In a recent interview with Complex Sports, Giannis Antetokounmpo made the following statement about his efficiency and place in NBA history:
“You’re witnessing greatness. As much as people hate on me, and they take my game for granted. One of the most efficient players in the league, ever. You can’t guard me one on one. I’ve never seen a player that the other team create defense for him, ever. Shaq played his game, Kobe played his game, Jordan played his game, KD played his game, LeBron played his game. Only one player made the other team create walls for him and it’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. So yes, you are witnessing greatness.”
Giannis’ words reflect his confidence in his unique impact on the game and his efficiency, which has defined his rise to the top of the NBA. His claim raises a question: Does his efficiency truly place him among the greats?
Comparing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Efficiency to Other All-Time Greats
Giannis’ rise to stardom has been marked by his relentless work ethic and ability to improve each aspect of his game. His development has been remarkable from a young, raw player to a two-time MVP and NBA champion. But how does his efficiency, a hallmark of great players, truly measure up compared to other all-time greats?
How Efficiency Is Measured in Basketball
When evaluating a player’s efficiency, we use two key advanced metrics:
- Player Efficiency Rating (PER): PER is a comprehensive stat that sums up a player’s statistical contributions, including scoring, assists, rebounds, and defensive plays, on a per-minute basis. A league-average PER is set at 15, so anything above that reflects a player contributing at an elite level.
- True Shooting Percentage (TS%): TS% accounts for a player’s shooting efficiency by factoring in not just field goals but also free throws and the added value of three-pointers. It provides a fuller picture of how efficiently a player scores, especially when handling large offensive responsibilities.
Giannis’ Efficiency Progression Over the Years
From his rookie season in 2013-14, where Giannis posted a PER of 10.8 and TS% of .518, to his peak in 2021-22, Giannis has made consistent strides in efficiency. By 2015-16, his PER rose to 18.8 and TS% to .566, with a greater offensive role reflected by his increased usage rate. His breakout came in 2016-17, earning his first All-Star selection with a PER of 26.1 and TS% of .599, showcasing his dominance in every area of the game. Giannis continued building momentum, reaching career highs in 2018-19 with a PER of 30.9, TS% of .644, and 14.4 Win Shares, highlighting his two-way impact.
The pinnacle of his efficiency came in the 2021-22 season when Giannis recorded his career-best PER of 32.1 and a True Shooting Percentage of .633. This season highlighted his ability to balance high-volume scoring with elite efficiency, with his usage rate climbing to 34.9% while maintaining superb shooting percentages. His defensive impact remained strong, with Defensive Win Shares of 3.7, proving his dominance on both ends.
Giannis’ Historic 2023-24 Season
Giannis achieved a historic milestone in the 2023-24 season, becoming the first player in NBA history to average at least 30 points per game while shooting 60% from the field. The only player to come close to this was Bucks legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 31.7 points on 57.7% shooting in the 1970-71 season.
| Season | G | PER | TS% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 77 | 10.8 | .518 | 10.2 | 12.1 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 15.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| 2014-15 | 81 | 14.8 | .552 | 12.2 | 13.1 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 19.6 | 2.2 | 4.0 | 6.2 |
| 2015-16 | 80 | 18.8 | .566 | 12.4 | 20.0 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 22.3 | 4.2 | 2.9 | 7.1 |
| 2016-17 | 80 | 26.1 | .599 | 14.3 | 26.6 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 28.3 | 7.9 | 4.5 | 12.4 |
| 2017-18 | 75 | 27.3 | .598 | 16.0 | 23.7 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 31.2 | 8.3 | 3.6 | 11.9 |
| 2018-19 | 72 | 30.9 | .644 | 19.3 | 30.3 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 32.3 | 8.9 | 5.5 | 14.4 |
| 2019-20 | 63 | 31.9 | .613 | 22.1 | 34.2 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 37.5 | 6.1 | 5.0 | 11.1 |
| 2020-21 | 61 | 29.2 | .633 | 17.5 | 28.7 | 1.7 | 3.2 | 32.5 | 6.9 | 3.3 | 10.2 |
| 2021-22 | 67 | 32.1 | .633 | 18.7 | 31.7 | 1.6 | 4.0 | 34.9 | 9.2 | 3.7 | 12.9 |
| 2022-23 | 63 | 29.0 | .605 | 19.1 | 33.2 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 38.8 | 4.9 | 3.7 | 8.6 |
| 2023-24 | 73 | 29.9 | .649 | 17.9 | 32.7 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 33.0 | 9.5 | 3.7 | 13.2 |
| Career | 792 | 25.4 | .610 | 16.2 | 25.8 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 29.3 | 68.2 | 41.1 | 109.3 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Comparing Giannis to Other All-Time Greats
In his interview with Complex Sports, Giannis placed himself in the company of legends like Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. But how does Giannis stack up statistically against these all-time greats?
