Is Giannis Taking Another Leap? | The Bill Simmons Podcast

[@markvillegas7846]

Giannis is really playing on another level

[@tjleaf3510]

He’s been playing on this level the entire playoffs. Dudes just ran out of excuses to not acknowledge him

[@markvillegas7846]

@@tjleaf3510 agreed

[@lkabong5529]

Looks to me like the light bulb has turned on for the freak. He's gone from taking the ball up the court, putting his head down and running over 3 guys to making touch passes to wide open teammates. DEFINITELY playing on another level especially if he really does have the free throws figured out.

[@mtburr1089]

He got his chromosomes back.

[@mve0172]

@@mtburr1089 people started expecting him to be Shaq and Curry at the same time. He is shooting 30% from 3 and 69% from the freethrow line. That is better than most dominant inside presences.

[@andylee1651]

backwards hat bill is like "how about trae young, that guy is lit my fellow kids!"

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

He’s low-key fire AF

[@Wilsondukeoflizards555]

He’s just trying to piss of Colin Cowherd

[@JoshuaFrick3]

Hakeem Olajuwon belongs on the list with Wilt, Kareem, Moses, Shaq, LeBron, and Giannis. Hakeem was absolutely dominate in the 1995 NBA Finals. The Magic had no answers.

[@andrewlucid1479]

He wasn’t physically dominant though

[@apostolostvable]

@@andrewlucid1479 I'd say he was. Perhaps the most agile C in history who regularly abused bigger, more imposing big men.

[@michaelj6199]

@@apostolostvable He's referring to physical dominance moreso in regards to strength and size here though.

[@ozz7602]

He made the actual physical player Robinson an absolute tool.. and the legend Hakeem went to Robinson's house and demanded the season MVP 😂😂

[@Mad_Intellect]

@@andrewlucid1479 Eh? Dream was really athletic, especially in his 20's.

[@Ken-jt9gn]

Finally a bucks podcast! Let’s go!

[@musix3197]

The slamming of the chair and the calling for the ball. Man Giannis really wants that ring.

[@razkable]

this is his moment to not just win but earn it...if you score 20 a night and win cool but 40+ in lets say 3 games then that means something even if the nets got hurt...

[@ozz7602]

@@razkable f** the nets if you get hurt that's on you, especially kyrie, not taking the season serious, karma got em good..

[@FlankRoosevelt]

I’m so torn. I want giannis to win his first ring he’s playing so hungry right now and coming back from that injury...but also want cp3 to win his first because I feel like this is his only chance. Great series so far!

[@amanmalik117]

Exactly my dilemma lol glad I’m not the only one going through this pain… what a time to be a hoops fan.

[@kingcondornev]

It’s not a lifetime achievement award. CP has fallen short in many big moments and has gotten some bad luck as well. Root for greatness

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

@@kingcondornev And a Suns championship would be rewarding his shameless flopping.

[@FlankRoosevelt]

@@kingcondornev lmao your using lifeline achievement award in the wrong context bro you can’t get voted an nba championship you have to actually win it

[@marlowencna]

I prefer bucks to win. It's just so fun to watch paint dominance in a jump shooting league

[@2160michael]

Happy Work Anniversary KOC

[@Bikegod1]

Why are we surprised? Just looking at the rosters prior to the series starting it was clear there would be no real answers for giannis, the only people with size for the sun's simply are not athletic enough to stop giannis. Only surprise is giannis making his free throws.

[@Ewach21]

Regardless scoring 40+ back to back is ridiculous in your first finals

[@lpphillyfan]

Personally I'm surprised because the Bucks struggled to beat the Nets with only Durant and the Hawks even when they had Giannis. I thought there was no chance the Suns would lose.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

Shaq never got the same hate Giannis gets, it's despicable. Giannis is an all time great, hopefully on his way to his first ring.

[@TheRealUcanUwill]

I somewhat dislike Giannis because he is so underwhelming in FIBA, makes you realize he is kinda a product of the NBA. I mean look at Luka, he is even better in Slovenian jersey than he is in the NBA, thats insane how good he is, truly an all timer, Giannis tho? Meh, not in my book.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

@@TheRealUcanUwill Who cares? Maybe Giannis has a shittier team than Luka and that's why he struggles. He's a top 5 player in the strongest league in the world, nothing else matters.

