"I'm not arguing" - Ex-NBA champion shuts down Paul Pierce's claim of Giannis Antetokounmpo being top player in East

Former NBA champion Kevin Garnett shut down his championship teammate Paul Pierce's claim that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the Eastern Conference. The duo won the NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008.

While discussing the future of the Bucks on the latest episode of the "KG Certified" podcast, Pierce tried to pitch Antetokounmpo as arguably the best player in the East. While Pierce kept nudging for the Greek Freak's consideration, Garnett was adamant about his opinion as he shot down his former teammate's take.

"I'm not arguing that," Garnett said. "I would not argue against (Joel) Embiid, against (Jayson) Tatum. He's probably like the fourth-best player in the East."

Watch the segment at 47:47 here:

Giannis Antetokounmpo concluded the 2023-24 season averaging a double-double stat line of 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks as the Bucks finished third in the East. However, he was listed out for the postseason due to a left calf injury that he suffered two weeks ahead of the start of the playoffs.

In the absence of their star player, the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated 4-2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Indiana Pacers. Had Antetokounmpo remained healthy for the postseason, the conclusion of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce's discussion on the podcast may have been different.

Paul Pierce believes Warriors trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo would extend their title contention window

In the latest episode of the "KG Certified" podcast, Paul Pierce weighed in about what it would take for the Golden State Warriors to become a championship-contending team as Steph Curry approaches his final years in the league. Pierce floated the idea of the Warriors acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only possibility for them to extend their title contention window.

"The only way I see Golden State getting back to where they need to get back to is if they can find a way to get Giannis over there," Paul Pierce said.

Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett contended that Curry could leave the Warriors to chase a fifth NBA title. However, Pierce was adamant that the best shooter of all time would likely choose to stay with his franchise of 15 years.

"He's going down with that ship," Pierce said. "It's all legacy. Everything right now, for him, is icing on the cake."

Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Golden State Warriors would surely boost the team's championship chances significantly. However, both Antetokounmpo and Curry have elevated themselves as the faces of their respective franchises and would likely consider the factor of staying loyal to one team as a part of their legacies.