as great as Giannis' stats are, there is a clear FORMULA to beat him and his teams

[STATUTORY]

i just can't rate players with such deficit and shortcomings in their game as the best in the league. in the regular season, no teams will bother to exploit it because no one tries in the regular season, but he clearly has a fatal flaw in his game that is ripe for picking in the playoffs.

[clutchinho]

Khris Middleton as your number 2 and Bledsoe as your point guard isn't getting it done I don't care who you are

Give Giannis a Lillard or Kyrie and he'd 3 peat, guy is a competitor

[Gohan]

He’s going to warriors after this season

[Kblaze8855]

Coaches aren’t out here losing games and their careers letting teams they can easily beat wipe them out over and over. Giannis, Harden, Lebron, Leonard, Dame and so on....only one will win. Won’t make beating whoever loses a simple matter no matter how much fans on the internet think their surface level observations matter.

Giannis and whoever you think the exact opposite kind of Star is would both lose most of their careers no matter what just like Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Magic, Duncan, and everyone but Russell.

Predictions about how ____ will lose are the easiest thing in the world. You’re gonna be right most of the time no matter who you say it about. After that you can manufacture whatever reason you need to make yourself right.

In the end once your team is just close to good enough you just need to be lucky enough to stay healthy and have role players make 3s. That happens you have a good shot.

[ImKobe]

Just like pre-2012 Lebron. Play zone and force him to make decisions from the perimeter/take him out of the game completely. Raptors held Giannis to 20.5 ppg 43.5%FG in 39.7 mpg in the 4 straight wins, only scored 30 once in the series (12 points 8 TOs in the 2OT game). There's definitely a formula to stopping him, he hasn't improved his shot quite enough yet. If Middleton can't average an efficient 20, they're going to get bounced at some point.

[LoneyROY7]

It's pretty simple, wall Giannis off from the rim.

He has no counter.

[STATUTORY]

Coaches aren’t out here losing games and their careers letting teams they can easily beat wipe them out over and over. Giannis, Harden, Lebron, Leonard, Dame and so on....only one will win. Won’t make beating whoever loses a simple matter no matter how much fans on the internet think their surface level observations matter.

Giannis and whoever you think the exact opposite kind of Star is would both lose most of their careers no matter what just like Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Magic, Duncan, and everyone but Russell.

Predictions about how ____ will lose are the easiest thing in the world. You’re gonna be right most of the time no matter who you say it about. After that you can manufacture whatever reason you need to make yourself right.

In the end once your team is just close to good enough you just need to be lucky enough to stay healthy and have role players make 3s. That happens you have a good shot.

in the regular season a team will play 29 other teams. they are not game planning for a single player on a single team. in the playoffs, you play the same team for possibly 7 games. the entire gameplan is to stop 1 player. that's where shortcomings will be exposed.

[clutchinho]

It's pretty simple, wall Giannis off from the rim.

He has no counter.

You could say the same about Shaq, one person can't beat five.

Give Giannis a proper outlet and playmaker to set him up and they'd be in contention every single year.

[ImKobe]

You could say the same about Shaq, one person can't beat five.

Give Giannis a proper outlet and playmaker to set him up and they'd be in contention every single year.

Exactly, Shaq didn't win a title/make the Finals without an elite wing player to draw the defense off him. Giannis would dominate as well if you put him 1 on 1 against anyone inside, replace Middleton with Lillard/Curry/CP3 and no one's beating that team.

[LoneyROY7]

You could say the same about Shaq, one person can't beat five.

Give Giannis a proper outlet and playmaker to set him up and they'd be in contention every single year.

Two completely different animals. Shaq was attacking from the post, not the perimeter.

Giannis is the playmaker for the Bucks, they have designed their entire team around that concept. What you're asking is for Giannis to change his playstyle, which is a completely different discussion.

[Lebron23]

You could say the same about Shaq, one person can't beat five.

Give Giannis a proper outlet and playmaker to set him up and they'd be in contention every single year.

Shaq even when he was getting swept in the playoffs by the 1995 rockets, 1996 bulls and 1998 jazz. He was putting up quality numbers. Giannis averaged 22/13 against Toronto last year.

