“It’s the 2020s version of Bird-Magic and it’s not just Black-white, East-West”

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks and Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks are each on the verge of advancing to the second spherical of the playoffs. Milwaukee holds a 3-1 edge in opposition to the undermanned Chicago Bulls whereas Dallas leads a good contest 3-2 with the Utah Jazz.

Milwaukee hosted Chicago on Wednesday evening. Dallas visits Utah on Thursday evening.

Each superstars have been spectacular within the playoffs and will ultimately meet within the NBA Finals, if not this yr, however within the subsequent few years.

On the “Dan Patrick Present,” Nick Wright of “First Issues First” talked concerning the “Greek Freak” and “Luka Magic’s” potential future rivalry.

“I believe that for the following eight years within the NBA, it’s Giannis and Luka and it’s the 2020s model of Fowl-Magic and it’s not simply Black-white, East-West.”

The veteran sports activities analyst was referring to the enduring Larry Fowl versus Magic Johnson rivalry that outlined the NBA within the Eighties. The enmity between two of the largest gamers enjoying for 2 of the NBA’s most storied franchises saved the league from attainable disintegration.

Fowl and Magic’s battles had been portrayed because the battle between Black and white and East Coast versus West Coast. Antetokounmo and Doncic have the potential to be greater than that due to their huge worldwide followings.

.@MagicJohnson says the 1979 males’s NCAA Championship in opposition to Indiana State was his favourite title win in his profession 👀”That recreation is the one that every one time, best favourite for me as a result of the percentages and enjoying in opposition to Larry Fowl. … That is my favourite championship of all time.” https://t.co/PEBFA1ye5F

Antetokounmpo and Doncic, nonetheless, should begin their championship battles as early as attainable. Not like Fowl and Magic, who had been intertwined since school in 1979, there simply appears to be no animosity between Antetokounmpo and Doncic and their groups.

The Bucks’ franchise participant is 5 years older than the Mavs’ cornerstone, so if their rivalry needs to be at its greatest, it has to return sooner. Antetokounmpo is already a confirmed winner, having led Milwaukee to final season’s title.

Doncic, however, hasn’t gained a playoff sequence in his profession after the Mavericks had been eradicated by the LA Clippers within the final two postseasons. That will quickly change if Dallas can play to its potential.

Nick Wright is predicting Giannis Antetokounmpo to barge into the highest 10 greatest gamers of all-time listing

The Greek Freak’s profession accomplishements are already staggering. [Photo: Twitter]

At simply 27 years previous, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s resume is dazzling. He’s already been MVP twice and the Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Milwaukee’s first title since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robinson gained it for the franchise half a century in the past, whereas Antetokounmpo gained final season’s title and Finals MVP as nicely.

Antetokounmpo is likely one of the favorites to win the MVP award this season and shall be a perennial candidate for the following 5 years or so. If he manages to tug the Bucks to a different title this season, he may very well be on the cusp of what Nick Wright predicted:

“I do suppose he’s gonna cross Kobe (Bryant) and (Tim) Duncan and Fowl. I believe he’s gonna win this yr. He’s unbelievable.”

That’s no small feat as Bryant, Duncan and Fowl are legendary not only for their accomplishments however for his or her influence on the league. Paradoxically sufficient, a rivalry with Luka Doncic, which can solidify Antetokounmpo’s physique of labor, may very well be the final ingredient to push him to the highest 10 all-time.

Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein