Not scared of the NBA grind

Now a champion, 2-time MVP, and DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo has already conquered plenty of things in the NBA and he’s only 26 years old. Many analysts questioned his decision to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. Returning to the same team that drafted him signing a 5-year deal worth up to 228 million dollars in December of 2020. Regardless of the playoffs prior losing in the playoffs to the Miami Heat. Being the dominant specimen Giannis is, many people expected him to join a contender like the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat to find an easier way to seek a championship.

But the decision paid off by winning the 2021 NBA Finals by beating the Phoenix Suns 4-2 and winning Finals MVP. Completely taking over the series after suffering an hyper-extended knee in the previous series. Khris Middleton made clutch shots down the stretch in multiple games, but without Giannis and his defensive presence the series could have gotten out of hand for the Bucks.

The standard around the NBA

Whether it’s Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors. Or linking up with James Harden and Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets. Great players joining together and creating super teams was the stigma of the NBA for a while. Until Giannis proved that having one all-star wingman and a good supporting cast can get it done. Thanks to legends like Dirk Nowitzki for paving the way back in the 2010 NBA Finals. When the Dallas Mavericks upset LeBron James and the Miami Heat 4-2.

Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in the NBA Finals. Completely dominating the Phoenix Suns in the paint and bringing home a championship to Milwaukee after 8 seasons in the NBA. As long as you have the right coach in place, and a competent supporting cast, the success is based on the play of the star player. And the Phoenix Suns didn’t have answer for him. Hopefully this is a trend we start to see in the NBA, with stars not being scared to deliver a championship the hard way. Giannis knew he had a hard task in front of him, relying on his front office to create the right team around him. With patience and persistence, getting eliminated from the playoffs year after year and being criticized for not being able to take his team over the ‘hump’ regardless of being the back to back MVP. Shutting out all the noise and when the time came, Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks were prepared.

Giannis has words about his decision to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks and not join a super team. How could you not respect the man after what he said. Sounds like he took subtle shots at guys like Kevin Durant and LeBron James on their decision to move teams.