Giannis Antetokounmpo

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was a few million dollars short of making NBA history.

Bill Duffy, Doncic's agent, confirmed to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski the two-time All-Star agreed to a five-year, $207 million extension with Dallas on Monday. When it's official, it will be the fourth-biggest contract in the league right now, per Spotrac.

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Biggest NBA Contracts Ever

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miwaukee Bucks: five years, $228,200,420

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: four years, $215,353,664

3. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers: five-years, $206,794,070

T4. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks: five years, $207,000,000*

T4. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks: five years, $207,000,000*

5. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: five years, $205,000,002

* full details are not yet official

A supermax offer was inevitable from Dallas, especially after the Atlanta Hawks tabled the same contract to Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, per Wojnarowski. 

The 22-year-old is averaging 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists through his first three seasons. He's also coming off a first-round postseason series in which he put up 35.7 points and 10.3 assists per game.

The only question regarding Doncic's immediate future was whether he'd sign on the dotted line. The Mavericks' exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers illustrated how far they still need to go to be a title contender, while The Athletic's Tim Cato and Sam Amick reported on some of the organization's internal turmoil.

Team governor Mark Cuban called the report "total bulls--t," but Dallas quickly saw head coach Rick Carlisle depart and fired general manager Donnie Nelson.

But turning down $207 million was probably never a realistic possibility for Doncic. 

Luka Doncic smiles widely when asked if he plans to sign a supermax extension this summer: “I think you know the answer.”

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 7, 2021

It's still way too early to make any firm judgments about the Mavericks' outlook, especially with a new head coach (Jason Kidd) and GM (Nico Harrison) in charge. Perhaps Kidd will find a more optimal way to utilize Kristaps Porzingis as the No. 2 option alongside Doncic, and Harrison could find ways to improve the roster around the margins that collectively add up in a big way.

Adding to the squad might be a little easier with Doncic's status cemented for the next few seasons.

As wildfires continue to devastate Greece, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is offering hotel accommodation to people who have been displaced from their homes. 

Per Harris Stavrou of Sport24, the 2021 NBA Finals MVP is offering accommodations in at least 87 hotel rooms for two to three nights through the Giant Heart project. 

According to Lefteris Papadimas and Costas Baltas of Reuters, emergency crews have been battling wildfires near the Athens area that broke out because of extreme heat and high winds throughout the country this summer.

Agence France-Presse (h/t The Guardian) noted at least 150 houses have been destroyed by the fires. 

“We’re waging a battle of the titans!” Nikos Hardalias, Greece's deputy minister for civil protection, told reporters. “The hardest is still to come.”

Antetokounmpo was born and raised in Athens before coming to the United States to play professional basketball. The two-time NBA MVP continues to visit his home country every offseason. 

Prior to being drafted by the Bucks in 2013, Antetokounmpo began his professional career in Greece with Filathlitikos. 

Injuries were a prevalent storyline for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the 2020-21 playoffs. But they won't be this offseason. 

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst told reporters the two-time MVP won't need offseason surgery on the left knee he injured during the playoffs.  

"He's fine," Horst said. "I can't explain it, but he's fine."

The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo suffered a hyperextended left knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and missed the team's wins in Games 5-6. He was a major question mark heading into the NBA Finals, though he was able to play in Game 1 and posted 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block in the 118-105 loss. 

"I thought I would be out for a year," he told reporters. 

"It was tough," Antetokounmpo added on making his way back on the court for Game 1 after the injury. "Obviously I had to do my best to get back. Listen to my medical staff. I did the right treatment. Took care of my body and supported my teammates, and now I'm back."

A healthy Greek Freak proved crucial for the Bucks as they went on to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and five assists per game in this postseason, numbers that the Bucks simply can't replace. His performance in the clinching Game 6—50 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, two assists and 17-of-19 shooting from the free-throw line—is already the stuff of legends.

And the good news only continues in Milwaukee, as Antetokounmpo will avoid any surgery and recovery time that might have otherwise threatened to linger into the fall.   

