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Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Behind 50 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, Giannis led his team, the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 50 years. A mammoth performance and a historic playoff run. He is the fourth player ever to average 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 60% shooting in a five-game postseason span. He joins the likings of fellow Bucks legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, and Charles Barkley. However, he is the first to accomplish that in the finals.
Giannis is a superstar and he arguably now has one of the greatest closeout performances in the history of the NBA. We are witnessing underrated generational talent. Down 2-0 in the finals to the "Suns in 4" narrative meant nothing to Giannis, as he has always climbed through adversity.
Born in Greece, but as children of Nigerian immigrants they were never recognized as Greeks, nothing was ever steady or certain for Antetokounmpo. They moved from place to place while facing evictions. They barely made by, even sharing basketball shoes with his brother Thanasis. Just 8 years ago, weighing a mere 205 pounds, the young Greek protege was taken 15th overall by Milwaukee. He was a touted prospect, but many had doubts...
- Ryan Petzar | Advance National Desk
"That is not to say that Giannis doesn't have good athleticism -- he does -- but the ‘freak' nickname shouldn't fool anyone into thinking that he is an all-world athlete." - Kevin O'Connor, Ringer
"He seemed unaware of how to get involved or how to put himself in scoring position." - Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
Photo: Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports
Fast forward to today, 40 pounds stronger and very well versed on the course, Giannis has become one of the best to touch to court, and he is now an NBA Champion. At age 26, Giannis has already curated a Hall of Fame resume.
- 5x All-Star
- 5x All NBA
- 4x All-Defense
- 2x MPV
- 1x DPOY
- 1x MIP
- 1x NBA Finals MVP
- 1x CHAMPION
Not only has he lived up to his title, "The Greek Freak", but he is also an all-around good guy. You can tell he has a good head on his shoulders and is just so pure in nature. He has now added another piece of hardware to his impressive trophy cabinet. This may be his first, but it won't be his last. The next decade-plus of Giannis will be one for the history books.
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