[Kblaze8855]

in the regular season a team will play 29 other teams. they are not game planning for a single player on a single team. in the playoffs, you play the same team for possibly 7 games. the entire gameplan is to stop 1 player. that's where shortcomings will be exposed.

So a coach coaching for his job trying to tie up a playoff spot has this information you do and decides to let Giannis drop 40 and risk his career because the game doesn’t matter?

What exactly do you think teams watch year round in film sessions and talk about in game planning?

These usually defense obsessed coaches most of whom do not have great job security are losing games on purpose by not installing the obvious plans you can see from the couch....why?

[Gohan]

22 is not enough points. That should be from your 2nd option not first

[clutchinho]

Two completely different animals. Shaq was attacking from the post, not the perimeter.

Giannis is the playmaker for the Bucks, they have designed their entire team around that concept. What you're asking is for Giannis to change his playstyle, which is a completely different discussion.

They only do that to suit their limited personnel, if your point guard is Eric Bledsoe wouldn't you just give the ball to Giannis instead.

Don't tell me Giannis can't do what AD is doing with the Lakers, he'd get 20 alone just off alley oops and transition buckets if they actually had another playmaker that put pressure on the D.

[clutchinho]

Shaq even when he was getting swept in the playoffs by the 1995 rockets, 1996 bulls and 1998 jazz. He was putting up quality numbers. Giannis averaged 22/13 against Toronto last year.

Yes and Giannis' team actually won 2 games compared the ZERO games Shaq won in those 3 series combined.

I'm sure Giannis could have gotten some more points if they force fed him against the Raps, but the point of the game is to win the game.

[ImKobe]

So a coach coaching for his job trying to tie up a playoff spot has this information you do and decides to let Giannis drop 40 and risk his career because the game doesn’t matter?

What exactly do you think teams watch year round in film sessions and talk about in game planning?

These usually defense obsessed coaches most of whom do not have great job security are losing games on purpose by not installing the obvious plans you can see from the couch....why?

Teams have way more time to prepare for an opponent/implement a game plan in the Playoffs, I don't see how this is news. He scored effortlessly on the Raptors in the first 2 games in the ECF and was then held to 20.5 ppg on 43.5%FG in 4 straight losses, including 12 points in 2OT in Game 3. Teams have the ability to key in and make adjustments in a series, that's not the case in the RS, where they're on road trips all season and playing different teams on B2B nights, and only a few teams have the coaching & players to actually pull it off to begin with. You could ask the same thing about David Robinson in the 90s. Somehow he dominated in the RS like Shaq but was constantly exposed by title contenders in the Playoffs.

[Kblaze8855]

An nba coach wouldn’t need any time to make as simple an adjustment as those ISH swears they could shut him down with. If it were as easy as making a wall or some of this shit the keyboard analysts here type he wouldn’t be scoring 30 a game to begin with.

If stopping someone like this were as easy as:


It's pretty simple, wall Giannis off from the rim.

He has no counter.



I don’t think Brad Stevens would have failed to notice.

[Roundball_Rock]

31/17/7 is being shut down?

[Bronbron23]

Man greek balled out but his team just isnt that good. Middletown is one of the worst all stars ever and after him theres not a whole lot to talk about. Yeah greek still needs to develop a better mid and post game but he could use a legit second star and or a much better supporting cast.

[Akeem34TheDream]

I think it has more to do with personnel you have. Raptors had success defending bigs last year but they werent that great at defending 3s.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Man greek balled out but his team just isnt that good. Middletown is one of the worst all stars ever and after him theres not a whole lot to talk about. Yeah greek still needs to develop a better mid and post game but he could use a legit second star and or a much better supporting cast.

Greek went the last 11 minutes without a single field goal.

He "balled out" except in the 4th quarter.

Beyond that though Vucevic picked him apart. And nearly played him to a statistical draw.

[Kblaze8855]

Did he?


https://youtu.be/vb2o5AygQow


I see about 26 points on Brook Lopez directly and maybe 5-7 on Giannis with 4-5 of that open jumpers on miscommunicated switches.

He get to the line on Giannis or what?

I will not say I watched that whole game. I was doing a dozen things. At a glance it looks like he had a plate of Brook Lopez. Would you disagree?

