Lebron James caused quite a ‘scandal’ and offended some people for being generous to Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
USATSI 19550413
Dec 2, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) exchange hugs after the Los Angeles Lakers 133-129 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers appeared in the Pat McAfee show where he pronounced that the Greek Freak is not just someone who can play in the 70s. He is someone who will dominant.
“You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the ’70s? Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the ’70s,” he said in the episode aired on Wednesday.
That is a hot take for some although it is obviously an exaggeration.
Milwaukee Bucks, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo
March 6, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Now, analysts are taking it seriously and coming after him. It birthed a series of comparison between NBA greats and Antetokounmpo’s name is getting dragged.
Is Giannis really going to be dominant in the 70s? Who are the players who can give a run for his money?
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Julius Erving
Players who dominated in the 70s were Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Walt Frazier, Bob Lanier, and Bill Walton.
For analyst Chris Russo, the Greek Freak might not even get past Julius Erving who played in the NBA from 1974 to 1986.
“To LeBron: Has he heard of Julius Erving? Giannis is not as good as Julius Erving. If Julius Erivng, who was on the Sixers in the 70s… Do you think Julius Erving scored 250 points in a game or averaged 50 a game?” Russo asked during an appearance on First Take.
Julius Erving, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
February 19, 2022; Cleveland, OH, USA; NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (left) and NBA great Julius Erving (right) during the Skills Challenge during the 2022 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Rocket Mortgage Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
He proceeded to reprimand Lebron, asking him to watch Bill Walton of the peak Portland Trailblazers era.
“Let me see Giannis against that team, let me see him go average 50 points a game. You know what? Julius didn’t. He lost to that Portland team in the NBA Finals, embarrassed. … And Giannis is not Julius Erving, not in the same ballpark.”
By comparison, Giannis has won more individual accolades than the former Philadelphia 76ers star. The Bucks icon is also taller and stronger.
What do you think?
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