Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-point masterpiece in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals is the best performance of his career. After entering the series with a hyperextended knee, it would’ve been easy for most players to pack it in. But not 'The Greek Freak'.
The Game 6 win gave the Bucks a 4-2 series victory over the Suns. After all that was missing from his shiny resume was an NBA championship, Antetokounmpo cemented his legacy. Despite the brilliant achievement, not everyone is going to be there to clap for Giannis' success.
Markieff drops eye-popping comments on the 2021 Bucks
The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks were an elite ballclub from top to bottom. However, the 2021 Brooklyn Nets were given a historic label after they acquired James Harden from the Houston Rockets in January.
The Nets were the heavy favorite to win the championship. That’s until Kyrie Irving went down and out of the ECSF duel with the Bucks while Harden was already on the injury report with a bad hamstring.
Even though injuries are a part of the game, Irving’s current teammate, Markeiff Morris, thinks Milwaukee got a lucky title.
“If Giannis [Antetokounmpo] ain’t put his foot under [Irving], [the Nets] would’ve had a championship,” said Morris. “Milwaukee would still be without a championship. “I know so. They were going to get swept. They know that. You can ask anybody on their team.”
In Game 4 against the Bucks, Irving suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter. There was hope that Kyrie could return during the series, but that never happened. Brooklyn went from up 2-0 to losing a Game 7 on their home court in heartbreaking fashion.
How good were the 2021 Bucks anyway?
Saying the Nets would’ve won had Irving and Harden been healthy and ready is a reasonable statement, as claiming the Bucks would have still won is something most fans would push back on.
That’s not to dismiss the kind of team Milwaukee was, led by a 26-year-old two-time MVP in Antetokounmpo. 'The Greek Freak' was in the top five in MVP and DPOY voting during the season. He was also an All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team member.
The Bucks also boasted arguably the league’s best perimeter defender, Jrue Holiday. Jrue was also on the NBA’s All-Defensive Team and finished in the top 3 among guards in DPOY voting.
Together, Antetokounmpo and Holiday — not to dismiss Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and the likes — led Milwaukee as the league’s No.1 scoring offense and the No. 2 team in pace. Antetokoumpo capped off the 2021 NBA Finals with a storybook performance in the closeout Game 6, registering 50 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocked shots, as it is really unfair to play the 'what if' game and diminish his success.
Related: Former Bucks champion said they would have been swept by the Nets in 2021 "if James Harden and Kyrie Irving do not get hurt"
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