by Zac Ackeron December 10, 2017
Intro to the Greak Freak
A unicorn is mythical animal that scientists have agreed doesn’t exist. A being so perfect, that in its environment, it stands out as the best. I am here to tell you that unicorns do exist and they’re infiltrating the NBA. Players that are revolutionizing the game of basketball and taking the game to a new level before reaching their primes are taking over the NBA. I am too eager and extremely excited about these players and how their careers will unfold. Giannis Antetokounmpo is first up on my list to examine.
THE GREEK FREAK. This kid can BALL OUT. I mean he’s 23 years old and barely a grown adult. Kevin Durant thinks Giannis has the potential to be the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). I don’t know about bringing MJ and LeBron into the conversation, but we have to talk about Giannis’s expanding repertoire of skills. Every bit of seven feet tall, he plays with the finesse of a shooting guard and can span the entire court in a matter of three steps!
Needs to Improve His Shot
The 3 point shot is a work in progress, but hell, LeBron learned how to shoot too. Shooting is teachable, with practice and repetition. That’s what we are seeing in this generation of ‘unicorn’ NBA players. Anthony Davis lead the charge with his honed in three point shooting when he embarked into the league from Kentucky. DeMarcus Cousins is shooting the three now and so are the likes of Joel Embiid and Kristaps Porzingis. I am fairly certain if Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal were playing in the League today, they’d be perfecting their 30 footers night in and night out.
Where Will He Rank All-Time?
Alright, I lied about Shaq. That man didn’t need the three ball in his repertoire to wreak havoc on the league. Neither does the The Greek Freak quite frankly. I am saying that Giannis Antetokounmpo can be an MVP candidate, a future HOFer without ever developing the three point shot to perfection. He will never shoot like Steph or Klay, but if he starts putting up a three point percentage around .370-.400, KD will be correct in saying Giannis Antetokounmpo could be the greatest NBA player of all time.
To steal a phrase from the MLB, we can say Giannis is like a 5 tool player. He has an above average Basketball IQ, he can create his own shot, he can most certainly defend the basketball at any position on the floor, pass to his teammates with poise and dexterity, and rebound like he has played the center position his entire life. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a unicorn in the NBA. He has the most potential out of anyone in the league, and a ceiling that is unfathomable.
Oh and he has a new deal with Nike. Check out his announcement video below: