Giannis Says He Didn't Intend to Disrespect LeBron James with 2019 Crown Celebration
Sep 21, 2022
BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 11: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 round of 16 match between Greece and Czech Republic at EuroBasket Arena Berlin on September 11, 2022 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Pedja Milosavljevic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo told ESPN's Malika Andrews on NBA Today Wednesday that he didn't mean to slight Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James with his "crown" celebration during a 111-104 win in Dec. 2019.
"It was nothing against LeBron," Antetokounmpo said. "That's my last name. It means crown."
Antetokoumpo previously noted his name's meaning in an Instagram story in Oct. 2018, per Nick Kampouris of the Greek Reporter. In the post, Antetokounmpo's mother, Veronica, appeared in an image wearing a shirt that reads "the crown from across the seas."
Antetokounmpo was rolling in that game when he made the crown gesture. He had just hit his fifth three-pointer en route to 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The season ended with him winning his second straight NBA MVP award.
Antetokounmpo became an NBA champion the following year, cementing his Finals MVP status with a 50-point performance to cap a six-game series win over the Phoenix Suns.
He's indisputably one of the kings and faces of the league these days, as is James, who is entering his 20th NBA season and has four NBA championships, four NBA MVP awards and 18 All-Star appearances to his name.
Seeing James and Antetokounmpo on the court together is always must-see action, and that will be the case again this season. The Bucks will host L.A. on Fri., Dec. 2, while the Lakers will welcome Milwaukee into town on Thu., Feb. 9.
Video: Giannis Antetokounmpo Ejected from EuroBasket Game for Unsportsmanlike Foul
Sep 13, 2022
Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo plays the ball during the FIBA Eurobasket 2022 Quarter Final basketball match between Germany and Greece in Berlin, on September 13, 2022. (Photo by Oliver Behrendt / AFP) (Photo by OLIVER BEHRENDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who represented Greece in the EuroBasket 2022 tournament, was ejected from his team's 107-96 quarterfinal loss to Germany on Tuesday after committing an unsportsmanlike foul with 4:56 remaining in the game.
Giannis was ejected from Greece's quarterfinal game against Germany following this unsportsmanlike foul call. pic.twitter.com/kW9K2P6V2V
Germany forward Johannes Thiemann grabbed a rebound, and Antetokounmpo swiped at the ball in an apparent attempt to knock it loose.
However, Antetokounmpo's forearm connected with Thiemann's face, leading to the ejection.
Antetokounmpo and Greece are now out of the tournament after going 5-0 in group play and winning their first-round knockout-phase game against the Czech Republic.
As for the NBA season, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will start playing on Oct. 20 against the Philadelphia 76ers.
MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 06: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece in action during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 group C match between Greece and Ukraine at Forum di Assago on September 06, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn't responded to Gilbert Arenas' criticism, but his fellow NBA players are jumping to the Milwaukee Bucks star's defense.
Goran Dragic called out Arenas in an interview with John Rammas of Eurohoops, saying Antetokounmpo has already accomplished more than Arenas did during his NBA career.
āGiannis is the MVP. Gilbert Arenas is not. Was he ever the MVP? I donāt think so," Dragic said. "So he canāt talk about Giannis. Giannis won the championship, won the MVP award. He has been the Defensive Player of the Year."
Antetokounmpo already has more MVPs, championships, All-Star appearances, All-NBA selections, All-Defensive team selections and Finals MVPs than Arenas had in his career. When it comes to objectively measuring the two careers, Antetokounmpo is already a better player and Hall of Famer at age 27.
None of that stopped Arenas from doing a recent media tour bashing Antetokounmpo, saying he "doesn't understand basketball."
"The media says he's the best player in the league. Not even close, just stop it!" Arenas recently said on the No Chill podcast. "I can look at his game and say he doesn't understand basketball yet. He plays the sport, he won a championship, cool. But he doesn't really understand how to be better, how to train his body."
There is, objectively, zero validity to Arenas' criticism. Antetokounmpo has developed into basketball's most dominant player after having never played basketball at any level higher than Greece's second division before arriving in the NBA. There may be no player in the league who has absorbed more basketball at a faster pace.
Criticisms of Antetokounmpo's training regimen border on absurd. His body transformation from the time he was a rookie to now is astounding. While the Bucks do tend to limit his regular-season minutes, that's long been coach Mike Budenholzer's modus operandi. Giannis showed no ill effects when Budenholzer leaned on him for more than 38 minutes per game during their 2021 championship run.
