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Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) accepts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award from NBA commissioner Adam Silver after game six of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Jul 20, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) accepts the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award from NBA commissioner Adam Silver after game six of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo had an impressive start to the season yesterday. He led his team to a blowout victory against the Brooklyn Nets, who are amongst the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Not just that, he also displayed sheer dominance in all columns of the stat board. His statistics in the opening games of 3 of the past 4 seasons are record-breaking in the NBA’s history.
The main three statistics used to determine any player’s performance are their points, assists, and rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the first player in the history of the NBA to lead a team in these stats in the opening games of 3 out of the last 4 seasons.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player in NBA history to lead a team outright in points, rebounds and assists in three season openers 👏
(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/P8bPKI4Z27
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 20, 2021
The history of the record made by Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo accomplished this exceptional feat at the beginning of what was arguably his break-out season 2018-19. He repeated it in the next season as the reigning MVP. So, as the reigning MVP, his confidence coming into the first game reflected on the scoreboard. The Greek Freak was unstoppable in all aspects of the game yesterday as well. Showing exactly why he was declared the Finals MVP last season. This is how the statistics looked like for Giannis in the 2018-19, 2019-20 and this season’s opening game for the Bucks.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 19, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) blocks the shot of Brooklyn Nets forward Nicolas Claxton (33) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
2018-19 season– 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 8 assists- against the Charlotte Hornets
2019-20 season– 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists- against the Houston Rockets
2021-22 season- 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assists- against the Brooklyn Nets
What does this mean for the Milwaukee Bucks?
This display of confidence and dominance from the Greek Freak shows the mentality with which he approaches the court. No matter how difficult it was to beat the Nets last season, it seemed like it was Giannis’ mission to show why his team won the last championship and why he was declared the Finals MVP. Truly a statement victory for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Going forward, this will give them incredible confidence while facing the best teams in the NBA. Can Giannis guide them to an unlikely title defence?
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