'Greek Freak' Giannis Antetokounmpo Gets Major Air Against LA Lakers

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Something about Giannis Antetokounmpo makes you want to scream, "Hot damn!"

Maybe it's his Optimus Prime-sized hands. Or his 7'3" wingspan. Or his freakishly wiry, athletic frame.

Perhaps it's all of the above. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, it was most definitely all of the above.

The Milwaukee Bucks rookie put his reach to good use when he followed Luke Ridnour's miss with a right-handed stuff. But here's the thing: This wasn't your normal putback.

Antetokounmpo practically reached into the stands to complete this jam. It wasn't the most thunderous of slams, but it was reminiscent of Michael Jordan's game-winning dunk in Space Jam.

Yeah, Antetokounmpo has that kind of reach.

Notice where his hand is, too. It basically soars above the top of the square and does so effortlessly. 

"That ball was well off the cylinder," Lakers color commentator Stu Lantz said. "What an effort. That young man can go get it!"

Understatement of the year. Antetokounmpo can "go get it" and then some. And then some more after that.

Few NBA players have Antetokounmpo's rare combination of wingspan and hops. I'd argue he's actually one of only two physical specimens gifted with those abilities, the second being Anthony Davis, who's the only other player I imagine is capable of blocking a skyhook shot.

Bucks head coach Larry Drew has noticed the Greek Freak's impact on the court.

"He plays the right way. He plays with energy and he can affect the game without scoring," Drew said on Dec. 19, via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner. "For me, that's huge."

Opposing teams can only hope Antetokounmpo is done growing. Forever.

Defenses aren't built to guard spindly 19-year-olds who can reach up and touch the sun without ever leaving their feet.


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