Milwaukee Bucks beat reporter at @TheAthletic. Author of #100ThingsBucks. Maryville/K-State alum. It's pronounced Name.
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After yesterday's parade, Giannis Antetokounmpo hugged Jon Horst, stood on a Jeep and then chatted with me about the Bucks' championship run.
"Now they respect us, man. Milwaukee is on the f**king map again."
Our 1-on-1 conversation at @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/2723411/2021…
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Leave it to Giannis Antetokounmpo to give a little perspective on the Bucks' tough travel schedule today.
Antetokounmpo:
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After tonight's game, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked for his thoughts on Luka Dončić getting traded by the Dallas Mavericks.
Turns out Antetokounmpo had quite a few thoughts on the matter:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo: "They were playing to beat us and we were playing to win a championship....We were a little bit ahead of ourselves, to be honest."
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If you're curious about why some NFL players want to kneel during the national anthem, watch the Sterling Brown video.
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During his pregame availability today, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked for his thoughts on yesterday's #MarchForOurLives in Washington, D.C. Here is his full, three-minute response:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is wearing a "Giannis 3:16" shirt in his press conference.
He cracked a beer to start the press conference, took a sip of it and then pushed it away. He said it was "nasty".
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Giannis, when asked about his future: "As long as everybody's on the same page and as long as everybody's fighting for the same thing, fighting for the same thing every single day, which is to be a champion, I don't see why not to be in Milwaukee for the next 15 years."
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Giannis Antetokounmpo: I did what was best for me and my family to stay protected.
Yes, I am vaccinated.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo just did his full media availability with an Incredible Hulk mask on his face.
Remained earnest and serious throughout the entire session.
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Jrue Holiday tells reporters that he told Giannis Antetokounmpo that they could hold it down for him in Game 2 tonight.
Holiday: "I told him this morning. Like, I know you're gonna wanna come back, but if you don't, just know we got you."
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Asked Giannis if he noticed the crooked rim during warmups.
"I was making shots, so I was happy. And then once they said the rim is crooked, I was like, 'Oh. Yeah. That's why I was making a lot of shots.'"
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Lillard mentioned normally when he's in Milwaukee, it's normally cold and snowy.
"Seeing the sun out and being by the water and stuff like that, it made me smile a little bit. This might be all right." - Lillard, with a smile
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Were you surprised by that foul late as you were dribbling the ball out?
Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34):
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Okay, @CTowersCBS. I had to do this. Chance's verse of Ultralight Beam on SNL.
Watch Kanye throughout this verse, especially when the background singers start snapping.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo just told reporters that he kept telling Liam Robbins that they were going to win the NBA Cup, so that he could get his house in Iowa.
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I love Wisconsinites. Just drove by the lakefront Collectivo and there are a bunch of people sitting outside. It’s 42 degrees outside.
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This is the second time in the last five seasons a Bucks blowout of the Heat has been taken off of TNT.
Last time, it was because the Bucks hit an NBA record 29 3s in a single game.
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"It's 10 a.m. I haven't slept a second." - @Giannis_An34 on his IG live
He is now in the drive-thru line at Chick Fil A.
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I'm not sure any @officialBBWAA were listening or watching @bakermayfield's post-game conference, but his message was pretty simple for them regarding the NL MVP.
(Hint: He thinks it's @ChristianYelich.)
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That's gotta be one of the strangest technicals I've ever seen.
Gary Trent Jr. was just given a technical for attempting a reverse layup. I don't know how else to describe that.
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After that answer, Antetokounmpo realized how serious he was talking and made a quick request.
"OK, let's say something funny because I took it and spoke very, very serious..."
Antetokounmpo:
After tonight's game, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked for his thoughts on Luka Dončić getting traded by the Dallas Mavericks.
Turns out Antetokounmpo had quite a few thoughts on the matter:
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Question from @ByAndrewWagner: You could win anywhere, but why here? And why did you want to stay here so much?
"I can't turn my back. Not now, not in the future, not never. And I want to be committed, I want to give back to the city of Milwaukee." - @Giannis_An34
Full quote:
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Antetokounmpo said the most addictive part of winning a championship was knowing that playing hard and winning a championship brought all of these people from around the city of Milwaukee together.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, with tears in his eyes, thanks God, his teammates, his coaches, the front office before breaking down when talking about the front office believing in him.
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After not getting to cover Jimmy Butler much in this series, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked if he would like to have covered Butler more in this series.
Antetokounmpo: "Yes."
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Still remember watching a UCF tournament game a few years back in the Bucks' locker room after a game and Giannis telling us he can't wait to dunk on him.
I think this is the best one he's gotten on Tacko.
