The Milwaukee Bucks had to wait exactly 50 years for their second NBA title. Thanks to an outstanding performance by their best player Giannis Antetokounmpo, they won over the Phoenix Suns in the sixth final game.
After one of the best performances in an NBA final, Giannis Antetokounmpo roared out his joy about the championship and the award for most valuable player. 50 years after the first title for the Milwaukee Bucks, the 26-year-old Greek led the team on Tuesday evening with 50 points to a 105: 98 against the Phoenix Suns and the coronation in the best basketball league in the world. “That means a lot to me. I would like to thank Milwaukee for believing in me, as well as my team-mates. I’m glad we did it,” said the exceptional athlete known as the “Greek Freak” after the ceremony Matchfield.
From Nigerian immigrant child in Greece to MVP of the NBA
A little later he was sitting on the press podium with both trophies, caressing and handing out kisses to the trophies and once whispered to the smaller MVP trophy: “Don’t be jealous.” Emotionally he described his way from the unknown boy of Nigerian immigrants in Greece to the final of the NBA. “That feeling is addicting,” he said. His brother Thanasis is also in the Bucks squad, Kostas won the title with the Los Angeles Lakers last year.
Around 17,000 spectators in the Fiserv Forum and at least another 50,000 around the hall in the US state of Wisconsin celebrated Antetokounmpo again and again with MVP chants – and rightly so. The superstar, who has already been voted the most valuable player in the NBA main round twice, also received the award as Finals MVP on Tuesday. 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in game six, plus three games with at least 40 points and ten rebounds in the finals made this an easy decision. Especially since he had injured his knee only three weeks ago in the finals of the Eastern Conference and even feared a forced end of the season for a short time.
Possibly the best performance of his career was also so impressive because he hit an outstanding 17 of his 19 free throws – usually one of the few obvious weaknesses. “I did the damn free throws and I’m a champion. I did them when I had to,” he shouted with relief.
The Phoenix Suns come away empty-handed
The Suns around Chris Paul and Devin Booker had already disappeared disappointed into the catacombs before the trophy was handed over. Instead of the crowning glory for a strong season, the Arizona team has to wait for the first NBA title in its history. The 24-year-old Booker, who will now play for the US national team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo with Bucks professionals Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, still has time. For Paul, twelve years his senior, this was possibly the only real chance for the title.
With 26 points, the leader was the best thrower of his team, but was never able to pull the game decisively to the side of his team like Antetokounmpo. After a nervous start, the Bucks got their nerves under control and moved away to eight points for the first time at 15: 7. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts increased the lead to 13 points (29:16). But then they lost control and only hit four out of 20 litters. The Suns turned the game around before the break, at halftime the guests were 47:42 ahead.
A gripping and tight finale
That was far from being a preliminary decision. At 56:55 the Bucks took the lead again for the first time, after the third quarter it was 77:77 and everything was open. With 37 points, Antetokounmpo only had three points less than all of his teammates combined and provoked an appreciative tweet from NBA superstar LeBron James. In the last quarter, the Bucks took the lead first and didn’t let the Suns get close – James promptly tweeted congratulations and said, “You deserve that shit.”
If you looked at Antetokounmpo’s facial expression after the trophy was handed over, the “Greek Freak” was of the same opinion. In December he had signed a new five-year contract in Milwaukee. “I could have gone to a great team and won a title and just did my part. This is the hard way. And we damn well did it.”
From Braunschweig to Los Angeles: Dennis Schröder has come a long way. The 27-year-old is under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the current champions in the best basketball league in the world.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
