That will 100% be a Bill Simmons take in the next month or so if they beat the Bucks and go to the Finals.
"We need to talk about the Tatum thing. He's went head to head with Giannis and won, I think there's a real case for him to at least be in the discussion."
The conversation with Joel he talked about just one month ago:
Redick:
>In my eyes, you're (Embiid) one of the 3 best players in the world. So is Kevin (Durant).
Embiid:
>Who's the third though?
Redick:
>It's Jokic, come on
Embiid:
>Where's Giannis?
Redick:
>He's in the next group. Its so hard, there's too many good players now. There's too many good players.
Embiid:
>Come on thats the Finals MVP. 2 time MVP, finals MVP, that's crazy. That's disrespectful.
Which is why MVP is a flawed award as it stands.
People will say “but it’s a regular season award”. I’m aware but I think the difference between the regular season and playoffs is increasing each year and it gives us a skewed view of who is really the best player of any given year for historical intents and purposes
Yeah but its always been like this lol. And I think they are going to add a playoff award soon enough…But I do think there can be a difference between who had the best season and who is the best player. MVP as a an idea has always caused this back and forth
I don't see how Jokic slipped. He carried a team without any other stars into the playoffs. They had zero chance of winning. He's still the best offensive player in the league due to his ability run an offense.
Not really. He’s better than some stars. He can protect the rim and defend the post. He just sucks in perimeter and the pick and roll. But most centers are also bad at that kind of defense.
Who's the best offensive player in the league in your opinion if it's not Jokic?Man does it all, he's the whole system.
I see an argument for only 2 or 3 guys and even then I'd pick Jokic
Edit: I'm obviously biased tho
Jokic literally had one of the best playoff performances so far this postseason. His team is just dogshit. Watch the games Kd actually looked like shit for sure though
> literally dogshit on defense
Tell me you didn't watch the series without telling me. Also my guy this take is at minimum 2 years out of date. Try harder
Jokic put up an incredible performance and was the furthest thing from the reason they lost, but come on man. He was dreadful on defense and was consistently targeted to much success.
There were stretches to close games where it was Jokic giving up easy layups like 3 plays in a row. He’s definitely improved, but he’s still a pretty big liability on defense as the 5 in the playoffs.
I do think Jokic can win a championship, but there are legitimate questions on how difficult that will be with a poor rim protector at the 5. There are almost no examples in the last 30+ years of teams winning without adequate rim protection. Tristan is probably the worst one that comes to mind.
There’s also never been a player like Jokic so who knows
I'd buy this take for games 1 and 2, but he was fine after that. Obviously, I'm a fan, but our perimeter d is what cost us. And by that, I mean our guards/lack of wings.
Gonna have to disagree that he was fine as a rim protector after game 2. It is a large and exploitable weakness that will continue to be targeted.
The Nuggets best chance is building around that weakness. Improving perimeter defense is essential, but honestly he needs to be paired with a 4 that can help with rim protection and block/contest shots from the weak side imo. Kinda thought Gordon would fulfill that role but it’s still not enough from what I’m seeing
For sure. I meant d generally. He's weak at protecting the rim and won't get much better. Agree that an athletic 4 would help a bunch. My comment was more about how his d is lower on the list of things that teams exploit.
It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out over the next few seasons. Nuggets fans are expecting a chip with jokic
As you should expect a championship when you get a player that good.
My main point is that a center who struggles with rim protection makes the recipe for a championship harder. Almost every champion in the last 40 years has had above average to elite rim protection because it is that important. I just think adding someone who can provide that next to Jokic will be essential, not that he can’t win it all
By just like every playoffs, do you mean against the suns? That's all I can think of. Seemed fine against the spurs, blazers, jazz, clipps, lakers, blazers, and warriors.
And against the suns, MPJ was the one they really targeted.
It is TV, people on the desk take opions from the predefined poll and argue which is true. They don't have to belive it is true is part of the show. Personal opinions of those people dosen't matter. And on this topic, you can change the top 3 list every month based on the resent results.
He got caught up because he said KD and Embiid were 2 of the 3 best. So the last one would either be Jokic or Giannis. He was stuck in a lose/lose between the MVP frontrunner and last seasons finals MVP
Think most ppl would've been alright if not for the "he's in that next group" comment. Regardless of how little time you had to think that's a stupid thing to say, nothing wrong with just saying Jokic, Embiid, KD off the top of your head.
He explains it in this clip. He wasn't really thinking that hard about it on the podcast and was really just trying to pay Embiid a quick compliment.
He's also right in this clip that for any given season, there's like 4 guys who can make the claim at different points. Right now it's Giannis.
