Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first game at the Kaseya Center was a huge success.
Miami Heat fans got an exciting look at Giannis Antetokounmpo in action as he put up a huge performance in preseason against the Nets.
The Greek Freak posted 20-15-9 to leave the home fans blown away by the ability of their new superstar. And then came the LeBron James comparisons.
Kendrick Perkins told NBA Today: “I thought LeBron had returned back to Miami.”
Explaining that the comparison was about more than just star status, Perkins compared their positions on the floor.
He said: “Real talk… Giannis, please Erik Spoelstra, more of this. Giannis at the point forward position. The points, they are gonna be there, the rebounds, they are gonna be there.
“That’s why he’s a top five power forward of all time, but this right here, the nine assists, we’ve been watching over the past seasons how Giannis’ playmaking and making the players around him better has ‘taken that leap’.
“That’s growth, that’s maturity, that’s IQ. I’m watching it and I want to see a 25 game sample of Giannis Antetokounmpo at that point forward position.”
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Heat tried to get LeBron James too
Pat Riley did try to convince LeBron James to join Giannis Antetokounmpo and join the Miami Heat. They were among the teams contending for his signature.
LeBron James eventually stunned everybody by making the decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, also rejecting the chance to head home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Judging from the excitement around Giannis, Miami have plenty to look forward to even without LeBron.
Davion Mitchell lauded his new teammate as the best basketball player of all time, while Giannis is excited at getting the chance to learn the skills of his new teammates.
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