The NBA needs new individual rivalries, and we can’t think of one much better – and indicative of where the game is going – than Anthony Davis versus Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Both youngsters combine mind-bending length with rare athleticism to frequently make eye-opening plays on both ends of the floor, and have been anointed as the player to lead small-market franchises from the depths of lottery balls. And while The Brow is obviously a far superior player to the Greek Freak right now, it’s easy to imagine the latter joining the former in many All-Star Games going forward.
Another fun aspect of this potential rivalry: Davis and Antetokounmpo play far different roles for each of their squads and will still guard each other for many possessions of matchups to come. How is the 217-pound Milwaukee Bucks star supposed to deal with the 240-pound and widening Davis on the block? And how is the New Orleans Pelicans legend-in-making supposed to stick with Antetokounmpo off the bounce?
Those questions would be too much to ask of most 20 year-old hybrid forwards and 21 year-old big men, but Giannis and A.D. aren’t your typical youngsters – they make the impossible seem anything but, and we can’t wait to watch them face-off for the next decade running.
Davis’ jumper with 1:15 remaining proved the difference in his team’s crucial 85-84 victory over the Bucks on Tuesday. He paced New Orleans with 20 points but struggled from the field, while Antetokounmpo continued his consistently solid play by scoring 15 points (6-9 FGs) and grabbing nine rebounds.
[Video via AshTex]
