CJ McCollum Reveals How Bucks’ Faith on Giannis Antetokounmpo Played a Big Role in Their Triumph

Published 07/24/2021, 10:57 AM EDT

After falling short in the post-season for two seasons in a row, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have finally won a NBA championship for the first time in 50 years.

The Bucks have built an incredible team. With an all-round side, Milwaukee were dominant in both ends of the floor. Much of it was because of how talisman Giannis performed in the playoffs. Averaging an insane 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the Finals, the ‘Greek Freak’ showed his class.

Even additions like Jrue Holiday and PJ Tucker made life difficult for the opposition with their cagey defense. The Bucks put in the work in the post-season and didn’t back down which ultimately resulted in an NBA title.

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Why Does Giannis Antetokoumpo Wear 34 for the Milwaukee Bucks?

CJ McCollum appreciates Bucks for having faith on Giannis Antetokounmpo

The ‘Greek Freak‘ Giannis Antetokounmpo might be one of the best players in the NBA, but his game isn’t flawless by any means. Be it weakness in three point and mid-range shots or his inconsistent free throw shooting, Giannis does have some holes to his game.

But the 2-time MVP unlike many others, isn’t deterred by an air-balled free throw and is one of the rare breed of players who stays locked in for every possession of the game. Antetokounmpo’s mentality certainly impressed CJ McCollum.

In a recent appearance at the Pull Up podcast, McCollum said, “When I shoot an air ball, I have the reaction like I slipped. But he holds it and walks down the court like nothing happened and he will go do it again… It takes a special kind of person to be able to overcome certain levels of adversities, certain levels self doubt to be like, ‘damn I just shot an air ball. Oh well, next play'”

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The Blazers guard also appreciated the Bucks’ franchise who kept faith on the ‘Greek Freak.’ “They could have shied away from him in the times where he was not succeeding… They are putting him in dribble handoffs where they could have Hack-A Simmons, they could have fouled him but they are like, who cares, he will figure it out, he will make a play.”

Milwaukee Bucks certainly played a massive role in determining Giannis’ legacy. In a time where he was still developing and raw, the Bucks took a chance on him. Despite his mixed first season, Milwaukee were patient and this trust and patience paid off with a championship.

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With the side they have, the Bucks might not be a star-studded, but they undoubtedly are one of the most balanced teams in the league. Will Milwaukee be able to defend their title next season?

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.

CJ McCollum Reveals How Bucks’ Faith on Giannis Antetokounmpo Played a Big Role in Their Triumph

CJ McCollum appreciates Bucks for having faith on Giannis Antetokounmpo

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