Giannis’ PER of 25.4 places him in the elite category, trailing only Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal in this group. His PER shows he’s comparable to Durant and ahead of Kobe Bryant, who had a PER of 22.9. Jordan and LeBron’s higher PERs reflect their all-around dominance across their careers, but Giannis is not far behind.
| Player | From | To | G | MP | PER | TS% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 2013-14 | 2023-24 | 792 | 25945 | 25.4 | .610 | 16.2 | 25.8 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 13.6 | 29.3 | 68.2 | 41.1 | 109.3 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996-97 | 2015-16 | 1346 | 48637 | 22.9 | .550 | 8.1 | 24.2 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 11.6 | 31.8 | 122.1 | 50.7 | 172.7 |
| Kevin Durant | 2007-08 | 2023-24 | 1061 | 38972 | 25.0 | .619 | 10.7 | 20.7 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 12.6 | 30.2 | 120.9 | 49.3 | 170.2 |
| LeBron James | 2003-04 | 2023-24 | 1492 | 56597 | 27.1 | .589 | 11.3 | 36.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 13.2 | 31.5 | 182.8 | 80.8 | 263.7 |
| Michael Jordan | 1984-85 | 2002-03 | 1072 | 41011 | 27.9 | .569 | 9.4 | 24.9 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 9.3 | 33.3 | 149.9 | 64.1 | 214.0 |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 1992-93 | 2010-11 | 1207 | 41918 | 26.4 | .586 | 17.8 | 13.9 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 11.9 | 29.5 | 115.4 | 66.4 | 181.7 |
Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results.
Extending the Conversation: Jokic and Embiid
While Giannis surely referenced all-time NBA legends, there are at least two more players we need to mention when discussing Player Efficiency Rating (PER)—particularly in the context of modern big men: Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Jokic and Embiid have redefined what it means to be a dominant center in today’s NBA. Their efficiency, particularly in terms of PER and True Shooting Percentage (TS%), stands out even among the league’s all-time greats.
Both Embiid and Jokic surpass Giannis in PER, with Embiid leading the pack at 28.5. Jokic, known for his exceptional playmaking as a big man, is right behind at 28.1. Their high PERs reflect their ability to control games from the center position by scoring efficiently or facilitating their team’s offense. Regarding TS%, Jokic’s .635 and Embiid’s .615 also edge out Giannis’ .610, showing their elite shooting efficiency, especially from beyond the arc and the free-throw line.
However, when it comes to Defensive Win Shares (DWS), Giannis’ 41.1 DWS is notably higher than both Jokic’s 31.2 DWS and Embiid’s 25.3 DWS. This emphasizes Giannis’ greater impact on the defensive end, where his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions set him apart.
| Player | From | To | G | MP | PER | TS% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 2013-14 | 2023-24 | 792 | 25945 | 25.4 | .610 | 16.2 | 25.8 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 13.6 | 29.3 | 68.2 | 41.1 | 109.3 |
| Joel Embiid | 2016-17 | 2023-24 | 433 | 13833 | 28.5 | .615 | 19.3 | 20.7 | 1.4 | 4.5 | 13.1 | 35.5 | 38.2 | 25.3 | 63.5 |
| Nikola Jokić | 2015-16 | 2023-24 | 675 | 21078 | 28.1 | .635 | 19.2 | 36.4 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 14.9 | 27.0 | 80.3 | 31.2 | 111.6 |
Provided by Stathead.com: Found with Stathead. See Full Results.
Does Giannis’ Claim Hold Up?
Ultimately, Giannis’ claim of being one of the most efficient players in NBA history certainly holds weight. When considered alongside his defense, Giannis’ combination of elite metrics like PER, TS%, and DWS places him among the greats. He may not lead every efficiency metric, but his two-way dominance is undeniable, making him one of the most unguardable players in the modern NBA.
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