Kofi Inkoom
The Milwaukee Bucks secured a narrow victory of 118-117 over the Philadelphia 76ers to launch their 2023-24 NBA campaign, and Giannis left an indelible mark in the record books.
Giannis Antetokounmpo caught everyone’s attention during the off-season when he hinted that his future might not be intertwined with the Milwaukee Bucks unless they took the necessary steps to maintain their status as championship contenders.
In response to Giannis’s concerns, the Bucks made a surprising move by trading for Damian Lillard. In turn, Antetokounmpo demonstrated his commitment by extending his contract with the Bucks.
During the Bucks’ first home game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis achieved a historic milestone, surpassing a record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as reported by Eric Nehm.
Per Bucks PR: “With his eighth made field goal in tonight’s game, Giannis Antetokounmpo passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,902) for the most field goals made in franchise history.”
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 27, 2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo now stands as the all-time leader in the Bucks for the most field goals made, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark of 5,902.
Prior to 2021, Abdul-Jabbar was the last superstar to bring an NBA championship to the Bucks in 1971.
Considering that Abdul-Jabbar spent the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s arguable that Antetokounmpo is the greatest player in Bucks history.
Antetokounmpo, originally drafted by the Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, boasts an impressive resume, including the 2021 NBA Finals MVP title, two league MVP awards, and seven All-Star appearances.
In the Bucks’ season opener against the Sixers, Antetokounmpo delivered a performance that included 23 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocked shots, shooting 10-22 from the field.
Now, with a formidable trio of stars in Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, the Bucks undoubtedly emerge as prime contenders for the NBA championship.