The Rise of the Greek Freak: A Look at Giannis Antetokounmpo's Career 

When it comes to basketball superstars, few have had a career as meteoric as that of Milwaukee Bucks power forward and two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. We all know of the 28-year-old sensation, a hulking superstar who took the NBA by storm and led his team, the Milwaukee Bucks, to heights never before seen in their history. But there's much more to this remarkable athlete than just basketball - from humble beginnings in Greece as a son of two immigrants, to signing one of the largest contract extensions ever given out at his position. 

Giannis' Bucks last tasted championship success back in 2021 (more on that later), and they could be set for further glory this season. Online sportsbook Bovada make the Bucks one of the favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season, as you can see here: https://www.bovada.lv/sports/basketball/nba. The Wisconsin-based side is currently second in the NBA's Eastern Conference this season, with a record of 41 wins and 17 defeats. 

But their success couldn't have come without their starman, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Here the story surrounding his rise to superstardom. 

Early Years with the Bucks 

The Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis as the 15th overall choice in the 2013 NBA Draft. It took a while for the former Filathlitikos standout to settle in, but once he did, the sky was the limit. 

In just his third season with the team, he began to make an impact on the court he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. He won the Most Improved Player of the Year award in 2017, and in 2019 he started a three-year campaign that would win him the hearts of basketball fans all around the world.

2019 and 2020 were the years in which Antetokounmpo truly announced himself on the world stage. He guided his Bucks to back-to-back divisional titles in 2019 and 2020, picking up the NBA MVP award in back-to-back seasons in the process. After his second MVP award, he would take the Bucks to heights they hadn't reached in four decades. 

Back-to-Back MVP Awards 

in 2019, Giannis' secured his first-ever NBA MVP award, fending off illustrious competition such as Golden State's Steph Curry and Houston's James Harden. His performances throughout the season were instrumental in leading Milwaukee to the postseason as the top seed. In the end, however, his first appearance in the NBA Finals would have to wait following defeat to the eventual champion Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference semifinals. 

The following season, Antetokounmpo sealed his second consecutive MVP award. His stats throughout the two-year period were extraordinary: 30 points per game on average, 12 rebounds per game, 5 assists per game, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field. These impressive numbers are a testament to both his physical ability and mental fortitude—and they put him head and shoulders above other players in terms of productivity during that time period. 

First NBA Championship in 40 years 

With Giannis leading the way, coach Mike Budenholzer built a team around him that could maximize his talents while filling any holes he might have had. This included trading for All-Star forward Khris Middleton to provide outside shooting and defensive versatility; drafting Donte DiVincenzo and D.J Wilson to add depth and energy off the bench; signing Brook Lopez as a rim protector; and most notably, trading for Jrue Holiday as a secondary playmaker and lockdown defender on defense. By adding these pieces around their superstar leader, they formed an unbreakable bond that would carry them through adversity during their playoff run 

With this newfound chemistry, the Bucks went into the playoffs as one of the favorites to win it all, and they did not disappoint. Led by Antetokounmpo’s 9+ 30/10 games, they made quick work of the Miami Heat in the first round, routing them by four games to zero. In the semifinals, they would meet the Brooklyn Nets and once again, the Bucks' main man was in sensational form. 

The series went the full seven-game distance, and Giannis was his side's top scorer in five of the seven games played. In the end, game seven went to overtime, and it was the Bucks who held their nerve, winning 115-111 to set up a meeting with Devin Booker's Phoenix Suns in the Finals.

In what turned out to be one of most exciting Finals series ever played, the Bucks managed to rally from two games down to win 4-2 and secure a first championship victory in 40 years. 

Looking Back 

The 2020/21 season was truly remarkable for Milwaukee fans everywhere, and Giannis was integral to his side's success. He has come a long way since being drafted back in 2013. Over his eight seasons with the Bucks, he has become one of basketball's brightest stars, winning back-to-back MVP awards and finally bringing Milwaukee its first championship win

In addition to being an amazing player on the court, Giannis is also an inspiring leader off it. He's known for being incredibly humble yet fiercely competitive; he puts his team first but plays with a passion that can't be denied. That combination of traits has made him one of the most beloved players in recent memory—and it has clearly paid off with this historic achievement.

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