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The Milwaukee Bucks are a victory away from winning their first NBA title since 1971 and if that happens – either tomorrow night at home or Thursday night in Phoenix – they will have one very large and one very unstoppable man to thank for that – Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The headline you see at the top of this story is true and meant as a complete compliment. Giannis Antetokounmpo is ridiculous in such a good way that we’re all so fortunate to be able to watch an incredible talent and good human being do what he does on the biggest stage in the game.
I know what you’re saying right now – WHAT ABOUT THE FREE THROWS???!!! And I get it – the counting by opposing fans has become a thing and he’s not the greatest free throw shooter.
But heres a counterpoint to that – who cares? Giannis can do so many other things at such an elite level that the free throws are forgettable and irrelevant because in the end he and his teams win games and that’s all that matters.
Giannis and the Bucks won a HUGE game in front of a raucous crowd in Phoenix on Saturday, a win that game them a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals and a win that ended with an iconic Finals moment for Giannis. His wild alley-oop with just over 13 seconds left is a moment that will be replayed forever if the Bucks go on to win this thing. It’s his “Jordan-switching-hands-in-mid-air-against-the-Lakers” moment. It was that big and that impressive. His explanation of the play was awesome, too.
Giannis has already had an incredible career – he’s won two MVP awards and is only 26 years old, which is bonkers.
The knock against him the the past few years has been that he couldn’t get his team over the hump and into the NBA Finals. Well, now they’re there and it feels like if he wins this one it will open him up to many more. It seems that’s how it has worked for other stars in the past – once the burden of getting a championship is lifted things become easier and championship titles start stacking up.
Also, having guys like Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday helps because we all know it takes more than one really good player to lead a team to a title.
Giannis is average 32.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in the Finals (which he’s been lucky to play in after suffering that knee injury against the Hawks) and yet there are still people bashing his offensive skills. Here’s the thing, though – those people are sad idiots and should just be ignored.
What Giannis is doing is historic and fun as hell to watch and he’s going to be doing it for a long time, which is very fun for all of us NBA fans.
Now all he has to do is get that first title.
Quick hits: LeBron brought a bottle of tequila to Game 5… Gerrit Cole ignored Red Sox players… Morikawa makes incredible history at the British Open… And more.
– LeBron James was seen having a bottle of tequila under his seat at Game 5 of the NBA Finals… and good for him. That sounds like a fun way to enjoy a game.
– J.D. Martinez was mic’d up at the All-Star Game and was heard telling his teammates that Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole ignored the Red Sox players.
– Collin Morikawa made some incredible history with his British Open victory.
– An Irish gymnast proved the myth about the Olympics’ cardboard beds is completely false.
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