Yannis Antocompo became tonight (Thursday-Friday) the all-time greatest scorer for the Milwaukee Bucks, while presenting a purposeful arsenal of performances that made him one of the best players in the NBA.
Before the game against Brooklyn, the legendary Karim Abdul Jabbar topped the Bucks' list with 14,211 points in the team uniform.
So Yannis scored 44 points that raised his tally to 14,216 as he overtook Abdul Jabbar with a three that forced overtime, 18 seconds to the end of legal time.
Two big free throws in overtime set up a 119: 120 victory for the champion, who officially secured her place in the playoffs.
GIANNIS 3 TO TIE THE GAME.
WHAT A SHOT.
pic.twitter.com/G2wU0n230N
- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 1, 2022
The Greek scored 14 of 21 from the field, including 1 of 4 from a range of 3 points, and 15 of 19 from the penalty line in 39 minutes.
He also had 14 rebounds and six assists.
"It's good because I're changing the narrative," said Yannis, who spoke of the three-pointer that put him at the top of the table, "I don't want to be the guy who just drowns and runs. I can score threes."
. @ Giannis_An34 has passed @ kaj33 to become the Bucks All-Time Scoring Leader.
🍾 @MoetUSA pic.twitter.com/8dydPPHYKu
- Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 1, 2022
By the way, according to ESPN, this was the first three-pointer in Yannis' career that set a tie or gave an advantage in the last 30 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime.
By nightfall he had 0 of 3 such.
"He's definitely the MVP," teammate Jero Holliday said.
"He's also without a doubt the best player of the season, which I'm not even sure he can win such a title at this stage of his career. "Everything. This man does everything. I do not know how much more he can do. An average of 60 points per game, he is really close to doing it."
Despite all the praise and highs that Antocompo continues to amass, he takes it all in stride.
After winning the NBA Championship and MVP in the finals last season, he said he is only focusing on trying to get the next championship.
Antocompo said he has respect for Abdul-Jabbar and has repeatedly said in the past how much he would have liked to stay at Milwaukee for the rest of his career, but he knows he will only be judged by the victories.
KD is 0-5 vs Giannis in their last 5 matchups.
pic.twitter.com/2hLKQMinpx
- StatMuse (@statmuse) April 1, 2022
"It doesn't really matter," he said of his latest achievement.
"Because at the end of the day if you do not have a successful season, if you do not try to keep getting better and stay humble and stay happy, you will play until May, June, no one will remember it."
The Greek added: "I just want us to stay humble. I want me to stay humble. I felt that the more humble I was and the hungrier I became, the more things I could achieve. I could create more art. Playing basketball is like creating art then - the more I can "Extend my career more. So I just have to keep staying humble, keep trying to make my teammates great, win games, and good things like tonight will happen."
Yannis.
Another huge game, Photo: AFP
"Karim Abdul-Jabbar is one of the iconic players in our league," said Milwaukee coach Mike Bodenholzer.
"And what he's been able to achieve in Milwaukee and then of course later on, he's one of the greatest of all time. I just feel lucky to have a first - line ticket to watch him for the last four years. His teammates are happy for him. It's more impressive than what he does, ".
GIANNIS BECOMES THE ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER IN BUCKS HISTORY‼ ️
Passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ckmmtm2IUz
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 1, 2022
At the press conference Antocompo tried to explain his excellent ability this season: "I think I'm the most mature I've ever been. I worked on myself. I'm able to get to my place better and execute and if the ball doesn't go in, I'm fine with that," Antocompo said.
"I like what I've done before, and it gives me confidence and I'm able to get on the court and perform without thinking, without questioning myself or thinking I'm not good enough. I'm fine with myself so it allows me to play good basketball. Mentally, I'm in a very good place. "Now, physically I think I can still get better. I'm not as strong as I was two years ago, but I'm helping my team win games - I do not know if it's the best I've ever played, but I know I have a lot of room to get better."
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