Giannis Antetokounmpo: Greatest NBA Finals Performance Ever?

By Monte Perez

The Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA title since 1971. The Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in 6 games. In front of a packed home crowd, the Bucks closed out the series with an impressive, 105-98 victory. Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 50 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, and 5 blocks. This was the greatest single-game performance in the history of the NBA Finals and the most dominant performance by an NBA player.

Highest Average in an NBA Finals:

Giannis Antetokounmpo, 31.9 in 2021.
Shaquille O’Neal, 30.6 in 2000.
Kevin Durant, 30.3 in 2017.
Shaquille O’Neal, 30.1 in 2002.
LeBron James, 29.6 in 2017.
Michael Jordan, 29.6 in 1993.

For years we heard that Gianni’s can not shoot a jump shot or he can not make free throws when they mattered. The same was said about Shaq. It never stopped him, O’Neal won 4 NBA Championships and was a 3-time Finals MVP. In the biggest game of his life, the man they call, “The Greek Freak” made 17 of 19 free throws and got any shot he wanted on the floor.

For the entire playoffs, Gianni’s averaged 30 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per game. We witnessed one of the most dominant playoff performances for 4 rounds. The Bucks earned this title. They swept the defending Eastern Conference Champions in the Miami Heat, wore down the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Phoenix Suns.

It is not hyperbole to say that Giannis is now the face of the NBA. He is not the most complete player in the NBA but he is the most dominant. He stayed with the Bucks and built a Championship Team, his way.

How it Started…