Any basketball fan is aware of two of the greatest players in the world right now: Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. From their incredible on-court performances to their impressive off-court accomplishments, both players have made a significant impact on the sport and have gained a substantial following of fans across the world. However, despite their shared success, these two players have different career paths and styles that have shaped them into the superstars they are today. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the career comparison between Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, examining how their career had shaped by the time both players were 28 years old.
No doubt, both Giannis and James are elite players with slightly different playing styles. Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for his impressive physical attributes and versatility on the court. He’s a dominant force in the paint, with his long arms and athleticism allowing him to be a formidable presence on both offense and defense. Meanwhile, LeBron James is known for his incredible all-around skills, with his scoring, playmaking, and leadership abilities helping him to solidify his place as one of the best players of all time. When it comes to accolades, both players have achieved incredible success by the time both players reached the age of 28.
Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first NBA MVP award in the 2018-2019 season and followed it up with another MVP award in the 2019-2020 season, becoming only the third player in history to win back-to-back MVP awards and Defensive Player of the Year. In comparison, by the time LeBron James was 28, he won four NBA MVP awards in his career, along with two championships and numerous other accolades. Overall, there’s no denying that both Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have had incredible careers thus far.
But has Giannis gotten off to a better start than LeBron James, as he is currently 28 years old? James was considered the best player in the world by the time he was 28, and Giannis is in the same position as of the 2022-23 season. We have already seen how a career comparison turned out between Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan, but now it is time to take a deeper analysis of how Giannis and James compared by the time each player reached 28 years old.
Championships
LeBron James: 2 (2012, 2013)
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2021)
The ultimate goal for any NBA player is to win a championship. With the help of their teammates, talent, and hard work, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have both achieved this goal multiple times. Giannis Antetokounmpo has won a single NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, clinching the victory in 2021. His championship win is especially impressive as it came following the midst of a pandemic, meaning that the team had to play a challenging and grueling season with multiple obstacles, including injuries. Throughout the playoffs, Antetokounmpo was the clear leader for the Bucks, consistently putting up impressive performances on both offense and defense. His championship win is emblematic of his journey to becoming one of the league’s most dominant players. Of course, Giannis also added a Finals MVP award to his iconic season.
Meanwhile, LeBron James had won two NBA championships by the time he was 28 years old, both with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Armed with incredible support from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James was able to take out the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in back-to-back Finals appearances and earn both Finals MVP trophies. James had failed miserably in the 2011 Finals against the Dallas Mavericks and had to bounce back time and time again to prove that season was nothing more but a one-off appearance. By the time James was 28 years old, he had already won more titles than Giannis Antetokounmpo so far.
Advantage: LeBron James
Finals MVP Awards
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 1 (2021)
LeBron James: 2 (2012, 2013)
The NBA Finals are the ultimate test of a player’s talent, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure. Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have both made the NBA Finals and have had impressive performances under the brightest lights of the NBA. While both players have experienced success in the Finals, their paths to the championship have been different.
Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first NBA Championship in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks, which was a historic achievement for the Bucks, as it was their first championship in 50 years. Giannis played a monumental role in the championship, posting incredible numbers of 35.2 PPG, 13.2 RPG, and 5.0 APG in the Finals against the Phoenix Suns. His incredible performance in the championship series earned him the Finals MVP award and solidified his status as one of the best players in the NBA.
Meanwhile, LeBron James won his first NBA Championship in 2012 with the Miami Heat and went on to win his second title with the franchise a year later. James posted 28.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 7.4 APG in his first Finals victory and later averaged 25.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, and 7.0 APG in the 2013 appearance. The King was the undisputed best player in both Finals appearances, just like Giannis was in 2021, except that he won an extra Finals MVP trophy by the time he was 28 years old.
Advantage: LeBron James
MVP Awards
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2 (2019, 2020)
LeBron James: 4 (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
The NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is one of the most prestigious individual honors a player can receive in the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James both have impressive resumes when it comes to MVP awards. Giannis Antetokounmpo won his first MVP award in the 2018-2019 season. He led the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA with an average of 27.7 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 5.9 APG. He also had a player efficiency rating (PER) of 30.9 and a win share of 14.4. Antetokounmpo’s dominance on the court was undeniable, and he became the first player in Bucks’ history to win the MVP award since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1974. The second time came in the 2019-20 season when The Greek Freak posted 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, and 5.6 APG with a PER of 31.9.
LeBron James, on the other hand, won the MVP award four times in his career, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time by the time he was 28 years old. James won his first two MVP awards in the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons when he was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He won his third MVP award in the 2011-2012 season while playing for the Miami Heat and again in the 2012-2013 season with the Heat. James’ MVP wins are just one part of his incredible legacy in the NBA. It was amazing how great James was by the time he was Giannis’ age, as he had double the number of Antetokounmpo’s MVP wins and takes another category.
Advantage: LeBron James
All-NBA Teams
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7 (5 First Team, 2 Second Team)
LeBron James: 9 (7 First Team, 2 Second Team)
Being selected for the All-NBA Team in the NBA is one of the highest honors a player can receive, as it recognizes their status as one of the best players in the league. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have multiple selections to the All-NBA Team, with their careers both marked by consistent excellence. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in the early stages of his career, but he has already made a major impact in the league, earning All-NBA First Team selections five times in his career for a total of seven total selections. The 6’11” forward is known for his athleticism, versatility, and dominant play on both ends of the court. Antetokounmpo has been a force for the Milwaukee Bucks, leading his team to the best record a few times and winning back-to-back NBA MVP awards.
