Giannis Antetokounmpo was unaware of Damian Lillard trade talks
Even Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had made the Bucks faithful so nervous when he spoke openly about the prospect of leaving Milwaukee with the New York Times and on the “48 minutes” podcast, didn’t know that the trade was in the works. “No idea,” Antetokounmpo told The Athletic recently. “No idea. But I understand why, because Jrue Holiday is my guy. And I don’t want (to be part of that process). I don’t do this. I was lifting weights (at the practice facility) with the strength and conditioning coach (Suki Hobson), and Suki said, ‘Oh!’ (as she looked at the news on her phone). And I said, ‘What’s going on?’ And then she showed me.”
Source: Sam Amick @ The Athletic
Source: Sam Amick @ The Athletic
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Dionysis Aravantinos @AravantinosDA
Here’s how I voted on our annual @HoopsHype 77 greatest international players list:
1. Hakeem Olajuwon
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Steve Nash
5. Nikola Jokic
Full list: hoopshype.com/lists/77-great… – 1:03 PM
Here’s how I voted on our annual @HoopsHype 77 greatest international players list:
1. Hakeem Olajuwon
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
4. Steve Nash
5. Nikola Jokic
Full list: hoopshype.com/lists/77-great… – 1:03 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“Just being able to connect with him and understand that we’re both on the same page”
@raf_tyler on his conversation with Erik Spoelstra during the Damian Lillard trade discussions
@MiamiHeat | @NBA | @SiriusXMSports
More from our Season Preview shows: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/Mg0cS2LheC – 12:36 PM
“Just being able to connect with him and understand that we’re both on the same page”
@raf_tyler on his conversation with Erik Spoelstra during the Damian Lillard trade discussions
@MiamiHeat | @NBA | @SiriusXMSports
More from our Season Preview shows: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/Mg0cS2LheC – 12:36 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
2023 NBA season preview: Award winners odds, prediction
My MVP pick? Antetokounmpo. Coach of the Year? J.B. Bickerstaff.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/2023-… – 12:21 PM
2023 NBA season preview: Award winners odds, prediction
My MVP pick? Antetokounmpo. Coach of the Year? J.B. Bickerstaff.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/2023-… – 12:21 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Pat Riley reflects on Heat summer speculation of Beal, Lillard, Holiday, and moving forward with Herro. sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/23/pat… One last look back before looking ahead. – 12:15 PM
Pat Riley reflects on Heat summer speculation of Beal, Lillard, Holiday, and moving forward with Herro. sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/23/pat… One last look back before looking ahead. – 12:15 PM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
In the Bucks story, Giannis also discusses the NYT interview and podcast appearance that sparked so much speculation about his possible departure – and his deep trust in GM Jon Horst that was validated yet again.
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… pic.twitter.com/t0kCoO2Mfj – 11:47 AM
In the Bucks story, Giannis also discusses the NYT interview and podcast appearance that sparked so much speculation about his possible departure – and his deep trust in GM Jon Horst that was validated yet again.
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… pic.twitter.com/t0kCoO2Mfj – 11:47 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I wish it would have just gotten over earlier”
🔊 @Bam1of1 on why he thought the Damian Lillard trade discussions went on longer than they should have
#HEATTwitter @MiamiHeat | @NBA | @SiriusXMSports
More from our Season Preview shows: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/oQBoYsgMvW – 11:35 AM
“I wish it would have just gotten over earlier”
🔊 @Bam1of1 on why he thought the Damian Lillard trade discussions went on longer than they should have
#HEATTwitter @MiamiHeat | @NBA | @SiriusXMSports
More from our Season Preview shows: siriusxm.us/NBARadioSeason… pic.twitter.com/oQBoYsgMvW – 11:35 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
When Marc Lasry sold his Bucks stake, his concern about a Giannis departure was known to be a factor.
“It’s false,” Giannis insisted. “I want to stay. But I want to stay in a winning organization. That’s false. But I get it, because he’s a businessman.”
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 11:28 AM
When Marc Lasry sold his Bucks stake, his concern about a Giannis departure was known to be a factor.
“It’s false,” Giannis insisted. “I want to stay. But I want to stay in a winning organization. That’s false. But I get it, because he’s a businessman.”
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 11:28 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Giannis discusses how he used his voice – his massive influence – in the weeks leading up to the Damian Lillard deal. GM Jon Horst addresses whether the pressure applied by Giannis through the media played a part. Much more here, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 10:49 AM
Giannis discusses how he used his voice – his massive influence – in the weeks leading up to the Damian Lillard deal. GM Jon Horst addresses whether the pressure applied by Giannis through the media played a part. Much more here, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 10:49 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
As the Giannis-Dame era nears its official beginning in Milwaukee, I took one last look at the trade that shook up the NBA summer.
Behind the scenes with Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Bucks GM Jon Horst, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 10:39 AM
As the Giannis-Dame era nears its official beginning in Milwaukee, I took one last look at the trade that shook up the NBA summer.
