Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most electrifying players in basketball. He’s also a player who has been compared with LeBron James, and he recently showed off his impressive handles on Instagram to show just how much fun playing against him would be for any defender.
The “giannis ante” is a Greek basketball player who is currently playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. He has received a lofty LeBron James comparison from Kendrick Perkins.
In Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals clash with the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks needed a superhero-like effort. For Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were dominant, and it seemed like the Celtics would win easily.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP, came up and rescued the day.
The Greek Freak delivered when his team needed him most, scoring 21 points in the second half on his way to a total of 40 for the game. His contributions enabled the Bucks to win 110-107 in the fourth quarter and grab a 3-2 series lead.
Antetokounmpo can now add Game 5 to his long history of outstanding postseason performances, but this game reminded some of LeBron James’.
After the Bucks’ win, ESPN pundit and former player Kendrick Perkins turned to Twitter to lavish praise on Antetokounmpo.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been likened to LeBron James by Kendrick Perkins.
Stacy Revere/Getty Images; Harry How/Getty Images | Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James (L-R)
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were on the verge of losing 3-2 to the Celtics in their conference semifinals series.
Milwaukee was behind 93-79 in the fourth quarter after losing Game 4 116-108. However, Giannis and the Bucks outscored the Celtics 26-12 over the following nine minutes to level the game at 105-105 with 42 seconds remaining. Jrue Holiday made a handful of huge defensive plays to help them win 110-107.
The whole night, Antetokounmpo was outstanding. In the first half, he was the Bucks’ lone bright light, scoring 19 of their 47 points. He added 21 more points in the second half and eight more in the fourth quarter for a total of 40 points and 11 rebounds. With 1:40 remaining, the reigning Finals MVP hit a huge three-pointer to get his team within three points after an Al Horford slam put the Celtics up six.
The clutch play was lauded across the basketball world, but Kendrick Perkins made a crucial message.
“Giannis just pulled [off] a Lebron James type of performance in [TD] Garden. Carry the hell on,” Perkins, who played with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014-15 and 2017-18, tweeted.
Given James’ incredible performances throughout the years, this is huge praise. During the 2016 NBA Finals, he produced 41 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists in a Game 5 victory. In Game 1 of the 2018 Finals, LeBron added 51 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Of all, they are only two of many classic games.
However, Antetokounmpo’s performance was not comparable to LeBron’s. He reminded me of Giannis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in a league of his own.
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Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m a huge LeBron James fan, and I’m always debating whether he should be ranked No. 1 or No. 2 all-time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is now a legend in his own right, therefore I don’t believe he needs to be compared to The King.
Take a look at some of his most insane performances from the previous two playoffs.
| Year | Situation | Stats |
| 2021 | Game 7 of the Conference Semifinals at the Nets | 13 rebounds, 40 points |
| 2021 | Suns host Game 2 of the NBA Finals. | 12 rebounds, 42 points |
| 2021 | NBA Finals Game 3 against. Suns at home | 13 rebounds, 41 points |
| 2021 | NBA Finals Game 6 vs. Suns at home | 14 rebounds, 50 points |
| 2022 | Game 3 of the Conference Semifinals is at home against the Celtics. | 12 rebounds, 42 points |
| 2022 | Game 5 of the Conference Semifinals at the Celtics | 11 rebounds, 40 points |
Giannis is an athletic behemoth who is unstoppable on the glass and unstoppable while sliding downhill. On both ends of the floor, his intimidating stature, quickness, and guard-like talents make him a menace. LeBron James is a fantastic player, but his game pales in comparison to Antetokounmpo’s, and Antetokounmpo’s pales in comparison to James’.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is just 27 years old, but he’s already on his way to becoming a legend.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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