Already crowned MVP, Finals MVP and Defender of the Year at 27, Giannis Antetokounmpo can’t really complain about a lack of recognition in the NBA. Except in a statistical field, where he sees himself lunarly ahead of James Harden, Russell Westbrook or Damian Lillard!
At only 27 years old, he has a track record that many veterans would like to display on the eve of their retirement. Arrived on tiptoe in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo gradually established himself as one of the very best players in the world. However, it must be believed that all his individual and collective exploits are not yet enough to place him in the historical gratin of the league from a mathematical point of view.
Giannis and the Crazy Hall of Fame Odds
In just nine seasons played across the Atlantic, Giannis has won two MVP titles, a Finals MVP trophy, a Defender of the Year award, and above all a champion ring. It therefore seems already obvious that he will eventually join the Hall of Fame at the end of his career. And yet, according to the algorithm of Basketball Referencehis place in the basketball pantheon would not be as assured as those of other less decorated stars!
According to these calculations, based on the careers of members of the Hall of Fame, the Greek Freak would therefore currently only have an 87.2% chance of joining this ultra-prestigious cast. A value certainly on the rise compared to last year (67.9%), but which is still much lower than that of some of its peers, whose CV is nevertheless less provided.
Indeed, the presence of James Harden et Russell Westbrook, destined to join the HOF at 99.9% according to this algorithm, already has something to tickle at the top of the list. Although both crowned MVPs in the past, the former teammates do not, however, have any title to their credit. But this is perhaps not the biggest observable anomaly in this ranking.
Just ahead of Giannis is Damian Lillard, whose probability of becoming a Hall of Famer is 90.6%. Unlike the Greek, or even Harden and Westbrook, the leader of the Blazers cannot even claim a coronation as MVP, or even an appearance in the NBA Finals to justify this plebiscite. Age and seniority in the league undoubtedly play a role in this paradox, which is nonetheless shocking.
According to Basketball Reference, the chances of seeing Giannis Antetokounmpo enter the Hall of Fame would therefore be lower than those of James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard. Not sure that most fans validate this balance of power!