Behind the scenes with Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Bucks GM Jon Horst, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/4982925/2023/1… – 10:39 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Pat Riley reflects on Heat summer speculation of Beal, Lillard, Holiday, and moving forward with Herro. sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/23/pat… “I like our team. I’m not worried, again, about what the narrative is, what the perspective is. I think we have a great chance.” – 9:07 AM
Pat Riley reflects on Heat summer speculation of Beal, Lillard, Holiday, and moving forward with Herro. sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/23/pat… “I like our team. I’m not worried, again, about what the narrative is, what the perspective is. I think we have a great chance.” – 9:07 AM
Kane Pitman @KanePitman
New Locked on Bucks with YOUR NEW HOSTS @CamilleMonae and @tmjgarcia 👏👏👏👏
We chat through early signs from the Giannis and Dame combo, before moving into a longer conversation on the preseason play of MarJon Beauchamp!
📺youtu.be/oW-lZzcwrFU
🎙️linktr.ee/LockedOnBucks pic.twitter.com/Zv7TLGTDWm – 10:15 PM
New Locked on Bucks with YOUR NEW HOSTS @CamilleMonae and @tmjgarcia 👏👏👏👏
We chat through early signs from the Giannis and Dame combo, before moving into a longer conversation on the preseason play of MarJon Beauchamp!
📺youtu.be/oW-lZzcwrFU
🎙️linktr.ee/LockedOnBucks pic.twitter.com/Zv7TLGTDWm – 10:15 PM
Sam Yip @samyip__
“His approach, his maturity level. Everything seems to be higher. I think there’s a sense of urgency and in doing the right thing and having success this year.” @CJMcCollum talks Zion Williamson, Dame, and other things with me for @hoopshype hoopshype.com/lists/cj-mccol… – 5:51 PM
“His approach, his maturity level. Everything seems to be higher. I think there’s a sense of urgency and in doing the right thing and having success this year.” @CJMcCollum talks Zion Williamson, Dame, and other things with me for @hoopshype hoopshype.com/lists/cj-mccol… – 5:51 PM
Austin Kent @AustinKent
Even absent the obvious (Dubs dynasty, 2016 Cavs, Kawhi/Dame heroics), the half-decade pre-COVID was such a fun little era.
🔇->🔊 pic.twitter.com/en6g73qYJk – 2:55 PM
Even absent the obvious (Dubs dynasty, 2016 Cavs, Kawhi/Dame heroics), the half-decade pre-COVID was such a fun little era.
🔇->🔊 pic.twitter.com/en6g73qYJk – 2:55 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in a close-out drill for warmups for the Bucks scrimmage today: pic.twitter.com/oDW8VuFkmy – 1:46 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard in a close-out drill for warmups for the Bucks scrimmage today: pic.twitter.com/oDW8VuFkmy – 1:46 PM
More on this storyline
His trust in Jon Horst, who was part of the John Hammond-led front office that drafted Antetokounmpo as an 18-year-old in 2013, runs deep. “I’ve said many times that I don’t want to be aware of things that affect people’s lives,” Antetokounmpo said. “At the end of the day, if you trade somebody it affects his life, or if you fire somebody, it affects his life. For me, I cannot be a part of that. And I want to stay away. From the early years, 2016, 2017, with the first conversations, (Bucks officials would) say, ‘Giannis, what do you think about this?’ (He’d say), ‘Guys, I’m going to take a step back in this. What I want to know is that we always have a chance to win. I trust you guys, and you guys are going to do that. And I think Jon has done a great job doing that for years now.” -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023
You and Dame have played together for years in Portland. With him finally moving on and joining Milwaukee to contend, have you been able to keep in touch with him over the last couple of weeks? CJ McCollum: I have. We talk consistently throughout the season. That’s a good friend of mine. I’m happy for him. Happy for the growth and development in his game. -via HoopsHype / October 22, 2023
Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez couldn’t be more excited to play with All-Star Damian Lillard. (via Milwaukee Bucks All-Access): “He just makes us so, so much better. The things he can do. Offense that he brings. Obviously the shooting ability everyone knows, but the playmaking, just the attention that he’s going to draw, he’s going to get so many other people open. But then his leadership abilities, so many intangibles he brings are just right in line with what it means to be a Bucks basketball player. He lines up just perfectly.” -via TalkBasket / October 21, 2023
When asked to address the speculation about Marc Lasry’s concern, and the general idea that the sale was partly motivated by a belief that Antetokounmpo would eventually leave, Antetokounmpo strongly disagreed. “It’s false,” he fired back. “I want to stay. But I want to stay in a winning organization. That’s false. But I get it, because he’s a businessman.” -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023
In the meantime, James’ already untouchable status as one of the greatest ever to play only continues to rise — among his peers if not among the general public. “Some guys might say he is No. 2, but other guys like me, I say he is No. 1, and he’s still going,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, putting it plainly that he believes James is the best NBA player ever, ahead of Michael Jordan. -via The Athletic / October 23, 2023