When Giannis Antetokounmpo went down with a hyperextended knee in Game 4 of the Bucks‘ Eastern Conference Finals series against the Hawks, it was unclear what it would mean for the his chances at playing in the NBA Finals. His medical status was up in the air until just moments before tip-off in Game 1 against the Suns, but he ultimately was able to suit up.
Even with the Bucks losing the opening game and getting a relatively pedestrian 20-point performance from the two-time MVP, it was clear that Giannis was back. From his 17 rebounds to his work in the post, he found his footing after some early hesitancy.
Antetokounmpo’s following two games were nothing short of spectacular. The Greek Freak joined Shaquille O’Neal as the only two players in Finals history to post back-to-back 40-point, 10-rebound games as the Bucks split Games 2 and 3 with the Suns.
With Game 4 looming on Wednesday on the Bucks’ home court, Antetokounmpo currently has the 12th-highest scoring rate in NBA Finals history at 34.3 PPG, the fifth-highest rebound rate at 14 RPG, and the third-highest free throw rate at 15.7 FTA. Only two points per game separate Antetokounmpo’s scoring rate with the sixth-highest output in Finals history, O’Neal’s 36.3 PPG in the 2000 Finals.
Antetokounmpo’s co-stars, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton, have struggled to contribute at the highest level all series, though Holiday managed to free himself for 21 points in Game 3. If those two players continue to struggle, the Bucks will need Antetokounmpo to continue his Herculean efforts if they want any chance to bring home the coveted Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
If the Bucks are to complete the comeback from a 2-0 deficit for the second time this postseason, it will likely be on the back of an all-time, legacy-making Finals performance from Antetokounmpo.
Which leads to the question of the day: Can Antetokounmpo enshrine his name in the pantheon of the all-time Finals performances? Can he lead the Bucks to their first championship since 1971?
Head to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Yes and yes! Talent is there for him dominate both ends of the court.
Yes x 2.
Hard to decide. Great case for him and Paul. Guess I’m pulling for Pail because Gino will have more cracks at it. Also Gino is a dirty player and lucked into getting by the Nets. So go Suns I guess?
Lucked passed the Nets? lol. The Nets built a top-heavy team that only had 4 quality players, and 3 of them are great but injury prone and inconsistent. In the playoffs, injuries and inconsistencies are exactly what they got. Nets knew what they were doing and the risk that they were taking.
I take suns. Gino plays DIRTY and got away with fouls that he created in game 3.
I vote Chris and Suns. More respecting they are and he is.
Yes Gino will get another chance am sure. Chris made it to finals but not sure for next year or year after. Depending how long more he goes.
Idk who u are but I like it!
He’s no dirtier than Chris Paul, who is well known as one of the dirtiest players in the NBA.
I remember a play during the regular season when CP3 deliberately punched one of Houston’s players in the groin and the officials completely missed it. He has zero class.
I don’t want to hear all the typical crap that I’m just saying this out of jealousy because he’s no longer with the Rockets. CP3’s reputation is well earned. And all the fans love him now that he’s playing for Phoenix instead of Houston or the Clippers. So who’s the hypocrite here?
You. You never once said anything bad about CP3 when he was playing for Houston.
Astros, who taught you grammar? Bruh, Giannis isn’t a dirty player. He’s consistently hacked w/ plenty of no calls.
Giannis isn’t dirty. And Chris isn’t either. Toughness is not dirty. Only thing well known is his crying for CP3. It’s not love it’s Respect fans have. He’s 6’ and is one one best PGs ever. He’s got the same gm as the Big O.
Did this guy make two accounts just to agree with his original comment?
Game 4 looming on Thursday? I thought it was Wednesday? I better change my plans I had everything all set.
That’d be really annoying if they had 3 days off instead of two, which is still too many.
Then game 5 isn’t until Saturday, so there’s another two-day layoff between games.
First 3 Finals games scores 20, 40, 41. Yes, he is officially joining Steph, Lebron, Kawhi, KD tier right now.
the bucks are down 2-1 not 2-0. typo error
It doesn’t say they are currently down 2-0. It says they are trying to finish the comeback after previously being there.
Can tell who the Suns fans are from the Bucks fans. Giannis is playing exceptionally well. Saying a player will have more chances because of his age? It’s extremely hard for teams nowadays to make multiple finals appearances. Let’s just enjoy this for what it truly is — a breath of fresh air from the usual bought and paid for teams from the same cities. Congrats to both Phoenix and Milwaukee.
Oh gag me with a spoon! You really want to argue Chris Pail and Gino have the same amount of playoff chances left in them because it’s hard? It’s simple math! Age – years in league = playing potential. Duh!
And who is Chris Pail?
Wtf is Gino lol
Do u wear dockers because you strike me as casual
You’re the only person on earth who calls him Gino, I have followed his career as a Bucks fan since he was drafted and this is the first time I’ve seen such a dumb nickname. Is it really that hard to write Giannis?
Good for you.
It’s a nicked name, relax.
Should I call him a freak??
You do you, Dino.
Alright let’s get a consensus here for commenter #1 aka uno: what do you yall think are the chances of Gino enshrining his name in the list of big playoff performances? Comment below!
I forget who said it. I think it Woj or an espn guy. I know Shaq said more or less same thing. He needs to me more Shaq and less Kobe. And he can dominate. I been saying for the longest. Needs to post more. He’s too quick for bigs. And too big for the wings. I’ve been dogging him. Nice to see him step up. This is a serious run.
You’re exactly right Al. Then he gets double-teamed and kicks it out to the shooters and viola, there you have it. Success. Who’s going to guard him one-on-one at his position in the post? Maybe they haven’t tried it because he’s not a very good passer? I doubt that they just haven’t done it because Giannas wants to handle the ball like a guard like everybody does. Everybody wants to be Magic Johnson. It held Chris Webber back for a few years.
Can? Yes to both. Will he? Probably the 1st if he stays healthy, probably not the 2nd.
It’s not a typo error LA fan. It’s says whether they can complete the comeback from a 2-0 deficit just like they did against Brooklyn in the 2nd round. It is 2-1 now, but it was 2-0 after game two. Duh.
I think Bucks exposed Suns bench somewhat. Bucks bench not great either. But Suns don’t have a real big when Ayton goes sit. Giannis can exploit that. Still got Suns. Booker seemed out of it for some reason. It wasn’t just missing shots. Seemed not focused to me. Hope he’s ok. Don’t see him having another bad gm. Gm 3 is going to be fun.
Game 3 was fun, although not for Suns fans I expect. Hopefully game 4 will be more exciting.
It’s a sick and twisted game tbh!
The Suns can’t get close to him without a foul being whistled. How about Sunday when he ran across the paint and ran into Crowder on the back side and Crowder was called. There were at least 5 phantom calls for him. Reminds me of Akeem in the 90’s get within 2 feet and you are getting a foul. Why can’t the NBA just let them play.
Giannis is so big and strong there’s most likely 5 or calls per game where don’t call a could and should’ve.
Big facts
Giannis has been amazing, as I have not seen seen some of these power moves before, and after that wrong-way knee. He might be losing fans as fast as he makes them though, with that ferocious pose he makes after scoring.
I root for the Bucks as they have been knocking at the door.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!! To the first question.
YES! To the second question.
Giannis is unstoppable & is just destroyin’ PHO every single game!