[@joskaizer9521]

@@TheRealUcanUwill have you watched the games? Giannis is literally used wrong in FIBA basketball by the coach they don't use him and they barely give him the ball

[@austin5944]

@@TheRealUcanUwill 😂😂😂

[@TheRealUcanUwill]

@@dimitrijetucovic1307 Why nothing else matters? In the NBA FIBA doesnt matter, and in FIBA NBA doesnt matter, but in the whole picture both matter. All timer should play great no matter the rules or setting, its still pro basketball. I got to admit that Giannis surprised me, I thought in the playoffs, were game slows down and opponents prep for you more, I thought we would see FIBA like Giannis, but that couldnt be further from the truth, I now believe Giannis has a very good FIBA tournament in him, but it is still to be achieved.

[@ckq]

He's always been this good. It's just the team success is following after being unlucky earlier.

[@nicksturtevant3742]

Maybe for the last year or two... maybe

[@matthewweiss8579]

If Middleton and jrue play well the rest of the series they will win. Middleton is still due a few great games cause he has been ass!

[@trovicmi93]

true, he really did not deliver it on road...

[@liamnicol9390]

he was great game one

[@mani-rc2tv]

@@liamnicol9390 no he wasn’t. 26 shots he took

[@liamnicol9390]

@@mani-rc2tv And was getting hacked all game. He was also basically the only one able to shot create that game for the bucks, of course he was gonna shoot a lot

[@vlassischatzis8574]

He owns us at least 2 big time games

[@hadeselgin]

Suns have no answer for Giannis, series may shift away if Middleton and Holiday continue to not suck.

[@AceTheCap823]

I don’t get it….game 2 Giannis dropped 42/12/4/3/1 by making mid range jumpers, turnaround jumpers, jump hooks, a three, and FTs along with his layups and dunks like he did in game 7 vs BK for example and pple talked shit..….this game he drops 41/13/6/1 doing nothing but dunks, layups, and FTs and mfers still talk shit abt him….like no matter what he does pple talk shit🤦🏽‍♂️ btw after 5 games(4 in the playoffs) of Giannis doin his best Thanos impression for 4 of them(was still good for the other one)….mfers still sayin bullshit like Ayton can guard Giannis?

[@ImperialIrv11]

Bill's hat is ridiculous

[@nanaglo4545]

im trying to figure out wtf kind of a hat is that lmao

[@pancon5]

Keep it up Giannis!!

[@RickM23]

I just want the series to last as long as possible. 7 games hopefully. The more NBA, the better. I’m going to have an NBA withdrawal when the Finals are over.

[@jayjones9225]

Giannis is absolutely amazing. Good to see Bobby Portis doing some things! As a neutral fan thanks for giving us a series through 3 games

[@vlassischatzis8574]

bill simmons is the only media man showing giannis his respect. and i respect bill back for that

[@zechwilson5934]

🦌 🦌🦌🦌 to go Giannis has been phenomenal, playing his best basketball I think he has more levels imo. He went 13-17 at the line 👌 doing it consistently from the line is another level he can reach.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

This is his league now imo

[@Kman666]

i mean if Kyrie does not step on his foot the talk would be can Giannis lead a team and what can you get for Middleton this offseason...

[@razkable]

this is why i hate when people say fake ring and stuff..the warriors won in 2015 vs 4 injured teams and they came back and went 73-9...sometimes you need to win not at your best to get you to that point...when your young especially...a ring can make giannis and the bucks better....its always better to win it..the nets could get hurt next year too...then what if you repeat?...once you win 2 in 2-3 years no one says a thing...

[@CBarber22]

@@Kman666 those are the breaks of the game, every championship has a story

[@Mad_Intellect]

@@CBarber22 Nah, some teams(if very unlucky) get all the smoke from every team and still prevail.

[@CBarber22]

@@Mad_Intellect name one, let's break it down.

[@iwannatalktosampson5852]

Suns still control the series but they better win game 4 they don't wanna give the bucks confidence in a 2-2 series especally now that giannis looks fully healthy

[@fufuman27]

It really j depends on how Middleton and holiday play.

