NBA executives reportedly were terrified by the possibility of Giannis Antetokounmpo signing with the Dallas Mavericks to join Luka Doncic.
Forget LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Put aside the new Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
What NBA executives really feared was the idea of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic pairing up.
That’s according to Zach Lowe of ESPN, who dropped that tidbit into his recent piece on the stagnant Bucks offense.
Apparently, “rival executives lived in abject terror before Antetokounmpo signed his supermax over the spectre of Antetokounmpo joining Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks.”
As Lowe sees it, Doncic would have been the key to unlocking Antetokounmpo’s potential. If Antetokounmpo were more like Davis, finishing at the rim instead of facilitating like James, he’d be unstoppable. However, changing his approach would only work if he had a teammate also capable of creating at a high level.
It doesn’t get much better than Doncic on that front.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic would have been unstoppable
Just imagine it.
Doncic was an absolute monster against the LA Clippers. However, Kristaps Porzingis was a poor co-star who left him carrying the load himself. It wasn’t enough to overcome Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and company.
Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo is averaging 25.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game in the playoffs for the Milwaukee Bucks this year. He’s trying to pull off an upset over the Brooklyn Nets with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday as his support.
Put Doncic and Antetokounmpo on the same team and you’d have two generational talents giving opposing teams fits. You’d have one of the league’s most exciting guards dishing to one of the NBA’s most jaw-dropping talents.
Fortunately for everyone not in Big D, Antetokounmpo didn’t join the Dallas Mavericks. Instead, in December, he signed a five-year, $228 million contract extension to remain in Milwaukee.