Bill Simmons doesn't believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the reliable superstar franchise-changing player that the Miami Heat are hoping he can be. And that unpopular revelation could completely blow up the Heat's master plan heading into the offseason.
The Heat are putting all their eggs in the Giannis basket this offseason; it's suddenly become the worst-kept secret across the league. But Simmons doesn't believe that may be the smart play.
Bill Simmons is starting to doubt Giannis Antetokounmpo
In his words, Simmons says that Giannis, at this point in his career, is closer to Joel Embiid (as a superstar who has quickly deteriorated of late) than he is to a player that the Heat should be willing to go all-in for. His argument is that he's struggled with injuries and that the Heat should be nervous about making that level of commitment to a player who has struggled to remain healthy.
And, to be perfectly honest, it's a far criticism.
I don't think I would go all the way to say that the Heat should hit the eject button in their plans to pursue Giannis this offseason, but the criticisms of Giannis (because of his health) are certainly fair.
Giannis missed 15 games last season, but is on pace to miss more than have the season this year. If he doesn't play another game for Milwaukee, Giannis will have only played in 36 games. That's not exactly what you want to see from a player that you are expecting to help change the culture and carry a franchise to a championship.
And at 31 years of age, it's naturally fair to question.
Heat have a big summer ahead of them - with Giannis at the center of it
Of course, the Heat would be betting that his recent injuries are not a sign of things to come, but if the Heat are indeed emptying their asset collection for Giannis, they'd have to be certain that this is not one of those situations that will end up costing them in the end.
At least for now, it doesn't seem as if there are any of those concerns inside the Heat's front office. With the news that they went hard for Giannis ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, and that they retained their assets in an attempt to do the same this summer, the Heat appear ready to put on the full-court press once again for the superstar forward.
Still, you can't help but wonder if this "revelation" or comparison from Simmons, even if it is slightly unfair, may start creeping into the back of the Heat front office's minds.
It's certainly something they'll have to think about before emptying the asset well this offseason.