Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most unique players that we have seen. It’s not often that we see a player be able to handle the ball well at his size, while also flashing some playmaking ability and elite athleticism. He is also a two-way force that dominates the interior.
A lot of people have compared Giannis Antetokounmpo to Shaquille O’Neal, and O’Neal himself stated that he would be Giannis Antetokoumpo if he played in today’s NBA. When responding to fans’ internet questions on an episode of GQ’s Actually Me, Giannis Antetokounmpo named Shaquille O’Neal, but also Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson as the players who are the “best comparison” for himself. (0:10)
I don’t know. I’d say a little bit of Shaq. The dominance there, getting in the paint. A little bit of Magic. Being able to come down the court, go coast to coast and find teammates, put teammates in the right spot. A little bit of KG, having that edge, that toughness, that mental toughness that nothing can break you. You do whatever it takes. A little bit of Kobe, work ethic. I try to take a little bit of every player. To compare myself with one player, I don’t really know. It’s a great question.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s overall game doesn’t necessarily resemble any of those players bar possibly Shaquille O’Neal, you can see the elements of the other players he mentioned in him. It makes sense that Giannis Antetokounmpo would take “a little bit of every player” in order to diversify his game and improve.
There is still time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to improve even further, and he is only 26 years old. Perhaps we’ll see Giannis Antetokounmpo add even more skills from the legends he mentioned to his own game.
