Prior to the 2017-18 NBA season, Kobe Bryant challenged Giannis Antetokounmpo to win his first Most Valuable Player award. At just 22 years old, many players around the league like LeBron James and Kevin Durant know how special Antetokounmpo can be.

In their first matchup of the season, Antetokounmpo finished with 34 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. However, James finished with 24 points, five rebounds, and eight assists while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a dominating 116-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Following the loss, the one-time All-Star was asked about the comparisons according to Nick Friedell of ESPN:

“I'm not on that level,” Antetokounmpo said after a 116-97 loss to James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. “LeBron James is one of the best players in the league, and one of the best players to ever play the game. It's great going against him, but I don't think about that.”

Article Continues Below
More News
Cowboys, Netflix
New to Netflix in June 2025Burtland Dixon ·
Cleveland Guardians first base David Fry (6) reacts after hitting a single and advancing to second base during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees during game five of the ALCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Progressive Field.
Guardians activate All-Star outfielder before Angels clashJoey Mistretta ·
New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) shoots the ball over Washington Mystics guard Jade Melbourne (5) in the second half at CareFirst Arena.
Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu gets brutally honest on Mystics rookieBenjamin Adducchio ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Lakers’ LeBron James will love Luka Doncic’s Mind the Game moveJosh Davis ·
Featured image Pascal Siakam
Pacers get injury updates for Game 6 vs. KnicksJulian Ojeda ·
Orioles infielder Coby Mayo (86) poses
How star prospect can save Orioles’ lackluster seasonJoey Mistretta ·

While James is one of the greatest players of all time, Antetokounmpo's rise has been special to watch. Originally the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, he continues to make great strides in each of his five seasons and counting.

With a 10 year age difference between Antetokounmpo and James, there will always be storylines surrounding the rising star trying to dethrone arguably the league's best player.