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Pat Connaughton just shared this on his Instagram and tagged this Instagram account, so it seems legitimate. (instagram.com/p/Cr_2vxqSzcQ/…)
Here is a statement from former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer:
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Patrick Beverley at the podium with a Miller Lite on his first night in Milwaukee.
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Khris Middleton just told reporters him and Pat Connaughton thought the perfect gift for Giannis would be a pen because they all hope he uses it.
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Khris Middleton, on Joe Ingles:
"The slowest guy out there, probably the most unathletic guy out there, but he's a ball player."
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Asked Giannis Antetokounmpo about Gary Trent Jr's big night. After talking about Trent and his confidence, he made sure to emphasize another message.
"Be humble in victory. Be humble in victory. Be humble in victory. We have a lot of games ahead of us." - Antetokounmpo
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Oh man. Knowing how you feel about a subscription to @TheAthletic, you’re not going to like this answer...
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Damian Lillard, on his late stepback 3: "That's a look that I'll take seven days a week. That's a comfort shot."
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Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer on the verge of tears in his post-game presser as he describes how proud he is of his team for playing hard and competing until the end this season.
Mentions how the loss doesn't change how much he loves them and how proud he is of them.
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Khris Middleton said he went two or three months without touching a basketball, which is probably the longest he has gone in his life.
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Asked about Khris in a Wizards jersey postgame:
Giannis: "He looks weird with that jersey on."
Brook: "Bizarre. So surreal."
Giannis: "He does not make that jersey look good at all." (smiles) It's fun. We had a few laughs on the court. I miss him. I definitely miss that guy."
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It’s honestly still difficult to comprehend what Antetokounmpo did on that block. The recovery was insane and then to have the strength to toss it is just unreal.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo says he tested positive for COVID-19 and then he watched movies in the basement by himself to get through his time in the health and safety protocols.
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I mean, what is this?
Carsen Edwards is 6'0". De'Andre Hunter is 6'8" and he had Edwards the entire second half. And Edwards just did this.
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Grayson Allen hits a buzzer-beating triple at the end of the third quarter.
The whole Bucks bench booed him and Jrue Holiday asked the crowd for more noise.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo does not typically make an opening statement during his post-game media session.
Tonight, he entered the huddle and just started talking about former NBA commissioner David Stern.
Here were his full comments:
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Giannis Antetokounmpo said he wanted to take a “tinkle” when he exited the game early in the first quarter.
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At the end of today's pregame media availability discussing the game, Bucks coach Doc Rivers stayed at the podium and shared a message about SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) programs in the United States.
Here was Rivers' message:
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Tucker, on seeing Giannis today: "He looked at me and I looked at him and we both said the same thing.
He was like, "I don't have to go against you no more." And I said, "Yeah. And I don't have to guard you anymore."
And we both laughed because we've had some epic battles."
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Giannis Antetokounmpo, on how the new additions can help them get back to the Conference Finals or Finals again:
Conference Finals? Finals? We gotta get out of the first round first. Let's start there.
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Kevin Porter Jr. went 5-of-5 from the field in the fourth quarter for 12 points tonight in Atlanta.
Here is what he said about fitting in and making an impact quickly with the Bucks:
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Brook Lopez tells reporters that after the game he made sure to tell Kevin Durant, "It was incredible watching you this series."
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"Aw man. I feel so good....We won! Oh my God. Oh my goodness. I thought we were tanking! I thought we were tanking for the number one pick! Phew. Thank you!" - @Giannis_An34
If you missed it, here was Giannis Antetokounmpo's entrance into the zoom room last night in Detroit:
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Asked P.J. Tucker what allowed the Bucks' defense to hold the Heat to 84 points tonight.
His response: "We dogs. That's all we talk about. That's all I ever talk about. We gotta be dogs. People's perceptions of us and what people think in the past, we're erasing all of that."
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Mike Budenholzer, on Giannis Antetokounmpo's block:
"That's an NBA Finals special moment."
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As George Hill received backlash from players about sitting out on Wednesday, @Giannis_An34 shot him a text.
“Don’t you second guess. Don’t you ever forget what you did...That’s who I want to be when I grow up. That’s why I followed you. I love you.” theathletic.com/2031525/2020…
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James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo are destined to do this forever.
Harden didn’t need to do interviews about being the “rightful” MVP last summer. He did.
Giannis didn’t need to take a shot at Harden when answering my All-Star game question. He did.
This isn’t stopping.
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Doc Rivers, on the potential returns of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard:
"I don't know how to answer that. I know I hope. I think they're very, very, very close."
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The Wisconsin Herd have acquired Alex Antetokounmpo, per a press release from the team.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters that Thanasis Antetokounmpo - "aka GM TA" - advised him on the best move to make and that led to him reversing his media day stance.
