Giannis Antetokounmpo has the utmost respect for Kevin Durant, as he showed during the entire Brooklyn Nets-Milwaukee Bucks series. The Greek Freak had the hard job to go against the Slim Reaper, having incredible duels on the court.
In the end, the Bucks upset the Nets, beating them in seven games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Giannis and KD battled it out, scoring 40 and 48 points, respectively, in a very intense duel.
After sharing a big post-game hug with Durant, the 2x NBA MVP talked about his opponent, praising him just like he did after Game 5.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant share a moment after putting on a show for seven thrilling games. 🤝 #ThatsGame
🎥: @NBApic.twitter.com/82BlyMVkkp
— USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) June 20, 2021
“I said it a couple of days ago, he’s the best player in the world,” Antetokounmpo said of Durant. “He’s still the best player in the world.”
giannis again calls kevin durant the best player in the world pic.twitter.com/GtnKpKyqSj
— Dan Favale (@danfavale) June 20, 2021
KD showed all his quality during this series. He left everything on the court trying to take his team to the ECF, shooting big shot after big shot, including the one that sent the game to OT.
This series was incredible and these two played a significant role in that. Durant left people speechless, Giannis responded with his outstanding performances. They had a really cool back and forth, but the Bucks had the last laugh, winning an incredible Game 7 on Saturday night.
Antetokounmpo made it clear that the team still has obstacles to overcome to win the NBA title.
“At the end of the day, the job’s not done. The job is not done. So that’s the message here, that’s the message in the locker room. We can’t get too high, or too low. We didn’t win the championship… We got to enjoy this moment, but once we realize who is the next opponent, we have to put this in the past and focus on our next opponent.”
The Nets were unlucky to have Kyrie Irving sidelined and James Harden playing on one leg. So Durant had to carry the team without the other two stars, and he did a terrific job. Still, the Bucks took advantage of these absences, winning a memorable series.
