Antetokounmpo’s historic night delivers crown to Milwaukee after 50 years

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It was eight years ago when a viral clip of a young and skinny basketball player from Greece circulated on social media.

Full of hopes and with the ultimate dream of landing a spot in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo answered directly in the interview that he will be a stronger and much better player when he gets his chance in the league and guess what?

That skinny teen is now an NBA champion.

From his small plans, Antetokounmpo’s dreams suddenly became a reality and led the team who drafted him in 2013 to their first NBA championship since 1971 after taking down the Phoenix Suns in Game 6, 105-98.

It was a legendary performance for the Greek Freak as his Game 6 output of 50 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks earned him the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award and is the first-ever player in the history of the NBA to win the MVP, Finals MVP, Most Improved Player, and the Defensive Player of the Year.

Aside from Antetokounmpo’s rare collection of awards, he also became the first player in the NBA to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 60 percent shooting from the field.

From the get-go, Antetokounmpo’s aggressiveness bolstered the Bucks as they quickly pounced to an early 13-point lead.

However, Cameron Payne and Chris Paul countered the Milwaukee Bucks’ offense and made a run of their own to take over the lead at halftime, 47-42.

The chess match continued for 24 grueling minutes but it was Antetokounmpo once again who did the damage and forced Deandre Ayton, his primary defender, into foul trouble in the fourth quarter.

With Milwaukee clinging to just a four-point lead, 100-96, and one minute remaining in the game, Khris Middleton came up clutch once again and buried a fade-away perimeter shot in the right elbow that proved to be the dagger of Game 6.

Middleton only chipped in 17 points in the game but it was his timely shots that put Milwaukee back in the driver seat whenever the Suns had their run.

Phoenix was paced by Paul’s 26 points, five assists, and two rebounds followed by Devin Booker’s 19-point performance.

“I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me, thank my teammates. They played hard every freaking game. I trusted this team. I wanted to do it here in this city, I wanted to do it with these guys, so I’m happy. I’m happy that we were able to get it done,” said Antetokounmpo after receiving his NBA Finals trophy award.