50 points for 50 years of waiting, Giannis brings the Larry O’Brien back to Milwaukee after defeating the Phoenix Suns 4–2
After a 60–22 record in the 2018–19 regular season and going up 2–0 against Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors to only lose four straight in the Eastern Conference Finals. After a 56–17 regular season record last year for another №1 seed to only get bounced in the second round of the bubble by the Miami Heat. The 2020–21 Milwaukee Bucks have finally climbed the mountain top and are forever NBA Champions.
This title comes after falling down 0–2 to the Brooklyn Nets this postseason, it comes after thinking Giannis might’ve torn his ACL at the tail end of the ECF against the Atlanta Hawks, and it comes after falling down 0–2 to the Suns in the Finals.
Giannis delivered a NBA Finals performance that we haven’t seen the likes of which since prime Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan, to the tune of 35.2 points (on 61.1% shooting), 13.2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game. With a closeout stat line of 50 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks!
First player since Shaq in ’01 to have 40 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks in any playoff game.
The first 50 point closeout game in the NBA Finals since Bob Pettit in 1958!
The 6th player ever to score 40+ points in three games in a single NBA Finals! The other five players: Jerry West in 1969 (4 games), Michael Jordan in 1993 (4), Rick Barry in 1967 (3), Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 (3), and LeBron James in 2015 (3).
He is the 3rd player ever to have won consecutive MVPs and an NBA title before turning 27! The other two players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan.
He is the 2nd player ever to have won multiple MVPs, Defensive Player of the Year, and the Finals MVP. The other player: Michael Jordan.
All of that, with some iconic NBA Finals plays to go along with it:
Giannis’ block of Devin Booker’s alley-oop to Deandre Ayton in Game 5:
Jrue Holiday’s steal off of Devin Booker that led to the alley-oop to Giannis in transition late in Game 6:
Much credit has to go to Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. Khris Middleton rallied this team with flamethrower “legacy quarters” against Brooklyn and Atlanta, and continued that in the Finals when he dropped 40 in Game 4. Middleton would finish the Finals averaging 24 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.
Yea it might be time to put some respect on Khris Middleton’s name! Forever!
Jrue Holiday might’ve made the play of the series with that steal and lob to Giannis to close out Game 5 in Phoenix to go along with his 27 points. Jrue would finish the series averaging 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 2.2 steals. Jrue’s defense throughout the playoffs was truly superb, it was special to watch.
Credit to Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, PJ Tucker, and Pat Connaughton. And to Coach Mike Budenholzer! Coach Bud has had a history of disappointing playoff experiences despite some excellent regular seasons, and that monkey is finally off his back!
The Bucks losing “three-and-d” Donte DiVincenzo at the start of the playoffs was no small loss, and it probably wasn't discussed enough, but the Bucks were able to manage without him.
You can only feel for Chris Paul, losing in his first NBA Finals after it took sixteen years to finally make it there. Same goes for the outstanding human being and head coach Monty Williams (his trip to the Milwaukee locker room post game was nothing but class). This Suns team, outside of Paul, is young and has a long and bright future ahead of them. We can only hope Paul is there with the rest of them if they ever make it back.
But this year, this championship, belongs to Giannis and company. Congratulations to the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee, it was a special journey and story to witness.
