Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance is paid for a massive yet crunching tribute before the playoffs.
The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for the NBA playoffs, facing rival Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers beat the Bucks in the 2024 playoffs, and the Bucks’ chances were hit by news that Damian Lillard would not be handed over to health at the start of the series.
Lillard has been out with blood clots for the past few weeks and while he has made some progress, he is not ready for Game 1.
One of the blows is the way Giannis Antetokounmpo has played.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been demonstrated with his insane 35 points, 17 rebounds and 20 assists in his recent victory with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Giannis’ performance was high, with a 59-point performance against the Pistons early in the season.
Speaking in the NBA today, insider Brian Windhorst compared him to the 2000s edition of LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This referenced his best performance with a weakly supported cast around him, but in the end this Cavaliers iteration could not win anything.
He states: “Giannis’ play over the past few weeks has been inspired since Dame went down. He reminded me of something like LeBron in the 2000s, when that Cavs team wasn’t actually built, so LeBron did it all.
“We already know that Giannis can handle the ball and play center. He’s been playing point guard since the dam went down. He averages the game on average and leads them in almost every related statistical category.”
Discussing the upcoming match with the Pacers, Windhorst fears that in the end there will be too many demands for Giannis.
“I’ve put nothing past Giannis, but the people who know this more than anyone else are Pace people. They know that Giannis needs to do this.
“And even if it takes six or seven games, the pacer strategy will use their speed and stamina and depth against Giannis and the Bucks.”
The Milwaukee Bucks still face harsh prospects at the Top Heavy Eastern Conference. Their reward for beating the Pacers could be against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Former NBA star Udonis Haslem added that he is not optimistic about the Bucks’ chances.
Haslem said:
“They push the ball up and down the court for 48 minutes.”
Generally, he believes Giannis has opportunities but does not support them beyond that.