VIDEO: Doug Gottlieb Claiming Ben Simmons Would Put Up Giannis-Like Numbers for the Bucks is Trash
By Michael Luciano
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most unique player in the entire NBA, as there aren't many 6-11 ball handlers with his explosion, finishing, and athleticism. The fact that the lynchpin of the 53-9 Mikwaukee Bucks is positioned to win his second consecutive MVP award doesn't seem to impress hot take artist Doug Gottlieb, who claims that Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons would be averaging the same numbers in Mike Budenholzer's system.
"Put Ben Simmons on the Bucks. I'm not sure he doesn't have the same sort of statistical dominance." @GottliebShow explains why LeBron should be MVP over Giannis: pic.twitter.com/CMYNMdVhRr
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 6, 2020
You know Giannis averaged 27 points, 10 boards and five assists with Jason Kidd, right?
A guy who can't (and won't!) shoot versus someone who will be the MVP two years in a row? According to Gottlieb, these two are exactly the same when it comes to pure offensive potential.
Giannis is bigger, faster, stronger, and longer than Simmons, who has never topped 17.0 points per game in a season, while Giannis has topped 23.0 in each of his last four seasons. Furthermore, Giannis has taken strides to improve his shooting, and he is now making 31 percent of his threes on five attempts per game. It's a viral sensation when Simmons even attempts a three, let alone makes it.
You can’t be serious
— Dotty Kraft (@dot55st) March 6, 2020
Simmons is a terrific player in his own right, but he isn't even close to the same galaxy as Giannis when it comes to their potential to be offensive juggernauts. Gottlieb is either trolling, which is entirely possible, or he hasn't watched a Bucks game all season long.