[@ghostkid1118]

He's always looked fully healthy

[@Hatz127]

@@ghostkid1118 not so much game 1

[@musix3197]

@@ghostkid1118 he had a good game but he didn't look dominant.

[@vivek7949]

Imma go on a limb and say that bucks win game 4 comfortably with their big 3 playing a well balanced game. Middleton and holiday 20+ giannis 25 and 12

[@tradejohn5528]

Here is a three team trade if Lillard wants out. Lillard to Celtics. Celtics send two future firsts to Portland and Brown/Smart to warriors. Warriors send Wiggins/wiseman and two firsts from this year to Portland. Portland can trade McCollum for more firsts and rebuild. Celtics have two stars to sign veteran help around on championship pace in two years. Warriors get great pieces around steph/Klay/draymond for a win now push. Portland gets a full rebuild with many pieces to move around for picks. Some young players could be added if needed but the salaries should work.

[@mith2946]

Not bad, I think it'd probably take a future unprotected first from the Warriors in addition or instead of one of this year and maybe.

[@armandog3335]

Why would Portland do this? 2 very low 1st round picks....

[@linassp3]

Wiggins here is a god damn salary dump that I'd need to get a pick for. From these teams, if im not at least getting Jalen, im not even picking up the phone for Dame

[@Wooden_iguana14]

Portland is sending out the best player and getting the least in return for this deal. Why wouldn’t they just take Boston’s package going to GSW in that case

[@dellduncan9972]

@@Wooden_iguana14 Four first round picks and Wiseman would help for the rebuilding. JB and Smart isn't a package you could build around in the future. I would assume a team would trade for Wiggins once he is in Portland, he isn't a terrible player. Maybe the Warriors add another young asset like Poole?

[@stevengordon3271]

If Giannis continues to set picks and move down low, he is unstoppable. If he shoots 3s, contested midrange shots and plays isolation ball, he gives the opposition a chance. If Coach Bud does not have the standing to get Giannis to understand this, then the Bucks need a coach who can.

[@j5daniel182]

As long as the role players hit their shots and play D, Bucks are gonna win. He's in the same situation Shaq was. Always dominating but kept getting swept until he got a developed Kobe. Giannis is never going to get a Kobe as sidekick but the fact that he can also handle the ball kind of offsets that a little.

[@benjaminan1183]

1:00 *Wade*

[@Chessbox09]

I notice Giannis is much more comfortable with his back to the basket. It allowed him to set up his drives/dunks/floaters

[@ericramming]

I wanna know what they shot into his knee!! Kobe touched it!

[@MasterResolve]

giannis does not have two games of 40/10/5. He has a 42/12/4 and 41/13/6. So he does not have multiple 40/10/5 games in the finals, not yet at least.

[@austin5944]

You're about to speak it into existence 😂

[@prateshramjohn]

Finally a team with size is exposing the Suns. I think the Lakers might have done it if healthy.

[@michlo3393]

So, is Phoenix still utilizing their defensive strategy waiting for a top player on the opposing team to get hurt? or will they be making adjustments?

[@chriscannon5371]

Booker should play better. I feel like Paul and Booker's approach should be to focus on their midrange game first. Once that gets going then start to shoot 3 pointers.

[@DMacSince94]

My mans Bill rockin wit the backwards snap-back. How was the bro-down with Damon afterwards?

[@NickPR87]

When Giannis goes to work in the paint and forgets about shooting ill advised threes, he's close to being Shaq-like. Added with his crazy ability to go coast to coast and euro step, he's almost unstoppable!

[@goated.content]

"Close to being Shaq like".. 24/26 inside 6ft in the last 2 games I don't even know if Shaq can do that since he gets fouled

[@mickyhansen6869]

The Suns need to figure out how to play CP3 all 48 minutes and Booker needs to stay hungry - otherwise its over.

[@luckyallstar13ify]

Scott Foster is a good ol boy

[@hooper412]

Match DA's minutes with Giannis'. You hope Giannis doesn't shoot 70% from the line again. Anticipate Book being better. Bucks had an immaculate game from role players. Game 4 should be a lot more competitive.