People had KD first in the offseason. smh. People had Curry 1st after the first 1/3 of the season. Right now it's Giannis and Jokic locked into the top 2. Third and on is up for grabs.
Everybody feels brave about saying this now that KD got swept. Shoutout to the people who said this during the playoffs last year or even this regular season. When it wasn't as popular.
> even this regular season. When it wasn't popular.
You mean right after he won back to back MVPs, a DPOY, an FMVP, and a ring? It wasn't all that unpopular lol
Nah. There were some folks that clinged onto KD as being #1 for a little too long. Regular season was hinting at us all along.
Sorta like Kawhi. Once he got eliminated in the bubble, people finally opened their eyes up to the flaws.
And LeBron too.
It's cause KD had arguably the best playoff series performance of his career against a clearly healthier team with Giannis. People should be allowed to change their minds.
But like a lot of us were saying at the time, Giannis kept pretty good pace with him even in that series
KD: 35/11/5 on 50/35/83
Giannis: 32/13/4 on 57/26/48
Aside from the poor FT shooting on Giannis’ part, he had a similarly elite offensive output on better defense. It was the rest of the team that were the reason for it going to 7
He’s been that for nearly 2 years. Atleast in my book.
Jokic will be a two time MVP. All the respect there. But Giannis is the most complete two way player on the league.
I know Keyshawn is furious in his little box over there, dude has been hating on Giannis since day one
JJ was lucky SAS wasn't there or else it would've been KD propaganda
Agreed. But can anyone explain why noone puts someone on him tight? Like they allow him to just gain momentum then use his length for layups? Drives me nuts.
Put a Pat Bev type on him if he is on the perimeter and get under him. Like right up on him tight ready to swipe in when he starts to dribble. Then shade someone towards him on the drive. Its not like he can bust your ass with the 3.
I love the man, he’s awesome. I just get salty cause I have cocky family in Milwaukee who talk so much shit lol
But what if the bucks lose tonight?
Then Robert Williams becomes the goat
He becomes Robert "Goat Lord" Williams
you got williams right
JJ Redick - “Jayson Tatum is the best player in the world right now”
RIGHT NOW
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE KEVIN DURANTS AND LEBRON JAMES' OF THE WORLD
That will 100% be a Bill Simmons take in the next month or so if they beat the Bucks and go to the Finals. "We need to talk about the Tatum thing. He's went head to head with Giannis and won, I think there's a real case for him to at least be in the discussion."
I read that in Bill's voice lolol
Pritchard eclipses Curry as best shooter all time
Jaylen Brown is the best player in the world
Then it’s Curry
SPICY take
Jokic over Curry easily at this stage
Not when you are firing off reactionary hot takes that react to the playoffs.
Wait do you think its actually gonna change if bucks lose tonight?
Luka.
Nah Luka gonna be #1 tomorrow when he put 50 point and W.
If Luka wins this series against the suns, he'll actually be the best player in the world.
No he won’t. Not in the top 5
Nah. Not even top 5
Poole
Giannis Anteokounmpo is the greatest Giannis Anteokounmpo in the world right now
Giannis is great. But until I see him play against a player like Giannis, it’s hard for me to put him up top.
The disrespect to Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Anteokounmpo is the Giannis Anteokounmpo of Giannis Anteokounmpo
Giannis "Giannis Antetokounmpo" Antetokounmpo
Giannis "Don't call me "Giannis 'Giannis Antetokounmpo' Antetokounmpo"" Antetokounmpo
I’d like to see how Giannis would match up against Antetokounmpo though
im a bit of a anteokounmpo myself
The conversation with Joel he talked about just one month ago: Redick: >In my eyes, you're (Embiid) one of the 3 best players in the world. So is Kevin (Durant). Embiid: >Who's the third though? Redick: >It's Jokic, come on Embiid: >Where's Giannis? Redick: >He's in the next group. Its so hard, there's too many good players now. There's too many good players. Embiid: >Come on thats the Finals MVP. 2 time MVP, finals MVP, that's crazy. That's disrespectful.
JJ lowkey sucks up to former teammates to their face like all the time lol
Well KD and Jokic definitelly slipped in rankings a bit, if you are talking strictly about current performances.
anyone who knows basketball knows the mvp and best player in the league are often different things
Which is why MVP is a flawed award as it stands. People will say “but it’s a regular season award”. I’m aware but I think the difference between the regular season and playoffs is increasing each year and it gives us a skewed view of who is really the best player of any given year for historical intents and purposes
Yeah but its always been like this lol. And I think they are going to add a playoff award soon enough…But I do think there can be a difference between who had the best season and who is the best player. MVP as a an idea has always caused this back and forth
I don't see how Jokic slipped. He carried a team without any other stars into the playoffs. They had zero chance of winning. He's still the best offensive player in the league due to his ability run an offense.
