From Then and Now: Bucks Winning NBA Championship 2021

The Bucks wrapped up their comeback to supremacy after beating the Suns in Game 6 of the NBA finals. The team was led once again by the dominating talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as the Greek Freak who scored 50 points, which was nearly half of his team’s total points. Milwaukee beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on its home court to grab its second NBA championship since 1971.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

After a phenomenal performance that put an end to the 2021 NBA Finals, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo stated that he agreed to sign his five-year, supermax contract extension early in the season. During the 2013 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to take a chance on a skinny youngster from Greece’s second division for their 15th pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo.  It ended out to be one of the most successful acquisitions in NBA history. Antetokounmpo has emerged as the Bucks’ best player. Then, for the second year in a row, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. And now, he’s an NBA champion.

Antetokounmpo had one of the best finals performances in NBA history, scoring 50 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, which is now a playoff career-high. Antetokounmpo used a variety of spin moves and brute effort to get to the hoop, as he has for the majority of his career. On the defensive end, he was a force to be reckoned with, blocking five shots. He even got an improved stat on his free throws, going 17 for 19.

“Don’t let nobody tell you what you can’t be or what you cannot do. People told me I can’t make free throws. I made my free throws tonight. And I’m a freaking champion,” Antetokounmpo said. 

“This should make every person, every kid, anybody around the world to believe in their dreams. I hope I give people around the world from Africa, from Europe, give them hope that it can be done. Eight and a half years ago, before I came into the league, I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street,” Antetokounmpo added in a post-game interview.

Milwaukee Bucks 1971 Championship

The Milwaukee Bucks won their first and only championship in 1971, sweeping the Baltimore Bullets. Two players led the 1971 Bucks championship. They are were regarded today as among the best in NBA history: Oscar Robertson and Lew Alcindor, who changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the day after the team won the title.  

Abdul-Jabbar, who was 24 at the time, was in his second season in the league and had already established himself as one of the NBA’s most formidable players. He led the league in scoring with 31.7 points per game, earning the first of his six Most Valuable Player Awards. Meanwhile, Robertson, who was 32 at the time, was nearing the conclusion of his career and moving to a supporting role while still mounting All-Star numbers. Robertson, the 1964 MVP, had just completed a 10-year career with the Cincinnati Royals, becoming the first player to record a triple-double in a single season.

What’s Next?

At the time of writing, there are still no recent and credible NBA rumors 2021 or NBA trade talks. Furthermore, NBA fans can expect a more exciting season now that the COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to become a part of the world’s history.

For sports bettors, are you ready for next season’s odds? Don’t forget to take advantage of Asian sportsbooks broker, Asian sportsbook aggregator, Asian bookie broker, or Asian sportsbook aggregator sites to maximize your chances of winning. No account yet? Register now!