Ten years ago on this date, June 27, the Milwaukee Bucks drafted Giannis Antetokounmpo, a teenager from Greece with a ton of raw potential. Few could have guessed that he would achieve the level that he did, but he is easily the best draft pick in franchise history. As we celebrate 10 years of Giannis in Milwaukee, let’s take a look at the top 10 moments of his career.
10. The Milwaukee Bucks Draft Giannis Antetokounmpo 15th Overall
The Milwaukee Bucks drafted an 18-year old Giannis with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. At the time, there were many fans and analysts who hated the pick. He was young, raw, and need a lot of time to develop. How the times have changed!
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores 55 Points in Milwaukee Bucks Win over Washington Wizards
On January 3, 2023, Giannis scored a career-high 55 points to lead the Bucks to a 123-113 win over the Washington Wizards. He also had 10 rebounds and seven assists.
It was the third-consecutive game in which Giannis had at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. The only other players in NBA history with three-consecutive such games are Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamerlain, and Russell Westbrook.
8. Giannis Antetokounmpo Becomes the Milwaukee Bucks’ All-Time Leading Scorer
During a game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 31, 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a game-tying three pointer to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
To date, Giannis has 16,280 career points. He is just 28 years old now, too. No doubt, he could end up as one of the most prolific scorers in league history by the time his career is over.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo Knocks Down a Buzzer-Beater to Defeat the New York Knicks 105-104
Talk about a “I’m here” moment! As we find out, the 2016-17 season was special season for Giannis. In the middle of the season, Giannis and the Bucks visited one of the most historic arenas in American sports against Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
With the Bucks trailing by one as the clock ticked down, Giannis lofted a jumper from the free throw line. The ball went in at the buzzer to give the Bucks the victory.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins the 2017 NBA Most Improved Player of the Year
In 2016-17, Giannis averaged 22.9 points, 8.8. rebounds, and 5.4 assists. The year prior, he had averaged of 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
The 2016-17 season also saw Giannis selected to the All-Star Game for the first time. He has been there every year since.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo Drops 41 on the Phoenix Suns in Game Three of the 2021 NBA Finals
Down 0-2 in the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis did everything he could to ensure the Bucks would not lose another game. And they didn’t,
Giannis dropped 41 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to lead the Bucks to a convincing 120-100 win.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins 2021 NBA All-Star Game MVP
Giannis scored 35 points while going a perfect 16/16 from the floor, including 3/3 from three. He also had seven rebounds and three assists while playing 19 minutes of the game.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins His Second MVP Award
Image Giannis Mvp Bobble
Giannis won his second-consecutive NBA Award in 2020. That year, he averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
Of course, Giannis was also the NBA Defensive Player of the Year that season as well. He joined Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win both awards in the same season.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo Wins His First MVP Award
2019-07-14 Giannis
As great as winning MVP for a second time was, there is nothing like winning it for the first time. And Giannis wanted to celebrate the achievement with Bucks fans.
Giannis won his first MVP after averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. All were career-highs at the time.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo Scores 50 to Bring the Milwaukee Bucks an NBA Title
Of course, the number one moment of Giannis’ great career is scoring 50 points in Game Six of the 2021 NBA Finals to bring the Bucks’ franchise their first NBA title in 50 years. It was an all-time performance by one of the game’s greatest all-time players.
How fortunate Milwaukee is to have such a talent as the face of the franchise!
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