YouTube Gold: The Freak Ascends

Congratulations to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks for a superb Game 6 that won Milwaukee’s first title since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a young Buck in 1971 (trivia: Milwaukee won a coin toss with Phoenix for the right to draft Abdul-Jabbar).

Antetokounmpo had a brilliant game, one that will become legendary, with 50 points in including 17-19 from the free throw line, which has been one of his few weaknesses, 14 boards and five blocks.

It was an astonishing performance and one that won’t soon be forgotten.

With his recent run, including games where he scored 42, 41, 26, 32 and 50 points, all after coming to terms with a painful knee injury, Antetokounmpo, in our opinion, has surpassed LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the best player in the world.

And consider this: whereas James has consistently moved to teams where he had a better chance to win a title, and Durant has done that twice too, Antetokounmpo said he was committed to his team and city and would make his stand there.

He took a lot of criticism, up until quite recently in fact, and has risen above it all. No one ever questioned his talent. From now on, no one will ever question his heart or commitment again.

Two more points: for the first time since Arvidas Sabonis was in his prime, the best basketball player in the world is not an American (if you don’t believe us, watch this - Sabonis was incredible. It was a shame he got to the NBA after injuries had reduced his greatness substantially). You could make an argument for Hakeem Olajuwon but he overlapped with Michael Jordan other than the time Jordan played baseball.

And point #2: three of the Antetokounmpo brothers have won rings now. Last year, Kostas won a ring with James and the Lakers, while this year, Thanasis got one with his brother as a Buck.

Anyway, here are highlights from Antetokounmpo’s spectacular performance in Game 6. What a game!