‘Greek Freak’ misses historic feat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Midway through the third quarter, Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the ‘Greek Freak’, said he began thinking he had a chance to become the first international player to win the NBA All-Star Game MVP.

But the thought was fleeting, as Team LeBron mounted a rally and came from behind to defeat Team Giannis, 178-164. While Antetokounmpo finished with 38 points and 10 rebounds, Kevin Durant won the award.

“We didn’t win and that’s why I didn’t get it,” the Milwaukee Bucks star said.

He had taken some advice before the game about how to approach things from his brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who has won the last two MVP awards in the Greek League.

He came out aggressive.

Antetokounmpo started the game with a dunk fest — five of them in the first quarter alone and finished with eight for the game. One dunk was a thing of beauty as he took a bounce pass from two-time league MVP Stephen Curry that sailed over the rim and dunked it.

Curry called it a play that nobody else in the gym could have made.

“H is length, finishing it, and getting it before it came down. Pretty bang-bang play,” Curry said. “Just glad we had that connection. I’m not sure anybody else on the floor could have finished that one. So for it to be choreographed like that was pretty nice.”

Antetokounmpo just smiled after the play, maybe even stunned by his own athleticism.

“I’m going to keep getting better,” Antetokounmpo said. “Hopefully, I can get as many MVPs as my brother has.”

Durant doesn’t doubt that will happen.

He said the 23-yearold Antetokounmpo has “potential through the roof.”