Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton (more likely) are a couple of hours away from playing the first NBA Finals game of their careers. The Milwaukee Bucks duo has exceeded this season, leading this team round after round to play for the NBA championship.
It wasn’t an easy job, but they did it, and now the Phoenix Suns wait for them to start this entertaining series. They have the perfect underdog story, as these two weren’t touted as future stars. However, they defied and beat the odds, becoming one of the most lethal duos in the association.
Recently, fans found out how low their first 2K ratings were compared to their current level. The Hoop Central shared an old pic of both Giannis and Middleton with a 60 OVR rating in NBA 2K.
Giannis 2K Rating back in the day…It doesn’t seem real. 😳 pic.twitter.com/qvIGv8H5oV
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 4, 2021
Giannis was 18 at the time, while Middleton was 21. Things have drastically changed since that moment. The Greek Freak is now a 2x NBA MVP, while Middleton is another established star. Their current rating is 96 for Giannis (4th overall) and 85 for Middleton (46th).
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most improved basketball player through a career ever.
— Giannis ③④ SZN (@Giannis34SZN) July 4, 2021
Went from a random kid from greece to the best player in the NBA. Can't wait for him to hold up the trophy. pic.twitter.com/mdzaNgm2cG
— Giannis ③④ SZN (@Giannis34SZN) July 4, 2021
Middleton was rated 60 as well😳 pic.twitter.com/IyE4kpR7PL
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) July 4, 2021
He should’ve been atleast a 65 tbh he wasn’t even a low pick but he was a super raw prospect
— Jose 🇵🇷 (@yunggreen_) July 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/ColbyPayne97/status/1411821979729072128
6’9”????
— John (@thejnollV2) July 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/AJ91824209/status/1411874153192378369
Damn him and Middleton came up together. Hope they get that ring.
— C O D Y 💚 (@codxcx) July 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/WashingtonFan_/status/1411832404919164929
Talk about different career trajectories. Giannis flying high. Equal rating at the time Katasev 60, 3 broken up seasons and out of NBA.
Middleton 62, breaking out even more this year. Amazing.
Now to have kept those Giannis rookie cards 🙄
— Toco Vco (@ttc80801) July 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/TyWillOg/status/1411865606622744585
Middleton and Giannis went from 60’s to carrying a squad to the finals. Pretty awesome
— Murph (@503takes) July 4, 2021
I remember in my 2k14 mycareer, Giannis was out of the league in the second season. Damn.
— ALVINN!!!😁 (@thecooking_pot) July 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/NotAkuien/status/1411821972506525697
They’ve balled their hearts out this postseason, going through fire to reach the 2021 Finals. When Giannis went down with an injury, Middleton stepped up, leading the Bucks against the Atlanta Hawks in the ECF.
The team will need their two stars ready to go against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. Giannis is still sidelined but as soon as he steps on the court, his team will become more dangerous.
