SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks seems to be n towards the Sacramento Kings within the second half of an NBA basketball sport at Golden 1 Heart on March 16, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: Person expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Person is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Photographs License Settlement. (Photograph by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Photographs)
It has been an exhilarating NBA postseason up to now for us basketball followers, and one of many premier gamers on the coronary heart of all of it is none aside from Milwaukee Bucks famous person ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks made simple work of the Chicago Bulls, regardless of his co-star Khris Middleton happening in Recreation 2 with an MCL harm. An harm that can preserve him out for the entire collection towards the present opponent within the semifinal spherical, the Boston Celtics.
In Recreation 1 towards the Celtics, Giannis posted a triple-double, accumulating 24 factors, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. To place his numbers into some context, he did battle capturing the ball from the sphere, capturing simply 9-of-25 (36%) from the ground, lacking simple layups he normally makes, and his jumper wasn’t falling as effectively. He additionally had an uncharacteristic 5 turnovers in Recreation 1, with three of these coming within the opening quarter.
What would one other NBA title imply for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s legacy?
Regardless of his struggles, Giannis nonetheless impacted the sport in quite a few methods. Whether or not it was locking down the paint and being the elite defensive anchor he’s, making it powerful on the Celtics’ star wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, or constantly penetrating into the lane and kicking out to open shooters corresponding to Bobby Portis, Jrue Vacation, and Grayson Allen for wide-open threes.
His capability to influence the sport is all the time current on each ends of the court docket, even in a sport the place he was sub-par scoring the ball. This iis why many think about him the very best participant within the league, including Colin Cowherd of “The Herd.”
Recreation 2 at TD Backyard was a distinct story, although, because the Celtics made changes. They made life a dwelling hell for the Bucks offensively, displaying why they’ve been the very best defensive group within the league for the reason that flip of the calendar yr, regardless of the Defensive Participant of the Yr, Marcus Good, being out with a thigh contusion.
The Greek Freak shot simply 11-of-27 (41%) in Recreation 2. He completed with 28 factors, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists however was -11 in field +/-, in comparison with +23 in Recreation 1. Giannis additionally had six turnovers, one thing he has actually struggled with towards the rugged, powerful protection of the Celtics.
They’ve a number of sturdy, athletic, lengthy defenders to throw at him, together with Al Horford, Grant Williams, Robert Williams, and even Tatum or Brown.
Giannis Antetokounmpo can even need to get again to creating his free throws as he did in Recreation 6 of the Finals final season towards the Phoenix Suns when he shot 17-of-19 (89%) within the series-clinching sport.
However, if the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo can in some way get previous the Celtics and the Miami Warmth, who would presumably be their opponent within the Convention Finals, this will probably be his second straight journey to the NBA Finals.
And let’s say, hypothetically, Giannis had been to guide the Bucks to a different title – what does that in the end imply for his NBA legacy? Will he develop into a prime 15 participant of all time? Some individuals have already got him close to that rank. Just ask ESPN.
Including one other title to his resume would make him a two-time champion, a two-time MVP, a DPOY, with quite a few All-NBA and All-Defensive groups, and he’d solely be 27 years of age.
Including one other title will surely put him above Kevin Durant on the all-time checklist, in addition to over guys corresponding to Stephen Curry, Oscar Robertson, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, and others.
Some may even argue that he could be a top-10 participant ever if he pulls it off, although I feel he would wish a minimum of one other title or MVP to get into that vaunted prime 10.
It has been an enchanting profession to witness over time for the “Greek Freak,” and together with his unbelievable work ethic, it will likely be thrilling to see the place he in the end resides amongst the greats as soon as his profession is accomplished.