[NBAGOAT]

giannis needs to pass better. Too easy to load up on him

[Nashty]

Put him on the Mavs with Doncic and KP and they win 6 straight championships.

[Spurs m8]

i just can't rate players with such deficit and shortcomings in their game as the best in the league.

Haahhahahahahaahhahahahaha

Hahahahhahahahaahhahahhahahhhahahhaha

Hahaahahaahhahahahhahahahahhahahaahhahahhahha

[Axe]

Yes and Giannis' team actually won 2 games compared the ZERO games Shaq won in those 3 series combined.

I'm sure Giannis could have gotten some more points if they force fed him against the Raps, but the point of the game is to win the game.
Which series? The 2019 ecf? Lol they had a chance to force a game 7 in game 6 but they choked in the second half.

[Gohan]

Give him prime Iverson and they win chips

[SamuraiSWISH]

Just like pre-2012 Lebron. Play zone and force him to make decisions from the perimeter/take him out of the game completely. Raptors held Giannis to 20.5 ppg 43.5%FG in 39.7 mpg in the 4 straight wins, only scored 30 once in the series (12 points 8 TOs in the 2OT game). There's definitely a formula to stopping him, he hasn't improved his shot quite enough yet. If Middleton can't average an efficient 20, they're going to get bounced at some point.
To be fair LeBron was much better than Giannis right now. Better shooter, better IQ, and much better passer. There was more dimension to him. But everything else is spot on. All you need to do is zone up on his drive, and his constant traveling. Build a wall. He’s been rendered borderline useless the past several years.

That’s why Jordan and Kobe are just the perfect Apex predators.

They’re big guards, that can blow by the defenders, finish at the rim, but also had efficient post game and jump shots from mid range or even deep if necessary to create more unpredictability against the defense. They also didn’t need the ball in their hand constantly to have a presence on the court

[Kblaze8855]

All you need to do is zone up on his drive, and his constant traveling. Build a wall. He’s been rendered borderline useless the past several years.

Playoff Giannis from even 3-4 years ago would still make the hall of fame if it were his normal level. We are talking the difference between like....top 25ish and merely top 100ish.

[MrFonzworth]

He’s going to warriors after this season

I want to see it happen. Curry was fun to hate and Giannis needs a reason.

[Axe]

I want to see it happen. Curry was fun to hate and Giannis needs a reason.
Oh dear god. No please.

[STATUTORY]

To be fair LeBron was much better than Giannis right now. Better shooter, better IQ, and much better passer. There was more dimension to him. But everything else is spot on. All you need to do is zone up on his drive, and his constant traveling. Build a wall. He’s been rendered borderline useless the past several years.

That’s why Jordan and Kobe are just the perfect Apex predators.

They’re big guards, that can blow by the defenders, finish at the rim, but also had efficient post game and jump shots from mid range or even deep if necessary to create more unpredictability against the defense. They also didn’t need the ball in their hand constantly to have a presence on the court


they really don't make them like MJ and Kobe anymore. :bowdown:

[MrFonzworth]

Oh dear god. No please.

Why not? They won't win anything.

[AussieSteve]

Khris Middleton as your number 2 and Bledsoe as your point guard isn't getting it done I don't care who you are

Give Giannis a Lillard or Kyrie and he'd 3 peat, guy is a competitor

Giannis' cast gets underated imo

Middleton is a genuine all star, averaging 20+ with great shooting numbers as a 2nd option. Bledsoe had back to back 20+ ppg seasons before coming to the Bucks 2 years ago. Lopez is a former AS with a bunch of 20ppg seasons to his name. This team can score outside of Giannis. They're also are deep.

[Kblaze8855]

Oh dear god. No please.

Im waiting for the to lose and him to tell the bucks he won’t sign back and the warriors to send Wiggins(salary match) and their #1 their year and Minnesota’s next year for him. A top 3-4 pick and likely top 10-12 pick and Wiggins on a short deal is more than many get for a guy who is about to walk. Even an elite player. We will hear the rumors soon.

[Roundball_Rock]

He is averaging 30/19/6 in 33 MPG after two games...

