‘Salute & Congrats’: Twitter reacts to Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA title win

The Milwaukee Bucks ended a 50-year wait for an NBA title on Tuesday, defeating the Phoenix Suns 105-98 to take an unassailable 4-2 lead in the Finals series. 

Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo became only the seventh player in history to score 50 points in a Finals game, adding 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks became only the fifth team in history to be crowned champions after losing the first two in the seven-match series. 

Also Read | Giannis Antetokounmpo: Unfazed leader and historic NBA champion

The win sent Twitter into a frenzy as fans, active and retired players and other personalitites congratulated the Bucks for their historic win. 

“Salute & Congrats @Giannis_An34!! You earned that shit!!” Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said. 

Boston Celtics legend and 11-time NBA champion Bill Russells showered praises on Antetokounmpo for his virtuoso performance.

“Sorry I had to take a covid pass again this year, @Giannis_An34 you did the #BillRussellMVP award justice. 50 pst 14 boards! What a great way to close it out. I only wish I could hand it to you,” the 87-year-old wrote on Twitter. 

Here are some other reactions:

The victory sparked city-wide celebrations
in Milwaukee that fans, who have long been starved of success, said was a mix of
relief and exhilaration. Over 65,000 fans – nearly 10% of the city’s population
– were packed in the Deer District near the Fiserv Forum stadium to follow the
match.

Police said there were over 1,000 officers
posted around the stadium and that apart from a few arrests – mostly for
intoxication – the event was largely free of violence or any other untoward
incident, AFP reported.

Also Read | Mike Budenholzer: Once a Suns fan, coaches Bucks to NBA glory

Many supporters wore team colors, shirts
that read “Bucks in Six,” “Fear The Deer” and jerseys of
Bucks superstar forward Antetokounmpo.

Meanwhile, the Suns were foiled in their
bid for the first crown in their 53-year history. Phoenix guard Chris Paul,
playing in the first NBA Finals of his 16-year at age 36, will have to wait for
at least another year to win his maiden NBA title.

Lakers legend Magic Johnson said if Paul opts
out of his contract with the Suns, his “first call should be from his best
friend LeBron James and the Lakers.”

“A big three with LeBron, Chris, and AD
will equal a NBA championship!” he said in a tweet.