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“He’d Be Better Than Giannis (Antetokounmpo)”: Stephen Curry’s Ex-Teammate Makes an Outrageous Claim About 4X NBA All Star

Published 09/18/2023, 1:17 PM EDT

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Giannis Antetokounpo stands as one of the NBA’s best players in today’s times. Mostly thanks to his combination of immense size, quickness, unwavering work ethic, and unparalleled athleticism. He has undeniably earned the title of a generational talent through years of hard work and dedication. However, as is often the case with superstars, there exists a faction of individuals who, for their reasons, seek to discredit his caliber and potential.

The majority of fans and analysts firmly believe in Giannis’s exceptional skills and pedigree. However, one athlete stands out for his contrary stance–Andre Iguodala. Iguodala has a respected name in the NBA and holds experience performing in some of the most fiercely contested games. However, when it comes to Giannis, he has an intriguing perspective.

Iguodala discredits Giannis Antetokounmpo

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During a streaming session of the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Andre Iguodala made a thought-provoking claim about Giannis. Drawing from his extensive experience playing in both the 2000s and 2010s, Iguodala expressed his deep respect for Rasheed Wallace. However, he boldly asserted that Wallace could easily surpass Giannis if he were to play in today’s basketball era.

Notably, @ballislife recently commemorated Rasheed Wallace’s birthday by posting a captivating mix. They also incorporated a snippet of Iguodala attached to the post. In the snippet, Andre claims, If Rasheed Wallace played in our league today, he’d be a top-5 player. He’d be better than Giannis & I love Giannis“.

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Iguodala’s comments sent shockwaves through the NBA community at the time. Rasheed Wallace had indeed established himself as a formidable player over his impressive 16-year career. Averaging over 14 points per game, Wallace played a pivotal role in the renowned 2003 Detroit Pistons squad. What sets Wallace apart is his exceptional shooting ability, capable of draining shots from long range and effortlessly maneuvering near the basket. However, when it comes to the audacious notion of filling Giannis’s shoes, Iguodala’s perspective becomes considerably contentious.

NBA journalist claims Iguodala’s take to be worst of the year

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There’s no denying that Rasheed Wallace was an absolute beast on the basketball court. It is a sentiment widely shared among fans. Moreover, championship-contending teams coveted his presence, as illustrated by the Boston Celtics‘ acquisition of Wallace during his later years in the league for their title pursuit. Yet, on the topic of Wallace outshining as the best player in the modern NBA, fans swiftly dismissed the notion.

Nick Wright, a prominent face in NBA media and a journalism major, echoed a similar sentiment. While he acknowledged Wallace as “historically underrated,” he labeled Iguodala’s assertion as “the most bats**t insane sports take of the year.” Wright elaborated, “Better than Giannis does not just mean you’re All-NBA. It doesn’t just mean your top five. It means you are clearly and unequivocally the best player in the league. Because Giannis is clearly and unequivocally the best player in the league. And he’s saying he’d be better than him.”

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However, Wright did give credit to Wallace’s basketball prowess. He notes that in today’s game, with the rise of stretch fives, Rasheed would be more valuable than ever. Nevertheless, he pointed out that Wallace falls short in terms of leadership and lacks other dominant qualities that make Giannis such a standout figure in the league.

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Written by:

Saahil Dhillan

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Saahil Dhillan is an NBA Writer at Essentially Sports. He has been writing articles and blogs for 5 years now, including those for a sports brand that manufactures knee braces, for a Red Bull athlete in 2019 and for a documentary of an Ultra Running Coach in 2021. There’s plenty Saahil can write about why he likes basketball, having followed the NBA for more than 10 years, but he is most keen on picking out various offense/defense strategies, on/off-court decisions, roster changes in crunch time and other underrated key elements that leave an impact on the scoreboard.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja