doubt that I have no idea.

[Magic Giannison]

Landslide as expected with people kindly softening the blow for a long time poster and former mod.

Obnoxious responses aside, I still don't agree. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Alphabet ever reaches Lawson's level...

Bulls fan in Jan 16 2015


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Enjoy your nightly entertainment guys!

[emunney]

Magic dominated Game 6 of the Finals as a 20 year old rookie. Of course he had better teammates but asking what Magic did at 20-21 makes you look flat ignorant. That's one of the top 5 legendary performances in the history of the sport.