Giannis Antetokounmpo's NBA Finals run in 2021 hailed the best in the last five years

Could this be the best performance from an NBA star in the last five years?

© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

With apologies to Nikola Jokic’s fantastic run in the NBA Finals this season that saw him average 30.2 points on 58 percent shooting, 14.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks in a 4-1 win over the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo's run in the NBA Finals may be better. Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz assessed the performances of the last five NBA Finals Most Valuable Players and deemed Antetokounmpo’s 2021 run against the Phoenix Suns the best in the last five years.

Coming off an injury

Lest anyone forget, the Greek Freak was sidelined for the last two games of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks after suffering a hyperextended left knee in Game 2. Giannis, though, immediately silenced questions about his capability by dropping 20 points and 17 rebounds in a Game 1 loss.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, Giannis then placed the Bucks on his back and tallied 41 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3 and then 26 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists in Game 4 to tie the series up at 2-2. After firing in 32 points and nine boards in Game 5, the stage was set for Giannis to win it all and win it all he did in legendary fashion.

Legendary Game 6

With the NBA title within reach, Giannis put on a legendary performance that would resonate with Bucks fans for years to come. He scored 50 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to go along with five blocks as the Bucks won Game 6, 105-98. With that 50-point performance, Giannis became just the seventh player to achieve the feat, joining an elite cast led by Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Jerry West.

Giannis ended that Finals run with averages of 35.2 points on 61 percent shooting, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. The performance was nothing short of legendary, and it will live in Bucks lore forever as a reminder of just how special an athlete Giannis is.