The Milwaukee Bucks are officially the 2021 NBA champions.
Their run to the title was something that was unexpected to most of us.
We believed that the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets would be the top team in the league.
However, the Bucks survived and ended up defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games.
Now it is time to reflect on the journey.
There were so many ups and downs during this run to the top.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are NBA champions and nobody can discredit them.
Here are three moments that made this run to the championship magical.
3. Durant’s Almost 3
The Bucks’ toughest opponent throughout the playoffs were the Brooklyn Nets.
That Nets team was stacked and looked at as a juggernaut.
Nobody thought that the Nets were beatable.
However, the Bucks were able to do it, especially with some breaks they got along the way.
James Harden got hurt within the first minute of the series and came back later in the series, despite still being injured.
Kyrie Irving sprained his ankle and missed the rest of the series.
However, the biggest break was the almost series-winner by Kevin Durant.
Game 7 was a fantastic game that was in Brooklyn.
The Bucks were up by two as the game was winding down.
Durant turns around and shoots a three, which would put them up in the game and take the series.
Unfortunately for the Nets, Durant’s big toe was on the line, which made it a two.
Woke up this morning happy for loyal Bucks fans. They deserve it.
And Giannis and Jrue Holiday – better human beings than basketball player.But also can’t help but think back on Game 7 of the ECF and Kevin Durant’s “big ass foot.”
Game of inches.
An inch shaped legacies… pic.twitter.com/WraglhGqGK
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 21, 2021
In overtime, the Bucks took the game and the series.
It was an unbelievable moment for the Bucks, as this play turned them into a title contender.
2. The Jrue Holiday Steal
Game 5 of the NBA Finals was so important for the Bucks and Suns.
The series was tied up 2-2.
A one-point difference with less than 30 seconds in the game is where one of the biggest moments occurred for the Bucks.
Devin Booker is trying to take the lead in the game and series, but Jrue Holiday meets him as he turns from a double-team.
Holiday steals the ball and throws an alley-oop to Giannis Antetokounmpo to close out the game.
Jrue rips it.
Giannis runs the floor.
Jrue lobs it up.. Giannis hammer!@Bucks up 4 with 9.8 left in Game 5.#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/xKhjNrgdbf— NBA (@NBA) July 18, 2021
This play was what gave the Bucks fans legit hope in their team winning a title.
Holiday struggled with his throughout the playoffs, but his defense was special.
That play was the epitome of that.
1. The Giannis Game
Game 6 was at home for the Bucks and they were ready to close it out.
Antetokounmpo was also ready to take the title.
He put up one of the greatest performances we have ever seen in the Finals.
He put up 50 points in a Finals game.
There were even five blocks to go with it.
His free throws have been a problem throughout his whole career.
However, he made 17 out of the 19 free throws he attempted.
This was his game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo with one of the truly dominant Finals performances in history — including 50 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks in a clinching Game 6 — to deliver Milwaukee over Phoenix. For the first time in 50 years, the Bucks are NBA champions.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 21, 2021
We will remember this forever.
The Bucks got the greatest performance from their best player in the biggest moment possible.
NEXT: Why Bucks Are Here To Stay As True NBA Contenders