Back in Aug. 2017, NBA legend Kobe Bryant was on Twitter handing out challenges left and right to the league’s up and coming stars.
On the 27th, Giannis Antetokounmpo received his: MVP. He delivered twice, the very next season (2018-19) and again in 2019-20.
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 27, 2017
The Black Mamba acknowledged the now two-time MVP with his next challenge: an NBA Championship.
On Tuesday night, Giannis delivered on his second challenge from the late NBA Hall of Famer, just two years later.
He did it. pic.twitter.com/1MSLjHfEFc
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 21, 2021
The Greek Freak (now also known as Superman) walked out of Fiserv Arena, a champion and a Finals MVP after a scintillating 50-point, 14-rebound, 5-block performance.
Antetokounmpo is just the seventh player in NBA history to have a 50-point Finals game while becoming the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to tally 40 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a playoff game per ESPN Stats & Info.
“Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this… I had to do it. I had to work hard.”
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 21, 2021
Giannis reflects on Kobe challenging him to win MVP and an NBA title
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/ZBhb2UNp4t
“At first, I was like joking. I didn’t even think he was going to respond to me,” Antetokounmpo said in the Finals press conference.
“But when he did, he made me believe. I’m like, ‘Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this? I can play in the high level and lead my team and win MVP?”
