Giannis Antetokounmpo Responds to LeBron James’ Bold Claim: ‘It’s Unfair to Compare Eras’

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has responded thoughtfully after LeBron James made an astonishing claim that the Greek athlete would have dominated the NBA of the 1970s, jokingly suggesting he could score “250 points a game.”

James, a legend with the Los Angeles Lakers and widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, offered high praise to Antetokounmpo during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” When discussing how current NBA talent might have fared in earlier eras, James emphatically stated, “Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the ’70s. 250. That’s no disrespect, but seriously.”

Giannis, known affectionately as “The Greek Freak,” quickly responded to James’ comment after a recent Boston Celtics game, displaying his characteristic humility and sense of humor. Initially joking that the number might be closer to “275, not 250,” Antetokounmpo turned serious, emphasizing the unfairness of cross-era comparisons.

“Great compliment, but I don’t like comparing eras,” said Antetokounmpo. “It’s not fair. If I’d played in the ’70s, how everybody practiced and how everybody played, we would have played the same way. That’s all you knew at the time. The game evolves.”

At 6ft 11 and renowned for his extraordinary athleticism, Giannis has made a significant impact on the NBA since joining the league in 2013. He secured two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and captured his first NBA title in 2021. Now 30, Antetokounmpo is on a quest to secure a second championship ring and solidify his legacy as one of basketball’s greats.

Yet, despite his impressive achievements and the high praise from James, Giannis insisted that comparing players from different eras is misleading because it fails to account for changes in training methods, tactics, and overall gameplay evolution.

“We got to 2020, and we know more,” Giannis explained. “It’s totally different, so you can’t compare this era with that era. I wish at this era that I play at now, 2025, I wish I could score 250 points today. But yeah, I don’t think it’s fair to compare. I’d probably play the same way they played if I played in the ’70s.”

Giannis’ measured response underlines his deep respect for basketball history while acknowledging the realities of the game’s evolution. His mature handling of the compliment from James, himself a four-time NBA champion aiming for his fifth title this season, underscores Giannis’ status as both an exceptional player and a humble ambassador for the sport.

LeBron James, now in his fifth decade, continues to dazzle fans and opponents alike, keeping his Lakers team in strong playoff contention. Meanwhile, Giannis’ Celtics face their own challenges but remain formidable contenders.

Ultimately, the exchange between these two generational talents highlights the importance of appreciating each player’s unique contributions within their respective eras without succumbing to simplistic or unfair comparisons.