I’m scoping the league and in my recent article I spoke about Kevin Durant
returning and how much better the Nets will be next season, not to mention the Sixers who boast Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Boston Celtics had a forgettable season last year as they saw Kyrie Irving take an exit, I envisioned Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis together in Boston for the next 4-5 years but Danny Ainge elected to hold onto Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum 2 players who have blossomed into young stars and almost lead the Celtics to the 2018 NBA Finals. Looking back in time, Shaquille O’Neal was one of the biggest NBA Free-Agents of all-time in the 1990’s as he took the league by storm tag-teaming with Penny Hardaway to make for one of the league’s best duos. Giannis Antetoekoumpo is a lot like Shaquille O’Neal, he can dominate a game with his scoring in the paint and overwhelms teams with his combination of athleticism,length, and power. Some questioned why Shaquille O’Neal left Penny Hardaway in Orland, Penny even said it himself that his career would’ve turned out different if Shaq had remained in Orlando.
Let’s be honest the Orlando Magic have never been a historical franchise and were once one of the new franchises of the league but Shaquille O’Neal wanted to win in LA. He trusted Jerry West and went on to win 3 NBA Titles with Kobe Bryant, I think Danny Ainge cleaned up the mess quick in Boston and has the Celtics pointed in the right direction. All season long the Boston Celtics have been pegged as sleepers to make the NBA Finals but no one expects them to win a Title due to not having an all-star big. The Celtics run Jayson Tatum at the 4 which is great considering how the NBA has evolved into playing smaller lineups but could you imagine the Celtics sign Giannis Antetokoumpo to play the 4? I think of a Celtics-Lakers revival of when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson competed for titles in the 80’s, the same could happen with Giannis Antetokoumpo and LeBron James over the next 3-4 years. This is all assuming Anthony Davis re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers, I could definitely see the Celtics and Lakers duking it out for titles if Giannis signs with the Celtics.
Giannis’s girlfriend alluded to how she has always been a Laker fan on social media and the NBA world is buzzing about Giannis possibly joining the Lakers but I just can’t envision LeBron James,Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokoumpo in one team together because Anthony Davis does not want to play the center position so would that mean Giannis Antetokoumpo playing the small-forward and LeBron James running point. Boy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar alluded to how great it would have been for him and Magic to play alongside LeBron James which I believe is a easy 3-peat no matter which way you slice it, Giannis,LeBron, and Davis could be even better but I just can’t see it. A lot of buzz will be building over the next year and maybe it never happens but I believe the best fit for him is Boston. Can’t see him in Toronto because Kawhi won a Title there, I’ve heard Miami and I wouldn’t bet against Pat Riley luring him in but LeBron also won a Title there. Two of his arch rivals in LeBron and Kawhi both won Titles in possible destinations for him which leads to me to the Celtics. Don’t see him in Golden State, at the minimum the Bucks would want Klay Thompson in return along with the top 5 pick for this coming draft. Would would make that trade but what would that say about Golden State shipping out Klay Thompson who wants to retire a Warrior?
To conclude you need the right pieces around you to win and the Celtics have everything in place for Giannis. Jayson Tatum has evolved into an all-star and is the perfect second-option to play alongside Giannis Antetokoumpo since he can create his own offense and take pressure off Giannis on the offensive end. Kemba Walker is a catch and shoot target for Giannis on drive and kick-outs and Kemba can play the pick and roll game with Giannis to a tea since Kemba can make teams pay with his superb shooting. I am not sure how it will all play out because the Celtics don’t have the pieces to necessarily trade for Giannis leading into next year’s deadline in case Giannis gives Milwaukee no indication he plans on re-signing with them next summer. My guess is Milwaukee takes the gamble on him staying and Giannis bolts, the Celtics have been in search of the transcendent superstar, there was Bill Russell,Larry Bird, and there could be Giannis Antetokoumpo. That is no disrespect to Paul Pierce who could also be in the conversation but Giannis has the opportunity to be the next legendary Boston Celtic, that is something he should look into. LeBron wanted to become an all-time Laker great and has took up the challenge, Giannis should look to the same in Boston, till next time.
D-NBA 