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Challenge accomplished.
After putting up a legendary performance in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has finally completed the long-standing challenge given to him by the late great Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Antetokounmpo, who was challenged by Bryant in 2019 to win a championship, channeled his inner Mamba Mentality in the series clincher against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, July 20 (Wednesday, July 21, Manila time) and erupted for 50 points to lead the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years.
This was the second challenge of Bryant that Antetokounmpo was able to fulfill as he had already answered Bryant’s call to win a Most Valuable Player award prior to winning this year’s championship.
“It started almost like a joke at first… he was sending challenges to players… and I was like, let me just shoot my shot, kind of like, what’s my challenge? And he was like MVP,” said Antetokounmpo, who also tallied 14 rebounds and 5 blocks in the Bucks’ 105-98 win.
“At first, I was like joking. I didn’t think he was going to respond to me. But when he did, he made me believe.”
“I’m like, Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this? I can play at a high level and build my team and win my MVP?”
The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo has certainly come a long way since Bryant’s first challenge to him in 2017.
Since that tweet, Antetokounmpo had won two league MVP awards, Defensive Player of the Year award, and All-Star Game MVP award.
He then added two more to his growing list of accolades on Tuesday, when he captured the Larry O’Brien championship trophy and the Finals MVP honors.
“Being able to accomplish those things, it’s crazy,” said Antetokounmpo, who averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in his first appearance in the league’s biggest stage.
“It’s unreal. It’s freaking unreal. I can’t believe it,” he added. – Rappler.com
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