Former NBA Champion Discredits New Miami Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo Skills

MIAMI, Fla. – In a recent episode of the Road Trippin’ Show, former NBA Champion and 14-year veteran Channing Frye discredits Miami Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s skill set.

“Giannis is a 7’0 running back," he said. "He’s just coming at you. If his ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, are injured, he can’t play his style. He does not have the skillset. Meaning shooting, middys, post ups, 3s, to balance that out like Joel Embiid does. Joel when he’s injured, he can just shoot fadeaway and still get 30 PPG. Giannis doesn’t have that skillset because of his physicality.”

These narratives have been around since 11-time All-Star James Harden’s “run and dunk” comments in 2020. As the years passed, Antetokounmpo has improved his handles and footwork, and extended his range. Although the 31-year-old isn’t the most efficient shooter, he’s become less of a liability than once before.

Meanwhile, Embiid certainly has the higher upside, but what’s the point of having it when it’s barely shown on the basketball court? The 32-year-old has an extensive injury history, probably the worst case among any MVP winner. Embiid can shoot on all three levels, post up, shoot the mid-range, and draw fouls at a high rate, but those qualities have failed to get the Sixers over the hump to at least reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Antetokounmpo has proven to lead a team to the Larry O’Brien trophy. In the 2020-21 playoffs, he and Embiid had an opportunity to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. While Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks punched their ticket, the Sixers failed to overcome the Atlanta Hawks in a seven-game series.

Different players deliver different qualities on the court.

Antetokounmpo’s dominance has resulted in championships; meanwhile, Embiid’s dominance has limits in terms of longevity.

The Heat and Sixers are among the early championship contenders and favorites to win the Eastern Conference. As both superstars are equipped with new supporting casts, they will still carry heavy responsibilities. Antetokounmpo will look to break down defenses from the middle to either cause damage or kick out to open shooters, such as Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Simone Fontecchio.

Embiid will need to make sacrifices to his game if the Sixers want to live up to great expectations. There’s only one basketball for one lineup featuring four ball-dominant players, including him, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and LeBron James.

Antetokounmpo’s lack of skill resulted in a championship, Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year award, nine All-NBA selections, five All-Defense selections, an All-Star MVP, and In-Season Tournament MVP.

These narratives have managed to stick around for nearly a decade, yet a first-ballot Hall of Fame career is being carved out.

If Embiid can’t at least get to the Eastern Conference Finals, his career will likely have an asterisk when it’s all set and done.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports