Erik Spoelstra Compares Miami Heat Superstar to Hall of Fame Legend

In the Miami Heat’s preseason opener against the Toronto Raptors at Quebec City, Canada, Giannis Antetokounmpo wasted little time showing a glimpse of what’s to come this season.

After 14 minutes of action, the 31-year-old finished with nine points on 100 percent shooting (three-for-three), four rebounds, and seven assists. Antetokounmpo attacked the paint and kept finding open teammates out on the perimeter. All seven of his assists came from three-pointers made – Andrew Wiggins (four), Bam Adebayo (one), Davion Mitchell (one), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (one).

The Heat beat the Raptors 129-105 with a primarily healthy roster, except for Dru Smith (right calf strain) and Keshad Johnson (hamstring), who suffered injuries during training camp. Although Antetokounmpo is known as a dominant paint scorer, he continues to show the facilitating aspect of his game. It’s gotten so noticeable that head coach Erik Spoelstra made a strong comparison in his postgame interview.

“[Antetokounmpo] makes great plays,” he said. “You appreciate how brilliant a playmaker he can be with the size, vision, and his ability to put it on the numbers to the shooters. Pat [Riley, Heat President] was at practice all week and the way he’s played with the ball in his hands reminds all of us of a great big point guard that played for Pat back in the 80s.”

The player Spoelstra is referring to is former Los Angeles Lakers superstar and Hall of Famer Ervin “Magic” Johnson. He played when Riley was the franchise’s head coach from 1981 to 1990. Johnson averaged at least 10 assists in nine consecutive seasons, four times as the league leader.

Despite entering the league with a 6-9 and 215-pound frame, the former Michigan State champion revolutionized the point guard position. Johnson had remarkable court vision and made several big plays on bright stages.

Although Davion Mitchell is the Heat’s point guard, Antetokounmpo poses a bigger threat to all the competition. Every opponent will attempt to stop him, which results in open opportunities for others to make plays offensively. Five of Antetokounmpo’s assists came from corner threes.

Johnson had more guard-like skill sets than the “Greek Freak,” but handling the ball isn’t much of an issue. Antetokounmpo has a gravitational pull that can collapse defenses on a given night. He’s averaged at least five assists in nine of his last 10 seasons. Antetokounmpo will have opportunities to score and dominate the paint, but getting others involved makes the Heat’s offense more dangerous.

Spoelstra hasn’t coached an MVP-caliber player since LeBron James left in 2014. As one of the brightest minds in the league, he will have a plethora of plays to run involving Antetokounmpo’s dominance. The Heat will host its annual Red, White, and Pink scrimmage on Tuesday, then face the New Orleans Pelicans at the Kaseya Center with tipoff scheduled at 7:30 p.m. E.T.

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