Also, Giannis believes signing the extension will put the focus strictly on basketball.
Full quote here:
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Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters they needed to call a timeout at the end of regulation with 0.5 seconds left. And he did not.
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Asked Robin Lopez what he thought of Brook's tea celebration.
"It was a poor mimicry of mine. It didn't have any of the insight or any passion. His miming skills aren't what mine are."
Told Brook that Robin called it a poor mimicry.
Brook: He's a poor mimicry of me in general.
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Here is what Damian Lillard said about the process of suiting up for Game 6 tonight:
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Per a league source, the Bucks have signed and waived Alex Antetokounmpo.
They did this with him last offseason as well. It allows the Bucks to retain his G-League rights and makes Antetokounmpo eligible for a bonus worth up to $75K if he spends at least 60 days with the Herd.
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The Bucks have picked up the third-year option on MarJon Beauchamp, per a league source.
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With the release of the memo about new coronavirus protocols in NBA arenas, I asked Bud if he could imagine playing in empty gyms around the country.
“I played Division III basketball, so I can definitely imagine it.”
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Andre Jackson played 25 minutes tonight. The Bucks were +9 with him on the floor.
Here was what Doc Rivers said of Jackson's Game 4 performance:
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Brook Lopez, on reuniting with his brother Robin: "He came to my door and he was begging, so I figured he probably needed this."
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Bucks coach Doc Rivers tells reporters that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are both going to go through pregame workouts and then the team will make a decision on their status for Game 6 tonight.
On the NBA's official 12:30 p.m. EST injury report, Damian Lillard has been upgraded to questionable for Game 6 tonight in Indianapolis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still listed as doubtful.
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Asked Khris Middleton about this play from Giannis.
Khris: "I ain't never seen that from him, even on one-on-one days that we play. He saved it for the right time. That's a hell of a move. That's gotta be top ten of all-time."
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Brook Lopez took over as the Bucks' starting center last night and Bobby Portis, in the middle of a career year as a starter, took it in stride.
"I got you, coach," @BPortistime said. "All I care about is winning."
On Portis' maturity, at @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/3203365/2022…
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"Not just players, but my brothers off the court. Even though I’m in a different uniform I’ll still give them the shirt off my back. That’s the bond, friendship we built while I was there.” - @EBled2 on his time in Milwaukee
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Per @Bucks:
The Milwaukee Bucks have assigned Khris Middleton and Wesley Matthews to the Wisconsin Herd.
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Here was Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the idea of the Bucks just being tired on the back-to-back tonight:
Doc Rivers: "Honestly, we were just tired tonight. I think you watched last night's game. It was an overtime game played at an amazing pace, so I think we'll keep getting better maybe. Keep getting in better shape on them, but we had nothing tonight."
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The Milwaukee Bucks are guaranteeing guard Wesley Matthews‘ contract for the remainder of the season, per a league source.
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Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters he expects both Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis to play on Friday against the Heat.
Just saw that @MarkJonesESPN tweet about a few Bucks working out down in Miami during the All-Star Break.
Here was some video from the runs, featuring Jae Crowder and Bobby Portis, courtesy of @_Rami_Gazaleh. (IG: visualsbyrami)
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Ryan Rollins' determination to get Giannis Antetokounmpo the ball in transition is DiVincenzoesque.
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While being asked the Bucks being 4-1 in their last five games, Doc Rivers interjected the question and said, "5-0".
Warned that he might get fined again for saying that, Rivers joked, "They can't fine me twice."
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The Bucks and Pacers will get the NBA playoffs started on Saturday.
Game 1 of Bucks-Pacers will tip at 1 p.m. ET in Indianapolis and air on ESPN.
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After today's shootaround, Bobby Portis spoke to the media for the first time since missing six games for personal reasons and opened up with us to discuss his grandma's passing:
Updated Bucks injury report for tonight in Charlotte:
Out:
Robbins, Umude (G League)
Middleton, Johnson (not with team)
Questionable:
Lopez (left knee contusion)
Probable:
Antetokounmpo (Right Patella Tendinopathy)
Lillard (Left Groin Soreness)
Portis Jr. (Personal Reasons)
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The Bucks just held a special ceremony celebrating Giannis Antetokounmpo and his career accomplishments before tonight's game.
He is the franchise leader in games played, minutes played, points, assists, and blocks.
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The Bucks have submitted their first injury report for Game 6 on Thursday.
Doubtful
Giannis Antetokounmpo (left soleus strain)
Damian Lillard (right Achilles tendinitis)
Probable
Patrick Beverley (right oblique muscle strain)
Khris Middleton (right ankle sprain)
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