Dragic is 100 percent right to call out Arenas for his baseless criticism.
NBA Rumors: Bucks, Nuggets Contacted Nets About Kevin Durant Following Trade Request
Aug 22, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets takes the ball during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center on April 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets were among the many teams to call the Brooklyn Nets about Kevin Durant, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Both teams wanted to "gauge the price tag" on the 12-time All-Star in June and early July, but Charania noted that "none of those conversations gained much traction."
The Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks also reportedly contacted the Nets, although there weren't advanced talks in any case.
Durant initially requested a trade from the Nets in June, and Charania reported he reiterated the request earlier this month. The forward gave team governor Joe Tsai an ultimatum to choose between him and head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks.
The Nets have still been deliberate in their trade talks, clearly not willing to part with the superstar for less than his fair-market value.
Injuries limited Durant to just 55 games last season, but his 29.9 points per game tied for third in the NBA. The four-time scoring champion can still clearly make an impact when on the court and could help a team get over the top toward a championship.
The Bucks already have a title with their current core, but last season's run ended in a second-round, seven-game series loss to the Boston Celtics. With Khris Middleton sidelined by an injury, it put a lot of pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who averaged 33.9 points per game in the series. Jrue Holiday (21.0 ppg) was the only other player within 20 points of Giannis' scoring average.
Adding Durant would give the team another offensive weapon and make the Bucks nearly impossible to defend.
It would be a similar case with the Nuggets, pairing Durant with two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Denver lost in the first round last year despite having one of the top individual players in the game, but adding another go-to option would help the squad contend in the West.
It's clear both teams would have to be aggressive in their offers in order to complete a deal with the Nets.
Bucks 2022-23 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
Aug 17, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 20: Khris Middleton #22, Giannis Antetokounmpo #34, and Jrue Holiday #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks walk on to the court during the game against the Chicago Bulls during Round 1 Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2022 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Despite falling short in the conference semifinals one year ago, the Milwaukee Bucks are about to embark on another season in which they're one of the top title contenders in the NBA.
With a healthy Khris Middleton, the Bucks might have advanced past the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs. Without Middleton, Milwaukee simply didn't have the firepower to outlast Boston in their seven-game series. Giannis Antetokounmpo can only carry so much on his broad shoulders.
Not surprisingly, the 2020-21 champions are basically running it back with the same squad.
Joe Ingles and first-round draft pick MarJon Beauchamp were their biggest outside additions, and they re-signed Jevon Carter, Pat Connaughton, Serge Ibaka, Wesley Matthews and Bobby Portis.
Stagnation inevitably sets in with teams that largely go unchanged for a period of multiple years. In the case of the Bucks, there's little reason, for now, to think they'll take a step backward in the season ahead.
The Celtics haven't made any transformative changes, either, on the heels of their run to the NBA Finals, though that's not for a lack of trying.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported July 25 that Boston was prepared to offer Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and a draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant. Brown didn't seem to be overly enthused with the news:
Unless that becomes a larger issue within the locker room, Boston is poised to once again figure into the fight for the East crown.
Malcolm Brogdon gives the Celtics another playmaker in the backcourt, and Danilo Gallinari should help space the floor after they ranked 14th in three-point percentage (35.6). Those kinds of improvements around the margins can make a big difference in the postseason.
Boston and Milwaukee finished with the same overall record in 2021-22 and split their season series. Not only are these teams arguably the strongest in the conference, but their head-to-head results could also directly determine who has home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers (First Game: Oct. 20)
If another team is going to threaten the Bucks or Celtics for conference superiority, then the Philadelphia 76ers might be the best candidate.
The Sixers certainly carry plenty of question marks heading into the upcoming season.
James Harden averaged 21.0 points, 10.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds and shot 32.6 percent from beyond the arc in 21 games following his trade to Philly. More concerning, he had another disappearing act in a decisive postseason game, going 4-of-9 for 11 points and nine assists in a Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat.
Beyond winning the title that has so far eluded him, Harden has an obvious incentive to make a return to form since he took less money on a short-term deal with the Sixers.
Despite playing without Ben Simmons at all and then having a diminished version of Harden compared to his peak, Philadelphia still matched the 51 wins posted by Milwaukee and Boston.
