Referred to as “The Greek Freak,” Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the NBA today. He has won two regular season MVPs, and was also the Defensive Player of the Year in one of his MVP seasons. Winning the MVP and DPOY in the same season is a feat only Michael Jordan, Hakeem ‘the dream’ Olajuwon, and now Giannis, have accomplished. Many players and analysts doubted Antetokounmpo’s ability to get over the hump. Before he won his first championship, he had to go through some of the most heartbreaking eliminations in the NBA playoffs.
In 2019, after the Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs by Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors, Malika Andrews of ESPN asked Giannis if “experience” was what he was lacking. Giannis simply stormed off the post-game conference in frustration. When the Bucks played against the Heat in 2020, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round, yet again. So the Bucks were looked at as a great regular season team but not the postseason. Antetokounmpo changed this narrative in 2021 after beating the Phoenix Suns in six games of the NBA Finals. Giannis dropped an iconic 50-piece bomb on Suns in 2021 NBA Finals game six to cap off a historic run by the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Rings
Giannis Antetokounmpo has one ring so far. It came in 2021 when the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games in the NBA Finals. Giannis was remarkable in the entire series and dropped 50 in the closeout game. In the Finals, Antetokounmpo averaged a ridiculous 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, on 61.8% shooting from the field.
His first championship came after years of getting bounced out from the playoffs, NBA analysts and fans crucifying him, and all the noise he had to endure. Giannis has always believed in staying with the franchise that drafted him and winning a championship with them. A lot of superstars, in recent years, have changed teams to join forces with other superstars to win a ring. Giannis, however, wanted to do it the right way and he was patient enough to win it all. Jrue Holiday was the biggest addition to the Milwaukee Bucks and was the final piece that Giannis needed to get over the line.
In the 2022-23 season, the Milwaukee Bucks again had the best record in the Eastern Conference. However, they were shockingly eliminated in the very first round by the Miami Heat. The Heat were the eighth seed but were led by Jimmy Butler, who usually elevates his level of play in the playoffs.
After that major hiccup, the Bucks traded away their star Jrue Holiday, and got Damian Lillard in return. Damian Lillard is a member of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team and is one of the best point guards in the game today. Lillard is a threat once he crosses half-court because he can knock down shots from the logo. Adding Lillard will significantly give Milwaukee a much greater offense than what they previously had. The Bucks have struggled by going on scoring droughts at times, and that should not be a problem anymore. The first season of Dame and Greek Freak wasn't up to their promise. With injuries and coach changes, the Bucks failed to make an impact in the 2023/24 season but the 2024/25 season looks promising. If Lillard-Giannis pick-and-roll starts heating up, it's going to be scary hours in Milwaukee. Fear the Deer!!
FAQs
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece.
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo is 6 ft 11 feet tall and weighs around 243 lbs or 109 kg.
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo has won two league MVPs — in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo is rated 97 in the NBA 2k25.
A. Giannis Antetokounmpo has won two NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, in 2019 and 2020.
