ESPN analyst Max Kellerman in a 2019 throwback episode of First Take, calls Giannis Antetokounmpo a better player than Kevin Durant.
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Max Kellerman has often been the end of the wrath of the basketball world. Due to his controversial statements and analytics. A case in point being calling the Greek Freak a better player than Durant.
Kellerman added by saying that he does not consider Durant as a top 5 NBA player as well. This clearly sent Stephen A. Smith, who was at the other end of the panel in a state of disbelief.
Kellerman had the likes of Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard ahead of the 4x scoring champion Durant.
Clash of the former league MVP’s Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo
There is no denying that both KD and Giannis are some of the best players in the world. Their resume speaks for itself.
Durant is a 2x NBA champion and Finals MVP, who is also one of the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen. KD is one of the most efficient players there is in the NBA today. A wingspan of 7’5″, KD has one of the best mid-range games in the league.
Giannis on the other hand is a former back-to-back league MVP and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. The Greek Freak’s ability to dominate in the paint is something that the league hasn’t witnessed since Shaquille O’ Neal.
Thus while comparing the two superstars, Kellerman even went on to say that Giannis “reminded him of a young Jordan” and, if the Greek Freak developed a 3-point shot, he could be the G.O.A.T.
Kellerman’s explanation for having Giannis over Durant was, the Greek Freak was more efficient than Durant during the regular season and was not part of a super-team like the Golden State Warriors.
In a recent episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith exposed Max Kellerman by playing a throwback video of him picking Giannis over Durant by the end of which Kellerman accepted he was wrong.