Season Forecast
The biggest variable for the Bucks is how much of a priority they place on winning in the regular season.
Milwaukee finished first in the East in 2018-19 and 2019-20 but didn't make the NBA Finals in either year. One season later, the team was third in the conference and had the league's fourth-best net rating (5.8), per NBA.com, en route to lifting the title.
The Bucks were eighth in net rating (3.2) in 2021-22 yet still began looking like a formidable squad again as they dispatched the Chicago Bulls in an opening-round gentleman's sweep.
The regular season isn't totally irrelevantājust ask the Brooklyn Netsābut it's clear that finishing third or fourth is fine as long as your best players are peaking at the right time and are physically ready for the playoffs.
The Bucks are a well-oiled machine, and they know how to handle the months-long grind before the postseason.
A win total in the mid-50s is the most realistic projection, and whatever Milwaukee's finish is may not reflect how good it can be at its best.
Record Prediction: 55-27
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Bucks' Giannis Saying He's Open to Playing with Bulls Has NBA Fans in Disbelief
Aug 15, 2022
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: Giannis Antetokounmpo attends Disney+ "Rise" Los Angeles Premiere at Walt Disney Studios Main Theater on June 22, 2022 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Cue the NBA Twitter overreaction bullhorns: An NBA superstar said he's open to playing for a different franchise than the one he's under contract with.
Giannis Antetokounmpo awakened the NBA takedom from its typical August doldrums by admitting he could see himself playing for the Chicago Bulls someday.
When asked on The Sports Zone if he ever thought about playing for the Bulls, Antetokounmpo said:
"I think anybody you ask that question that plays basketball, if he said no, he'd be a liar. It's a team that won multiple championships. It's a team with one of the greatest playersāif not the greatest player to ever play this gameāplayed for. It's a no-brainer. Everybody would love to play for Chicago. Down the line, you never know. You never know how life brings it. Maybe I'll play for Chicago, but right now I'm committed to Milwaukee."
Of course, the most important part of that quote is the final sentence, where Antetokounmpo reaffirms his commitment to Milwaukee. He's under contract through at least the next three seasons and did nothing besides honestly answer a question presented to him.
Did that stop NBA Twitter from cranking up the Photoshop and takes machine? Of course not.
— šš®š»š®š¶š²šŖš± š®ā (@Jeremiah_S17) August 15, 2022
As some of the fans rightfully noted, Giannis is masterful at playing the trolling game, but it's unlikely he was pulling any legs while appearing on a local news program.
Even though Antetokounmpo's favorite player growing up was Allen Iverson, the impact Michael Jordan had on the game of basketball is unimpeachable. The Bulls haven't reached an NBA Finals since Jordan left the franchise in 1998, but they remain one of the league's marquee franchises a quarter-century laterāin large part because MJ's aura gives Chicago a sense of importance.
It's overwhelmingly unlikely Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee for Chicago. If there's one possible way he could ruin his legacy in the eyes of Bucks fans, it's to bolt for the bigger city only 90 minutes down the road.
That said, Antetokounmpo opened the door for Bulls fans to dream.
Giannis Projected to Win MVP, Paolo Banchero ROY in ESPN's NBA Awards Survey
Aug 11, 2022
SAINT-TROPEZ, FRANCE - JULY 23: Giannis Antetokounmpo attends the AURORA INSTITUTE Special Evening hosted by Christian Angermayer, Louise Tabbiner, Henry and Souraya Chalhoub at Le Beauvallon on July 23, 2022 in Saint-Tropez, France. (Photo by Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images for Aurora Institute)
If the 2022-23 NBA season goes as ESPN experts predict, Giannis Antetokounmpo will have a third MVP trophy on his mantle.
The Milwaukee Bucks forward narrowly edged Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid as the favorite to win the sport's top individual honor, earning 43 points and 33.3 percent of the first-place vote. Embiid matched Antetokounmpo with 33.3 percent of first-place voting but tied with Doncic for second overall with 40 points.
Top overall pick Paolo Banchero was an overwhelming selection to earn Rookie of the Year honors, earning 60 points and 50 percent of the first-place vote.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Brother Alex's Rights Traded to Bucks' G League Affiliate
Jul 25, 2022
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: (L-R) Kostas Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo attend Disney+ "Rise" Los Angeles Premiere at Walt Disney Studios Main Theater on June 22, 2022 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Three of the Antetokounmpo brothers have been reunited.
