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Giannis Antetokounmpo
THE Milwaukee Bucks have a record of 42-24, which ties them for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. However, while still one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo explained why this season, in particular, has been tougher than most for him.
Antetokounmpo explained the physical reasons why this season has been difficult for him while speaking with The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
“It’s tough. I feel like for me it’s been the hardest season I’ve played – not just physically, because I had surgery on my left knee at the end of June. And I had to come back to myself. I feel like when the season started I wasn’t (myself). And the reason was I didn’t play basketball until the second week training (camp). I had to start being alone again.
Antetokounmpo added that the season has also been difficult from a mental standpoint.
“But emotionally and mentally it has been exhausting. I’m not going to lie to you. It’s been extremely difficult, from the firing of Coach Bud (Mike Budenholzer), to the arrival of Coach Griff (Adrian Griffin), then his firing, then (interim) Coach Joe (Prunty) for three games, Coach Doc (Rivers) coming in, and then you have Dame. It was difficult.
The Bucks have been a No. 1 seed three times since 2018, including 2023. There’s a good chance that won’t be the case in 2024.
Giannis Antetokounmpo calls Patrick Beverley ‘my asshole’
After the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Clippers March 10, Antetokounmpo congratulated Patrick Beverleygiving some rather unorthodox praise to his Bucks teammate.
“He’s one of those guys that – sorry for my language – that you say, ‘he’s an asshole’. But when he plays on your team, say, “That’s my asshole.” You know? And I love her. We love playing with him. He’s a leader. He knows how to play the game. He’s a winner,” Antetokounmpo said, by ClutchPoints X account by Tomer Azarly.
Antetokounmpo added that having someone like Beverley is much better than playing against him.
“I have been playing against him for many years now. I don’t think I ever liked playing against him. He always caught me once a game. He’s an instigator. He’ll push your buttons, but having him on your own team makes the game easier for us.
Beverley left an impression on Giannis even though he only played 14 games for the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ranked No. 3 in MVP rankings
Michael C. Wright of NBA.com ranked Antetokounmpo No. 3 in his NBA MVP rankings for March 8 behind Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Wright didn’t explain why Antetokounmpo was ahead of the others as much as he explained why Giannis was behind Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander.
“The 29-year-old scored 23 points with seven rebounds and six assists. Still, the Warriors manhandled the bigger Bucks in the paint, outscoring them 50-36 while outscoring them 54-36 in that area. Plus, rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis absolutely gave Antetokounpo fits.
Antetokounmpo has already won the award twice, in 2019 and 2020. The Bucks’ sports record, which has not been good as it has been in recent seasons, may or may not affect his case.
Matt John covers the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns for Heavy.com. A Massachusetts native, he has covered the NBA since 2018, with stops at FanSided, Basketball News and Basketball Insiders. Learn more about Matt John
