The art of spewing the hot take has unfortunately become a staple in NBA analysis these days. Whatever gets people to react is the “analysis” the audience gets. Just look at Paul Pierce’s personal crusade against LeBron James.
Unfortunately for former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson, he seems to have picked the wrong person to include in his hot take.
On Wednesday night after the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Miami Heat, Jefferson fired off a tweet comparing Giannis Antetokounmpo to Scottie Pippen — and not in a positive way.
He said Antetokounmpo might be a “Pippen,” and needs to play with a “Jordan” player who can be the main star on the team.
Giannis might be a Pippen…. there I said it! He needs his Jordan. pic.twitter.com/L89DG9JjHD
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) September 3, 2020
First of all, that’s just ridiculous. It’s terrible analysis. On the surface, he’s saying that what will likely be a back-to-back NBA MVP and the current Defensive Player of the Year cannot be the best player on a championship team. That’s beyond silly.
But here’s the kicker. He’s saying that by comparing Antetokounmpo to a 6-time NBA champion, 7-time All-NBA player and a flat out Hall of Famer in Scottie Pippen. Like, fam. Do you know who Scottie Pippen is?
Anyway, this was bad. So bad, in fact, that Scottie Pippen himself had to come and get Richard Jefferson out of the paint.
He straight up ROASTED him. He indeed confirmed that he is not Giannis – and then asked who Jefferson was as a player.
I’m not Giannis—I don’t have back-to-back league MVPs (he will in a matter of days)—and he’s not me. The question is… who were you as a player? 😂 https://t.co/Ce6tGU98s3
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) September 3, 2020
Straight up savage. Ouch. Can’t say Jefferson didn’t have it coming, though. That’s what happens when you dish out terrible takes.
