Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t need a long monologue to enter one of basketball’s most sensitive debates. He only needed five words: “I believe I’m going to do it.”
That was Giannis’ response when asked about breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record, currently held by LeBron James. It wasn’t loud, dismissive, or provocative. It was calm, direct, and deeply revealing.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has entered the GOAT debate
In a league where most superstars carefully dodge comparisons to LeBron, Michael Jordan, or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis did the opposite. He didn’t hedge or deflect. He openly expressed belief.
The reality is that only a handful of players from the current generation have the potential to enter the GOAT debate at some point. Not many have the combination of peak dominance, longevity potential, and résumé to make the conversation credible.
Nikola Jokić may be the strongest statistical candidate. His advanced numbers are historic, and his efficiency is unprecedented. Yet Jokić has never shown much interest in legacy. He has spoken openly about wanting a quiet life, returning to Serbia, and spending time with his horses once his career ends.
We might not see another championship banner in Denver. Luka Dončić is another obvious name, but his résumé remains incomplete. Without a championship, even generational talent struggles to sustain long-term GOAT-level arguments.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, already checks that box. He has the talent, the hardware, and a team built to win. If Oklahoma City continues on its current trajectory, this could mark the beginning of an era. Among Giannis’ peers, SGA is the closest to emerging as a true rival in that broader legacy conversation.
Giannis is still climbing up all-time lists
Giannis already owns a championship, multiple MVPs, and a Finals MVP. That alone places him above most of his peers in the long-term conversation.
He also entered the league raw, which means his early scoring totals don’t fully reflect his prime output. Since becoming a superstar, he has been one of the league’s most consistent high-volume scorers, attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and imposing his will physically.
His ceiling remains unusually high and he firmly places himself in the GOAT debate window. That window, however, is time-sensitive. Giannis is 31, and while his body has held up remarkably well, the next phase of his career will matter more than the last.
To stay on a historic trajectory, he will need a setting that maximizes both winning and longevity. For Giannis to truly keep his GOAT debate hopes alive, a new environment may be necessary.