Why is it difficult for fans to give great NBA Big Men their credit? The eye test, not having the ball in their hand all of the time, and a lack of appreciation for their role on the court are reasons that I have noticed. If the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA championship tonight, Giannis Antetokounmpo should win the Finals MVP, not Khris Middleton. As Shaq would say, “Stop it!”
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt is the best scorer of all time. I shouldn’t have to explain this one. He averaged 50 points in a season! When ESPN puts graphics up about significant scoring moments in NBA history, they actually leave Wilt off the graphic a lot of the time. I think it is because his numbers were so crazy, that whatever is being accomplished by a current player usually comes nowhere near Wilts numbers.
Kareem Abdul-Jabaar
Let’s be clear, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar is the greatest player of All-Time statistically/career wise. The most important stat in basketball is points, and he has more than anyone who has ever played in the NBA. It is okay to say Michael Jordan looked better playing the game, but it’s not even close from high school to the pros. Kareem is the man.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq was the second most dominant player during the 90s behind Michael Jordan. I don’t know many who would argue that. Shaq was also the most dominant Laker in the 2000s, and I know many people who argue that. Some may argue that he only played 5 years during the decade. Look at his accomplishments and tell me the player that accomplished more than he did without using Shaqs rings.
Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan was the best player in the 2000s when we look at accolades and rings. Let’s take away Shaqs contributions to the Lakers, and it’s not even a discussion. He won more rings than Kobe did without Shaq, he was the best player on his team from the time he arrived in 98, and they built around him. Even when Tony Parker won Finals MVP in 2007, Tim Duncan was the best player on the team. The same cant be said for Kobe when Shaq won three consecutive Finals MVP awards. Kobe may have looked better playing the game, but Duncan did more as his team leader during the 2000s.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
I see the bias play out with Giannis. He has won two MVPs and is rarely considered the best player in the NBA by fans. If he wins a ring this year, staying in Milwaukee instead of teaming up with other NBA all-stars. His ring will be the most important and most legitimate NBA championship in the last 10 years. He leads them on both ends of the floor and controls too many aspects of the game to be overlooked by a great closer in Middleton, who has had one poor performance during these finals.
Giannis should win the Finals MVP over Middleton without question, as he has been the most dominant player in the series. He has not had one bad game. Like Kobe, Middleton is currently playing with the most dominant player in the league. Fans ignore the attention Giannis receives on the court, and the lack of pressure that Middleton faces after losses compared to Giannis is why it’s ridiculous to act like the Bucks are in the position they are in more because of Middleton than Giannis.
The game has changed tremendously from the times when the giants were the emphasis of the offense and attention. While that may be true, we are witnessing an anomaly. Appreciate Giannis and his performance in these NBA Finals.
Thoughts Processed 