Giannis Antetokounmpo unanimously wins Finals MVP after leading Bucks to NBA championship
It's official. The Greek Freak is now the NBA's first Greek Finals MVP.
Following the Milwaukee Bucks' six-game triumph in the NBA Finals and a 50-point performance in Game 6, Giannis Antetokounmpo added a Finals MVP award to go with his first ring.
The 2020-21 Bill Russell #NBAFinals MVP... Giannis Antetokounmpo of the @Bucks! #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/67N2FcGb8p
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2021
Antetokounmpo was the unanimous pick, receiving all 11 votes from the media panel.
Antetokounmpo is the NBA's first foreign-born Finals MVP since Dirk Nowitzki in 2011. He also joins Michael Jordan as the only players to ever win NBA MVP, Finals MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in their career, per the NBA.
Unlike Jordan, Antetokounmpo has earned all four awards in the span of two seasons.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a Finals for the ages
The honor recognizes a six-game tour de force from Antetokounmpo. Despite nearly missing the beginning of the series with a hyperextended left knee, the 26-year-old averaged 35.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. Those stats don't capture the highlights Antetokounmpo delivered, though.
Antetokounmpo entered NBA lore in Game 4 with a lead-saving block, showing otherworldly athleticism by moving from Chris Paul to deny Deandre Ayton at the rim:
He arguably one-upped that one game later via a collaboration with Jrue Holiday.
Up one point with 20 seconds left, Holiday swiped the ball out of Devin Booker's hands, then took it down the court and somehow found a streaking Antetokounmpo, who delivered an alley-oop that had to be seen to be believed:
He saved his biggest night for Game 6, though, dropping 50 points on 16-of-25 shooting, 14 rebounds, five blocks and two assists. He is only the second player to score 50 to close out the Finals in NBA history.
For years, questions have loomed about Antetokounmpo's future, with some wondering if the two-time MVP would ever take the next step in the NBA playoffs and others doubting if that moment would even come in Milwaukee.
The 2020-21 season definitively answered both concerns. Antetokounmpo committed to the Bucks long-term by signing a five-year, $228.2 million supermax extension shortly before the season began, then finally delivered on his promise in the playoffs.
Now, all that's left to figure out is his ring size.
NBA players congratulate Giannis Antetokounmpo
Warning: Some of the following tweets contain profane language.
Much respect @Giannis_An34!!!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 21, 2021
Aye! Enjoyed watching greatness out there tonight. GREATNESS! @Giannis_An34 congrats bro
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) July 21, 2021
Salute & Congrats @Giannis_An34!! You earned that shit!! 🏆💍 💐. 🙏🏾✊🏾❤️👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 21, 2021
So happy for Giannis and Milwaukee man...amazing to see what happens when you put your heart and your soul into something and stay genuine and true to yourself. Inspirational 🙏🏽
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 21, 2021
If You Don’t Respect GREEK FREAK You Must Respect Him Now!!!! 🏆
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) July 21, 2021
Respect to @Giannis_An34 💯
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 21, 2021
S/O Giannis man he deserve everything he gets
— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) July 21, 2021
@Giannis_An34 Respect 💯
— 13am Adebayo💥 (@Bam1of1) July 21, 2021
That was incredible to watch man , salute @Giannis_An34 @Khris22m
— Maurice Harkless (@moe_harkless) July 21, 2021
They have to start building the statute now for bruh
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) July 21, 2021
50!! happy for my brother @Giannis_An34 u got the ring bro
— Christian Wood (@Chriswood_5) July 21, 2021
Congrats to Giannis and the Bucks he’s def as humble as they come!! Much respect!!
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) July 21, 2021
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