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is drawing inspiration from the Milwaukee Bucks winning the NBA championship.

OBJ discussed the subject while speaking to the media Sunday:

#Browns Odell Beckham Jr. aims to win a championship for CLE and believes he and Baker Mayfield will be great together pic.twitter.com/owTcJH5GWA

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 25, 2021

Beckham said, "Watching the Bucks win a championship inspires you even more. Cleveland needs a championship."

With NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns to win their first title in 50 years.

The Browns have never won a Super Bowl, and it has been 57 years since they last won an NFL championship.

While Beckham missed the latter part of the 2020 season and the playoffs after tearing his ACL, he watched the Browns reach the postseason for the first time since 2002.

In addition to that, they beat the rival Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs and nearly upset the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

Beckham, who was a Pro Bowler in each of his first three NFL seasons with the New York Giants, is working toward being ready for the start of the 2021 regular season.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported in May that she believed Beckham would be ready by Week 1 based on his progress to that point.

Beckham's big-play ability is huge for the Cleveland offense in terms of opening up the underneath routes for other receivers like Jarvis Landry and keeping opposing defenses from stacking the box too much against the running game.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield made significant strides during his third NFL season in 2020, and the expectation is that he will take the next step in 2021.

For the Browns as a whole, the next step is making it to at least the AFC Championship Game, and based on how talented their roster is from top to bottom, that isn't an unrealistic expectation.

The Browns are in the conversation with the Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans in terms of being the class of the AFC, which is new territory for the franchise.

It was a slow build for the Bucks en route to their first championship since 1971, as Giannis and Co. experienced some heartbreaking playoff losses first.

The Browns suffered a tough defeat to Kansas City last year, which may have been the learning lesson it needed to make it even further in 2021.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo said he invited Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams into the Bucks' locker room after Milwaukee defeated Phoenix 105-98 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win the 2020-21 NBA title this week.

Giannis divulged the information during a conversation with ESPN's Malika Andrews after being named NBA Finals MVP thanks in large part to his 50-point performance in Game 6:

From the cutting room floor of our @SportsCenter convo: Giannis discusses this moment Suns coach Monty Williams. “I had the people stop the music and stop the champagne… I told him, ‘I feel like there's a good chance we might running back next year.’ More: https://t.co/GizGXOyuPj pic.twitter.com/YjuFhbDES7

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 23, 2021

Antetokounmpo said Williams congratulated him on the championship, which prompted Giannis to invite Williams into the locker room.

Regarding that scene, Giannis said:

"I walked in with him in the locker room. So, I had the people stop the music and stop the champagne. And he was able to talk to the team and congratulate us. We congratulate him, too, and wish him luck. And I told him, I said, 'I feel like there's a good chance we might run it back next year.' He has a great team, and we have a great team."

Giannis and the Bucks overcame a 2-0 series deficit by winning four straight games and bringing the franchise its first championship in 50 years.

Despite falling short, it was a banner year for the Suns as well considering they hadn't reached the playoffs since 2010.

Williams led Phoenix to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and was named an NBA Coach of the Year finalist for his efforts.

The Suns also beat the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs before running through the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers en route to their first Finals since 1993.

As Giannis suggested, both the Bucks and Suns are in a strong position to make another run toward the Finals next season given the state of their rosters.

Milwaukee will return Giannis, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and others, while the Suns will bring back Devin Booker and Jae Crowder, plus Chris Paul if he exercises his player option, as well as Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges after the Suns exercised club options on both.

Bucks versus Suns was a unique and somewhat unexpected Finals matchup given the past several seasons, but both teams are well equipped to be in the mix for many years to come.

Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't turn 27 till December. He just wrapped up his eighth season and ranks 523rd in league history in minutes played.

For most players, those numbers would mean it's way too early to analyze their place among the all-time greats, but not for Giannis. After three seasons that included two MVP wins, a Defensive Player of the Year nod, a Finals MVP and one of the greatest postseason performances of all time, he's earned a spot in the discussion.

