The Milwaukee Bucks escaped game 3 of their series against the Boston Celtics with a 103-101 victory. Although Boston showed signs of a comeback late in the fourth quarter, they couldn’t beat the buzzer and the Bucks came away with the victory. A large part of the Bucks victory was their two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who unloaded on the Celtics for 42 points on Saturday. NBA analysts and media made a huge deal about how Giannis needed to step up in game 3, and boy did he ever.
It’s hard to think that Giannis is still not being talked about as the greatest player in the NBA at the moment. Many people still claim it’s either Kevin Durant or LeBron James, but neither of those players is in the playoffs at the moment, leading their teams with 40+ point wins. Every game it seems that Giannis steps up in new ways, and even with his sidekick Khris Middleton out via injury, he still is getting it done.
Why doesn’t Giannis receive the recognition he deserves from the media as the greatest player in the NBA at the moment? He’s consistently been one of the top scorers of the league the past three years, he’s been one of the most consistent defensive players of the past 5 years, and in the playoffs, he’s proven himself to be one of the most clutch players. Have we forgotten he dropped 50 points on the Suns last NBA Finals to clinch the title?
It’s not just that Giannis is consistently scoring, but it’s the fact that he also brings in a healthy amount of rebounds and dishes out his fair share of assists. In Saturday’s game against the Celtics’ sweltering defense, he managed to have a stat line of 42 points/12 rebounds/8 assists. Aside from points and stats, he’s also proven himself as a stand-out leader, working with players and helping them develop within the Bucks game plan instead of trading for new players every year.
When you look at his resumé, and what he’s been able to do these past 5 years, it’s hard to argue against Giannis being the greatest player in the NBA at the moment. If he happens to repeat (which I think he will) I think he will undoubtedly be the greatest player of our current era, and if he does help the Bucks repeat, he’s undoubtedly a first-ballot Hall of Famer. This is all before the man turns 30! That is insane!
Who do you think the greatest player in the NBA is at the moment? Let me know in the comments below!