Alex Antetokounmpo, the youngest brother of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, was traded Monday to the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks' G League affiliate. Now, the three Antetokounmpo brothers who are in the league are members of the Bucks.
Milwaukeeās @nbagleague affiliate today acquired the rights of Alex Antetokounmpo ā youngest of the four Antetokounmpo brothers in basketball. Giannis, Thanasis and Alex are all in the Bucksā organization now; Kosta plays for Tony Parkerās ASVEL Basket. https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGPhttps://t.co/igdBpy7Za4
Alex Antetokounmpo appeared in 23 games for Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors' G League affiliate. In 15 games last season, the 6'8" 214-pound forward averaged 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds. He has also played professionally in Spain for UCAM Murcia of Liga ACB.
The 20-year-old has not appeared in an NBA game, but he did participate in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge alongside his brothers Giannis and Thanasis.
It's widely believed that Alex Antetokounmpo is destined for success. Giannis told TMZ Sports in 2017 that he believed his youngest brother could develop into the best player among the Antetokounmpos.
"He just knows my potential," Alex told B/R's Seth Gruen of Giannis. "Him having his potential, which is already unbelievable, him saying that I'm going to be better than him was like he just knows that I can handle the pressure."
Giannis, however, has set a high bar. He is a six-time All-Star and was the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year. He also powered the Bucks to victory in the 2021 NBA Finals for the franchise's first championship in 50 years.
If Alex can continue to develop in the G League, perhaps three of the Antetokounmpo brothers will share the floor in the near future.
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo to Play for Greece National Team at 2022 EuroBasket
Jul 22, 2022
SHENZHEN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 9: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of Team Greece looks on against Team Czech Republic during the FIBA World Cup on September 9, 2019 at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Shenzhen, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis
Antetokounmpo will play for Greece's national team at the 2022
EuroBasket tournament in September.
Vaggelis Liolios, president of the
Hellenic Basketball Federation, confirmed the news Friday. In addition, Bucks assistant Josh Oppenheimer will join the
Greek team's staff under head coach Dimitrios Itoudis.
The 27-year-old Athens native hinted at the decision Wednesday on Twitter:
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) July 20, 2022
Antetokounmpo last played for Greece at
the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where the team was eliminated on
a tiebreaker in the second round.
He missed the Olympic qualifying
tournament last summer, which took place at the same time as the NBA playoffs because of the delayed schedule amid the COVID-19
pandemic, and the team lost to Czech Republic in the qualifying final to
fall short of the Tokyo Games.
In June, Itoudis said the team was working to secure a commitment from the two-time NBA MVP for EuroBasket.
"It is a great advantage for
Greece to have Giannis," the Greek coach said.
Antetokounmpo's involvement will make
the country one of the top contenders heading into the tournament, which will
take place across four countries in Europe and culminate with the final in Germany.
The "Greek Freak" is coming
off a season with the Bucks where he averaged 29.9 points, 11.6
rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals across 67
appearances. He finished third in MVP voting behind the Denver
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid.
Jokic has committed to play in
EuroBasket for Serbia, another pre-tournament favorite.
Giannis and Greece start play Sept. 2 when they battle Croatia in pool play. Group C also features
Italy, Ukraine, Great Britain and Estonia.
Bucks Rumors: Serge Ibaka Returns to MIL on 1-Year Contract in 2022 NBA Free Agency
Jul 4, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 24: Serge Ibaka #25 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks to pass during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Fiserv Forum on March 24, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal to re-sign big man Serge Ibaka, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The 32-year-old split last season with the Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 54 games played, the worst numbers since his rookie year.
The three-time All-Defensive selection appeared significantly slower during his time in Milwaukee and was taken out of the rotation during the team's postseason run. He spent a significant portion of his time with the Clippers dealing with a back injury that significantly limited his mobility.
It appeared for much of 2021-22 that Ibaka was still hampered by the problem.
Signing him on a short-term deal makes some sense because it's possible Ibaka rebounds physically. He doesn't turn 33 until September and spent much of his career as one of the NBA's most versatile defensive bigs, and he can stretch the floor beyond the three-point line.
That said, it's fair to wonder what he has left in the tank after a miserable 2021-22.
