Bill Simmons is in hot water again after commenting on the NBA and the best players in it. Speaking of the top talent in the league, Simmons had this to say about LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo:
“I think he’s one of the best 10 players. I wouldn’t say he’s in the top two. I think that would be crazy to think he’s still on the Giannis/Durant level. I don’t see it. Put it this way: Could he have done what Durant did on that Brooklyn team last year? I don’t think so. In that, when everybody got hurt, could he have carried them the way Durant did? I don’t think so. Could he have done what Giannis did in those last two-and-a-half rounds? I don’t think so.”
Those are some strong words coming from Simmons. Does he have a point or is this just another occasion of the Ringer and Grantland founder being a controversial contrarian?
To answer this question let's take a look at how last season treated LeBron, Durant, and Giannis. Obviously, one of these guys had a better season than the other two. Giannis won his first Finals and nabbed the Finals MVP award. But Durant and LeBron were no slouches either, even though their seasons both ended prematurely.
When it comes to the hard numbers and data, these three guys performed at about the same level.
It's true that LeBron produces numbers that are a little lower when it comes to points, minutes, and two-and-three-point percentages. But he is very close to both KD and Giannis. Considering few other current players are, it's a little disingenuous to say he isn't on the same level as Durant and Antetokounmpo.
Plus, Simmons's assessment of this race doesn't take into consideration that LeBron is older than both of these guys. He's 36, KD is 33, and Giannis is a baby at 26. That sort of age difference between Durant and James might not seem like a lot but it really adds up in the NBA.
Simmons asks if LeBron could have done what KD did last year with his ailing Brooklyn team. His answer seems to be no but this completely disregards the times early in James's career when he took the Cavs this close to the Finals. There were multiple times when LeBron's Herculean efforts to carry his team weren't enough - just like Durant.
One more thing about these numbers: when you look closely at them, you will see what sets LeBron apart from KD and Giannis and just about every other player in the NBA. There is one statistic where James surpasses both Durant and Antetokounmpo and that's assists. As LeBron gets older, he is putting more emphasis on facilitating plays and helping others succeed for the good of the team. That requires and showcases a sort of basketball IQ that few others can rival. He's one hell of a smart player and he's only gotten smarter over the years.
Bill Simmons is in hot water again after commenting on the NBA and the best players in it. Speaking of the top talent in the league, Simmons had this to say about LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo:
“I think he’s one of the best 10 players. I wouldn’t say he’s in the top two. I think that would be crazy to think he’s still on the Giannis/Durant level. I don’t see it. Put it this way: Could he have done what Durant did on that Brooklyn team last year? I don’t think so. In that, when everybody got hurt, could he have carried them the way Durant did? I don’t think so. Could he have done what Giannis did in those last two-and-a-half rounds? I don’t think so.”
Those are some strong words coming from Simmons. Does he have a point or is this just another occasion of the Ringer and Grantland founder being a controversial contrarian?
To answer this question let's take a look at how last season treated LeBron, Durant, and Giannis. Obviously, one of these guys had a better season than the other two. Giannis won his first Finals and nabbed the Finals MVP award. But Durant and LeBron were no slouches either, even though their seasons both ended prematurely.
When it comes to the hard numbers and data, these three guys performed at about the same level.
It's true that LeBron produces numbers that are a little lower when it comes to points, minutes, and two-and-three-point percentages. But he is very close to both KD and Giannis. Considering few other current players are, it's a little disingenuous to say he isn't on the same level as Durant and Antetokounmpo.
Plus, Simmons's assessment of this race doesn't take into consideration that LeBron is older than both of these guys. He's 36, KD is 33, and Giannis is a baby at 26. That sort of age difference between Durant and James might not seem like a lot but it really adds up in the NBA.
Simmons asks if LeBron could have done what KD did last year with his ailing Brooklyn team. His answer seems to be no but this completely disregards the times early in James's career when he took the Cavs this close to the Finals. There were multiple times when LeBron's Herculean efforts to carry his team weren't enough - just like Durant.
One more thing about these numbers: when you look closely at them, you will see what sets LeBron apart from KD and Giannis and just about every other player in the NBA. There is one statistic where James surpasses both Durant and Antetokounmpo and that's assists. As LeBron gets older, he is putting more emphasis on facilitating plays and helping others succeed for the good of the team. That requires and showcases a sort of basketball IQ that few others can rival. He's one hell of a smart player and he's only gotten smarter over the years.
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