Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best basketball players in the world and an NBA champion.
But there are growing concerns that the Greek Freak could leave Milwaukee behind, while fans are wondering if Antetokounmpo’s recent public frustrations are a symptom of something else.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is too talented to play for a 2-8 team in a small market[/caption]
“Giannis is a child,” Boston Celtics star and reigning NBA champ Jaylen Brown said on Sunday.
The Bucks have started a new season 2-8 and entered Monday as the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference.
That’s unacceptable for a star-heavy team that ranks third in payroll ($202 million) and acquired Damian Lillard to pair with Antetokounmpo.
Firing Doc Rivers could be the quick fix for the Bucks, who previously moved on from Adrian Griffin as head coach, despite a 30-13 record at the time.
Since then, Milwaukee has gone 19-27 under Rivers and been surrounded by mounting fan frustration.
Antetokounmpo spoiled his normal cheery persona last weekend by calling out a reporter during a postgame press conference, which followed a 116-94 blowout loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
“Hey man, if you don ‘t want to be here, you can leave,” Antetokounmpo said.
“If you don’t want to be here, you can leave. I’m being honest with you.”
Some fans wondered if the Greek Freak was talking about himself.
“Did we compete today?” Antetokounmpo said. “No.”
Antetokounmpo appeared to offer a friendly handshake to Jaylen Brown[/caption]
As Brown accepted the greeting, Antetokounmpo pulled his hand away[/caption]
He thought it was funny but Brown and Boston had the final laugh[/caption]
“If you don’t compete your a** off, you’re not going to win the game.
“We came to New York after playing great last night. Then we come here and lose by 30.
“Are we O.K. with not competing? I’m not OK with that s***.”
That curse-filled rant was followed by an odd scene during a 113-107 home loss to Boston on Sunday.
Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 43 points with 13 rebounds, once again reminding supporters that he’s one of the best players on the planet.
But the same player who’s called out his Bucks teammates for not being serious enough contradicted those words in defeat.
Antetokounmpo appeared to offer a helping hand to Brown following a foul.
As Brown accepted the help, the Greek Freak suddenly pulled back his hand and ran it through his air.
Brown then called out Antetokounmpo for being childish after Milwaukee lost again and continued its surreal season-opening slide.
Brown is not a big fan of the Greek Freak[/caption]
“I’m just focused on helping my team get a win,” Brown said. “That’s what we did tonight.”
With Antetokounmpo playing on a $228 million contract that sees him making $48 million this year, he was left to defend his actions while fans kept wondering about the Bucks’ uncertain future.
Rivers could be fired, but the small-market Bucks will be forced to rebuild if the Greek Freak leaves.
“We always joke around with the flow of the game,” Antetokounmpo said.
“It’s something that I do to my kids, I play around.
“This is who I am. I play the game with fun, joy.”
Brown was called for a flagrant foul against Antetokounmpo later in the game.
“Jaylen just telling facts,” one fan tweeted. “Giannis is a child and a sore loser.”
“Complains about teammates not taking the game serious and competing,” a second fan posted. “Then commits two dirty plays to two superstars while behaving childish in the middle of the game.”
“Who got the last laugh?” a third fan wrote.
