Giannis Antetokounmpo's height has always been at the center of jokes and rivalries: All you need to know

Giannis Antetokounmpo's height has helped him become one of the premier talents in the NBA. At just 27 years old, the Milwaukee Bucks star was the youngest player to be named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. Take a look at how Giannis Antetokounmpo's height has evolved in the NBA.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's height has been ridiculed at times

Giannis Antetokounmpo's height was at the center of his rivalry with James Harden. The rivalry between the two was budding leading up to the 2020 All-Star Game due to a perceived MVP snub. Antetokounmpo passed over Harden during the 2020 All-Star Draft, claiming:

"I'm between Kemba and Trae Young, I want somebody that's going to pass the ball."

Harden responded:

"I average more assists than him, I think. I don't see what the joke is, but I didn't even see it. I don't pay attention to stuff like that, I just know none of them can mess with me... I wish I could just run and be 7 feet and just dunk, like that takes no skill at all. I gotta actually learn how to play basketball and have skill. I'll take that anyday."

While Giannis Antetokounmpo's height is essential to his style of play, it is hard to support James Harden's claim that the Milwaukee Bucks star has no skill. Despite Harden's comments, Antetokounmpo has continued to establish himself as one of the NBA's best players.

Watch a recap of Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden's rivalry below:

Giannis Antetokounmpo's growth spurt after entering the NBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo has had a growth spurt since he was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA Draft. Antetokounmpo was drafted at 6'9, however, he is now listed as 7'0. Antetokounmpo once joked that he is '6'9 like KD', poking fun at the discrepancy between Durant's listed height and his actual height.

After labeling himself as a '7'0 point guard', a 21-year-old Antetokounmpo joked:

"I don't know. I'm 6'11 and a half, so 7'0. Almost 7'0. 7'0 with shoes, 7'2 with high heels on."

Giannis Antetokounmpo's height is officially listed as 7'0, however, in this era of positionless basketball, he is not confined to the paint as seven-footers of previous generations were. Antetokounmpo has averaged 4.6 assists per game in his career, however, that number has jumped to 5.5 assists per game since his breakout season in 2016-2017.

Watch Giannis Antetokounmpo's highlights below: