Giannis on Karl-Anthony Towns Friendship: 'I Kinda Know How Much He Hurts'
Feb 24, 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns reacts after a foul during the second half against the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, in New York. (Sarah Stier/Pool Photo via AP)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo discussed reaching out to Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl-Anthony Towns and offering support for his fellow NBA player following Tuesday's game.
"I kinda know how much he hurts," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "I know how hard it is to lose someone you love and then you gotta go and still do your job. It's extremely hard. I told him I love him, stay healthy and I'll see you soon."
Towns missed nearly a month of action earlier this season when he was diagnosed with COVID-19. He told reporters he had "a lot of scary nights."
His mother, Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, died from COVID-19 complications last April. Towns revealed she was one of seven relatives he lost to COVID-19.
In November, Towns opened up specifically about the death of his mother in an emotional video titled "The Toughest Year of My Life." The video provided details about the pain the pandemic caused his family and how difficult it was to see his mother struggling.
Thank you everyone for the prayers, well wishes, and condolences during this time. I also want to give a double thank you to all the true fans that support me as more than just a basketball player. My love for ya knows no bounds.
"Thank you everyone for the prayers, well wishes, and condolences during this time," he wrote. "I also want to give a double thank you to all the true fans that support me as more than just a basketball player. My love for ya knows no bounds."
Antetokounmpo's Bucks won 139-112 on Tuesday behind 37 points from the two-time MVP.
NBA All-Star Game 2021 Draft: TV Schedule for LeBron vs. Durant Rosters Reveal
Feb 23, 2021
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks to Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. The Lakers won 127-101. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
For the fourth year in a row, LeBron James will be captaining a squad during the NBA's All-Star Game, while Kevin Durant will have the honor of selecting the opposing group after they were named the top two recipients of the All-Star vote.
The complete list of candidates was revealed Tuesday, and the players will have until March 4 to formulate their rosters, when the All-Star Game Draft will be aired at 8 p.m. ET on TNT NBA Tip-Off.
James will be going for his fourth-straight victory in the game, which will tip off at 8 p.m. ET on March 7, with coverage on TNT.
Since acquiring James Harden from the Houston Rockets in a four-team trade, the Nets' offense went from being dominant with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to being virtually unstoppable.
Since Jan. 16—Harden's first game with his new team—the Nets have led the NBA with an average of 122.6 points per game, though the team's defense took a hit, with 119.8 points against in the same span, per NBA Advanced Stats. And the group hasn't suited up for all of those games as a trio due to absences.
If the Big Three were on the same team for the All-Star Game, it would give Team Durant a legitimate chance to supersede whoever was on the other side of the court. But it's likely James knows that, and he'll steal either Harden or Irving away if he's given the chance.
What if LeBron and Giannis Were Teammates?
An all-time great and one of the league's newest stars have the opportunity to be on the same team for the first time since the 2017 All-Star Game.
In 2018, the first year that a draft selection was used to determine teams, Antetokounmpo was drafted by Stephen Curry, going on to lose by three points to Team LeBron. The next two years, both James and Antetokounmpo were captains of the game's two squads.
With Durant replacing the back-to-back MVP as a team captain this year, there's a chance that James and Antetokounmpo will link up again. When they played together as Eastern Conference All-Stars in 2017, as starters alongside Irving, DeMar DeRozan and Jimmy Butler, they fell to a loaded Western Conference squad by 10 points.
When the Lakers faced the Bucks back on Jan. 21, L.A. won 113-106, paced by 34 points from James. Antetokounmpo dropped 25 in the contest.
Together, they'd help dominate Team Durant.
Will A Lack Of Interest Bond Players Together?
In a unique season, many players have expressed their frustration with the league's decision to hold the All-Star Game in the first place.
While the NBA has made changes to the format of the game, moving the Skills Challenge to pregame and swapping a halftime show for the Slam Dunk Contest, it ultimately decided the show would go on regarding the main event.
That was much to the chagrin of several players who were selected to make an appearance. James said he has "zero energy and zero excitement" about an event that he doesn't "understand why we're having" (h/t Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times).
Antetokounmpo said he feels "the same way" as James, and Leonard said he feels the game is just the league "putting money over health" as it tries to complete a season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, (h/t the Associated Press).
If they're playing anyway, perhaps James will organize the vocal anti-All-Stars together on the same team.
NBA players, media and fans have spoken. The votes are in for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, and the 10 starting spots (and two captains) have already been handed out...
Giannis Says 5-Game Losing Streak Will Make Bucks 'Mentally Tougher' in Long Run
Feb 18, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots over Toronto Raptors' Chris Boucher (25) and Norman Powell (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't panicking over his team's five-game losing streak. Instead, he's trying to take it all in stride.
