Giannis Antetokounmpo still believes he belongs in the conversation for the NBA’s best player — and he says he knows exactly what happens when he is operating at his peak.
Speaking during NBA Media Day, the Greek Freak said he believes he is “one of the best players in the world,” if not the best, when he is locked in and physically right.
“Yeah. I really do believe that,” Antetokounmpo said. “If not the best, I’m one of the best players in the world. I know I’m at my best when I’m locked in, when my body’s right; I really do believe that I can dominate the game.”
For Giannis, dominance is not limited to scoring. He pointed to his ability to influence games on both ends of the floor, arguing that his overall impact is what separates the NBA’s elite.
“I can impact the game in both ways, offensively and defensively,” he said. “And I think I’ve shown it over the years, even in a year. Last year, that wasn’t one of my best years, probably one of my toughest years. And I was still able to affect the game in some way.”
He also offered his own definition of what makes someone the best player in basketball. According to Antetokounmpo, being at the top is ultimately about helping a team make a deep playoff run and win a championship.
“I think it’s hard for people who don’t understand. But when you’re up there, top five, top four, top three, two, one, whatever, top 10, the best player is whoever is able to impact the game and help his team go deep in the playoffs and win a championship,” he said.
That philosophy also shaped his answer when he was asked who he considers the best player right now.
“So right now, the best team in the NBA is the New York Knicks,” Antetokounmpo said, before identifying Jalen Brunson as one of the team’s best players. The comment drew a groan from Bam Adebayo.
Antetokounmpo’s standing among the league’s elite is backed by a résumé that includes an NBA championship and Finals MVP in 2021, back-to-back regular-season MVP awards in 2019 and 2020, and the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award.
He also earned the 2017 Most Improved Player award and was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra made it clear that part of the reason for bringing Antetokounmpo in was to push him back into that elite conversation.
“We brought him here for a reason. He’s here for a reason,” Spoelstra said. “We want to establish him in that conversation of best player in the league.”
For Giannis, the message is already clear: when his body is right and his focus is locked in, he still believes he can take over a basketball game.
