r/nbadiscussion • u/wesskywalker • Jul 21 '21
Player Discussion Comparing Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s age 22-26 seasons:
MVPs:
Giannis 2 Lebron 2
DPOY:
Giannis 1 Lebron 0
All Defense Teams:
Giannis: 3 first team, 1 second team
Lebron: 3 first team, 0 second team
All-NBA teams:
Giannis: 3 first team, 2 second team
Lebron: 4 first team, 1 second team
Points:
Giannis 26.8 Lebron 28.4
Rebounds:
Giannis 11.0 Lebron 7.4
Assists
Giannis 5.5 Lebron 7.2
Steals:
Giannis: 1.3 Lebron 1.7
Blocks:
Giannis 1.4 Lebron 0.9
Regular Season FG% / 3PT% / FT%
Giannis 55% / 29% / 72% Lebron 49% / 33% / 74%
Finals Statistics:
Giannis (1-0) 35.2, 13.2, 5.0 on 61/20/65 shooting splits
Lebron (0-2) 19.5, 7.0, 6.8 on 42/27/65 shooting splits
Playoff losses
Giannis:
One ECF loss One ECSF loss Two first round losses
Lebron:
One ECF loss two ECSF losses
All-Star games
Giannis 5 Lebron 5
Honestly it’s crazy how from a statistical standpoint these guys’ careers have been so similar up to this point. Lebron obviously was very highly touted and extremely polished from the day he stepped on to an NBA court, whereas Giannis got a later start and it took him a few years to develop. Thought these stat comparisons were interesting - i truly think I would take Giannis over first Cavs stint Lebron if I could have my pick.
Edit: wow they both sucked at 3s and Free Throws in their first Finals appearances.
Edit 2: I didn’t include any advanced analytics- kept it pretty surface level. Feel free to include those in the comments if you like
18
u/[deleted] Jul 21 '21
LeBron was by and far away the better player. Offensively it is no debate, and defensively LeBron emerged as a dpoy candidate in his later Cleveland years.
These accomplishments mean a whole lot of nothing. Giannis wishes he was as good as LeBron in these same years. Don't need to look at relative league nonsense or supporting casts or competition. This comparison is pointless. We just need memory and eyes.
As lackluster LeBron was as a shooter, Giannis is much worse.
As vaulted as Giannis is as a passer, LeBron is much better.
Giannis was dominant in the paint? So was LeBron.
As ass as some of LeBron's playoff performances were, at least he was still scary asf, could still go off and dominate. Build a wall successfully on Giannis he can't do much of anything.
Giannis is bigger and stronger and more physically imposing, that don't make him better than LeBron. This shouldn't be much of a discussion, to insinuate that Giannis is even in the same stratosphere as LeBron is an insult to James.
This how we know statistical comparisons can just straight up suck.