Giannis Antetokounmpo has played at the highest level this postseason, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to have a memorable run, competing in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1974.
The Greek Freak has shown all of his talents this year, becoming one of the best players in the world. Rival teams have decided to make drastic decisions to stop him, creating a defense called ‘The Giannis Wall.’
The 2x NBA MVP has gotten used to seeing two or three players going at him as he drives to the basket, but that doesn’t make it any easier. He admits that the wall has taught him to look for alternatives and trust his teammates more.
“Once I started seeing the wall two years ago, now it’s about trust,” Antetokounmpo said, via The New York Post. “It’s kind of hard, because you want to be effective, you want to get downhill, you want to do everything. But now … you take it personal, also. There’s a team that’s building the wall of three people and two guys behind and trying to stop you.
“Now you have to not take it personal and make the right play, find the right guy. I feel like I did that better since two years ago now. I’m doing it better. I’m finding, I’m trusting my teammates. I’m finding guys. … It’s funny that there’s a defense out there called the Giannis Wall. It’s funny to me, you know? So it’s crazy.”
Even though they’ve tried to stop him for some time now, Giannis always finds a way to be the bigger force at the paint. He’s embracing his role as center in the Finals, going against Deandre Ayton, bringing incredible results to the Bucks.
Michael Jordan had the ‘Jordan Rules,’ Shaquille O’Neal had the ‘hack-a-Shaq,’ and now Giannis has his wall. People will do anything to stop him when you’re great, and Antetokounmpo is living proof of that.
