The Milwaukee Bucks may have clinched the NBA championship as a team with their 105-98 victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, but it was the Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance that stole the show, and social media had plenty to say about it.
Milwaukee won only its second NBA championship in franchise history and it’s first since 1971. Giannis, who started his NBA career as a 19-year-old in 2013, laid down 50 points in Game 6 and was Finals MVP after the game.
Social media erupted well before the game was over as many took to their social media platform to address the marvel that was the “Greek Freak.” “Giannis really dropped 50 points in the most important game of his career to win his first ring. That’s pretty insane,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
Another person commented, “50 points in a NBA finals closeout game.. I don’t wanna hear another bad comment about Giannis. He’s top 3 in the game.”
Giannis’ NBA peers also joined in on the admiration, including Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who wrote, “So happy for Giannis and Milwaukee man…amazing to see what happens when you put your heart and your soul into something and stay genuine and true to yourself. Inspirational.”
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant commented, “Nothing but respect for the Milwaukee Bucks franchise, the city of Milwaukee and those loud ass fans.” He added, “Incredible playoff run fellas!”
Following Tuesday’s game, Giannis, along with his brothers Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpo, became the first trio of brothers to become NBA champions in the league’s history, CBS News reported. Giannis and Thanasis received their first rings after beating the Suns, and Kostas won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
In response to the incredible achievement, Giannis said he’s “just happy.” But, he added, “A lot of people was making jokes when Kostas won his championship with the Lakers before me, and the dinner table was awkward a little bit because he had the ring before me. But now me and Thanasis have a ring.”
Giannis dedicated his win to his family and his mother, who he told reporters in a statement captured by ESPN “works extremely hard every day for me to be in this position, and she never pressured me to do other things.” He added. “This is for my dad. He’s watching from above, and he can see it. This is for my significant other. Every day, she helps me be a better person. She lets me do what I’m supposed to do. She takes care of my son. And for my brothers.”
