According to Oscar Robertson, Anthony Davis is the only player that can make things difficult for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the paint.
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The Milwaukee Bucks are 2021 NBA champions, which is the city’s first championship since 1971. Giannis Antetokounmpo had one of the best Finals performances in league history.
The 2x league MVP averaged 35.2 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, and 1.8 BPG on a 61.8% shooting from the field. The Greek Freak had three games with at least 40-points, including a 50-points performance in Game Six.
The Bucks, who were down 0-2 initially in the series, won the next 4 consecutive games. Giannis is the 7th player in NBA history to have 50 points in the Finals, joining the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Veteran point guard Oscar Robertson, who was on the roster when the Bucks won their first NBA championship, recently heaped praises of the Milwaukee superstar, calling him an unstoppable player.
The former MVP further added that the only person, who could shut him down, was Lakers big man Anthony Davis.
The matchup between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis
NBA legend Oscar Robertson recently congratulated Giannis on his championship and had some high words of praise for the former DPOY.
“I’m very happy that they didn’t get away from Giannis. When they got down two or three points, they kept going to him, and he delivered. He made some shots, some 12- or 13-foot shots that I haven’t seen him make before in a long time.” said Robertson
He further added,
“If he can do that, I don’t know who can stop him. The only person, I think has the size to give him a decent chance at guarding Giannis, is A.D. from the Lakers. No one else. I don’t see any other player on defense that’s gonna be able to handle Giannis.”
Davis is one of the most skilled big men in the league. The 2020 NBA champion had one of his worst seasons this year, with injuries throbbing him regularly.
However, there is no doubt when healthy AD is a top 10 player in the league. The 8x All-Stars performance in the 2020 Orlando Bubble was nothing short of spectacular.
AD averaged 26.2 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG, and 1.4 BPG on a 53.8% shooting from the field and 83.8% shooting from the free-throw line. The former NCAA champion in only his first year with the Lakers was crowned the NBA champion.
Giannis’ ability to dominate in the paint is unlike what we’ve seen since Shaquille O’ Neal. The Greek Freak is a great rim protector and an elite defender.
Davis, on the other hand, is a proficient scorer. The former All-Star MVP can shoot the ball from a distance and is a career 79.9% free-throw shooter. Davis has lead the league 3x in blocks and a 2x NBA All-Defensive First Team.
