New York (AFP)

Author of a historic performance on Tuesday with 50 points scored and the NBA title in the key, the interior of the Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo has entered the legend and definitively silenced doubts about his ability to win.

During this series, the "Greek Freak" had already set the bar very high, with two consecutive matches at 42 and 41 points, without any drop in pace.

But on Tuesday, the child of Athens did even stronger with a performance worthy of Michael Jordan's 55 points in the 1993 final or LeBron James' titan match at Game 7 in 2016.

"I had fun watching the excellence tonight," tweeted after the game, Stephen Curry, three-time NBA champion.

"Excellence! Congratulations brother."

Already dominant for several seasons, Antetokounmpo has taken a step forward during these play-offs and even more during these last matches of the final.

Often criticized for his desire to play as a rear, attracted by the great outdoors, the five-time All-Star has completely refined his register.

He only played almost inside the three-point line and spent a lot less ball-in-hand time, which allowed the Bucks to keep pace on offense and play to his strength.

If the small interior Jae Crowder disturbed him on a few possessions (6 lost balls in the match), no one could really stop Antetokounmpo on Tuesday.

Shooting from four meters, "spin move" (winding of his defender), tap on offensive rebound, lay-up, the inside with the devastating smile took out the toolbox.

After his anthological counter on Deandre Ayton at the end of match 4, the Greek demigod has still signed 5 "blocks", including several at high altitude.

- "On top of the world" -

Throughout the series, Antetkounmpo has shown total physical commitment, constantly ready to fly to deflect an opponent's ball or knock down a teammate's pass in the circle.

This is the same player who bent his left knee on a bad reception in the Conference final against Atlanta on June 29.

After missing the last two games against the Hawks, he finally started the final, taking off to catch a lob pass just seconds after kick-off.

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The triumph of the "Greek Freak", crowned best player of the final at only 26 years old, is that of a normal guy, who has never taken himself for a star.

Never, despite the individual rewards that were already piling up, the 2.11m interior has never eased.

"He's an even more fantastic human being than the player," his coach, Mike Budenholzer, paid tribute to him on Tuesday.

Will this coronation be enough for him to gain unanimity, he who despite two titles of best player of the season in 2019 and 2020 was so far systematically relegated behind the big stars of the league?

A few hours ago, Portland back CJ McCollum and Brooklyn point guard Spencer Dinwiddie suggested the name of his teammate Khris Middleton as the candidate for the title of best player of the final, which Antetokounmpo nevertheless dominated with the head and the shoulders.

Tuesday, after the victory of his family, the hero of the day sent a message.

"This should allow each person, each child to believe in their dreams," said Antetokounmpo.

"Have faith in what you are doing. ... Don't let anyone tell you who you can be or what you can't do."

Son of Nigerian immigrants who arrived in Greece in 1991, Giannis and three of his brothers were born and raised in Sepolia, an underprivileged area of ​​Athens.

The eldest Francis had remained in Nigeria when his parents emigrated to Greece.

For years, the daily life of the Antetokounmpo has been marked by precariousness, punctuated by odd jobs and street vendors.

"Eight years ago, I didn't know where I would find my next meal," said the best player of the final after the match.

"My mom used to sell stuff on the streets. And today I'm here, sitting on top of the world."

© 2021 AFP