LeBron James and Giannis trade dunks at the All-Star Game
Two of the biggest stars in the NBA are LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but for two different reasons. When he was only 13, LeBron James was on the cover of ESPN’s magazine. With Giannis, his journey to stardom had more humble beginnings. At the same time, Giannis and LeBron’s careers have major parallels. For the fifth consecutive year, LeBron James was named an All-Star Game team captain. Instead of his opponent, LeBron had the chance to pick Giannis, and he did.
Giannis entered the NBA, drafted as a role player, as he wasn’t even a lottery pick. Instead of his team getting better, the Bucks had the NBA’s worst record during Giannis’ rookie year. This would be the only year where the Bucks were that bad, though. Gradually, Giannis became the Bucks’ best player, and then the franchise player. By 2019, Giannis posted an MVP season, and led the Bucks to the NBA’s best record. He did this, again, in the 2020 season, though the lockdown ruined the team’s chemistry, and the Bucks were upset by the Miami Heat.
Last year, Giannis’ mission was complete. Giannis led the Bucks to the title and scored 50 points in the closeout Game 6. At the start of the All-Star Game, Giannis and LeBron put on a clinic with the dunks. They made up for the Slam Dunk Contest.
