Giannis Antetokounmpo knows how to cause a stir if he wants, and playful comments after the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday caught the attention of NBA fans.
“OK, let’s say something funny because I took it and spoke very serious,” Antetokounmpo said after meditating on the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, with Anthony Davis heading to Dallas.
“Now that a European will be, I believe, the face of the Lakers, this is something new for Europe. It’s never happened before. We had Pau Gasol. Obviously, he was a great player. And how do you say — Vujačić? Sasha Vujačić? — great guy, one of my close friends, but I mess up his name all the time. Now, I just love it. You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokić to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream. But again, I wish both teams the best of luck, wish all the players best of luck with their journey moving forward.”
Despite the light-hearted tone, it didn’t entirely stop onlookers from wondering if there’s any seriousness underneath, including whether that means Antetokounmpo himself would someday seek an opportunity in a bigger market. The native of Greece has signed two maximum contract extensions in Milwaukee already, and league salary provisions incentivize players to remain with their current team by allowing them to offer the most money.
The three-time MVP Jokić, a native of Serbia, has also signed two massive deals to remain with Denver.
Antetokounmpo’s more serious thoughts on the Mavericks-Lakers trade included an admission of shock when he heard news of the exchange, and he called attention to the different reactions he perceived between a team making a bold move and a player doing the same.
“When the teams make the best moves for them and they believe they can get another player to win now … when a player believes that he can go to a different team and he believes he can have a chance to win a championships, we cannot crucify that person and say that he’s not loyal and he didn’t do the right thing and he let everybody down,” Antetokounmpo said. “Because history has shown you, you have to do what is best for you and your family. You have to do what’s best, most important to win.”
Giannis was asked about the Luka trade and said his dream is for all the European stars to go to all the big markets ⭐️👀
“I want Luka to Lakers. I want Jokic to Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to the big markets."
(via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/GlZoLdV2v9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2025
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s NBA Record Broken After Monster Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander Game
In just a little over three weeks, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already racked up three 50-point games. Something akin to what Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has accomplished before.
Feb 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) gestures after a play against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The former Kentucky Wildcats star dropped 54 points in a 123-114 win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Jan. 22. Then he exploded for 52 points on Jan. 29 during a 116-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors on the road.
On Wednesday, Gilgeous-Alexander hammered the Phoenix Suns for 50 points on 18-for-29 shooting from the floor, this time in a win, 140-109, at home. Making his performance against the Suns even more impressive was the fact that he buried all those buckets in just 34 minutes. That seems to be the trend when Gilgeous-Alexander is going off. In the Utah game, he saw action for just 37 minutes and 39 minutes versus the Warriors.
According to OptaSTATS, that is an NBA record for the shortest span a player has collected at least three 50-point, under-40-minute games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander within the last 15 days:
54 points in 37:28 vs. Utah
52 points in 39:06 at Golden State
50 points in 34:15 vs. Phoenix
No one else in NBA history has scored 50+ points while playing under 40 minutes 3 times in a span of 30 days or less (let alone 15).
Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander breaks Giannis Antetokounmpo’s NBA record
Mar 8, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes to the basket ahead of Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Previously, the record was held by Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The next-shortest span for a player to score 50+ points in under 40 minutes 3 times is 31 days by Giannis Antetokounmpo from January 3 to February 2, 2023.
Gilgeous-Alexander is indeed having a spectacular season, making him one of the top contenders for the 2025 NBA MVP. The same can also be said about Antetokounmpo, who will face off against the Thunder again on Mar. 16 at home.
Mar 8, 2022; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Bucks forward Antetokounmpo (34) goes to the basket against Oklahoma City guard Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half at Paycom Center. Milwaukee won 142-115. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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