Two legacies and one title

The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA champions. I almost cannot believe I just typed that. But as chants of “Bucks in six” continue to greet me this day, I know it’s a fact.

For the first time in 50 years, not since the days of Oscar Robertson and a then-named Lew Alcindor — who would later find glory with the Los Angeles Lakers under the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — have the Bucks been kings of the NBA.

It took a most unique player to make all this happen. A little known and practically unheralded prospect out of Greece named Giannis Antetokounmpo, or, as he is more affectionately known by NBA fans, the Greek Freak.

Indeed, there is something freakish about his athleticism, as if he were descended from the gods of Mount Olympus, rather than the son of hard-working immigrants from Nigera.

Giannis grew up in Athens, but life was not easy for him and his family. As a child, he and his brothers sold watches, handbags and cheap jewelry on the streets of Athens to bring extra money in for his family. I have to imagine this sort of upbringing has led him to where he is now.

Giannis is that rarest of superstars — humble, down to earth, and just all around likeable. Fame and wealth has not jaded him. He remains the same person he was when he was drafted in the first round in 2013.

I remember when he was drafted, and the fallout that occurred. People were scratching their heads at this latest gamble from the Bucks organization. But sometimes when you gamble, you can win big, and that has certainly been the case for Giannis, who has stayed loyal and remained in Milwaukee despite the media telling him to leave.

Giannis and his teammate, Kris Middleton, did not have a great first year in the league, finishing 15-67. Now both players are NBA champions. Giannis has gone from a skinny kid to the best basketball player in the world.

Even more impressive, he was doing this on a knee that was hyperextended just before the NBA Finals. Yet, there he was on Tuesday night, dominating his competition as he scored 50 points en route to the title and MVP finals honors.

As much as this was great for Giannis, it’s also great for the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. To be a sports fan in Wisconsin is to know that heartbreak is a constant companion. But every once and awhile, that narrative is flipped.

There’s also another person we need to talk about. Without Herb Kohl, there might be no Giannis, no 2021 NBA title. There certainly would be no Bucks in Milwaukee. When Kohl purchased the Bucks, they were playing in the smallest arena in the NBA, and there were fears the Bucks would be moving out of Milwaukee.

Kohl took over and helped improve the team and the arena and paved the way for future greatness. This title is his legacy just as much as it is the Greek Freak’s.

Giannis’ legacy is far from over. At 26, he’s at the height of his powers. I cannot wait to see what happens down the road. We are in a golden age of Wisconsin sports, my friends. Enjoy it while you can!

M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS

ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER