Giannis Antetokounmpo on playing Olympics: 'If we make it to Paris, I'll be excited to be there'
Besides being expected to host one of the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in July, Greece featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo is a possibility, confirmed by the Freak himself. “Right now, I am just looking forward to seeing my kids. After that, play Washington. Then after that, have a good season. Hopefully, we will be the last team standing. And after that, try to qualify for Paris,” he explained after falling short to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, “If all those things happen in order and we make it to Paris, I will be excited to be there.”
Source: EuroHoops.net
Source: EuroHoops.net
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Giannis Antetokounmpo sets up a potential path to Paris and playing for Greece in the Olympic Games
“If all those things happen in order and we make it to Paris, I will be excited to be there”
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 6:24 AM
Giannis Antetokounmpo sets up a potential path to Paris and playing for Greece in the Olympic Games
“If all those things happen in order and we make it to Paris, I will be excited to be there”
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 6:24 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Giannis, like Lillard, said the #Celtics are committed to passing and setting teammates up. – 11:42 PM
Giannis, like Lillard, said the #Celtics are committed to passing and setting teammates up. – 11:42 PM
Rob Peterson @ShotDrJr
So many missed Bucks shots at the rim. So many. Giannis, Payne, Middleton, Dame. All of them. – 9:54 PM
So many missed Bucks shots at the rim. So many. Giannis, Payne, Middleton, Dame. All of them. – 9:54 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Brilliant play by Jayson Tatum after the turnover to guard the rim on a 1-on-3 on the break so he could pick off Dame’s lob to Giannis. He completely baited Dame into the lob and it worked to perfection. – 9:31 PM
Brilliant play by Jayson Tatum after the turnover to guard the rim on a 1-on-3 on the break so he could pick off Dame’s lob to Giannis. He completely baited Dame into the lob and it worked to perfection. – 9:31 PM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
I hope Giannis don’t come with one of his “It’s Bigger than basketball” speeches tonight. The Celtics stood on business tonight and kicked their ass! Carry the hell on… – 9:29 PM
I hope Giannis don’t come with one of his “It’s Bigger than basketball” speeches tonight. The Celtics stood on business tonight and kicked their ass! Carry the hell on… – 9:29 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Jrue Holiday raises his hands in exasperation as he finally buries his first shot of the game early in the fourth quarter.
He’s made big contributions defensively against Giannis Antetokounmpo, though, and Boston leads by 18 with 10:31 to go. – 9:24 PM
Jrue Holiday raises his hands in exasperation as he finally buries his first shot of the game early in the fourth quarter.
He’s made big contributions defensively against Giannis Antetokounmpo, though, and Boston leads by 18 with 10:31 to go. – 9:24 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Giannis and Griffin had a heated exchange at the scorer’s table. Giannis waved to Griffin several times that he didn’t want to leave the game, knowing it was his regular time to be subbed. #Bucks #Celtics – 9:10 PM
Giannis and Griffin had a heated exchange at the scorer’s table. Giannis waved to Griffin several times that he didn’t want to leave the game, knowing it was his regular time to be subbed. #Bucks #Celtics – 9:10 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Giannis did not want to come out of the game, waving off Adrian Griffin trying to bring in Bobby Portis. Griffin had to push Portis onto the floor and he and Giannis had an exchange on the sidelines. Giannis stayed at the scorer’s table and quickly subbed back in for Lopez – 9:08 PM
Giannis did not want to come out of the game, waving off Adrian Griffin trying to bring in Bobby Portis. Griffin had to push Portis onto the floor and he and Giannis had an exchange on the sidelines. Giannis stayed at the scorer’s table and quickly subbed back in for Lopez – 9:08 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Giannis did not want to come out of the game, pleaded with Adrian Griffin, never left the scorer’s table and then checked back in at the next stoppage. #Celtics #Bucks – 9:08 PM
Giannis did not want to come out of the game, pleaded with Adrian Griffin, never left the scorer’s table and then checked back in at the next stoppage. #Celtics #Bucks – 9:08 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Big swing there. Could easily have been called an offensive foul on Giannis. Instead it’s 4 fouls on KP. – 9:05 PM
Big swing there. Could easily have been called an offensive foul on Giannis. Instead it’s 4 fouls on KP. – 9:05 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Jackson-Lillard-Beauchamp-Giannis-Lopez led an 18-11 #Bucks run to close the half. – 8:57 PM
Jackson-Lillard-Beauchamp-Giannis-Lopez led an 18-11 #Bucks run to close the half. – 8:57 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Halftime: Celtics 67, Bucks 54
Boston shot 52 percent from 3 in the first half, outscoring Milwaukee by 18 behind the arc.
