Throughout the history of the NBA, almost every great team and player has had to battle through adversity. Jordan had the losses to Detroit, Kobe missed huge shots early in his career during the playoffs, and LeBron had the 2011 NBA Finals. All of those superstars needed those moments. The struggles in the beginning of their careers taught them how to become champions and to become better players mentally and physically. When we look back at the history books, the loss to the Raptors will be the struggle that pushes Giannis to his greatness.
Trials and tribulations make superstars truly great and becomes part of their story when it’s all said and done. In the moment, people are laughing at the Bucks, claiming Kawhi put the clamps on Giannis; but down the road it is Giannis who will get the last laugh. People forget the Raptors are full of veterans who have all been in big playoff spots before while the Bucks are a bunch of kids. For Milwaukee’s players, this was the biggest series of their lives and they didn’t have the experience to execute down the stretch. It is crazy to think Giannis led his team to the Eastern Conference Finals and is only getting better. Next year he will come back with a vengeance. Giannis will be more polished, more experienced, and hungrier than ever. If history has shown us anything, it is that going through tough losses like this will bring the best out of Giannis and he will be back for his revenge.
Louis Areniello is a Contributor for the Unwrapped Sports Network website. Follow him @LilLou617 on Twitter.