Last year the Milwaukee Bucks faced off with the Phoenix Suns for the NBA title as two teams who hadn’t won a Championship between them in the past 50 years fought it out, and the Bucks took the series 4-2 to win their first crown since 1971.
Their success owed much to talented Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he has once again been crucial in their run to a possible back-to-back triumph. Had you placed a bet on the Bucks winning two titles in a row, then you’d have received huge odds, and right now on sidelines.io, you can get (+700) on the Fiserv Forum side winning the title this time around; that’s how far Mike Budenholzer has taken the team in the space of a few short years.
The Bucks are currently 29-19 for the season and sit just behind a resurgent Chicago Bulls side in the Central Division, and that’s down to consistent displays by the 27-year-old who has experienced a meteoric rise to the top.
Antetokounmpo has completed eight seasons at the Milwaukee Bucks and has been key to their recent success. The Bucks have made it to the postseason in each of the past five seasons, earning a selection in five NBA All-Star games in the process.
Last season he was awarded the NBA Finals MVP award after making a successful return from injury just in time to help the Bucks a landmark title. As if to highlight his importance to Budenholzer, it’s worth noting that Antetokounmpo has top-scored for the Bucks in 31 of their 48 games this season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t the type of player to rest on his laurels and has learned new aspects to his game, making him even more invaluable to Budenholzer, the Bucks coach recently commenting;
“Seeing and reading things, he continues to improve,”
“A little bit of communication – I’d like him to use his voice more. But in timeouts and coming out, he’s good. Being able to just see the game, contest … when he’s using his length and his arms are out there when he’s in a stance, things like that, that’s when he’s at his best.”
Indeed, even opposing coaches like to heap praise on Giannis, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr stating;
“He can guard anybody,”
“With that size, with that type of athleticism and agility, he can guard 1 through 5, which is the ultimate weapon, which is what Draymond can do. There aren’t many guys who can do that.
“Defensively, that’s the name of the game these days. It covers up a lot of holes when you can guard every position. It allows a coaching staff to draw up different schemes and put out different lineup combinations. That type of versatility is huge these days.”
Antetokounmpo is well placed to once again lead the Bucks to glory and knows what he needs to do in order to keep Milwaukee ticking over;
“I’m at my best when I’m active,”
“I’m behind; I help my teammates; I show length. When guys drive, I’m showing my body, my length. Rebound the ball. That’s what Coach Bud wants me to do, and I’ll keep doing. I also believe I can move my feet pretty well.”
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