There are very few active NBA players as decorated and recognized as Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Milwaukee Bucks forward has already accomplished a lot, even though he is not even 30 years old yet (he turns 30 on December 6).

In his first 11 seasons in the NBA, Antetokounmpo has built a remarkable record of success. Two-time MVP winner in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-20. Most Improved Player in 2016-17. Eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA and five-time All-Defensive. Most importantly, he was a 2021 NBA champion and named Finals MVP.

Antetokounmpo’s game hasn’t deteriorated at all. However, one NBA legend ranks him lower in the Eastern Conference hierarchy than many others would.

NBA legend calls Antetokounmpo “fourth best in the East”

Garnett doesn’t see Giannis at the top of the East

Basketball Hall of Fame member Kevin Garnett currently hosts a podcast with his former Boston Celtics teammate Paul Pierce called TICKET & THE TRUTH. The question of whether Antetokounmpo is the best player in the Eastern Conference came up on their recent podcast, and this is what Garnett had to say.

“You can’t say that about (Joel) Embiid there. And you can’t say that about Jayson Tatum there either. I don’t dispute that. He’s probably the fourth-best player in the East.”

While Garnett did name two players he would rank above Antetokounmpo, he never named a third. So yes, the 2003-04 MVP said Antetokounmpo was probably the fourth best, but perhaps he realized he couldn’t name a third player in the East who is better.

No one can question how dominant Embiid is as a player. The 2022-23 MVP won two consecutive scoring titles and was on his way to a third last season before getting injured. However, there is one dark cloud hanging over Embiid: his availability. Since being drafted third overall in 2014, he has only played in 433 regular-season games. Embiid has also never led his Philadelphia 76ers past the second round of the playoffs.

Tatum is part of the reigning champion Celtics. He has finished in the top six in MVP voting for the last three seasons. While he still played excellently overall, Tatum was not as efficient at scoring points in the playoffs. His teammate Jaylen Brown was voted MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals ahead of him (both in close votes). While Tatum won a gold medal for Team USA, there was a whole controversy over his (lack of) playing time that included a few DNPs – Coach’s Decisions.

Season of redemption for the Greek Freak?

Antetokounmpo is entering his 12th NBA season and continues to dominate the regular season. In 73 games last season, he posted excellent averages of 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks. Antetokounmpo finished fourth in MVP voting, the sixth consecutive season in which he has finished in the top four.

However, Milwaukee hasn’t had much playoff success since the 2021 championship. They won a postseason round in 2022 but were eliminated in the first round the past two seasons. Antetokounmpo missed two of the five playoff games in 2023 because of a back injury against the Miami Heat. He missed the entire 2024 series against the Indiana Pacers because of a strained left calf.

Bucks fans will obviously hope that Antetokounmpo stays healthy until the playoffs and they can have a longer run with Damian Lillard in year two. Maybe then people like Garnett will once again consider Antetokounmpo the best in the East.