The Best Player in the World Torch Has Been Passed from LeBron to Giannis

The 2020-21 NBA season has finally come to a close, and the Milwaukee Bucks are the champions. They won four games straight after dropping the first two. Giannis Antetokounmpo took home the Finals MVP honors, and deservedly so. He had 50 points in Game 6 to cap off a historic series. Chris Paul led Phoenix with 26 points, but his championship drought will unfortunately continue. The new season begins in three months time, and Milwaukee will be defending champs, something that hasn’t been said in half a century.

INTERESTING FACTS

Scored the most PTS (50) during a title clinching game since the 1976 NBA merger
1st player to win MIP/MVP/DPOY/Finals MVP in NBA history
Longest streak of playoff GP (14) with 50+ FG% & 10+ FGA in NBA history
Antetokounmpo brothers (Giannis, Thanasis, Kostas) are the 1st sibling trio to each win a championship in NBA history
Highest FT% (89.5; 17-19) during 1 playoff GP (Min 15 FTA) of his career en route to clinching the Finals
1st player to record 50+ PTS/10+ REB/5+ BLK during 1 playoff GP in NBA history
1st player to record 40+ PTS/10+ REB/5+ BLK during 1 Finals GP since BLK have been tracked (1973-74)
1st player to record 30+ PPG/10+ RPG/5+ APG/60+ FG% during a Finals series in NBA history
1st player to record 30+ PPG/10+ RPG/5+ APG and win the Finals during a single postseason in NBA history

Odds vs. PHX: MIL -190 (Spread -4.5)
MIL Stock Price: $11.95 (via FANDEX)

MAIN TAKEAWAY

THE ‘BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD’ TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED FROM LEBRON TO GIANNIS

COLORS KEY | FULL BUCKS OUTLOOK

Giannis and the Bucks are at the top of the NBA after the Game 6 win over Phoenix in the Finals to close out the series. It was the Greek Freak’s first time making it this far, but he didn’t play like it. His Game 6 stat-line was historic, as the first player to record 40+ points, 10+ rebounds, and five or more blocks in a single Finals game and the only player with 50+ points and those rebounds and blocks in any playoff game. He also had the highest FT% of his career with at least 15 attempts, going 17-19 (89.5%).

Antetokounmpo rightfully took home the Finals MVP honors, and is now one of three players to win MVP, Finals MVP, and DPOY in NBA history at only 27 years old. He joined LeBron James as the only ones to average 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, and five or more assists during a Finals series. James has been at the top of the game for years now, but after this legendary Finals performance and win from Giannis, he has proven it’s time for the King to pass the torch to the Greek Freak for title of best player in the world.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Giannis drops 50 to win his first Finals

Giannis at both ends 😤#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/w20lvEE5pi
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 21, 2021

Giannis put the moves on ’em 👀 pic.twitter.com/lN6G1s84zy
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 21, 2021

GIANNIS TAKING OVER 👀#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/z42tWpb2Ua
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 21, 2021

GIANNIS. REJECTION. ❌#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/T0mSys60l8
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 21, 2021

Giannis with AUTHORITY 💥#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/jOuMloAaTA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 21, 2021

Giannis EXPLODES for 33 of his 50 points in the 2nd half of Game 6, fueling the @Bucks Taco Bell Comeback en route to their first NBA Championship in 50 years!
50 PTS
14 REB
5 BLK
17-19 FTM pic.twitter.com/qDbk0nHWeb
— NBA (@NBA) July 21, 2021