Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the game today, and at 26, he’s already an all-time great. Few superstars can say they’ve won an MVP, DPOY, Finals MVP, and a championship by 26. Giannis Antetokounmpo is having another MVP-level season this year too, averaging 29.4 PPG, 11.2 RPG, and 6.0 APG.
Despite the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo is clearly a dominant player in the modern era, it seems as though some people have their doubts about his ability to have success in earlier NBA eras.
Charles Oakley has claimed that Giannis Antetokounmmpo wouldn’t be as successful in his era, stating that the Milwaukee Bucks superstar would be coming off the bench when he was playing. Notably, other players such as Tracy McGrady have suggested that Giannis Antetokounmpo would have struggled in their eras.
Charles Oakley says Giannis Antetokounmpo would come off the bench in his era 😯
(Via @SLAMonline | h/t @AhnFireDigital ) pic.twitter.com/K2KD1waL22
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 25, 2022
He doing his thing. I was skeptical because he couldn’t make a jumpshot or a free throw. But after what he did last year, he won me over… He wouldn’t have been a force back in the day. He would have struggled. They would make him shoot jump shots. He wouldn’t be doing no euros to the basket… I’m glad he’s doing what he’s doing now. He would have been coming off the bench back in the day.
It is definitely a hot take to suggest that a two-time MVP would be coming off the bench. At the end of the day, talent is talent, and Giannis Antetokounmpo clearly is someone who is gifted enough to become a superstar in the league.
With that being said, there’s no doubt that prior eras of basketball are generally considered more physical, so perhaps it is fair to suggest that he wouldn’t have been as dominant back in the day.
As of now, though, Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing at an extremely high level. He will hope to lead the Milwaukee Bucks in defending their championship. There is no doubt that the Milwaukee Bucks are a top-tier team this year, and perhaps we’ll see them win it all again.
