“You trynna tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play in an NBA game in the 70s?” LeBron asked rhetorically on his recent appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the 70s. 250!”

Of course, given the basketball historian and advocate for the game that LeBron is, this was all said in jest. But as we all know, every good joke contains some underlying truth. LeBron’s point, though veiled in humor, was clear: Giannis' unique blend of size, speed, and agility would have left defenders in the dust, even in a time when the game was still evolving. In an era where 7-footers weren’t running the floor like gazelles, Giannis’ combination of brute strength and finesse would’ve made him, simply, unstoppable.

Despite the playful jab, there’s an undeniable respect for the 1970s NBA. It was a time when the game was raw, physical, and fiercely competitive, a foundation upon which the modern spectacle is built. 

The '70s were defined by gritty players who relied on fundamentals and sheer toughness, when the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Oscar Robertson dominated the court in ways that set the stage for future generations. While the game lacked the dazzling three-point explosion of today, it was full of pioneering moments and uber-competitiveness that laid the groundwork for what the NBA would eventually become. The era’s slower pace and more methodical style may seem primitive compared to today’s high-flying, highlight-filled spectacles, but 1970s hoops were an essential chapter in basketball storied history.

Still, while 250 points may be a stretch, Bron has a point: it's hard to imagine The Greek Freak not being a dominant force in any era in basketball.