Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is already one of the best star players in the league. With two MVP awards and a Larry O’Brien trophy, the Greek Freak has established his name in the history books. However, former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes he’s one accolade away from being recognized as the second-best power forward.
Perk said that if Giannis were to win another championship, his name would be associated with Tim Duncan when discussing power forwards. The 6-foot-11 is already regarded as a top-five power forward by the former center for the Boston Celtics. But his reputation would be further enhanced in the annals of history with another title.
Perk talked about his case for Antetokounmpo on Friday’s episode of “NBA Countdown.”
“Giannis is one NBA championship away of cementing himself as the second-greatest power forward of all time right behind Tim Duncan,” Perkins said. “He’s already top 5, in my opinion… it goes to the point of, — just like with Steph [Curry], just like with Giannis, KD (Kevin Durant) and Bron [James], if you have a guy of this magnitude, you gotta make sure you maximize the pieces around him.”
"Giannis is one NBA championship away of cementing himself as the second-greatest power forward of all time right behind Tim Duncan." 🔥
— @KendrickPerkins on Giannis Antetokounmpo's place among the NBA's all-time greats 👀 pic.twitter.com/WDa0CLPhPU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 7, 2024
As Giannis turns the page in his life and enters his 30s, there’s a lingering question of how long he’ll be able to keep things up and contend for a title. Fortunately for the Bucks, the eight-time All-Star has not shown signs of slowing down and could win his third MVP this season.
Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists, which is better than his numbers when he won the MVP award in back-to-back years. His numbers this season are also better than his averages during the 2020-21 season, the year he won his first title.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leaps to the second spot at the NBA MVP Race
Following a slow start to the 2024-25 NBA season, Giannis Antetokounmpo has turned up his production and is playing the best basketball of his career. He’s had eight games where he finished at least 30 points. In addition, the All-Star forward has scored more than 40 points in four games, including his 59-point performance against the Detroit Pistons.
In the latest MVP Ladder, the Bucks star has jumped from his No. 4 spot. Antetokounmpo is now in second place, behind Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.
Giannis has played like an MVP all season long and could make the Bucks a threat to win the championship.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
