Kevin Durant, widely regarded as one of the most skilled forwards and scorers in NBA history, has expressed high hopes about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential to become the greatest player ever. Back in 2017, Durant shared his thoughts on Giannis during a YouTube Q&A, highlighting why the Milwaukee Bucks star could reach unprecedented heights in basketball.
Durant’s respectable career includes a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, two NBA Finals MVPs, two NBA championships, along with 11 All-NBA team selections, and 15 All-Star nods. Known as the Slim Reaper, Durant ranks eighth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with over 30,000 points, showcasing his remarkable scoring ability over nearly two decades.
Durant’s 2017 Assessment of ‘The Greek Freak’
When Durant called Giannis
“the best player to ever play if he really wanted to,”
it drew attention due to Durant’s reputation for insightful commentary on basketball talent. At just 22 years old and entering his fifth NBA season, Antetokounmpo had stood out by leading his team across multiple statistical categories.
Giannis had averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game during the 2016-17 season. His achievement of leading the Milwaukee Bucks in all those categories was historic. That year saw him win the NBA Most Improved Player award, earn All-NBA Second Team and All-Defense Second Team honors, and make his first All-Star appearance, kicking off nine straight selections.
“The Greek Freak, I think, is a force. I’ve never seen anything like him,”
—Kevin Durant, NBA Forward
“His ceiling is probably … he could end up being the best player to ever play if he really wanted to. That’s pretty scary to think about. He’s by far my favorite player to watch.”
—Kevin Durant, NBA Forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Rise to NBA Stardom
Since Durant’s 2017 remarks, Giannis Antetokounmpo has firmly established himself as one of the NBA’s elite athletes and a dominant force on both offense and defense. Now 30 years old, the Milwaukee Bucks star has accumulated accolades that affirm his standing among the top players in the league.
Antetokounmpo’s career highlights include an NBA Championship in 2021, where he also earned Finals MVP honors for his outstanding performance. He won back-to-back league MVP awards in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and captured the Defensive Player of the Year award during the 2019-20 season, cementing his reputation on both ends of the court.
Throughout his career, Giannis has been selected to the All-NBA team nine times and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, an exclusive group recognizing the league’s greatest players ever.
Statistical and Career Snapshot of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis continues to impress with his versatile skill set and efficiency. His career averages highlight his impact:
- Points per game: 23.9
- Rebounds per game: 11.6
- Assists per game: 5.9
- Blocks per game: 1.3
- Steals per game: 1.2
- Field goal percentage: 55.1%
- Three-point percentage: 28.4%
This consistent performance underlines why basketball fans and analysts often debate Giannis’s place among the greatest of all time.
Legacy and Future Outlook in the GOAT Conversation
While including Giannis Antetokounmpo in the greatest-of-all-time debate still sparks discussions, his career trajectory aligns closely with the lofty potential Kevin Durant envisioned years ago. Alongside legends like LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, and Russell Westbrook, Giannis’s combination of strength, skill, and leadership continues to influence the league profoundly.
Durant’s early confidence in Giannis’s abilities reflects the hope many have for the Greek superstar’s future as he aims to keep climbing the ranks of NBA history with milestones yet to be reached.