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Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best in the NBA

By Thomas J. Brown

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a score during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 17: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts to a score during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum on November 17, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks; Giannis Antetokounmpo
Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Why Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best basketball player in the NBA: Impacting the game in various ways

This year’s Hall of Fame Class included an unlikely inductee – Ben Wallace. The undersized center who helped the Detroit Pistons win the 2004 NBA Championship was selected to join the prestigious group of players despite only averaging 5.7 points per game for his career.

In spite of the fact that no coach ever drew up an offensive play for Wallace, he had such an enormous impact defensively that his induction required no further explanation. He is very deserving of the honor.

On Wednesday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo did his part to confirm that there are other ways to impact a basketball game besides putting the ball in the basket. Legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn used to say a player “did everything except sell popcorn, after a well-rounded performance.

If Hearn were on the sidelines during the Greek Freak’s most recent performance against the Lakers, he’d be using that catchphrase to describe the two-time MVP. In addition to scoring 47 points, Giannis also grabbed nine rebounds, dished out three assists, blocked a shot, and added a steal for good measure.

It would have been easy for Antetokounmpo to neglect his defensive duties to the team because he was in such a nice groove offensively. Oftentimes, when a player is in a zone, they rely on their teammates to pick up the slack on the other end, believing their energy should be conserved for offense.

However, Giannis displayed the ultimate level of professionalism and continued to play hard on both ends of the floor. There are guys who can score with the best of them but fail to lead their team to victory, and then there’s Giannis; his scoring ability does not cause him to lose focus on the overall outcome of the game.

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