"It's more than a title," Bill Simmons said of Giannis' championship on The Bill Simmons Podcast. "At some point, you're talking about legacy and history. And we're going to have the 75th anniversary coming up. He was not on that list. He was not one of the best 25 players ever. He wasn't going to be mentioned with [Shaquille O'Neal] and Hakeem [Olajuwon] and Moses [Malone]. And now, he's there."

That doesn't mean he's suddenly in the GOAT conversation with LeBron James, Michael Jordan or fellow Milwaukee Bucks champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but he could be in that top 25-30 range, depending on what you emphasize.

Those who are impressed by peaks are likely more inclined to move Giannis up the ladder. Those who are big on accomplishments like individual awards and titles are closer to them than the next group. And then there are those who care more about longevity.

Of course, that is where Giannis is behind most of the all-timers. And that should be obvious. He's 26, and unlike any player we've seen before, which raises the question: Should we even be doing this at all?

"Right now, let's just appreciate him," four-time All-Star and National Basketball Retired Players Association board member Shawn Marion told Bleacher Report. "He's an anomaly."

"We need to stop comparing players to players," Marion added. "Let's be real right now. His skill set is so dynamic, so unique, that you can't really compare it to anybody. When was the last time you saw a big go coast-to-coast and dunk the way he does? When you look at him, you look at him as a center guard. He's big enough to play center, but he also handles the ball enough to be a guard. That's the uniqueness about him."

Hall of Famer, two-time champion and 1978 MVP Bill Walton shared similar sentiments.

"Everything has to be ranked," he told Bleacher Report. "Everything has to be compared to something else. And that's just not the life that I live. I enjoy every champion. And I really enjoy Giannis. Skill, talent, work ethic, passion, imagination. He's really a gift from the gods. He represents all the things that I really love."

Tensions between the approaches of analysts like Simmons and former players such as Marion and Walton in these discussions aren't new. On the media side, there's a desire to break everything down. Starting debates is fun. For the players who've experienced a level of basketball most fans and analysts can only dream of, pushing appreciation over argument makes sense.

Giannis has more or less forced our hand, though. Over his last three to five seasons, he's filled up his resume faster and more thoroughly than anyone could've imagined before this run started.

"He'd no doubt be top 50 if this was re-done, and you can look at that top 30 to top 20 group to get an idea of where he's going with some more MVP-type seasons," Back Picks' Ben Taylor, who has his own all-timer list, told Bleacher Report. "From a resume standpoint, he's already going to be ahead of all but, like, 20 or 30 dudes in league history (assuming too much isn't placed on career totals and longevity)."

Depending on how you frame that resume, the list might not even be that long.

Giannis is one of just 14 players in league history to win more than one MVP award. Of those 14 players, 12 have championships (Steve Nash and Karl Malone are the two on the outs there). Then, Giannis and Michael Jordan are the only two of those 12 with a DPOY. Of course, that last award wasn't given out till the 1982-83 season, which rules out all of Bill Russell's career and most of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's.

Still, even if you want to add those two and Tim Duncan (who's lack of a DPOY is almost inexplicable), Giannis is in very limited company in terms of accolades. Add five All-NBA selections, four All-Defense selections, five All-Star nods and a Most Improved Player of the Year award, and it's easy to see why Basketball Reference's Hall of Fame probability model already has Giannis at 67.9 percent (and that model assumes the player would retire today).

In terms of numbers, Giannis' peak is already about as high as any power forward you can think of. Over the last five seasons, his box plus/minus is a whopping 8.6 (BPM is "...a basketball box score-based metric that estimates a basketball player's contribution to the team when that player is on the court, according to Basketball Reference).

That's better than all but one of the following legendary big men:

• Kevin Garnett: 8.6
• Charles Barkley: 7.8
• Karl Malone: 7.4
• Tim Duncan: 7.2
• Dirk Nowitzki: 7.0

And if you narrow the peak to three years, Giannis' 10.2 is up there with some of the best players ever, regardless of position. Stephen Curry's three-year BPM peak is 9.7. Kevin Durant's is 10.1.