Following the Bucks' latest loss, a 110-96 defeat to a Toronto Raptors team under .500, Milwaukee (16-13) is still atop a weak Central Division, but the Indiana Pacers are only a game back. That the Bucks have allowed more than 120 points in three of their five losses may prove most concerning of all.
Just not to Giannis.
"I think it's gonna help us as a team to be mentally tougher, Antetokounmpo told reporters Thursday night.
Giannis says the 5-game losing skid is "not frustrating." He sees the growing pains as "part of it."
He says he likes facing adversity and credits this mindset to growth as a person. "I think it's gonna help us as a team to be mentally tougher," he said.
After back-to-back losses to the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, a four-game stretch against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Raptors should've been the remedy. The Thunder, in particular, are struggling at 11-17.
Instead, the Bucks dropped two in a row to Toronto and are facing another showdown with OKC on Friday—a quick turnaround for a Milwaukee team coming off a rough loss.
For a team with championship aspirations, the Bucks have done little to show they're up to the task recently.
The 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks were the last team to lose five or more consecutive games and win a championship in the same season. That Mavs stretch lasted six games and came during a January when the club went 8-8 overall. Milwaukee is 5-5 in February with five games left in the month.
It's clear this is dangerous territory for the Bucks and certainly not the type of history any contender wants to flirt with.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer lamented the ease with which opponents have been able to drive to the rim.
"It would be great if we could just keep the ball in front of us better," Budenholzersaid. "Guard the ball better, put less pressure on Brook [Lopez] and Giannis."
Friday offers another opportunity to prove the team can do so. If the Bucks can't, larger questions about their ability to succeed may be impossible to avoid.
Pascal Siakam Shines as Giannis, Bucks Fall to Raptors for 5th-Straight Loss
Feb 18, 2021
Toronto Raptors' Pascal Siakam reacts after making a basket and being fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time in three days after earning a 110-96road win Thursday at Fiserv Forum.
Norman Powell scored 15 of his game-high 29points in the first quarter, helping the Raptors take a 33-26 lead after 12 minutes and a 58-41 edge at halftime. Pascal Siakam had 27 points, including 13 in the first half.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led a struggling Bucks team with 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Milwaukee shot 39.8 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from three-point range.
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo: 23 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists
Bucks F Khris Middleton: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Bucks G Donte DiVincenzo: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Powell Turns Tide in 1st Quarter, Raptors Never Look Back
The Bucks jumped out to an early 13-7 lead less than three minutes into the first quarter following a Bryn Forbes three-pointer, providing much hope that they were on their way to erasing their four-game losing streak.
Powell made sure that wasn't meant to be, however, as he knocked down all five of his field goals (including a trio of three-pointers) and a pair of free throws to help Toronto finish the first on a 26-13 run.
He somehow had a hand in all of the Raptors' next 14 points after being down 13-7. He scored nine of the points himself, assisted on a Siakam bucket and grabbed the defensive rebound that led to a possession which finished with a Fred VanVleet three.
Siakam took over from there, finishing the first half with 13 points of his own. The Raps then held a double-digit edge for the entire second half, coasting to another win.
Powell changed this game's storyline in the first quarter, stemming Milwaukee's early momentum and putting Toronto in control. But he's been fantastic even before this game, averaging 21.6 points on 51.1 percent shooting (44.4 percent from three-point range) in his last12 contests.
Josh Eberley ofHOOPpraised Powell, who appears to have left past struggles (30.5 percent shooting during his first seven games) and criticism far behind:
It would be well-deserved for Powell, who is not only playing himself into a massive deal but is also propelling the Raptors back into the top Eastern Conference tier.
Somehow, they're just two games behind third place and five behind first despite being 14-15, and the arrow is going up thanks in part to Powell.
Bucks' Slide Continues With 5th Straight Loss
Nothing is going right for the Bucks right now, as they lost their fifth straight game and third by double digits in their last four matchups.
The defeat marks the first time Milwaukee has lost five consecutive games under head coach Mike Budenholzer, perStatmuse.
The Bucks took a punch when Powell exploded for 15 first-quarter points, but they struggled to get off the mat from that point forward.
They went ice cold from the field, scoring just 15 second-quarter points and failing to hit a field goal for a 5:21 stretch during that time.
The offense improved in the third, but the defense couldn't stop the Raptors' attack, with Siakam, VanVleet and Powell combining for 25 of Toronto's 27 points.
The entire rotation struggled in this one.
The bench scored just 23 points, with Bobby Portis going scoreless until a last-second bucket.
Antetokounmpo struggled again from the free throw line, shooting 7-of-13 there.
Khris Middleton's cold streak continued, as he scored just 13 points and had more turnovers (six) than made field goals (five).
