Giannis Antetokounmpo is the far-away front-runner for the 2020 NBA MVP award. Averaging 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game for the league-leading Bucks, there aren’t any in the league having a better season than him right now.
But, with that said, is his dominance really a manifestation of his actual skill, or is it more a result of his unprecedented size and athleticism?
For former league MVP James Harden, Giannis’ game is much more about the latter.
“I wish I could just be 7 feet and run and dunk. That takes no skill at all,” he told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. “I actually have to learn how to play basketball and have skill. I’ll take that any day.”
"I wish I could be 7 feet and run and just dunk, like that takes no skill at all, I gotta actually learn how to play basketball, how to have skill" – Harden on Giannis 😳
Can’t wait for March 25th https://t.co/mLZAzqoUTg
— GoodGuysBets (@goodguysbet) February 28, 2020
His comments are harsh, but they’re not exactly wrong. You can’t teach size, wingspan, and athleticism. Players have to be born with those attributes and those who have them often have a much bigger advantage in the sports world.
It’s typical that Giannis uses his size and body to attack the rim almost uncontested. Guys like Harden and others don’t have that same luxury.
They have to use other means of play to find their niche, and it takes years of practice to truly master.
Of course, every player in the NBA has some natural talent at the game that goes just beyond being tall. But some have it easier than others and for Giannis, his length is an attribute that cuts him above the rest of the league.
The path for 6’5″ guard Harden was (and still is) very much different.
