Giannis Antetokounmpo’s dominant outing in Game 6 of the NBA Finals has captivated the entire sporting spectrum.
Antetokounmpo dropped 50 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and two assists while making 17-of-19 free-throw attempts in a closeout game to win his first title.
The Phoenix Suns simply had no answer for Antetokounmpo’s strategy. At times, Antetokounmpo settled for jumpers — which is a rare weakness in his game — but he usually put his head down and made a move to the basket.
His superiority on both ends of the floor has lifted him in the conversation as arguably the best basketball player in the world, along with Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant.
Durant, who suffered an Achilles injury two seasons ago that should’ve derailed his production, has bounced back and is still the lethal, unstoppable offensive threat he has always been.
But in the eyes of Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, LeBron James is still the king on the throne. However, if James doesn’t lead L.A. to a title next season, Antetokounmpo and Durant could make a run for the crown:
Watch out LeBron…KD and Giannis are right there coming for your throne👀
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2021
James, 36, is coming off a year mired with an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in 27 games, which he said never returned to 100 percent even after he came back to the court.
The Lakers will need to build a stronger roster for next season to optimize the current title window open under James and Anthony Davis. The Lakers are slated to have over 10 free agents this offseason, so tough decisions will need to be made by the front office.
Los Angeles is reportedly interested in Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, so if a player of that caliber lands in L.A., James will have the surrounding talent he needs to compete for his fifth championship — and remain on the throne.
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