Donte DiVincenzo had just eight points on 4-of-12 shooting (and 0-of-4 from downtown) before a pair of late threes.
Granted, losing Holiday for an extended period of time has undoubtedly led to struggles. The team has gone 1-5 since Holiday was sidelined, and the team misses his scoring and playmaking abilities on offense and his tenacity on defense.
On the bright side, they have plenty of time to figure things out, and the team has six home games in a row coming up.
Milwaukee still sports a winning record at 16-13, which is somehow good enough for third in the Eastern Conference, just three games behind the Philadelphia 76ers for first. The skid hurts, but it hasn't had a drastic impact on its place in the standings.
But the problem is the Bucks have now played two straight games against a losing and shorthanded Raptors team that has had its own struggles and come out completely flat on their home court.
The Bucks look lost and simply don't have any answers right now. It's hard seeing them find any until Holiday comes back.
What's Next?
The Raptors will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at 9 p.m. ET in Minneapolis' Target Center. Milwaukee will stay home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at 8 p.m.
Giannis Says Bucks' 4-Game Losing Streak 'Not the End of the World'
Feb 17, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots past Toronto Raptors' Aron Baynes during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The Bucks have been without guard Jrue Holiday for five games and counting because of the league's health and safety protocols. Milwaukee is 15-8 with Holiday in the lineup and 1-4 without him. The 30-year-old has averaged 16.4 points, 5.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds and a league-high 1.9 steals this season.
Despite the four-game losing streak, the 16-12 Bucks haven't lost much ground in the Eastern Conference standings. They're sitting third in the East following the loss to the Raps.
The Bucks are only two games behind the 18-10 Philadelphia 76ers, who have lost three straight, for first place in the East. They're one of only three teams in the conference that are two games or better above .500, so it's not as though the Bucks have a ton of teams hot on their heels.
Seven of the Bucks' final eight games before the All-Star break are at home, where they are 9-3 this year. Six of those contests are against teams with losing records.
The Bucks not only have a chance to finish strong before the All-Star Break, but they also conceivably could be first in the East when the second half of the league schedule begins.
Giannis: Donovan Mitchell's Jazz 'Best Team in West' over LeBron James' Lakers
Feb 13, 2021
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) dunks between Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez (11) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Giannis Antetokounmpo said the Utah Jazz are the "best team in the West" after a 129-115 victory over his Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.
The two-time defending NBA MVP said he was impressed with how easy the Jazz (21-5) made the game look as they had four players score at least 25 points—Rudy Gobert (27), Joe Ingles (27), Donovan Mitchell (26) and Jordan Clarkson (25)—to breeze past the Bucks (16-10).
"It just looks fun. Like when I watch them play, it looks fun, it looks easy," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "It looks simple. For sure, they look like us last year, and man, when you're at that point and you're playing with that confidence, you're hard to beat for sure."
Utah made 52.4 percent of its shots from the field, got to the free-throw line 34 times and won the rebounding battle 46-33 as it cruised past Milwaukee.
The win moved the Jazz, who've won six straight, a half-game ahead of the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers (21-6) for the best record in the NBA. They're 17-1 since a 4-4 start.
They've done it with terrific play at both ends of the floor. They rank fourth in offensive efficiency and second in defensive efficiency, perESPN. No other team rates in the top five of both categories.
Utah also leads the league in point differential (+8.9), ahead of the Bucks (+8.6) and Lakers (+8.0), so all of the numbers suggest the early-season success is no fluke.
Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said it's important the team doesn't become complacent after rolling through opponents.
"Nobody is beating their chest about anything that we've done," Snyder said. "Frankly you never want to do that and it's never appropriate unless you're the last team standing. That's something we'll continue to try to avoid."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWw0otx3ypU
The next week will continue to present challenges to the Jazz as they attempt to solidify themselves as one of the top title contenders.
They face the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat (11-14)—who've started to find their form with four straight wins—on Saturday followed by a clash with the East-leading Philadelphia 76ers (18-8) on Monday and then back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Clippers (19-8) on Wednesday and Friday.
The hype around the Jazz will reach a fever pitch if they win all four of those matchups, but even a 3-1 record would show continued progress for the emerging title hopefuls.
Chris Paul, Devin Booker Lead Suns Past Bucks Despite Giannis' Dominance
Feb 11, 2021
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives as Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns won their fourth straight game by earning a 125-124 home victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday at Phoenix Suns Arena.
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who led all scorers with 47 points, had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but he missed a 20-footer from the top of the key.
Phoenix stormed out to a 124-116 edge with 2:30 left after a Devin Booker three-pointer, but Milwaukee responded with an 8-0 run. Booker scored the game-winning point on a free throw.