That Giannis finished off this run with a title, 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in the Finals, the block on Deandre Ayton's attempted alley-oop in Game 4, his alley-oop over Chris Paul in Game 5 and 50 points in the closeout game wasn't just a cherry on top. It was a pile of cherries on top.

It was a vivid display of Giannis' unique brilliance. He brings a combination of the traditional, physical dominance we saw from bigs of earlier eras with the athleticism and explosiveness of today's top-end guards and wings. As Marion said, it makes him an anomaly.

And contrary to what some of his critics, including James Harden, have said, there is plenty of skill layered on top of the physical gifts.

"Absolutely more skilled," former Buck and five-time All-Star Marques Johnson told Bleacher Report when asked what some of the public may be missing about Giannis. "Outside Shooting is the first thing often used to evaluate skill. Giannis was 13-of-13 in the Restricted Area [in Game 3]. Those weren't just point blank uncontested dunks. He had to find ways to beat defenders over and over. You watch Giannis dribble, the double through the legs, crossovers, etc. Giannis has said he played point guard when he was younger in Greece, you can see a lot of that in his game today. And to be able to do it at 7'0" and 250 pounds [the Bucks list him at 6'11" and 242lbs] is remarkable."

After eight years in the league, we may now take the way Giannis moves for granted. The list of players across history with his build and mobility may be limited to him. If you wanted to expand it, you might include KD and Kareem.

"I would like to see a physical comparison between Giannis and Kareem, in terms of size and length," Walton said. "Because Kareem was the greatest player I ever played against, by far. By far. You can't even get to second place for the greatest players I ever played against. And he had that magnificent, perfect body, which Giannis has as well."

Kareem was listed at 7'2", while Giannis is 6'11". And when you watch highlights of either, you can see why Walton wants that physical comparison. The smoothness with which they bound up and down the floor, the sinewy build and the sheer size are all comparable. And interestingly enough, their statistical profiles aren't far off either.

From his age-23 season to now (age 26), Giannis has averaged 30.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per 36 minutes. At the same age, Kareem put up 26.1 points, 13.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per 36 minutes. Both were defensive forces, as well.

There's a reason Walton wants to limit the comparison to the physical side and Marion wants to avoid them altogether, though. The differences between various eras of NBA basketball are massive (and probably incalculable).

One might be quick to bring up that most of Russell's 11 titles were won when the league had fewer than 10 teams. Someone else in the same argument might rightfully ask what Russell could've done with today's pay scale and knowledge on training and nutrition.

A more recent comparison that has surfaced is one between Giannis and Shaq. That's easier, simply because they peaked about 20 years apart, but there are still massive differences in style of play. The pace of the game in the 1990s and early 2000s falls well shy of today's NBA. The way the floor is spaced for Giannis is something Shaq could only dream of as he analyzes today's action.

There are real advantages that help Giannis dominate, statistically and physically, the way he does. But he absolutely deserves credit for how he's set himself apart from his peers. BPM is relative to league average, and Giannis led the league in 2019-20.

He can score, own the glass, distribute to teammates, defend all over the floor and protect the rim. The only weakness is his outside and free-throw shooting, but even there, he's not afraid to try.

Some might argue whether this is a good thing, but he attempted 3.6 threes per game this season. And even as opposing crowds throughout the playoffs raucously counted to 10 (and beyond) when he was at the line, he aggressively sought contact and trips there. In his absurd 50-point closeout game against Phoenix, he went 17-of-19 from the stripe (tied for the fourth most makes ever in a Finals game).

After that performance, there aren't many questions left to ask about Giannis' game and his impact on the Bucks and the NBA.

All the boxes he's already checked are how we got to the lofty topic of this article. Is it too early to talk about where Giannis ranks among the all-timers?

"Well, that depends on how high up the mountain you want to go," Walton said.

             

All statistics courtesy of Stathead unless otherwise stated.

After winning their first NBA title in 50 years, the Milwaukee Bucks got a chance to celebrate in front of thousands of fans at the victory parade Thursday.

The party started Tuesday as Giannis Antetokoumpo led the Bucks to a 105-98 win over the Phoenix Suns in the clinching Game 6. Antetokoumpo scored 50 points on his way to a Finals MVP award.

