Giannis has the potential to be a top 5 player of all-time.

[QUOTE=BigShotBob;14032604]Get rid of defensive 3 seconds and he might disappear into the ether.[/QUOTE]

that's such a bullshit rule anyway... what's the logic behind it?

[QUOTE=Sulico;14032620]Sure he has, but he didn't even start his journey. There is no chance anybody with less than 3 rings gets in top 5 and Giannis have 0 right now.[/QUOTE]
So kawhi's not part of that equation.

[QUOTE]Saying he has top 5 potential is pretty vacuous because a number of players had/have that kind of potential. [/QUOTE]

I think it comes up because he has the best shot of being this generation's GOAT candidate. Every era has had at least one, if not two. Russell for the 50's, Russell/Wilt for the 50's/60's, Kareem for the 70's/80's, Bird & Magic for the 80's, Jordan for the 90's/80's, LeBron for the 00's and 10's. So who will it be for the 20's? Giannis seems the best bet with Luka, Zion other contenders. Giannis is already on his way to do it; those guys are not (for obvious reasons). Some may argue for Davis or Embiid but I doubt it.

[QUOTE=Roundball_Rock;14032673]I think it comes up because he has the best shot of being this generation's GOAT candidate. Every era has had at least one, if not two. Russell for the 50's, Russell/Wilt for the 50's/60's, Kareem for the 70's/80's, Bird & Magic for the 80's, Jordan for the 90's/80's, LeBron for the 00's and 10's. So who will it be for the 20's? Giannis seems the best bet with Luka, Zion other contenders. Giannis is already on his way to do it; those guys are not (for obvious reasons). [B]Some may argue for Davis or Embiid but I doubt it.[/B][/QUOTE]

As do I. AD has that level of talent but he seems best suited as a strong 1a or #2. If you swapped out Giannis with him on the Bucks I don't think they're nearly as good, because based on available evidence I don't think he's that level of floor-raiser. Embid is incredibly talented but seems lazy and I have to wonder if he's close to capped out. Plus health looks to be an ever-present concern.

Yeah and AD has already played 8 seasons. It is hard to see him making a run for top 5 AT out the blue. I think he has a shot to finish in the top 30, though.

Embiid's potential is almost irrelevant for the reasons you mentioned. You can't be top 5 AT if you only play 50 games a year. He eventually will have some healthy seasons and maybe he can have a monster run in one or two of those years like Hakeem or Dirk did, but to be really high all-time you need to have been great for a long time. He has been in the NBA for 6 seasons already and has only 202 games played.

Embid just doesn't seem to have the drive to take that leap. On talent alone he can drop 25/12. That's not his issue. I question the commitment to year over year improvement at a time in his career ( as far as age) where he should still be ascending. If he puts in even an average amount of effort he's a top ten guy for the next several years, but there's clearly potential for more.

We'll see....but if I were a betting man that's not where I'd put my money.

Isn't that essentially what Jimmy Buckets said about him after playing with him?

[QUOTE=Roundball_Rock;14032728]Isn't that essentially what Jimmy Buckets said about him after playing with him?[/QUOTE]

Not sure, but it just seems very clear observing him from a distance.

I disagree with this. Don't see his peak even being better than KG's. Of course that is different than greatness but the latter requires championships. I believe that as long as Kawhi is healthy, while load managing, and the Clippers continue putting assets around him, they will be Milwaukee's kryptonite. I wouldn't be so quick to ignore Philadelphia either with Embiid and Simmons.

Milwaukee's success also relies on how well coach bud would manage this team in the postseason, not just giannis being a tough freight train for them.

I don't think so.

He is like a David Robinson. Franchise player in contention for the MVP and can win a ring with the right teammates and coach. Top 20-30 sounds very reasonable. Top 5... I don't see that potential.

[QUOTE=tpols;14032633]that's such a bullshit rule anyway... what's the logic behind it?[/QUOTE]

Open the lane up to let players get easy looks at the basket. We all saw him get exposed in international play, and by the Raptors.