Without a doubt, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the game right now.
At just 27 years old, he’s already a two-time league MVP, one-time NBA champion and six-time All-NBA selection. Those are just a few of his many accolades.
Despite that fact, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas recently had some interesting things to say about the superstar.
"Give him Tim Duncan's knowledge, a whole different player isn't he?"
Longtime NBA guard Gilbert Arenas joined @RickKamlaSports & @adaniels33 to clarify his comments about Giannis.#FearTheDear pic.twitter.com/G6it9PsDoG
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 31, 2022
“Right now, his game is all physical,” Arenas said.
He explained.
“I’m saying if you guys had him No. 1 or No. 2, and he does not understand this game yet, that’s scary,” Arenas said. “… Give him Tim Duncan’s knowledge, whole different player, isn’t he?”
Arenas’ words come on the heels of major backlash that he received on social media after he criticized Antetokounmpo.
The Giannis disrespect is WILD.
And he'll just keep making them look like idiots. pic.twitter.com/JJEBGRGejP
— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) August 26, 2022
“He won a championship, cool,” he said. “He doesn’t really understand how to be great.”
Bucks fans took issue with those comments from Arenas.
However, the former player’s follow-up comments make it clear that he was not trying to disrespect Antetokounmpo. After all, there is no doubt that up to this point in his career, Antetokounmpo has primarily depended on his raw physical gifts to dominate opposing players.
The truth is that the 27-year-old is simply bigger, faster and stronger than most other players. The things he can accomplish with his body are unique, and they’re a big reason why he’s considered one of the best in the game right now.
It seems like Arenas’ point is that if Antetokounmpo were to pair that elite ability with elite basketball IQ, he’d be nearly impossible to stop. Perhaps he worded it poorly initially, and that got a rise out of people.
It is also possible that Bucks fans are simply a passionate bunch and would defend their star from anything that they saw as disrespectful.
It’ll be interesting to see if Arenas has to keep answering for his initial statement, or if his recent clarification will put the drama to bed.