Fans inside Fiserv Forum enjoyed themselves nearly as much as those outside of the arena. The celebration has continued over the next few days, with even people at Chick-fil-A getting a chance to cheer on their favorite star.

On Thursday, the full team took to the streets of downtown Milwaukee.

Giannis was once again the star of the show, with some hilarious moments from the bus:

Giannis shot a free throw from the parade bus. 😂😂 https://t.co/ygmsjXq7HJ

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) July 22, 2021

Someone tell my boss if I smell like booze, ⁦@Giannis_An34⁩ did it. #bucks #bucksparade #bucksin6 pic.twitter.com/pKtBgvpCci

— Kristen Barbaresi (@KristenBarbar) July 22, 2021

Giannis getting some reps and shaking up a bottle of champagne 🍾 😄 pic.twitter.com/PhWeoWgnhy

— ESPN (@espn) July 22, 2021

.@Giannis_An34 is never letting go of this trophy. 🤣🏆@BMOHarrisBank | #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/C9PA7Oqq3M

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021

“Being able to accomplish something great like this for this city, it feels good.”

Giannis is excited to see Bucks fans celebrate

(via @NBATV)https://t.co/5YsJnW8dzk

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

On Milwaukee Bucks championship parade day, NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hoists the trophy and shoots a ball into the crowd. pic.twitter.com/heJRzEYmWD

— The Recount (@therecount) July 22, 2021

Giannis lifts the 🏆 to the crowd! 🙌

Follow the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks Championship Parade on NBA TV: https://t.co/YuGpAi3U4m pic.twitter.com/rp8U3LnBL0

— NBA (@NBA) July 22, 2021

It was, of course, not a one-man show on the court or in the parade.

Bobby Portis remained a fan favorite during the parade:

"Underdog to topdog"

Bobby Portis with the championship belt 🔥

(via @Bucks)pic.twitter.com/dh9drOrKpe

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

🗣 BOBBY! BOBBY! BOBBY! @BMOHarrisBank | #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/rP76J66SUS

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021

Other players were having the time of their lives celebrating their first championship, including P.J. Tucker and Donte DiVincenzo:

P.J. Tucker is HYPED 😆

(via @brewcitypaul)pic.twitter.com/HJpRUGApyT

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

Thank you for this moment PJ Tucker! #Bucks pic.twitter.com/2mj6bnrbdj

— Aaron Maybin (@Aaron_Maybin) July 22, 2021

Donte DiVincenzo caught a beer from some Bucks fans 🦌

(via @Bucks)pic.twitter.com/qC9ZJHlgKS

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

P.J. going WILD with the champagne 💀 https://t.co/3o6ibECpJG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

Thanasis is in health and safety protocols, so he did his intro from the car 🙏 https://t.co/KSxtwZv2oj

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

Even former Bucks guard Brandon Jennings got his time to shine Thursday:

The legend himself. pic.twitter.com/B3WwGmvISK

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) July 22, 2021

Brandon Jennings turning up at the Bucks parade 😂

(via @BryanJDee)pic.twitter.com/hMO6Hevv1R

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 22, 2021

Jennings has been out of the league since 2018 but is still at home with his first NBA team. 

The only fans who might have been somewhat disappointed were the ones near the arena, watching the bus quickly speed away:

The 2021 Milwaukee Bucks Championship Parade is underway! 🚌🎉

Follow along on NBA TV: https://t.co/YuGpAi3U4m pic.twitter.com/hC8Bm5R7tX

— NBA (@NBA) July 22, 2021

Fans throughout the parade route enjoyed the show:

What a scene @Bucks #Bucks pic.twitter.com/xmpzqPyAdZ

— Lance Allan (@lanceallan) July 22, 2021

Your 2021 World Champion Milwaukee Bucks have arrived! @WKOW pic.twitter.com/Lb2PUo9jMi

— Pablo Iglesias (@PabTalksSports) July 22, 2021

The Bucks will have some more time this summer to celebrate, but they will soon get back to work hoping to repeat in 2021-22.

