No player in the NBA right now is under more spotlight than Giannis Antetokounmpo after he helped the Milwaukee Bucks win their first title in 50 years.
Following a herculean 50-point performance in a 105-98 Game 6 victory, the Greek Freak hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy, emotionally basking in pure joy. Moments later, to the surprise of no one, Antetokounmpo was unanimously awarded the NBA Finals MVP, capping off a brilliant series.
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Soon after the victory, discourse flooded the NBA mainstream media regarding Antetokounmpo’s place in the league among top players, where his dynamic closeout performance ranks among the best of all-time, and many more questions that will have the media and fans alike talking for the entirety of the offseason.
This win will change the opinions of many when it comes to Antetokounmpo, so much so that some might believe he should be the next face of the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo could very well become the next face of the league for the Milwaukee Bucks following NBA Finals win
Throughout the past decade, the face of the league revolved around primarily three players in LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. While James had been the dominant candidate, both Durant and Curry each nipped at his heels on multiple occasions. While a changing of the guard might not be definite just yet as these three are still playing top-tier basketball, this title could certainly bolster Antetokounmpo’s case in the argument.
After all, entering this playoff run, the only thing Antetokounmpo was practically missing from his star-studded resume was a championship. From being the 2016-17 Most Improved Player to becoming a back-to-back MVP winner to winning Defensive Player of the Year, Antetokounmpo had been the poster child for improvement. His rise from an unknown prospect out of Greece that was viewed as a project player in the league to ultimately becoming a champion and one of the best players in the NBA eight years later is truly inspiring.
Without discrediting the greats that came before him and are still playing alongside him, here are just a few reasons why Giannis Antetokounmpo is the perfect face of the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s work ethic is inspiring for fans everywhere, not just of the Milwaukee Bucks
While some of his peers across the league have argued that Antetokounmpo is skill-less and that his game is not impressive, that is far from the truth. The 26-year-old has risen to be one of the greatest players of this generation thanks to a resilient desire to improve that has taken him to new heights since being drafted.
His relentless work ethic has been highlighted throughout his NBA career, most notably from one of his biggest heroes, the late Kobe Bryant. In a Q&A with The Athletic (subscription required), Bryant detailed how he was set to work out with Antetokounmpo several years ago, and that the Greek Freek had shown up an hour and a half earlier than scheduled. He said that the ascending star also whipped out a notepad, looking to pick Bryant’s brain at every moment possible.
If you needed any further indication of just how dedicated Antetokounmpo is to get better, just look at his transformation coming into the league. When the Bucks selected him 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, he was a lanky 18-year-old that weighed just about 190 pounds. Eight years later, he has eclipsed 240 pounds, and it seems safe to say that those extra pounds did not come from the 50-piece chicken nuggets he ordered at Chick-fil-A after dropping 50 points in Game 6.
Packing on 40 pounds of muscle, Antetokounmpo’s dedication to the weight room has transformed him into arguably the most dominant player in the game today. Despite finally adding the title to his long list of accomplishments, Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly not ready to settle just yet. Knowing that mentality of his, he might already be back in the weight room gearing up for another run at a title next season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s perspective for himself and the Milwaukee Bucks has captivated listeners everywhere
In addition to the dominance he displays on the court with his thunderous dunks, authoritative blocked shots, and much more, Antetokounmpo is must-see off the floor as well.
The most significant example of this phenomenon is a video that has been making the rounds in these NBA Finals as Antetokounmpo spoke to the media on the importance of ego and pride. Holding a reputation as one of the humblest players in the game, the 26-year-old appeared wise beyond his years as he revealed how he balances his mindset. Transcribed by SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell:
"“I figured a mindset to have, when you focus on the past that’s your ego. ‘I did this. We were able to beat this team 4-0. I did this in the past. I won that in the past.’ “And when I focus on the future it’s my pride. Like ‘yeah, next game, Game 5, I do this and this and this, I’m going to dominate.’ That’s your pride talking. It doesn’t happen. You’re right here. I kind of try to focus in the moment. In the present. That’s humility. That’s being humble. That’s setting no expectations, going out there and enjoying the game. Competing at a high level.”"
What an inspiring way to view things, really. While his play on the court is what draws in the views, Antetokounmpo is just an easy player to like off the floor. When he is not joking around with his fellow teammates or the media, he will often hand out some life lessons regarding his outlook on life like the one mentioned above. At 26-years-old, it really is something to behold coming from a player that has been through such a roller-coaster ride like he has.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ultimately stayed loyal to the Milwaukee Bucks and won a championship
While Antetokounmpo has seen the highs by winning multiple MVP awards while earning several All-Star nominations and so much more, he has certainly endured the lows to a similar degree.
From the heartbreak that came as the Bucks blew a 2-0 lead to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals to losing 4-1 to the Miami Heat in the second round the following year, Antetokounmpo has been beaten down before. These two defeats had placed Antetokounmpo under a negative light from most of the world outside of Milwaukee. Media, fans, and everyone not cheering for the Bucks scoffed at any notion that Giannis could be the best player on a championship-winning team.
Following the team’s embarrassing defeat against the Heat last season, all the focus around the league shifted to what Antetokounmpo’s next move would be. With one year left on his deal, many speculated whether he would potentially hold off on signing a contract extension and wait it out another year to see how far the Bucks could go, or potentially jumpstart the breakup early by just outright requesting a trade. It was an anxiety-riddled offseason for Bucks fans, but ultimately, Giannis decided to stick around after the team made several moves to keep him happy.
While many were critical of him signing the supermax extension, Antetokounmpo has always preached the importance of loyalty to the team that drafted him. He has never wanted anything more than to win a title for this city, and now, he has accomplished just that after eight eventful seasons. Following Game 6, he spoke to the media and detailed the importance of winning the title with Milwaukee rather than having bolted elsewhere.
"“It’s easy to go somewhere and win a championship with someone else. It’s easy. I could go to a superteam and just do my part and win a championship, but this is the hard way to do it, and we did it.”"
Whether they are Bucks fans or not, fans have to respect that loyalty that has been on full display from Antetokounmpo from the moment he was drafted. He started something special in this city since being drafted in 2013, and he wanted nothing more than to finish it by delivering on his promise to bring home a championship.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will only continue getting better for the Milwaukee Bucks as time passes
At 26-years-old, Antetokounmpo has barely scratched his prime in his basketball career, and he will only continue improving from here on out.
With the two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and now a Finals MVP, he is one of the most-accomplished 26-year-olds in league history, which spells great things for him and this franchise moving forward. With Antetokounmpo’s supermax extension set to kick in along with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday secured financially for the foreseeable future, this team’s contention window is open and will remain like that moving forward.
Despite capping off yet another fantastic season by 30.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists across 21 playoff games played, Antetokounmpo knows there is always more work to be done. He will put that work ethic to good use this offseason as his focus will soon shift from winning this title to working towards winning his next one and achieving more success in the future. Thinking about just how much more the reigning Finals MVP can improve is a scary thought for the rest of the league, and it will be interesting to see.
If Antetokounmpo can somehow improve further and continue dominating at such a level, there is no reason he cannot be the face of this league. With the black cloud hanging over him that was the idea that he is not a winner finally erased, he will be regarded in a much better light.
Only time will tell what the future has in store for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, but hopefully this is the beginning of something special brewing in Milwaukee.