ESPN NBA Rank 2018-19: 5 players they ranked too high

2018 NBA Finals - Game Four
2018 NBA Finals - Game Four

#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Milwaukee Bucks v New Orleans Pelicans
Milwaukee Bucks v New Orleans Pelicans

European products have typically been overhyped before they arrive in the NBA over the past 20 years (courtesy a 41-year-old German still going strong near Fort Worth), but Giannis is the rare European player who is receiving a fair share of mid-career hype.

For what it's worth, most of the hype is well-warranted. As physical specimens go, Giannis is already up there with peak LeBron as one of the most freakish athletes to ever play in the league. His vertical, speed, strength, skillset and versatility have helped him become one of the most dominant stat-sheet stuffers of all time - he was the only player in league history to lead his franchise in all 5 major box score statistics in 2016-17, and did a 4/5 this past season.

And yet, there's a significant shortcoming in his game that Anthony Davis doesn't have - a reliable jumpshot from mid-range. Davis can create his own shot from virtually any spot on the floor, and he is a respectable 3-point shooter as well (although on low volume).

Right now, Davis is the more complete, well-rounded and dominant player, and unlike Giannis, he already has a playoff series win against his name. A 3rd place finisher in MVP voting should definitely be ranked above Giannis, even if you count some of his health issues against him.

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