The Cleveland Cavaliers were up on the Milwaukee Bucks 28-23 after the first quarter, but Giannis Antetokounmpo still had his way with the Cavs in the opening frame. The Greek Freak had 12 points in the first quarter, throwing down dunks of every variety.
On one, he backed his way down from the free throw line all the way to the rim. He showed terrific patience doing so, getting the defense to bite on a fake, clearing space, then jumping – okay, stretched, really, since he doesn’t need to jump at all, which is absurd – for the dunk.
On another, he made quick work of James Jones, who was absolutely helpless in guarding Giannis as he blew by him for the dunk.
Because of how long his legs are, Giannis is a nightmare on the break. It basically takes just a few steps for him to get from rim to rim. Even a defender as good as LeBron is at a disadvantage when guarding Giannis in these sorts of situations, and he knows it, too. Rather than take Giannis on one-on-one, he simply lets him by, living to fight another day (or possession).