Milwaukee led by as many as 16 points in the second quarter, but a 39-point third quarter helped Phoenix cut the Bucks' lead to 101-98 heading into the fourth. The Suns continued to dominate offensively in the fourth, thanks in part to Booker (team-high 30 points) and Chris Paul (28 points, seven assists).
Paul's Excellent Night, Booker's Clutch Finish Propel Phoenix to Big Win
The backcourt of Booker and Paul combined for 58 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds Wednesday. It was a great night's work for the duo, which needed to produce an explosive offensive performance to bring Phoenix back into the game in the third quarter and ward off Milwaukee down the stretch.
Paul frankly couldn't be stopped, finding much mid-range success:
It was a great night for Paul, but it was Booker who helped Phoenix ultimately pull off the win down the stretch, scoring the team's last five points.
A 13-footer and a 21-footer on back-to-back possessions turned a 120-116 edge into a 124-116 lead. The second one was quite impressive, with Khris Middleton playing excellent defense only to see Booker hit the shot anyway:
Milwaukee responded with an 8-0 run, but Booker drew a crucial foul and knocked down the game-winning free throw for the victory.
It's been a roller-coaster year for the Suns, who started 7-3 but endured a 1-5 stretch to drop to 8-8. However, the Suns are rolling now at 15-9 and look destined for the playoffs thanks in part to Booker and Paul, who have formed an excellent backcourt pairing.
The Magic of Giannis Shines Even in Defeat
Ignore the fact that the Bucks lost and Antetokounmpo missed a game-winning shot.
The fact of the matter is that he was sensational on a night during which he needed to step up even more without the services of Jrue Holiday, the team's third-leading scorer at 16.4 points per game.
He glided through the lane and took on Suns seven-foot center Deandre Ayton with ease:
It ultimately wasn't meant to be for Giannis and the Bucks, but a 47-point, 11-rebound night on the road against a 15-9 team is still quite impressive.
What's Next?
The Suns will welcome the East-leading Philadelphia 76ers into town on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. The Bucks will visit the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz on Friday at 9 p.m. ET in Salt Lake City's Vivint Arena.
Building an NBA All-Star roster is a simple task on paper. Find 12 deserving players from the Eastern Conference, separate them into starters and reserves—don't forget to split ...
Giannis Agrees with LeBron James, Has 'Zero Energy' for 2021 NBA All-Star Game
Feb 5, 2021
Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, drives against Cleveland Cavaliers' Isaac Okoro in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Add Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to the list of high-profile players less than enthused about the NBA and NBPA's decision to hold an All-Star Game amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eric Woodyard of ESPN provided the back-to-back NBA MVP's remarks following the Bucks' 123-105 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday:
Giannis: "At the end of the day, if we have the All-Star game, I hope the fans can be there. And, we can give back to them, but at the end of the day if we have the All-Star game just to have an All-Star Game and don't have no fans, I don't see the point."
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward LeBron James expressed his honest take to reporters on the matter, noting how his defending NBA champion team went through a short offseason after it won the 2020 NBA Finals on October 11 before the 2020-21 campaign started December 22:
"Short offseason for myself and my teammates. It was 71 days. And then coming into this season, we were told that we were not having an All-Star Game, so we'd have a nice little break.
"Five days (in March) from the fifth through the 10th, an opportunity for me to kind of recalibrate for the second half of the season—my teammates as well, some of the guys in the league. And then they throw an All-Star Game on us like this and just breaks that all the way up. So, um, pretty much kind of a slap in the face."
"If I'm going to be brutally honest, I think it's stupid," Fox said. "If we have to wear a mask and do all of this for a regular game, then what's the point of bringing the All-Star Game back?"
The NBA and NBPA agreed to have an All-Star Game in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic. It's a single-night event that will also include skills competitions, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who provided more details, context and insight:
"The NBA has a midseason break set for March 5-10. Some teams will resume the season on March 11. The NBA is expected to release a schedule for the second half of the season in the next two to three weeks, sources tell ESPN.
"NBPA president Chris Paul has been an advocate of the Atlanta All-Star Game idea, including a plan to use the game to benefit historically Black colleges and universities and COVID-19 relief, sources said.
"Nevertheless, this is an idea that has been met with resistance and skepticism from players and from team executives. Even with protocol safeguards around the game, many see it as an unnecessary risk for the league, players and support personnel."
The NBA finished the 2019-20 season in a bubble-like environment at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida, but this season has been played without one as teams play coast-to-coast as usual, with some schedule changes to reduce travel.
The league has been able to get through at least 25 percent of its schedule thus far, albeit with some hiccups along the way.
For now, the league is approaching the end of the first half of its schedule, which has an end date of March 4 before the league goes on a six-day hiatus minus the currently-planned March 7 All-Star Game.