Shortly after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA title, Giannis Antetokounmpo already has his mind on the 2022 championship.

The Finals MVP discussed his mindset in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews on Wednesday:

“We might never win another one. It's fine. We did it. We did what we're supposed to do. And I’d rather do it this way — win one this way than go somewhere else in a super team and win two or three.” @SportsCenter conversation with Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo: pic.twitter.com/6z5U7IyydH

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 21, 2021

"We just did it—we did it a couple of hours ago—and I'm already thinking about how can I do it again," Antetokounmpo said. "How can I make this team better? What can I improve to help this team be better? But that's who I am."

It could be difficult for Giannis to top his Game 6 performance, as he totaled 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in the clinching victory over the Phoenix Suns.

The 26-year-old added to an impressive resume that already included two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award, an All-Star Game MVP honor and five All-Star selections in just eight years.

Antetokounmpo, of course, will not rest on his laurels and is still looking to add accolades. He will try to lead Milwaukee to back-to-back titles, following in the path of the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers (twice) as teams that have accomplished that feat since 2000.

The Bucks should be a formidable opponent again in 2021-22 with most of their key players returning, including Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. Bobby Portis has a player option, while P.J. Tucker is set to become a free agent, but the team could re-sign them after they played important roles in the playoffs.

The biggest challenge could be the competition, especially if opponents stay healthy next season.

The Brooklyn Nets dealt with injuries during their second-round matchup against the Bucks, but Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden will be difficult to beat. The Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz could also be top contenders again next year.

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant said Wednesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are "forming somewhat of a dynasty" after winning the 2021 NBA championship Tuesday night.

Durant discussed the Bucks' title-clinching victory over the Phoenix Suns after a Team USA practice in Tokyo ahead of the Summer Olympics, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic:

To see a couple of friends become champions today was cool. That experience doesn't happen for just anybody, so you respect that journey. And then you see a young team like Phoenix who everybody has been counting them out for the last five years, and now they make themselves into a contender, and I feel like will be a contender going forward in the West, that was good to see. And then Milwaukee forming somewhat of a dynasty with that team. I know it's the first chip and a lot of people call you a dynasty after a few, but the continuity of that team is something that's impressive and how they continue to build and add and now they're champions, and you can appreciate that.

Three players who just wrapped up playing on the NBA's biggest stage, the Bucks' Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton as well as the Suns' Devin Booker, won't have much time to rest as they'll hop on a plane bound for Japan to play for Team USA alongside Durant.

Vardon noted those three players won't arrive in Tokyo until Saturday, one day before the U.S. opens play against France, which makes their immediate level of participation unclear.

Durant explained the Americans will nevertheless benefit from an infusion of three battle-tested players to the roster after a mediocre run in their exhibition games, which included losses to Nigeria and Australia:

It was good to get a punch in the mouth early on to remind us that it’s not going to be a cakewalk. So many people are used to Team USA coming in and blowing everybody out, so it was good for us to see that. Hopefully, those are the last losses. Adding three guys, two newly crowned champions and another guy who’s been on that stage and knows all about winning big games and playing in big games, add that IQ, three of those guys with high IQ to the team is gonna help.

The Nets forward added Team USA and the Bucks now have a lot in common as the teams being hunted by a group of hungry contenders, per Vardon.

"Every team wants to beat us, every team wants to see us lose," Durant said.

Greece failed to qualify for the Tokyo Games in men's basketball, so Antetokounmpo won't have an opportunity to go for the NBA championship-Olympic gold medal double this summer.

That's probably a blessing in disguise for the Bucks because if they're going to build the dynasty Durant was referring to, they'll need a healthy and rested Giannis for next season. The Los Angeles Lakers showed how quickly those dynastic plans can be derailed by injuries as LeBron James and Anthony Davis both missed significant portions of their title defense.

Meanwhile, Team USA will face France, Iran and the Czech Republic in the group stage next week. The knockout rounds get underway Aug. 3 with the gold medals being handled out Aug. 7.