Giannis Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP and also the reigning Finals MVP. But he still has not won over a notable former NBA star.
Retired seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady had a criticism of the Milwaukee Bucks star Antetokounmpo in an appearance this week on “The Big Podcast with Shaq.” McGrady said that Antetokounmpo would have had a difficult time playing in his era.
“I think he would have struggled because of how closed up the paint was,” said McGrady. “It was tough offensively because the defense was so great.”
“If you can’t shoot, it’s gonna be hard,” McGrady added. “And Giannis’ game is predicated on coming downhill. It would have been tough to be who he is today, back then.”
McGrady, who played from 1997 to 2013, does not make a very convincing argument. Antetokounmpo, who is admittedly a weak three-point shooter, has succeeded at the highest level in an era today where the three-point shot is more important than ever before. This season, NBA teams are attempting 35.3 threes per game as opposed to a measly 14.9 threes per game in 2003-04, one of the seasons in which McGrady won a scoring title. Thus, a three-pointer was not necessary to dominate in McGrady’s era.
Antetokounmpo also does so many other things well. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan but with elite ballhandling capabilities too, Antetokounmpo is a physical specimen unlike any that existed during McGrady’s time. On top of that, Antetokounmpo has developed an excellent midrange game to round out his dominance in the paint and is even a Defensive Player of the Year winner with upper-echelon play on that end of the floor.
Even some of McGrady’s peers have given Antetokounmpo some big props, so McGrady might be on an island here with this take on The Greek Freak.
Photo: Oct 23, 2021; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