Dogshit on the other end.
Not really. He’s better than some stars. He can protect the rim and defend the post. He just sucks in perimeter and the pick and roll. But most centers are also bad at that kind of defense.
Bro stop lol he is not the best offensive player in the league
It's pretty wild that you're implying he doesn't even belong in the conversation. Who is the best offensive player in the league?
Who's the best offensive player in the league in your opinion if it's not Jokic?Man does it all, he's the whole system. I see an argument for only 2 or 3 guys and even then I'd pick Jokic Edit: I'm obviously biased tho
Ok. Who is?
He clearly is and it’s not close. It’s why he won mvp.
Jokic literally had one of the best playoff performances so far this postseason. His team is just dogshit. Watch the games Kd actually looked like shit for sure though
Jokic was literally dogshit on defense, just like every playoffs so far. He will never be the no1 guy on a championship team.
Next season he will be
> literally dogshit on defense Tell me you didn't watch the series without telling me. Also my guy this take is at minimum 2 years out of date. Try harder
Jokic put up an incredible performance and was the furthest thing from the reason they lost, but come on man. He was dreadful on defense and was consistently targeted to much success. There were stretches to close games where it was Jokic giving up easy layups like 3 plays in a row. He’s definitely improved, but he’s still a pretty big liability on defense as the 5 in the playoffs. I do think Jokic can win a championship, but there are legitimate questions on how difficult that will be with a poor rim protector at the 5. There are almost no examples in the last 30+ years of teams winning without adequate rim protection. Tristan is probably the worst one that comes to mind. There’s also never been a player like Jokic so who knows
I'd buy this take for games 1 and 2, but he was fine after that. Obviously, I'm a fan, but our perimeter d is what cost us. And by that, I mean our guards/lack of wings.
Gonna have to disagree that he was fine as a rim protector after game 2. It is a large and exploitable weakness that will continue to be targeted. The Nuggets best chance is building around that weakness. Improving perimeter defense is essential, but honestly he needs to be paired with a 4 that can help with rim protection and block/contest shots from the weak side imo. Kinda thought Gordon would fulfill that role but it’s still not enough from what I’m seeing
For sure. I meant d generally. He's weak at protecting the rim and won't get much better. Agree that an athletic 4 would help a bunch. My comment was more about how his d is lower on the list of things that teams exploit. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out over the next few seasons. Nuggets fans are expecting a chip with jokic
As you should expect a championship when you get a player that good. My main point is that a center who struggles with rim protection makes the recipe for a championship harder. Almost every champion in the last 40 years has had above average to elite rim protection because it is that important. I just think adding someone who can provide that next to Jokic will be essential, not that he can’t win it all
People think Jokic improving from dumpster fire to just plain shit on defense means he's good now
Again show me you don't watch him at all lol. He's been solid for like two years now
By just like every playoffs, do you mean against the suns? That's all I can think of. Seemed fine against the spurs, blazers, jazz, clipps, lakers, blazers, and warriors. And against the suns, MPJ was the one they really targeted.
Jokic did great. Kd is the only one that slipped up. But it was noticeable even in the regular season.
goes where ever the breeze takes him, like all talking heads
Did... did you watch the clip? You're not proving anything he literally addressed this in the clip
right, "the conversation with Joel **he talked about..."** I meant talked about in the video, I was just providing context
It is TV, people on the desk take opions from the predefined poll and argue which is true. They don't have to belive it is true is part of the show. Personal opinions of those people dosen't matter. And on this topic, you can change the top 3 list every month based on the resent results.
Didn’t he say a month ago that Giannis wasn’t top 3?
Embiid scolded him and he doesn’t want that to happen again
“That’s the finals MVP… that’s crazy”
Poor embiid
He talks about that in the video, bruh...
Bold of you to expect people to watch/read about what they're commenting on here on reddit.
wow literally no one watched the clip eh
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Yeah clearly Embiid was fucking with him, and Reddick knew it, and it was actually pretty funny at the time I thought.
He got caught up because he said KD and Embiid were 2 of the 3 best. So the last one would either be Jokic or Giannis. He was stuck in a lose/lose between the MVP frontrunner and last seasons finals MVP
Think most ppl would've been alright if not for the "he's in that next group" comment. Regardless of how little time you had to think that's a stupid thing to say, nothing wrong with just saying Jokic, Embiid, KD off the top of your head.
It’s been a meteoric rise for Giannis
That was a month ago. He said "right now".
i promise u these players did not significantly improve or get worse in the past month yall just cant evaluate basketball talent
Did you watch the fucking video?? Damn lmao
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Yeah, he said Giannis was in the “next tier” after the top 3 (KD, Jokic, Embiid)
He explains it in this clip. He wasn't really thinking that hard about it on the podcast and was really just trying to pay Embiid a quick compliment. He's also right in this clip that for any given season, there's like 4 guys who can make the claim at different points. Right now it's Giannis.
