“Great For The NBA”: Hall of Famer Reveals He Is Rooting For Giannis Antetokounmpo To Win The Title

After an impressive campaign, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the Defensive Player of the Year yesterday. He beat the likes of Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert to win the award. While making an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley praised the Greek Freak for his accomplishments at such an early age.

“What he’s accomplished at this age is incredible,” Barkley said. “He’s such a great kid. Last year when we had him on the award show and he won MVP he was crying. Last night when we gave him the Defensive Player of the Year, he was emotional.”

He also compared Giannis, who is 26 now, to Michael Jordan and LeBron James, who didn’t win a title until they were 28.

“He’s only 26. Michael Jordan didn’t win his first championship until he was 28, same thing with LeBron. I get frustrated when these guys in the media tell if you don’t win a championship this year he’s gotta leave Milwaukee. Nobody said that to Michael Jordan.”

Barkley hopes Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t leave Milwaukee

Barkley said he hoped Giannis wouldn’t leave Milwaukee. A lot of the media members have built a narrative that he can’t win in Milwaukee, and Barkley wants Giannis to prove them wrong.

“I hope he wins the championship,” Barkley said. “It will be great for the NBA. I hope he stays in Milwaukee. I’d hate to see him join a superteam because that dilutes the NBA. But what he’s accomplished so far is incredible. I would love for him to be the face of the NBA because he’s such a great kid and a hell of a player.”

Giannis has had an excellent individual season, carrying the Bucks to the number one seed in the East and overall best record too. After an initial hiccup, Giannis and the Bucks bounced back in the first round against the Magic and are currently leading the series 3-1.

After winning the DPOY, he is also favorite to win the MVP. And if the Bucks win the title, he is most likely to win the Finals MVP. This could make him only the second player since Hakeem Olajuwon to win all three awards in the same season.

His future at Milwaukee could be determined by how the Bucks perform this season and the next. Then, in the 2021 Free Agency, he will have to make one of the biggest decisions of his life. To stay at Milwaukee or to build a new legacy elsewhere.