Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks defeat CP3 and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.
Written by Sgt. Pepper 732 Studios ************* Please like and comment at the bottom, Thanks for reading!!
The Milwaukee Bucks have run the table, and are the 2021 NBA Champions... Defeating the Cinderella story Phoenix Suns in a 6 game series.
Aside from the obvious lack of superstars in their way, the Milwaukee Bucks path to a finals was nothing short of incredible, starting 2 series' down 2 games to none the Bucks had to battle all playoffs; knocking off the title favorite Brooklyn Nets on their way.
Returning the Larry O'Brian to Wisconsin for the first time in 52 years, securing minority owner Aaron Rodgers another championship ring, and having a future all time great, potential goat, win his first ring this year, is great.... but the Bucks are far from done and will be contending with the Nets for control of the east.
From the beer guzzling head coach Mike Budenhozer, to the always likable superstar in Giannis, a killer in Khris Middleton and supporting cast like Bobby Portis Jr, Brooke Lopez, and pelicans legend Jrue Holliday, it is really hard to not like this team.
And now with a championship ring, it seems like "The [Real] Process" was secretly at work in Milwaukee this whole time...
The Greek Freak
From Athens, Greece to the top of the league... The Greek Freak has proved the haters wrong in historic fashion, joining Shaq as the only player with over 40 points and 10 rebounds in back to back finals games.
As they say its all gravy from here, now that Giannis has checked this off his list of career accomplishments, his legacy and play will not be overshadowed by the media questioning if he can get it done.
It must be freeing knowing comparisons to Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Chris Paul and the other all time greats without a LOB, will not be the continuous narrative throughout his career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, at 26 years old, entering his prime has won his first championship, NBA Finals MVP, 2 regular season MVPs, an All-Star MVP, a DPOY, and has made the All-Star game 5 seasons straight.
These accolades will continue to come, and somehow the Freak will still improve along with his robin, Khris Middleton (29 years old)... and now with a ring Milwaukee has become an attractive destination for Free Agents.
All I know is Milwaukee... a city that loves basketball and the place I want to be. -Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Run
Milwaukee came into these playoffs seeking revenge, after being decisively eliminated 2 years in a row... by the heat, and the Raptors.
In the 2020 bubble with a sidelined Giannis, the bucks fell in 5 games to the Heat, and in 2019 by the eventual NBA champion Raptors, lead by Kawhi in the Eastern Conference Finals.
But close doesn't cut it, the Bucks were now being called the "best regular season team," with social media rumblings of Giannis not having enough support to get it done.
This was the make or break year, and the Milwaukee Bucks were the team to withstand.
In round 1 the Bucks were immediately thrown back to their last playoff foe, the Miami Heat, this time with their superstar locked in... and the Bucks made it no contest sweeping the Butler, Adebayo led heat.
Round 2 unofficially dubbed the Eastern Conference finals, and maybe even the closest we came to a true NBA finals this season.. the Milwaukee Bucks took the Brooklyn Nets to 7, after starting down 2.
About a half inch away from another Giannis second round exit, KD's game 7 winning 3 would ultimately be ruled a 2 with just his big toe on the line, sending it into overtime.
In overtime, Middleton hit a quick three, followed by a Giannis dunk and-one, KD did his best to keep it close with a few highlight plays, but ultimately the Bucks held the lead and were headed to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Eastern Conference Finals was another test, but nothing compared to round 2. The Bucks faced, Ice Trae and the gang out in the ATL, which ended in six games again, obviously with the Bucks on top.
Atlanta, led by Trae Young in scoring with 28 points, and assists with 6.8, they were led in boards by Clint Cappella with 10.8. Giannis lead with 26 and 10, with Jrue Holliday feeding 10 assists per game.
Middleton's Contributions were huge in this series as well, including a 16-0 personal run in the 3rd quarter of the close out game... Khris averaged a huge 23.7 points, 8 boards, and 6.5 assists this series, and ensured the Hawks were Gone Fishin'...
************* Please like and comment at the bottom, Thanks for reading!!
The Finals
It was Chris Paul's time, 16 years into an unbelievable career...
Two games into his first finals, and the world was in debate at where CP3 ranks amongst all time point guards, with the Suns Finals win, all but decided in the minds of many.
But the Bucks always ball out at home, going 26-10 at Miller Park this regular season... Game 3, back in Milwaukee, Suns up 2-0, with Kareem Sitting court side, something changed.. a beast was awoken.
Giannis dropped 41, with 21 and 18 from Halliday and Middleton, while on the other side the life had been sucked out of the Suns leader CP3 with a light 19 points, and a -11 p/m.
The Bucks looked just as good in game 4, wan an insane 40 point Khris Middleton performance, the suns were kept in this game Devin Booker who found his second gear with a 42 piece. Bucks win 109-103
Maybe it's just a finals where the home teams always wins out, considering how easily each team has beaten the other at home so far.
Back at home, the Suns fans were desperately trying to Rally the Valley, with Devin Booker dropping a second straight 40 point game, CP3 was never able to find the bucket like he did in those first two games and throughout the Suns incredible playoff run.
Milwaukee stood firm and held off the Suns for a third straight game, sending the series to a Game 6 with the Bucks leading 3-2.
Game 6 was a dog fight, and finally CP3 was back to old form... he was able to secure the suns a halftime lead.
88 to 92 in the Bucks favor with 6:34 of game left... still the Suns had no answer for the Greek Freak allowing Giannis to drop 50, joining Shaq as the only players in history to score 40+ and have 10+ rebounds in back to back finals games.
All in all an unbelievable series, that was ultimately dominated and decided by the leagues current best player, but he certainly needed the help of his supporting cast to overcome the Pual, Booker, Ayton trio.
With the Victory in game 6, the Milwaukee bucks lead by Giannis Antetokounmpo have won the NBA finals for the second time in franchise history, with the last being won by Kareem in 1971.
Series Averages
Giannis Antetokounmpo 35.2 points | 13.2 rebounds | 5.0 assists | 1.8 blocks | 1.2 steals
Devin Booker 28.2 points | 4.0 assists | 3.5 rebounds
Khris Middleton 24.0 points | 6.3 rebounds | 6.0 assists
Chris Paul 21.8 points | 8.2 assists
Jrue Halliday 16.7 points | 9.3 assists | 6.2 rebounds
Deandre Ayton 14.7 points | 12 rebounds
Giannis averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 boards and 5.0 assists in The Finals.
The last player to average 35 or more points, 10 or more rebounds and five or more assists in The Finals?
LeBron James, when he posted 35.8 ppg, 13.3 rpg and 8.8 apg in the 2015 Finals for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they lost 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors. -NBA.com
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