LeBron James, on the other hand, was a star as soon as he was a rookie and was selected to the All-NBA Team an incredible nine times, seven selections for the First Team. By the time he was 28 years old, he was already known for his scoring ability, playmaking skills, and tenacious defense. Of course, his numbers were a major reason why he was a consistent presence on the All-NBA Team year after year. By the time the 2012-13 season rolled around, The King’s averages were 27.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.8 BPG. Starting his career at 19 years old and being one of the best players in the world by his sophomore season, it is no surprise that James has another category advantage over Giannis by the time he was 28 years old.
Advantage: LeBron James
All-Star Selections
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7
LeBron James: 9
Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James are two of the most dominant players in the NBA today and have both earned numerous All-Star selections over the course of their careers. As of the 2022-2023 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been selected as an All-Star for seven consecutive seasons. He made his first appearance in the All-Star game in the 2016-2017 season and was named an All-Star starter for the first time in 2019-2020. In that same season, he was named the All-Star game MVP, finishing the game with a record-breaking 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Meanwhile, by the time LeBron James was 28 years old in the 2012-12 season, he was named an All-Star nine times, starting his streak in his sophomore season in 2004-2005. He’s consistently been among the league’s top vote-getters since then and even won the All-Star Game MVP award twice in 2006 and 2008. Their numerous All-Star selections reflect not only their individual excellence but also a sustained level of dominance that few players in the NBA can match. However, James had a much better start to his career than Giannis, as he made two extra All-Star appearances and was a more dominant player as soon as he stepped foot into the league.
Advantage: LeBron James
All-Defensive NBA Teams
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 5 (4 First Team, 1 Second Team)
LeBron James: 5 (5 First Team)
Being selected for the All-Defensive Team in the NBA is a great honor and a reflection of a player’s ability to play defense at an elite level. Both Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James have been known for their defensive prowess and have been recognized for their efforts by being named to the All-Defensive Team multiple times. Giannis Antetokounmpo was first named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2017-2018, and the rest was history as he has consistently been an All-Defensive Team member and even won Defensive Player of the Year. His combination of size, speed, and agility allows him to effectively guard multiple positions and protect the rim.
LeBron James had been named to the All-Defensive First Team a total of five times in his career by the time he was 28 years old, with his first selection coming in the 2008-2009 season. In this season, he averaged 1.7 SPG and 1.1 BPG. James was known for his ability to guard multiple positions and effectively switch on defense while also being a great help defender, able to contest shots at the rim and disrupt passing lanes. At his size, paired with elite athleticism, The King was a force on defense during his prime.
Even if Giannis is considered a better defender than LeBron James by most accounts, by the time they were both 28 years old, there was no advantage. Both stars made five All-NBA Teams each, although James did make an extra All-Defensive First Team appearance which does not affect the total count but is an interesting fact to consider nonetheless.
Advantage: Even
Total Win Shares
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 96.1
LeBron James: 152.6
Win shares is a statistic that attempts to calculate the number of wins a player has contributed to their team during a season. It takes into account a player’s individual offensive and defensive rating, as well as their playing time. When comparing Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James’ win shares, there are a number of interesting observations to be made. As of the end of the 2022-2023 season, he has a career total of 96.1 win shares. However, it’s important to remember that Antetokounmpo is only 28 years old and has plenty of time to continue adding to this number.
In comparison, by the end of the 2012-13 season, LeBron James had 152.6 win shares by the time he was Antetokounmpo’s age. The King was able to influence winning on both ends of the court with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, and he played on more successful teams than Giannis had so far. Even if that is the case, James has quite a significant win shares advantage over The Greek Freak, which might give an indication that he was a better player by age 28 than Giannis is right now.
Advantage: LeBron James
Career Player Efficiency Rating
Giannis Antetokounmpo: 24.9
LeBron James: 27.6
Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a measure of a player’s statistical performance in basketball. It takes into account a player’s per-minute productivity, as well as his efficiency in his shooting and rebounding. By comparing the PER of Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, we can gain insight into how each player performs on the court and how they compare to one another.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for his incredible athleticism and versatility. He has developed into one of the league’s most dominant players, thanks in part to his ability to post high PER numbers on a consistent basis. In the 2020-2021 season, Antetokounmpo had an impressive PER of 31.9, which was first in the league. He achieved this by averaging 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, and 5.6 APG while shooting 55.3% from the field. Antetokounmpo’s PER has consistently been in the top 10 in the league for the past several seasons, which has contributed to his back-to-back MVP awards.
On the other hand, LeBron James is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and for good reason. Over the course of his career, James has posted consistently high PER numbers thanks to his all-around game. While James’ PER may not always be the highest in the league, he continues to be an incredibly impactful player thanks to his elite skills in shooting, defense, and playmaking. No doubt, by the time he was 28, his career PER was 27.6, which is still higher than Giannis’. As great as The Greek Freak has been on an efficient level, The King’s PER was even higher.
Advantage: LeBron James
Final Score
LeBron James vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo 7-0
Overall, this comparison is a landslide victory for The King, LeBron James. James is a one-of-a-kind talent because he was a superstar by his sophomore season and has not slowed down even at age 38. By the time he was 28 years old, James had won his first two NBA titles, Finals MVPs, and captured four MVP trophies as a member of two franchises. The King was beyond special as he continued to age, and many regard the 2012 and 2013 versions to be at the very highest level. Nobody expected James to be as dominant on both ends of the court as he was.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has had an incredible career that is Hall of Fame-worthy already, and he won two MVP awards, an NBA title, and a Finals MVP trophy. Over the past two or three seasons, there has been no debate that Antetokounmpo has been the greatest two-way player in the game and possibly the best all-around talent as well. However, as great as he has been at 28 years old so far, he cannot compete with what LeBron James has done over his own career. Overall, Giannis can only hope to play as long as LeBron James to possibly equal the number of accolades The King won because, by the time James was his age, it was a no-contest in total accolades and achievements.
