Milwaukee Bucks: Takeaways from 120-108 win over New Orleans Pelicans

Giannis makes a statement

Tuesday’s game felt a little weird. For years, it’s been a common occurrence to see Giannis Antetokounmpo go head-to head with the league’s true superstars in thrilling encounters.

This clash with the Pelicans seemed like something entirely new, though, as rather than taking on the role of the ascendant superstar in the match-up, this time around Giannis was the benchmark for what a top tier NBA player looked like.

Prior to Zion Williamson, only Luka Doncic had truly presented as a superstar player younger than Antetokounmpo who looks capable of battling him for NBA supremacy for the next decade. The difference with Williamson, though, is the positional element that made this a direct clash on the court.

For Bucks fans getting their first up-close look at Zion in the NBA, there were more than enough glimpses of his brilliance to provide thrills across the night.

In spite of that, though, it was Antetokounmpo who was the undisputed winner of his first round against Williamson. Not only did Giannis shake Zion off almost at will to rack up a large share of his 34 points on the night, but he showed no intention of cowering whenever the opportunity presented itself to meet the hulking Zion at the summit.

After the game, Antetokounmpo didn’t quite seem pleased with his performance, and perhaps the fact that he and the rest of the Bucks’ starters couldn’t kill the game off sooner. With 34 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists on 12-of-17 shooting, and the notable scalp of Williamson, that dissatisfaction only points to the absurd level of play that Antetokounmpo can now rightfully demand of himself and his teammates.