Brook Lopez has 14 to lead the Bucks, while Giannis and Dame are a combined 7-for-24.
Also, Red Panda is here performing at halftime. – 8:38 PM
Halftime: Celtics 67, Bucks 54
Boston shot 52 percent from 3 in the first half, outscoring Milwaukee by 18 behind the arc.
Brook Lopez has 14 to lead the Bucks, while Giannis and Dame are a combined 7-for-24.
Also, Red Panda is here performing at halftime. – 8:38 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
#Bucks use 7-0 run to cut into #Celtics lead. BOS 67, MIL 53 at half. Brown 13, Tatum 13, Porzingis 10, Horford 9; Lopez 14, Antetokounmpo 10, Lillard 7. – 8:38 PM
#Bucks use 7-0 run to cut into #Celtics lead. BOS 67, MIL 53 at half. Brown 13, Tatum 13, Porzingis 10, Horford 9; Lopez 14, Antetokounmpo 10, Lillard 7. – 8:38 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Jrue Holiday draws a charge on Giannis Antetokounmpo – who then helps Holiday up off the ground. Celtics remain in control late in the first half. – 8:33 PM
Jrue Holiday draws a charge on Giannis Antetokounmpo – who then helps Holiday up off the ground. Celtics remain in control late in the first half. – 8:33 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
After 1: Celtics 29, Bucks 17
Giannis Antetokounmpo – primarily guarded by Jrue Holiday – and Damian Lillard combined to go 3-for-16 for the Bucks, who fell behind 10-0 to open the game and spend most of the opening quarter down double-digits.
Jaylen Brown has 8 for Boston. – 8:09 PM
After 1: Celtics 29, Bucks 17
Giannis Antetokounmpo – primarily guarded by Jrue Holiday – and Damian Lillard combined to go 3-for-16 for the Bucks, who fell behind 10-0 to open the game and spend most of the opening quarter down double-digits.
Jaylen Brown has 8 for Boston. – 8:09 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
On the Bucks second-to-last offensive possession of the first quarter, Damian Lillard got his first bucket on a stepback 3.
Lillard ends the quarter just 1-of-7 (3pts) from the field. Antetokounmpo not much better at 2-of-9 (5pts).
Celtics are up, 29-17, after one quarter. – 8:08 PM
On the Bucks second-to-last offensive possession of the first quarter, Damian Lillard got his first bucket on a stepback 3.
Lillard ends the quarter just 1-of-7 (3pts) from the field. Antetokounmpo not much better at 2-of-9 (5pts).
Celtics are up, 29-17, after one quarter. – 8:08 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
#Bucks reposition and delay the P&R a little to free Giannis rolling. pic.twitter.com/jjUwM2AdUR – 8:06 PM
#Bucks reposition and delay the P&R a little to free Giannis rolling. pic.twitter.com/jjUwM2AdUR – 8:06 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Celtics have held Giannis and Lillard to a combined 2-of-14 shooting in first quarter. – 8:06 PM
Celtics have held Giannis and Lillard to a combined 2-of-14 shooting in first quarter. – 8:06 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
With all this talk of defending Giannis, it should probably be mentioned that we’re at a 2:54 timeout and Derrick White has guarded Damian Lillard into 0-for-5. Celtics lead Bucks, 22-10. – 8:03 PM
With all this talk of defending Giannis, it should probably be mentioned that we’re at a 2:54 timeout and Derrick White has guarded Damian Lillard into 0-for-5. Celtics lead Bucks, 22-10. – 8:03 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
#Bucks get to the Giannis-Lopez P&R and draw Giannis FT. Lopez leveled Jrue with the screen. Surprised it took so long. – 7:55 PM
#Bucks get to the Giannis-Lopez P&R and draw Giannis FT. Lopez leveled Jrue with the screen. Surprised it took so long. – 7:55 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Jrue Holiday draws the defensive assignment on Giannis Antetokounmpo…. Five minutes in, Celtics have a 12-5 lead and Giannis is 0-for-3 from the floor. – 7:54 PM
Jrue Holiday draws the defensive assignment on Giannis Antetokounmpo…. Five minutes in, Celtics have a 12-5 lead and Giannis is 0-for-3 from the floor. – 7:54 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
After tonight, 3 of Jrue Holiday’s top 5-6 matchups are going to include Joel Embiid, Julius Randle and Giannis. He’s guarding bigs as often, if not more than perimeter players for Boston. Big reason I’m not sure this team would’ve worked without him. – 7:51 PM
