Matt Barnes believes Anthony Davis would be greatest ever if he had Giannis Antetokounmpo’s tools
Former LA Lakers forward Lamar Odom placed Anthony Davis over Giannis Antetokounmpo purely in terms of skill. With Matt Barnes also chiming in on a recent episode of "The LADEShow," both players expressed their thoughts on the comparison.
Anthony Davis has garnered a lot of praise and criticism throughout his career. As one of the best two-way players in the game, Davis has also been viewed as the most naturally talented athlete in the league.
Given his vast skillset, Davis is equipped with the necessary tools to be among the greatest ever to play ball. Factoring in his offensive weapons with his defensive upside, the Lakers' big man is a virtual force of nature.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is a lot like Davis in this regard. With the two being the zenith of big men in the league, a comparison is not out of the question.
Given the recent string of performances AD has put together, the Lakers forward sees himself included in MVP conversations. Meanwhile, Giannis has already been penned in as a favorite.
With the nature of comparing the two in mind, former Lakers forward Lamar Odom expressed his opinion on Davis being a dominant player on "The LADEShow." He said:
"When I watched Anthony Davis - I watched tape of him - I see top 5 player in the NBA."
Barnes agreed with this sentiment almost immediately. He also explained why Davis should be considered among the five best players in the league. Despite AD's sheer skillset, Odom hesitantly shared an interesting take. He said:
"AD is probably more skilled than Giannis Antetokounmpo."
Barnes agreed to this but added:
"Giannis has that different motor and mindset."
When asked what would happen if Davis had Giannis' motor and mindset, Barnes said:
"Oh, it would be over. It would be the best player ever created. If A.D. had Giannis’ mind and motor, oh, it’d be over. It would be unfair. God knew not to do that, though."
Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be supremely skilled. However, his desire to win and his aggressive approach to the game pushed him to be greater.
Davis, while skilled, has often been criticized due to his lack of aggression and his ability to stay healthy.
Related: Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo put on a battle for the ages and NBA fans were HYPED: "AD owned him", "Giannis is better"
However, this season has seen a massive turnaround in this narrative. With Davis emerging as the Lakers' most dominant player, AD may be on the warpath toward redemption.
Anthony Davis could be considered one of the best players in the league right now
Anthony Davis has been nothing short of spectacular for the LA Lakers as of late. The narrative that Davis has to take over from LeBron James has been built up over the last two seasons. However, it finally seems like the superstar big man is stepping up to the plate.
While saying Davis is among the best players in the league right now is a bold claim, it isn't out of the realm of possibility. Considering the form he is in, AD certainly does look like one of the most dominant players in the NBA.
Given his impact on the offensive front and his tasks as the Lakers' defensive anchor, Davis is masterfully handling both.
After a 55-point game against the Washington Wizards, Davis continues to build his case as an MVP candidate. Helping his team improve to 10-12, the big man will hope to remain in form as the Lakers continue their rise.
Read: Shannon Sharpe declares Anthony Davis an MVP candidate: "The best player on the court even with 2 guys with 6 MVPs and 5 Finals MVP"