Giannis Antetokounmpo is just 26-years-old. If he retired from the NBA today, he would be a Hall of Famer. Right now. On the spot.
His first NBA championship just solidified all of that. He silenced all of his critics.
Antetokounmpo has been a special player for a while. And, I mean, of course he has. He’s a two-time MVP and a defensive player of the year. But today? He’s an NBA champion. And a Finals MVP. That’s the thing that everyone chases. That’s what quickly vaults him up people’s all-time player lists.
And rightfully so. After winning an NBA title, he just put himself in an exclusive NBA club.
He’s one of 3 players in league history (!!!!!) to win an MVP, Defensive Player of the Year award and a championship at any point in their careers. The other two? Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. Two of the best to ever do it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players NBA history to win a regular season MVP Award, a Finals MVP Award and a Defensive Player of the Year Award. pic.twitter.com/Ks1Uhf9EA8
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 21, 2021
Antetokounmpo is now, rightfully, in the same conversation as them. And he did it by giving us a classic NBA Finals performance. One of the best we’ll ever see.
Only LeBron James has averaged at least 35 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a Finals series. It was one he lost. Antetokounmpo came away with a ring.
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 35.2 PPG, 13.2 RPG and 5.0 APG in the Finals.
He is the second player in NBA history to average 35+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a Finals series, joining LeBron James (35.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 8.8 APG) in 2015. pic.twitter.com/dCwzAQt4yW
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) July 21, 2021
Antetokounmpo just wrote a new chapter in NBA history with his epic performance and his first ring. The only thing that’s next for him is to keep winning more. If that happens, the GOAT conversation will be the next one to have.
Now, we’re a long way away from that and are still living in this moment. But being put in the same conversations as some of the best to ever do it is a great sign.
Sure, he’s only 26. And we’re watching him do all of this in real-time. But when talking about Antetokounmpo, we have to talk about him in his proper context — an all-time great player.
He’s legitimately one of the best players we’ve ever seen on the basketball court and this championship solidifies it.
Not bad for a guy with no bag, I guess.