[@razkable]

i do not get why the bucks are trying to beat the suns with team ball..just give it to giannis 85% of the time let him make choices..fuck that shit..this team is like the cavs in 2018...its all about 1 guy...khris and jrue are so bad man...they feed off him..brook too..theres no team ball good enough to beat cp3 when the two teams are even....you need star power

[@revan3841]

Isn't Chris Paul 0-17 with Scott Foster as a ref? I'm sure there's nothing to see there.

[@goseeaboutagirl]

Meh, Refs didn't force Booker to go 3/14 from the field and only score 10 pts. That was the Bucks' defense. no excuses

[@linassp3]

After last night he's 0-12 in the playoffs.

[@revan3841]

@@linassp3 ah, thanks.

[@salcali5798]

0-12

[@RealMikeMiller13]

Prime giannis

[@BAMAMADEMG]

Everybody calm down they won just one game

[@ShooterSanoff]

How did the Suns not go get a back up big for Ayton during the season? Come on that was an easy call. And no back up point guard..

[@vivek7949]

I believe cam payne was supposed to be the back-up PG

[@michaelj6199]

They've got Cam Payne, who has played pretty well this year

[@cameronmccollough98]

Saric is their back up and he's injured

[@ShooterSanoff]

@@michaelj6199 hasnt played yell since that clips game and you shouldn’t rely on a guy that played in China and was out of the league

[@ShooterSanoff]

@@cameronmccollough98 he is just tall guy that could shoot, he wasn’t going to stop Giannis at all. Hahaha

[@abcsorensen]

Right before Giannis subbed back into the game in the 3rd, Jrue knocked down a couple big 3s. Giannis didn't win the game by himself. These analysts love to overreact.

[@sergeynazaro1768]

But facts. Holiday had like 9 straight points

[@apostolostvable]

He's been dominant but Holiday and Middleton played well which helped them dominate the game. Essentially when it's Giannis being his usual self with two efficient running mates, the Bucks look dominant. Their problem is inconsistency.

[@marlowelocke3180]

@@apostolostvable Middleton was ass smh y’all givin him credit for shooting 43% for 18 points

[@MrRufusRToyota]

It feels like Giannis is no longer willing to play along with stupidity.

[@ryu-ken]

Not yet. He'll take another leap when he consistently hits 80% at the ft line

[@ThorfinnMacbeth]

that's not happening (few bigs do that period)!... conistantly low to mid 70's (73-77), which he's done before, would amazing!

[@papaabraham1188]

How is it that any defense against Giannis is automatically considered a defensive fool by referees? Must his adversaries cross their hands, open an highway for him and let him always run like a toredo bull, jump and dunk to avoid getting a fool and his many free throws?

[@RioDoesThings]

Suns only hope to hold Giannis is Ayton, we’ll see if he responds

[@megatroneata9911]

people really thought he was done getting better 😂

[@ballerway2267]

how you guys talk about Jalen Smith is the same way you all spoke about the Cam Johnson pick.

[@connorbaney2588]

Unlike Jalen Smith, Cam Johnson actually contributed in year one

[@ThorfinnMacbeth]

You might be right that hes good... only time will tell if they got cute trying to repeat the Cam style pick ( I was very high on him myself pre-draft.... but 10 was still v high)... but agree to what Connor said and the bottom line is Bill is still right NOW.... they could have drafted a contributor and they did not (or at least they don't dare try him- i think they maybe should)

[@ballerway2267]

@@connorbaney2588 yes to getting the 10 pick in the following year. You are right but the team goals for this season and last are night and day. Also they suggested Haliburton...he is not backing up Ayton or stopping Giannis.

[@ballerway2267]

@@ThorfinnMacbeth you see they mentioned drafting Haliburton though and as good as he is he does not help stopping Giannis. I mean which front court draft prospect do you see contributing of those picked after 10?

[@EmacMac-ph2zd]

Is he taking another leap? More likely y’all just overreacted to the first two suns wins and have under appreciated Giannis all season.

