Raptors Rapture contributors Vimal Sivakumar, Go Paolo and Rizzla tackle these burning questions in our latest edition of Raptors Roundtable.
Giannis vs Kawhi for Eastern Conference MVP?
Vimal:
I would love to ride for Kawhi, I really would. I’m taking Giannis though. Statistically, they are very similar. Both players are averaging around 26 points in 34 minutes per contest. Giannis leads Kawhi in field goal percentage and rebounds while Kawhi is doing better in free throw and three-point percentage.
Accordingly, my key differentiator here is games played. Even though the games Kawhi has missed were for rest, such days off show durability from Giannis that simply is not there with Kawhi right now, something that gives the former a distinct advantage that can only be made up if Leonard separates himself substantially from a numbers standpoint as the season progresses.