The NBA is a place of impossible proportions. In no other sport do you see human beings with such nonsensical measurements, and use those measurements in such a graceful manner. Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the perfect exemplars of this irony.
One is a seven-footer, the other might as well be. They both have limbs that stretch to the sky and bury deep into the earth, but they also have the coordination to use those limbs artfully and naturally. Tonight, Antetokounmpo and Davis squared off, and however awesome you think that battle was, it was even more so.
Antetokounmpo usually isn’t one to show much emotion. When he does, it’s usually something on the “happy” or “pleasant” spectrum. His emotion on this dunk, however, leaned more towards “PISSED.”
Oh, what’s that, Tyreke Evans? You’re going to flop and try to draw a foul on Giannis? How’s that working out for you?
Giannis simply isn’t fair. He’s got the length, the skill and the speed. If he puts it all together like he did tonight — 29 points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks — he’s going to be one of the most impossible match-ups in the NBA.
Speaking of impossible match-ups, Davis himself was no slouch tonight. The unibrow’d wonder tied a career-high with 43 points, adding in ten rebounds and six assists for good measure in the Pelicans’ 114-103 win over the Bucks. Davis had his fair share of highlight dunks, as he normally does, but this game was a far better example of his overall (terrifying) growth. Just check out this shot chart.
https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/575119588360261632/photo/1
That’s just insane. It’s a chart good enough for a top player at the peak of his powers, yet Davis has barely scratched the surface of his limitless potential. Adding range to his jumper, as he’s done consistently, is obviously important for his overall development, but just as important is adding muscle to his slight frame. Davis is noticeably bulkier this season, and that added weight has allowed him to finish better in traffic and through contact.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Milwaukee Bucks are two teams quickly on the rise in their respective conferences. If, by some kind gesture from the basketball gods, we ever get a series between these teams when they’re at their best, we should never want for anything ever again.
(h/t Hardwood Paroxysm and BrewHoop)
