Analyst puts Giannis Antetokounmpo one title away from being second to 5x NBA champ

Giannis Antetokounmpo is arguably playing better this season than when he won back-to-back NBA MVPs in 2019 and 2020. He leads the league in scoring with 32.6 points per game and is handing out a career-high 6.6 dimes per contest. Many already consider him one of the greatest power forwards ever.

But ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins made a bold claim about Antetokounmpo’s place in the power forward pantheon ahead of the Bucks' matchup with the Boston Celtics on Friday:

"Giannis is one NBA championship away of cementing himself as the second-greatest power forward of all time right behind Tim Duncan. He’s already top 5 in my opinion.”

Most NBA analysts and fans put Tim Duncan ahead of every power forward in league history. Duncan never missed the playoffs and led the San Antonio Spurs to five championships. TD’s last championship came after beating LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat in the 2014 finals. Duncan is 2-0 against King James in the championship round.

Some of the power forwards considered rivals of Duncan won one championship. Dirk Nowitzki earned one in 2011 against James’ “Heatles.” Kevin Garnett lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2008 with the Boston Celtics. Giannis Antetokounmpo also has one after carrying the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 title.

Kendrick Perkins thinks that if "The Greek Freak" lifts another championship trophy, the two-time MVP would lift himself above those other contenders behind Duncan.

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Brian Windhorst asserts Giannis Antetokounmpo is still young enough to win, but the Milwaukee Bucks have to surround him with talent

Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in his prime years. ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst asserts the 2021 NBA Finals MVP is still capable of leading a team to a championship with the right pieces around him.

After Perkins' take about Antetokounmpo’s place in the greatest power forward ladder, Windhorst added:

“30 years old is young. He’s got many years left in his prime. I don’t know how many years the Bucks have where they can support his prime. They’ve had a great run, they’ve had a great window to compete for championships. That’s one of the biggest questions in the league.”

Brook Lopez becomes an unrestricted free agent next season, while the oft-injured Khris Middleton has a player option. Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton are in the same boat as Middleton. Milwaukee will likely look to revamp its aging roster in the summer of 2025.

The Bucks’ roster movements will undeniably be focused on maximizing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime years.