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.
“Giannis is the MVP. Gilbert Arenas is not. Was he ever the MVP? I don’t think so," Dragic said. "So he can’t 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.
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 irrelevant—just ask the Brooklyn Nets—but 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 players—if not the greatest player to ever play this game—played 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.
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 later—in 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.
Try defining NBA domination. It's tricky, right? There are certainly elements of you-know-it-when-you-see-it, but there also tangible versions of it, like...
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.
Milwaukee’s @nbagleague affiliate today acquired the rights of Alex Antetokounmpo — youngest of the four Antetokounmpo brothers in basketball. Giannis, Thanasis and Alex are all in the Bucks’ organization now; Kosta plays for Tony Parker’s 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.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Sunday, May 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis
Antetokounmpo unveiled the design for his latest signature shoe, the
Nike Zoom Freak 4, ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season.
FIRST LOOK: Giannis unveils his upcoming Nike Zoom Freak 4 👀
Antetokounmpo re-signed with Nike on a
long-term contract extension in November 2017 after hearing pitches
from other companies, including Adidas, Under Armour and Li-Ning.
In 2019, Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes
noted the Greek Freak was earning $10 million annually from the sneaker deal.
Giannis also teamed with Nike and the
card game UNO for a special collection in October.
"I want every product to be genuine
and authentic, and playing UNO with my brothers is a big part of our
lives," the 27-year-old forward said. "The Nike team has done a great job bringing my
ideas to life, and I think they've created something for every Nike,
UNO and basketball fan in this collection."
Between his off-court earnings and his
salary from the five-year, $228.2 million contract with the Bucks,
Antetokounmpo ranked 10th on Forbes' list of the highest-paid
athletes in the world for 2022 with a total projected income of $80.9
million.
The 2013 first-round pick has developed
into one of the best players of the generation while building a
resume that includes a championship with the Bucks in 2021,
two NBA MVP Awards and six consecutive All-Star selections.
Antetokounmpo will look to continue
building that list of accolades next season, the second year of
his contract with Milwaukee that potentially runs through 2025-26.
