Kind of depends on where Giannis gets the ball.

There is one guy in this draft who may end up staying in who I think has the ability to be one of the best Giannis defenders in the entire NBA. Yves Pons, he moves well laterally ,is 6’6 with around a 7’ WS and really strong frame. He has a chance to be a longer more explosive Semi.

There is one guy in this draft who may end up staying in who I think has the ability to be one of the best Giannis defenders in the entire NBA. Yves Pons, he moves well laterally ,is 6’6 with around a 7’ WS and really strong frame. He has a chance to be a longer more explosive Semi.

Is Pons strong enough to deal with Giannis? He’s an insane athlete (as you can see by his 2.4BPG while listed as a guard), but Giannis is next level strong. I don’t think Pons has the ability to hold his ground like Semi does, but maybe I didn’t watch enough of him at Tenn.

Our last pick from Tennessee worked out pretty well

I like none of our options. Gun to my head, I'd vote for Semi.

Horford was doing a decent job on Giannis. Obviously, he couldn't stop him 1-on-1, but no one can stop Giannis 1-on-1.

Here's a question: Who do you guys think is the best Giannis "stopper" in the league?

Today's Horford lost a few steps though and would get smoked by Giannis.

I think Smart and Jaylen can both do a good job on him.

Tatum is also an underrated defender and still improving.

In the end though, the Celtics will defend him by committee as usual.

I like none of our options. Gun to my head, I'd vote for Semi.

Horford was doing a decent job on Giannis. Obviously, he couldn't stop him 1-on-1, but no one can stop Giannis 1-on-1.

Here's a question: Who do you guys think is the best Giannis "stopper" in the league?

My default go-to would probably be Kawhi, mainly because he was the key player to stopping Giannis in the playoffs, which is IMO the most impressive (and useful) place to stop him. But I think using the term "stop" for someone this dominant is never really right. You either slow them down as much as possible, or try and shut down their #2. We have a seeming complete inability to slow down Middleton, so our best bet might be trying to slow him down.

Our best bet might be finding someone in the draft, given Giannis will (in all likelihood) be around for a while. CFAN38 mentioned Pons, I think Paul Reed could give it a red hot go. 6'9", 7'2" wingspan, can play the passing lanes, block perimeter jumpshots and is a great rim-protector. His defensive impact reminds me of a lesser Nerlens Noel. I think his career will play out very similar to Jerami Grant (overlooked in the draft, goes on to be a steal - Grant has been better than ~50% of the lottery picks from that year), but with better rebounding, and in all likelihood better defensive numbers. He'll probably never become a 40% 3 point shooter like Grant though.

Quote from: Jvalin on July 02, 2020, 09:33:16 PM

I like none of our options. Gun to my head, I'd vote for Semi.

Horford was doing a decent job on Giannis. Obviously, he couldn't stop him 1-on-1, but no one can stop Giannis 1-on-1.

Here's a question: Who do you guys think is the best Giannis "stopper" in the league?

Anthony Davis?

I think it’s Kawhi Leonard.

And he did prove it in the playoffs a year ago.

Probably go Jaylen. Smart is just a little too short, although he would be my second choice. Tatum isn't strong enough. Semi is a valid option but Giannis would be playing 40+ so one of the regulars would get most the minutes.

Real answer is probably its a team effort.