Giannis glides into NBA’s pantheon
Legendary 50point night from Finals MVP drives Bucks to first championship in 50 years
Sometimes the truly great NBA performances leave one grasping for comparisons, because none come immediately to mind. Such was the gravity of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s masterpiece in Game 7 of the Finals in Milwaukee Tuesday night.
In leading the Bucks to their first championship since 1971, with the crowd’s roar at a deafening pitch and a crowd estimated at 65,000 gathered tightly together to watch a big screen from the streets, Antetokounmpo almost personally handed the Phoenix Suns a 10598 loss with his 50 points, 14 rebounds, five blocked shots and beyondbelief 17of19 shooting from the freethrow line.
It was fitting that so many great names came into play — Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Rick Barry, Michael Jordan, Jerry West and LeBron James as the others with 50plus outings in the Finals — because Giannis stamped himself among the alltime greats this night. It takes the ultimate stage to make it so, and the man was so astonishingly great, scoring nearly half of his team’s points, he rose above an alreadysterling reputation and into the pantheon.
Speaking of legends, this in a way called to mind Magic Johnson’s Game 6 performance for the Lakers in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals in
Philadelphia. Just a rookie, playing center for the first time since his high school days, Johnson scored 42 points to orchestrate that title. The vision comes to life because Giannis doesn’t really have a position. Not this night, for certain. He’s always been listed as a power forward, but he did everything that was necessary against the Suns, from every spot on the floor.
If you’re going to call him the Bucks’ big man — after all, he’s 6foot11, and none of his teammates were close to that size when it really mattered — then let’s put him in the Game 7 company with Bill Russell, with his 30 points and 40 rebounds against the Lakers in 1962; Willis Reed, basically unable to play but limping onto the court for just enough inspiration against the 1970 Lakers; and a couple of centers who outplayed some famous counterparts: the Celtics’ Dave Cowens against the Bucks’ Kareem AbdulJabbar in 1974 and Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon against the Knicks’ Patrick Ewing in ‘94.
If that’s a bit too much history for your liking, know that seasoned NBA insiders, the ones who have pretty much seen it all, will never forget Giannis Antetokounmpo on July 20, 2021. The free throws seemed almost inconsequential against his punishing drives, soaring blocks and surrealistic strides on the drive, but good heavens — the man was an absolute brickthrower in the playoffs before this night. Derided by fans on the road, good for at least one clank off the front rim in every game, perhaps missing the basket altogether, he wasn’t even an ordinary NBA player from the line until this night.
Then he turned into Barry, or West, or Jordan. At 17for19, he could hardly miss. And how perfectly sweet that he got to 50 points on a free throw.
Without question, Giannis got some bigtime help. With just under a minute left and the Bucks leading by four points, Khris Middleton was being guarded by Devin Booker around the perimeter. Jrue Holiday set a screen and Middleton found some space driving to his right, but Booker’s quickreacting presence couldn’t have been more smothering as Middleton buried a clutch 20footer. There were powerful moments, as well, from Holiday (stifling defense on a poor shooting night) and Bobby Portis, beloved by the home fans for his toughguy demeanor and good for a very important 16 points in the biggest game of his life.
On the Suns’ side, this was a delightfully promising series that went terribly wrong. From a 20 lead and the virtual christening of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, the Suns found themselves consistently outplayed in every phase. Booker had to be especially frustrated this night, shooting 8for22 from the floor and missing all seven of his 3pointers, but he was up against traps and doubleteams all night.
For Paul, it’s decision time. He’s contractually able to leave the Suns and sign elsewhere as a free agent, although that would seem almost foolish at this point. His career is a litany of nearmisses, never finishing with a ring, and it took him just one season to firmly entrench himself in Suns lore. Staying in Phoenix, with its excellent core of young players, would seem to be the appropriate move.
As for Booker, who became a fullfledged star before a national audience, it’s time for perspective. This was his first crack at the playoffs, let alone the Finals, and as NBA history unfolded, it took many years for Barry, Jordan, West, Oscar Robertson,
Wilt Chamberlain, Isiah Thomas and LeBron James to break through the heartbreak of playoff disappointment.
Booker, most surely, will be back. Giannis Antetokounmpo has arrived, and what a sight in the waning moments as he lifted his arms in triumph. Smiling broadly before a crowd, and a city, that earned his trust and loyalty while other NBA superstars felt the lure of fresh locales. He’s exactly where he has always wanted to be, a champion, magnificently fulfilled.