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Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo is redefining his greatness

ByMichael Wood|
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks goes up for a shot against Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

As the Milwaukee Bucks have gone through highs and lows this playoff run, so too has superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Where breaking down the wall was once Antetokounmpo’s biggest issue, questions over Antetokounmpo’s mental fortitude, shot selection and free throw shooting deficiencies have followed him this time around. It was only a couple of weeks ago where we dissected Antetokounmpo’s struggles matching up against the likes of Kevin Durant and how it paled in comparison due to Antetokounmpo’s well-known limitations.

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Well, the Bucks are now two wins away from the NBA Finals following their amazing 113-102 comeback victory in Game 3 over the Atlanta Hawks and Antetokounmpo continues redefining what greatness means to him and the way he carries himself on the court.

He’s not alone in that, considering what we saw from Khris Middleton throughout that decisive fourth quarter run to propel the Bucks that puts them up 2-1 in the series going into Game 4 Tuesday night in Atlanta.

As hope has been restored to this Bucks fanbase, Antetokounmpo has continued to respond to the growing adversity that stands in his way of his first trip to the NBA Finals and the Bucks as a whole have followed suit.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is redefining his greatness this postseason

So much of the talk surrounding Antetokounmpo’s playoff performances, especially after his struggles the previous two years, have centered on his limitations. Some of it certainly comes with good reason as Antetokounmpo’s game is far from perfect and he struggles in very key areas to what many refer to what think a true superstar brings to the table.

At the same time, the simple truth surrounding the growing narrative around Antetokounmpo, and one that I and some Bucks fans can lose sight to, is that his excellence is very much unique to him, his skill set and his sheer stature.

This playoff run has reminded us of who Antetokounmpo is and what he still can be, even at 26 years old. A superstar whose greatness, leadership, and humility has led his team within two games of the NBA Finals. An unstoppable force. That force and physicality has been on full display as Antetokounmpo continues to relentlessly attack the basket and has thwarted the likes of Bam Adebayo, Blake Griffin and Clint Capela, just to name a few.

Since the Bucks’ agonizing Game 5 collapse against the Nets last round and the impetus for my last article, Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.4 points per game on .602/.231/.592/ shooting splits, 12.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 40.4 minutes per game.

As if we didn’t need further clarification that Antetokounmpo stands in elite company, the amount of 30-10 games that Antetokounmpo has compiled over this playoff run is only matched by the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal.

Above all, Antetokounmpo knows that his quest for glory won’t be done alone.

Antetokounmpo may be the straw that stirs the Bucks’ drink, but as he talked about the Bucks’ Game 3 win over the Hawks, the two-time MVP is more than willing to defer to his teammates in making the right plays just as he did during Middleton’s scoring outburst. Per The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney:

"“I have the whole game to be the guy,” Antetokounmpo said. “I don’t care about the end of the fourth quarter. Whoever wants to be the guy in the fourth quarter—Khris or Jrue [Holiday] or P.J. [Tucker] or Bobby [Portis] or Bryn [Forbes] or whoever the case might be—and help us win the game, that’s what I care about. I trust Khris to death. If Khris asks for the ball, better give him the ball.”"

The Bucks have proven this postseason that they are more than just Antetokounmpo and more importantly, he’s repaying the trust that they have placed in him to lead the way as he has achieved superstardom, especially in the very areas he struggles in.

If anything, Antetokounmpo is showing the true definition of what greatness means and being self-aware of what’s needed of him and when. And it can finally lead him and the Bucks’ long-awaited return to the NBA Finals.

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