It would simply not be the NBA if we couldn’t debate the most negligible differences between great individual players. The bog-standard conversations of “legacy” and “who’s better?” are to the NBA as peanut butter is to jelly, and Hallmark films are to wholesome.
The latest debate, raised by ESPN’s resident professional take artist, Stephen A. Smith, concerns two of men’s basketball’s current brightest stars: The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant. All numbers via Tipico.
The 27-year-old Giannis happens to be the reigning Finals MVP of the reigning champion Bucks. He’s also a former two-time MVP, former Defensive Player of the Year, and five-time All-Star.
Ho-hum. Yawn. Is that it?
Despite his spry age, Giannis is undoubtedly already an all-time great and (arguably) the best male basketball player alive. And to this point in the 2021-2022 season, Giannis and Milwaukee are humming along at a comfortable fifth place in the NBA’s East (for January, anyway), poised to defend their belt at full strength against all willing contenders come springtime. Giannis and his squad genuinely have nothing to prove, save for getting another ring on their respective fingers.
Does this seem like a superstar concerned about his place in the league or where his team stands?
New year, same me 👌🏾🥳🎉 pic.twitter.com/8htayUxqHl
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) January 2, 2022
Meanwhile, Morant, who at this point in his career is still somehow only 22 years old (really?), seems like he might be on a similar career trajectory as his Milwaukee counterpart. After a few years of rough patches, the Grizzlies are third in the West and have won 17 of their last 21 games (including victories over the Jazz, Heat, Warriors, and Nets). They’re thriving largely thanks to over 24 points per game on over 48 percent shooting from Morant.
On their merits, in terms of talent, you might be able to argue Morant over Giannis in some alternate dimension.
But between us, there is one crucial difference: Giannis already has a case chockfull of trophies (see above) and incredible playoff performances (including an immaculate 50-burger to win the title).
Somehow, that isn’t enough to vault him over Morant (in the postseason, no less) for the always entertaining (if ever-perturbed) Mr. Smith:
.@stephenasmith thinks Ja Morant might be more valuable than Giannis in the postseason 👀
“I can’t sit up there and definitively say I’d rather have Giannis [than Ja] come playoff time!” pic.twitter.com/zwB69BadqD
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 19, 2022
Hmm, all excellent points, to be sure. But I can’t say I agree!
Morant might have been excellent in a short playoff run (over 30 points a game) with Memphis last year, and this year may be the first time he has a more complementary team, but Giannis’s catalog is, again, the stuff of legend.
In 64 career postseason games, Giannis averages almost 26 points (25.9), 11 rebounds, and five assists. That is a remarkable high level of consistency and, quite frankly, would stand up the test of time to just about any other great player. There are no doubts here that, if given the same sample size, Morant would perhaps replicate that performance. But he hasn’t yet. He, nor his Grizzlies, have even won a single playoff series (though, yes, it certainly seems inevitable). As such, Morant does not get the same benefit of the doubt in the playoffs over someone who could be considered a (or the) face of the NBA.
Bettors with Tipico seem to share a similar sentiment.
Whereas Giannis sits in a strong +320 position to win MVP (only behind the Warriors’ Stephen Curry at +150), Morant is, despite the early season success, only at +1300. To put a cherry on top, Milwaukee is also +700 to win the NBA title, while Memphis lags way behind (+2800), all the way at No. 10, and still has the fifth-best odds to win the West (+1200) behind the Lakers, Jazz, Warriors, and Suns.
We know the Bucks can “turn it on” come May and June, but can the Grizzlies?
It would appear that having been there and done that matters more to both bettors and anyone who wants to talk around the water cooler about the NBA. (Do people still do that in 2022? “Talk” around “water coolers,” that is?).
Stephen A.: We’ll have to agree to disagree about Giannis v. Morant.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
