We're not saying Giannis should guard Jimmy the entire game but during the last two minutes of a close game, there have been many times this season when LeBron or AD defended the other team's go-to scorer. Obviously, Giannis is not wired to want to do that and didn't do it. https://t.co/EMDgGwIzXc
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 2, 2020
The difference between Giannis and LeBron and AD!
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September 1, 2020 4 Comments
It’s also a matter of ‘Mamba Mentality.’ After key missed shots and turnovers in the last few minutes of the game, you would like to think your DPOY who supposedly can defend 1 to 5 would want to guard the player on the other team who was obviously going to get the ball or at least hover as a help defender rather than standing way outside well away from the play. He’ll have chances to do it differently going forward but that was a disappointing finish by Giannis.
Uhm…Giannis trained with Kobe and garnered glowing reviews in the doing. It’s more, I believe, a function of their defensive scheme. Also, Coach Spo knows how to hunt mismatches and swing the ball away from the best defender. I will say a second round sweep, even with the league as it is, makes GA more likely to not sign an extension. Big issue is will Milwaukee trade him or risk him walking in the hopes they can do enough to convince him to stay next…well, whenever everything ends up happening next year or end of this one…
Great points. A second-round sweep would be catastrophic and could possibly happen. A player of Giannis caliber would be mentally devastated in a sweep that would require years of recovery, and could possibly never be himself again.
You never know how one poor playoff performance will affect a player and Giannis will have several chances to erase what happened in the first two games of this series.
One playoffs is not enough to seal his rep for good. He’s only 25 and will grow. Just not ready yet at least at first glance. How he responds the next two games will tell us more.