After tonight, 3 of Jrue Holiday’s top 5-6 matchups are going to include Joel Embiid, Julius Randle and Giannis. He’s guarding bigs as often, if not more than perimeter players for Boston. Big reason I’m not sure this team would’ve worked without him. – 7:51 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Middleton-Giannis P&R simply switched Holiday and Brown. The #Bucks are going to want to pull Porzingis out of the paint, but that’ll require Lopez to screen. – 7:49 PM
Middleton-Giannis P&R simply switched Holiday and Brown. The #Bucks are going to want to pull Porzingis out of the paint, but that’ll require Lopez to screen. – 7:49 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
2022 level #Celtics defense to start this game. Early block on Giannis and a forced turnover on Lillard while the #Bucks start 0/6 FG. – 7:47 PM
2022 level #Celtics defense to start this game. Early block on Giannis and a forced turnover on Lillard while the #Bucks start 0/6 FG. – 7:47 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Bucks at Celtics – TD Garden – November 22, 2023
Boston – Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis
Milwaukee – Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Malik Beasley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT: Boston: Milwaukee: Jae Crowder pic.twitter.com/SW9ym0LoN1 – 7:11 PM
Bucks at Celtics – TD Garden – November 22, 2023
Boston – Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, Porzingis
Milwaukee – Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Malik Beasley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
OUT: Boston: Milwaukee: Jae Crowder pic.twitter.com/SW9ym0LoN1 – 7:11 PM
Abby Chin @tvabby
Jayson Tatum, listed as questionable due to non-Covid illness, is in the building for a heavyweight matchup against Giannis and the #Bucks.
Update from Joe Mazzulla coming shortly.
@ChrisForsberg_ is here too 😉 pic.twitter.com/iB6dp2qWta – 5:46 PM
Jayson Tatum, listed as questionable due to non-Covid illness, is in the building for a heavyweight matchup against Giannis and the #Bucks.
Update from Joe Mazzulla coming shortly.
@ChrisForsberg_ is here too 😉 pic.twitter.com/iB6dp2qWta – 5:46 PM
Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton warming up for tonight’s game vs. the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/ESYzPPJ7ga – 5:42 PM
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton warming up for tonight’s game vs. the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/ESYzPPJ7ga – 5:42 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“He is firing on all cylinders”
🏀 Marques Johnson believes Giannis has a goal in mind for this season #FearTheDeer
@RickKamlaSports | @adaniels33 | @olskool888 pic.twitter.com/BzJjNHCQLd – 5:00 PM
“He is firing on all cylinders”
🏀 Marques Johnson believes Giannis has a goal in mind for this season #FearTheDeer
@RickKamlaSports | @adaniels33 | @olskool888 pic.twitter.com/BzJjNHCQLd – 5:00 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most PPG + RPG + APG this season:
49.4 — Joel Embiid
49.2 — Nikola Jokic
46.6 — Luka Doncic
45.0 — Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/4RifabgMe9 – 10:01 AM
Most PPG + RPG + APG this season:
49.4 — Joel Embiid
49.2 — Nikola Jokic
46.6 — Luka Doncic
45.0 — Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/4RifabgMe9 – 10:01 AM
More on this storyline
With such explosive scoring nights being somewhat common for the two-time NBA MVP over the last six seasons, one reporter asked Antetokounmpo if it ever feels easy for him on a big night. “It’s not easy,” Antetokounmpo said. “I wish it was easy. You know, I wish it was easy. I wish I could come in and score 42 every game, you know? But no, it’s not. It’s hard. You’ve got to work extremely hard to get comfortable, to get in your rhythm, to get to your spot, to play make for yourself, to play make for your teammates. It’s hard, but I think I have worked extremely hard to kind of take care of my body, being healthy and being able to play every single night 30-plus minutes. -via The Athletic / November 21, 2023
[Giannis Antetokounmpo] “There’s a narrative out there that’s false. I got a bag. But it’s good like this. Keep it on the low. When you get your ass here to Milwaukee, and you get embarrassed, you go back home and start contemplating life. Taking a shower thinking ‘I didn’t know Giannis had a bag.'” -via reddit / November 21, 2023
Jorge Sierra: Giannis on Dame: “There’s some times that he wants to operate the offense and you have to give him the ball… and there’s times that I’m running ahead of him and I need the ball (…) As we move on forward game by game, we’re going to learn how to play with one another.” pic.twitter.com/ee8sAr1Fu1 -via Twitter @hoopshype / November 19, 2023