[Gudo]

Much of their play is giannis driving to the hoop and dishing out to teammates. I dont see a lot of teamplay.

[Vragrant]

It’s simple. Giannis needs to refine his offensive game. If he could refine 1-2 go to moves like a jumphook or a post fade-away sky is the limit. He can’t keep barreling to the basket because that’d not going to get it done. Also it will open up shooters on the perimeter once the defense collapses

[Euroleague]

Everyone has seen what Giannis looks like in FIBA play without the rules and refs helping him. He's a tremendous athlete and he plays extremely hard, so at 6-11 that of course is a great start for a player, but he has almost no basketball skills whatsoever.

He travels and palms the ball every single time he touches it, he can't shoot, and he can't score in general unless it's a layup or a dunk. Considering he's 25, and is in his 7th NBA season, it seems doubtful he's going to actually try to develop any skills at any point. It's unfortunate, because his supreme physical gifts won't last much longer probably, and could go away at any time with a bad injury.

[Shooter]

Exactly, Shaq didn't win a title/make the Finals without an elite wing player to draw the defense off him. Giannis would dominate as well if you put him 1 on 1 against anyone inside, replace Middleton with Lillard/Curry/CP3 and no one's beating that team.

Who was Shaq's elite wing in 2000?

[Roundball_Rock]

It is a dumb talking point--Shaq had star wings on his teams nearly his entire career. :lol at acting like he had all these shots to make the finals without a star wing and didn't. There was a brief window early in LA before Kobe became a star but the last time I checked the Lakers were in the WCF with Kobe on the bench but Kobe, all-stars Jones and Van Exel and basically the entire team outside of Shaq didn't show up for the series. Shaq did his job. He didn't need superstar production. He just needed them to show up and produce close to their RS levels in the series--they didn't.

[Euroleague]

It is a dumb talking point--Shaq had star wings on his teams nearly his entire career. :lol at acting like he had all these shots to make the finals without a star wing and didn't. There was a brief window early in LA before Kobe became a star but the last time I checked the Lakers were in the WCF with Kobe on the bench but Kobe, all-stars Jones and Van Exel and basically the entire team outside of Shaq didn't show up for the series. Shaq did his job. He didn't need superstar production. He just needed them to show up and produce close to their RS levels in the series--they didn't.


Years Shaq made the NBA Finals:

1996 - Had Penny Hardaway before the injuries
2000 - Kobe
2001 - Kobe
2002 - Kobe
2004 - Kobe
2006 - peak D. Wade

[Roundball_Rock]

Years Shaq didn't have Penny, Kobe, or Wade on his team in his prime: 1993, his rookie year. :lol Even after his prime he played with Nash, LeBron, Pierce & Allen.

[Roundball_Rock]

35/11/7 on 14 shots in only 30 minutes in Game 3. 31/16/6 line for the series. Not bad for a player who supposedly is easy to shut down. :oldlol:

[NBAGOAT]

35/11/7 on 14 shots in only 30 minutes in Game 3. 31/16/6 line for the series. Not bad for a player who supposedly is easy to shut down. :oldlol:

Re the earlier Shaq discussion, Ewing made the finals with Starks as the Knicks' second option/best wing and Hakeem did it with Maxwell as the Rockets' best wing. Making the finals is tough, even though LeBron has made it look easy. If you give Shaq a full decade he makes the finals regardless, if lesser centers did it. He just wouldn't have the same number of trips and rings if he is playing with Starks or Sean Elliott or Terry Porter but those are the type of second option wings on most 90's contenders (contrary to mythology). Even in the first half of the 00's you had teams making it with Aaron McKie, Jalen Rose, Hamilton, Stephen Jackson, etc. as their second best wings. Not every team had Kobe or Penny in the finals.

The formula is the bucks can’t make a jumpshot. Giannis played poorly vs tor last year but that’s really what turned last year vs the raps since kawhi was a bit hobbled too.

Bucks started bricking not just Bledsoe and vanvleet played like an all star. Haven’t seen many good players be completely useless like mirotic was

[STATUTORY]

like i said, clear game plan

a guy with so many flaws in his game can never be considered the best in the league regardless of what stats he compile.