Giannis Antetokounmpo just got a little more bulletin-board material for his next run against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 2026-27 season is shaping up with the 76ers among the clear favorites in the East, but the Miami Heat will have a major obstacle in their way if they want to stop Philadelphia from pushing toward the NBA Finals. That obstacle is still Giannis, and a recent comment from former NBA champion Channing Frye may have only sharpened the edge.
Frye, who played 13 seasons and won a title with the Cavaliers in 2016, appeared in a short clip from the Road Trippin pod and drew a sharp line between Giannis and Joel Embiid. In his view, Giannis is basically unskilled compared to Embiid, saying the former does not have the skill set to dominate without his physical gifts, while Embiid can still post huge numbers even when he is not fully healthy.
Thanks, Channing. The 76ers certainly did not need any more revenge fuel against them.
That kind of dismissal sells Giannis short. He is a two-time MVP and an NBA champion, and those credentials don’t happen by accident. You can argue Embiid has the deeper bag, sure, but that does not make Antetokounmpo anything less than a skilled superstar.
His skill shows up in the way he uses his size, speed, and balance to overwhelm defenses. He is a strong finisher, can create his own shot, and gives teammates quality playmaking from his spot. His jumper remains the biggest question, but it hardly matters when he can get to the rim whenever he wants.
No big man with a similar physical profile moves like Giannis does. That blend of power and agility is part of what makes him so difficult to handle, and it is why Miami will be a real problem for Philadelphia as long as he stays healthy.
The 76ers won’t be backing down, but Frye’s insult gives Giannis another reason to come at them even harder.
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