“Giannis Antetokounmpo plays harder than even Michael Jordan”: Charles Barkley makes a bold statement saying that the Bucks MVP plays harder than anyone ever

Charles Barkley gives Giannis Antetokounmpo some huge praises, saying that the Bucks MVP plays harder than anyone in the league.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has evolved his game ever since he joined the league as a lanky 19-year-old. The Greek Freak put in the work night in and night out, improving his game every season, making him one of the best players in the league today.

Despite winning the prestigious MVP trophy twice, the Milwaukee Bucks leader is yet to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. This season, Giannis and co. are looking to change that narrative.

After sweeping last year’s finalists Miami Heat in the first round, the Bucks upset the star-studded Brooklyn Nets team in a well-contested 7-game series.

Currently, Milwaukee is playing their Eastern Conference Finals against an inexperienced yet determined Atlanta Hawks team. After suffering a 3-point Game 1 loss, Mike Budenholzer’s boys came out strong in Game 2. Behind Antetokounmpo’s 25-point and 9-rebounds performance, Milwaukee blew out Trae Young and co. by 34 points.

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“Giannis Antetokounmpo plays harder than anybody from my days too. Even Michael Jordan”: Charles Barkley

Following the huge Game 2 home win, the 2-time MVP received some very high praises from NBA legend Charles Barkley. Barkley named Antetokounmpo, alongside Russell Westbrook, as the two players who play the hardest every single night. Chuck went on to add that Giannis gave him maximum effort more than anybody from his days… even the great Michael Jordan. During the postgame discussion, Barkley said:

“He is the big Russell Westbrook. Russell Westbrook and Giannis play harder than any two players in the NBA. Like every single night, they give maximum effort.”

“I can’t even find anybody in my days, who gave maximum effort. [MJ]… not the level of Giannis, Michael was the greatest, but the level of excellence…”

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Even though Sir Charles clarified that MJ was the greatest ever, it is pretty absurd that he compared Giannis’ efforts to that of the 6-time NBA champ. Hopefully, Antetokounmpo can use this as motivation and go on to win his first-ever ring.

With the series tied at 1 apiece, we are surely in for one long 7-game series. And with Giannis Antetokounmpo playing at a different level altogether, this could possibly be the season where the Bucks finally emerge victoriously.

Teams will now fly down to Atlanta to play Games 3 and 4 of this Eastern Conference Finals. Game 3 will be tipping-off at 8:30 PM ET, on Sunday night.