[@AceTheCap823]

I mean his mid range and post jumper is pretty solid but there still room for improvement and he’s going to get a lot better at them…and even his 3pt shot has a lot of room to grow and he will get better at it

[@Roberto-mm8ji]

@@AceTheCap823 his mid range shot is pretty decent when he pulls up from the free throw area. Also that turn around jumper on the side of the basket. It’s pretty nasty , it has fallen pretty consistently in the playoffs , hope he keeps at it

[@AceTheCap823]

@@Roberto-mm8ji yessir and he’ll only get better at it, and later on the range gonna expand too I promise

[@goated.content]

@@AceTheCap823 when it comes to shooting, up is not the only way to go lol. You should know that by now

[@AceTheCap823]

@@goated.content what do you mean by “up is not the only way to go” I’m not being sarcastic bro I just wanna clarify?

[@blackman3975]

Wow guys talking just basketball..no hot tskes..no stupid story..no joking

[@kaspercole7]

The same argument about the Bucks doing whatever they can to get Ayton in foul trouble could be said about the Suns trying to get Giannis in foul trouble. The difference is the refs are letting Giannis get away with repeatedly running over the defense. This happened repeatedly in every game. As a team, how can you play good defense on a quick, strong, dominant inside guy when you the refs are letting him roll into the paint out of control?

[@duffydope]

Cam Payne going to go off at least one of these games

[@alexhagan6220]

bill looks like he’s hooked up to the electric chair

[@duffydope]

If booker gets what he normally does they get at least fifteen more points then it’s 120-115 all they need is someone to make six more points and they win

[@michaelsledge3904]

Booker needs to play better period

[@Metawrecker]

I’ll say it again for the kids in the back, not one but BOTH of KD’s feet were on the line. It was a two & not that close. It’s funny how the media creates a false narrative and then runs with it.

[@ralos329]

Suns are done

[@jackwenger5028]

Man you change your opinion so often bro!

[@TP-hk1tb]

Boomers beat USA. USA lose two in a row. The real news.

[@onedone2011]

algorithmic

[@zainw24]

It's too late in the year for basketball. This is baseball season. I am a massive NBA fan. Many of us have just checked out. This has been one continuous long run with the bubble and then this season. Phoenix needs to win two more games, get CP3 his ring and end this season. Giannis will have more chances.

[@an3917]

Baseball season wtf 🤣🤣🤣🤣 that not even exist anymore.

[@KreyzAim]

Suns were never good defensively - they’ve been outscoring every team in the playoffs. You need a wall to beat Giannis that’s why he rolled through the Nets.

[@thetrib1]

No...he's not. But his team is

[@guymartin4297]

If giannis wins a ring I’ll shave my balls

[@GuitarD30]

It’s a good rule of thumb to not laugh at yourself or others when no one said anything remotely funny

[@merocopa3624]

Its easy to do what you want, when the refs are calling fouls for you. Scott foster vs CP3

[@overrativeness]

the Suns are intentionally fouling him on entry passes to the paint because it's their best option, what the hell are you talking about?

[@dvonnlynch1607]

You got it backwards. He’s getting fouled so much because he can do whatever he wants on the floor. Phoenix doesn’t have the size and ability to stop him

[@1patrickryan]

Giannis just made his free throws man that was the game plan, I can’t stand Foster and his whole connection to Donaghy and beef with CP3, but specifically pertaining to Giannis those weren’t bad calls. If the Suns want calls they need to go to the basket more, period.

[@WhoGotSwag]

@@1patrickryan And that will go in favor of the Bucks

[@apostolostvable]

Giannis had 18FTs in Game 2, no one was whining about that from Phoenix. And in Game 1 Phoenix had nearly triple the FT attempts.

[@howisthatgay4275]

He is both a massive scrubby disappointment and the most dominant player in NBA history

[@markrico5096]

… am i the i only person not impressed at all by Giannis??

[@austin5944]

What? How is this not impressive.

[@smacky101]

I hope ya'll can convince me that Giannis isn't a boring as hell basketball player to watch. Freethrows and eurosteps. It's really boring.

[@a.e.a.]

For a guy that tall and big it's incredible how graciously he moves on offense. Although most of his points come in the paint, the way he gets there is pretty entertaining. Also I like myself a superstar who competes on defense and is actually a Top-3 defender in the league.

[@benjigomez1669]

Giannis haters are so weird bro