"Giannis (Antetokounmpo) Can Average 30 in His Sleep": Stephen A. Smith Makes Big Claim Amid Miami Roster Concern

The Miami Heat's roster is currently one of the hottest topics in the league. Some think they will be able to achieve great things next season due to Giannis Antetokounmpo's addition. On the other hand, doubters are pointing to the holes in their roster.

To the people saying the Heat have several issues they need to fix, outspoken sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has a response. He delivered his argument as to why Miami will excel next year during First Take's live show at the Fanatics Fest in New York.

First, Smith went after the people saying the Heat have an incomplete roster. He pointed out that the offseason is not yet done, and the Pat Riley-led front office will still make moves before the regular season begins.

Then, he shifted his focus to Antetokounmpo and the talent he possesses.

"This is Giannis we're talking about here. It's a locomotive coming at you, got you on your heels, he's coming downhill," Smith said.

"He's in attack mode and a front line with three guys at least 6-feet-10 with a brother that can give you 30 a night," he continued. "Giannis can average 30 in his sleep. This is who he is."

According to Smith, despite what people say about the Heat, they are going to be a top-four team in the Eastern Conference next season.

The Heat’s doubters aren’t pointing to their size or frontcourt depth. Instead, critics highlight their lack of a consistent perimeter scorer.

Despite having a star frontcourt duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the Heat still lack a legitimate go-to perimeter scorer that defenses need to lock down.

They do have Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Simone Fontecchio on the roster, but they aren't known as consistent isolation scorers or elite shooters.

While they are recognized as assets on offense, the general consensus is that they lack the consistency to be considered great scorers.

Aside From Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen A. Smith Also Hypes Up Bobby Portis

The Miami Heat nearly gutted their roster this summer to acquire an All-NBA caliber talent. They traded away Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and several draft assets.

In exchange, they acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.

While most fans are focusing on Antetokounmpo, Stephen A. Smith reminded everyone that Portis wasn't just a throw-in to complete the deal.

He did not just talk about what Antetokounmpo can do during First Take's live episode at the Fanatics Fest; he also had high praise for Portis.

"Bobby Portis can play. I'm sick and tired of people talking about him like he's just some no name or whatever," Smith said. "This is Bobby Portis, the brother can give you 15 to 18 a night. He can score, he can play."

Portis has actually never averaged 15 points per game in his career. His best scoring output came in 2021-22, when he averaged 14.6 points per game. That isn't to say he isn't a reliable front-court asset, though.

Based on the last three seasons, he can easily add over 13 points a game. Numbers that are impressive because he has never been known as one of a team's primary options on offense.

Last season, Portis also finished with a career-best 45.6 percent 3-point shooting. He wasn't a volume shooter by any means, averaging only 4.4 attempts, but that clip ensures that defenses need to respect his range.

With still time remaining in the season, it will be interesting to see if Miami can build a championship contender squad around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.