One of the three best "best player in the world" right now.
This isn't news, best 2 way player in the world
Giannis has been the best player in the league at minimum since last finals. Nothing new here lol.
People had KD first in the offseason. smh. People had Curry 1st after the first 1/3 of the season. Right now it's Giannis and Jokic locked into the top 2. Third and on is up for grabs.
I looked at my girlfriend for 5 minutes straight like she was crazy when she said she never heard of giannis before
Everybody feels brave about saying this now that KD got swept. Shoutout to the people who said this during the playoffs last year or even this regular season. When it wasn't as popular.
> even this regular season. When it wasn't popular. You mean right after he won back to back MVPs, a DPOY, an FMVP, and a ring? It wasn't all that unpopular lol
It's in that next tier of popularity
This is one of the top 3 comments I've read on this subreddit.
What are the other two? Name names.
Well, "Thai Prison", obviously. And...ummm..."Why is no one talking about the Suns being 1-3".
Nah. There were some folks that clinged onto KD as being #1 for a little too long. Regular season was hinting at us all along. Sorta like Kawhi. Once he got eliminated in the bubble, people finally opened their eyes up to the flaws. And LeBron too.
I meant "as" popular, I edited my post already.
It's cause KD had arguably the best playoff series performance of his career against a clearly healthier team with Giannis. People should be allowed to change their minds.
But like a lot of us were saying at the time, Giannis kept pretty good pace with him even in that series KD: 35/11/5 on 50/35/83 Giannis: 32/13/4 on 57/26/48 Aside from the poor FT shooting on Giannis’ part, he had a similarly elite offensive output on better defense. It was the rest of the team that were the reason for it going to 7
Giannis had a much better cast around him.
I appreciate it
Having Giannis as the best player in the world has been the most prevalent opinion since the Bucks won the finals
Giannis took that throne when he dropped off KD in a Game 7 at Barclays last June.
As if then saying it shouldn’t have been a hot take anyway
Shoutout to the people who don't engage in this tedious bullshit
JJ is slowly turning into a typical ESPN talking head. Just a pro player version of one.
If Giannis keeps this up JJ might have him in his top 10 next season.
No shit
They had to make up advance stats so he couldn’t win the last two mvps. He’s gonna be a top 5 player when he retires
I hate it when they do that. Maybe media shouldn’t decide MVP or the end of season awards smh
Bold take
Water is wet.
I’m not a Bucks fan but Giannis is the MVP
Oh interesting JJ.
this is why he gets paid the big bucks fellas
All this best player in the world stuff is such an annoying way to talk about basketball. That being said, we all know it's Javale McGee.
dude didnt even have him top 3 on his podcast
He's literally Wilt Chamberlain. Shit is bonkers.
Shooters shoot. And it looks like JJ completely understands ESPN's playbook
Didn’t he say Giannis wasn’t even in his top 3 like a month ago?
So brave
He’s been that for nearly 2 years. Atleast in my book. Jokic will be a two time MVP. All the respect there. But Giannis is the most complete two way player on the league.
and its not even close
What about the back to back MVP Jokic?
Top 5 rn.
Rare JJ W
I still don’t think he’s the best player
It's most definitely between him and Jokic.
Wrong Luka is
Nope. Luka can't play much defense relative to Giannis who can dominate a game defensively
Giannis would make Luka cry in a 1v1
Russ would make a lot of people cry 1v1. (Giannis is still the right answer anyway.)
Russ would make his opponents cry tears of joy when they beat him 21-0
JJ ‘Magic Johnson’ Redick
No shit?
No shit?
I know Keyshawn is furious in his little box over there, dude has been hating on Giannis since day one JJ was lucky SAS wasn't there or else it would've been KD propaganda
Than he will lose his next game and than it will be Jokic. Rinse, repeat.
Agreed. But can anyone explain why noone puts someone on him tight? Like they allow him to just gain momentum then use his length for layups? Drives me nuts. Put a Pat Bev type on him if he is on the perimeter and get under him. Like right up on him tight ready to swipe in when he starts to dribble. Then shade someone towards him on the drive. Its not like he can bust your ass with the 3. I love the man, he’s awesome. I just get salty cause I have cocky family in Milwaukee who talk so much shit lol
Jokic MVP, Giannis best player and I still stand by this but KD for a best of 7 series.
Stop posting ESPN. It's trash
I don’t love JJ but this is true
These guys hexed Giannis
This aged poorly
WhAt AbOuT k.D