Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the world… PERIOD.
After the six games he had in the 2021 NBA Finals, especially after suffering what looked to be a significant left knee injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, I really do not see how you can make an argument against Giannis Antetokounmpo for being the best basketball player in the entire world.
All series long, he battled his hyperextended left knee injury, back issues, fatigue and who knows what else Giannis was dealing with, but he never made up excuses for himself and just dominated on the court. Antetokounmpo finished averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 blocks and shot 61.8% from the floor, a statline that we have never seen before in the NBA Finals.
He also became the first player in NBA history to average 30/10/5/1/1 on 50% shooting in a single postseason, according to StatMuse. There are so many other stats and accolades we can talk about in regards to Giannis’ performances, but the most dazzling thing that sticks out to me is that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Jordan are the only two players in NBA history to average 30+ points and 10+ rebounds in their first NBA Finals appearance.
To be in the same sentence with Michael Jordan, not to mention by yourself, is extremely impressive, which is why Giannis Antetokonumpo may have very well cemented his legacy as the greatest player of this generation and currently, the greatest player in the entire NBA.
Through eight seasons in the NBA now, Antetokounmpo is a 5x All-Star, 5x All-NBA performer, 4x All-Defensive performer, a 2x league MVP, the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year, the 2020-21 All-Star Game MVP and now not just an NBA champion, but an NBA Finals MVP! Not to mention, he was the 2016-17 Most Improved Player and named to the All-Rookie team during the 2013-14 season, his rookie season in the NBA.
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The journey Giannis has been one over the last several years is quite remarkable and this is just the beginning for him. He is going to be entering his 9th season in the NBA next year, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is only 26-years-old! With his athleticism and skill right now, there is no way to stop this guy, which is why he is going to be the best player in the world for many years to come.
With a 50 points, 14 rebound and 5 block performance in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win a championship, Giannis Antetokounmpo has carved his name in Milwaukee Bucks’ history books, NBA history books and has elevated himself to being one of the greatest players of All-Time. Take a bow Giannis because your performance in the NBA Finals is going to forever go down as one of the single greatest performances from a player in NBA history!
