Giannis Antetokounmpo provided the only real reason to tune in to the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against the Mavericks on Wednesday night. From a competitive standpoint, the gutted Mavs didn’t have much to offer–no Luka, of course, no Anthony Davis, and no Kyrie Irving after he tore his ACL on Monday.
The Bucks came in as 12.5 point home favorites and frankly the line could not have been immense enough. They sent fans home elated with a 137-107 victory that marked their 8th in 9 tries and improved their record to 36-25 this season.
But for team supporters and NBA fans alike, the main motive to attend the game or turn on the TV was Giannis’ pursuit of 20K career points. He began the night 22 shy of the threshold. When it was all said and done he had added 32 to his all-time total, on an capable 13 of 20 from the field alongside 15 rebounds.
After the game he reacted to his achievement in good spirits.
20K Down, 10K To Go? Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Focused on Bringing Milwaukee Bucks Another Ring
Giannis scored points 19,999 and 20,000 on a forceful drive with the shot clock ticking down early in the third quarter. During a timeout afterward, he just wanted to watch his tribute video playing on the arena’s huge screen.
Doc Rivers, though, wanted his eyes on the play he was drawing up. “He kept saying, ‘Giannis, Giannis, focus on the play,’” joked the man of the hour. If only Rivers, who finished his own playing days with 9,377, could understand. “Like, Coach, you don’t get a lot of 20,000 points moments in your career.”
In the blowout, Giannis saw only 25 minutes of action, a very good thing on the second leg of a back-to-back after Milwaukee defeated Atlanta, 127-121, on Tuesday. For the Bucks to solidify their place in the standings, currently in 4th a half-game up on the Pacers, Antetokounmpo will need his legs under him down the stretch.
Longer term, he will also have to stay fresh and fit if he wants to climb his way up the points ladder.
“I’ll get there,” he said of reaching the 30K mark. “I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I’m going to show up every single day and I’m going to do it.”
In typical Giannis fashion, though, he has greater things in mind. “It’s not a goal of mine. I don’t think it counts in your legacy if you score 25,000 or 27 or 30,000. Winning counts more.”
Damian Lillard contributed to that cause Wednesday with 34 points on 11-15 shooting, while Kevin Porter Jr. went bonkers off the bench for his third ever triple double: 10 points, 11 rebounds and 14 sparkling dimes.
Greek Freak Is a Paragon of What Hard Work & Opportunity Can Do
Another point Antetokounmpo has often mentioned himself, and a narrative that has ascended to the level of lore regarding his rise to NBA superstardom, is his hard, under-privileged upbringing. He referenced it again in his postgame comments.
“I hope a lot of people see me, and I represent those he might not have it all,” Giannis said. “Might not be the most talented people, but they are disciplined. They show up every single night to do the right thing, no matter the outcome. They keep on coming back and keep on being disciplined in their craft. So I hope I can represent all those people.”
His next level work ethic has made him one of the game’s most dominant players, liable to throw down a sledgehammer on any given play, starting from anywhere on the court. This season he has emphasized efficiency, cutting down on three-point attempts, never a mighty suit, and in favor of getting inside and polishing his midrange game.
Despite his accomplishment against Dallas, he isn’t content to settle. “I’m proud of the journey, but I have so much more to give.”
Now in his 12th season, Giannis shows no sign of slowing down–if anything he is only getting better. Fans best take him at his word and stay seated for the next act in a Hall of Fame career.
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