MILWAUKEE — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned he didn’t learn the experiences linking him to the Knicks as a possible commerce vacation spot — however he didn’t precisely deny them, both.
“Who said that?” Antetokounmpo mentioned, shaking his head after handing New York a 121–111 loss, their second straight defeat. “I don’t read that.”
An ESPN report from Shams Charania detailed a non-public offseason assembly between Antetokounmpo and Bucks basic supervisor Jon Horst, wherein the famous person ahead reportedly expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the Knicks — and solely the Knicks — if Milwaukee have been to endure a fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit.
“I don’t remember that,” Antetokounmpo mentioned, later smiling via his reply. “Right now, I’m here representing my team, and that’s it. We beat the Knicks, so it doesn’t matter. What matters right now is we have a game in two days against Golden State, try to stay locked in and get two in a row. But I didn’t read that article. I try to stay away from all that rumors and speculation and trade. It doesn’t concern me one bit. I try to involve myself and I try to help my team win games.”
Antetokounmpo mentioned he doesn’t have time to fret about experiences relating to his future.
“[Those reports] would become a distraction for me? I don’t have time. I have four kids. I have a seven-month old, a two-year old, four-year old and a five-year old, so brother, I don’t have time to read,” he mentioned. “Even if I wanted to pay attention to stuff like that, my life don’t let me. I have four little gremlins that are running around, and I have my craft that I have to improve, and then I have to lead the team, and then I’ve got other things: I’ve got my wife, I’ve got my mother, I’ve got my brothers. I got to go to church. I ain’t got time for all that, man. I’m being very very honest with you. I just love playing basketball, and I try to speak on the court.”
On Tuesday, his sport spoke a lot.
Antetokounmpo authored a 14-point comeback nearly fully by himself, ending with 37 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and a steal on 16-of-22 taking pictures. It was the form of efficiency that reaffirmed why he stays one of many sport’s true singular forces — and why any franchise, New York included, would clear the deck for an opportunity to amass him.
The Bucks star admitted there was additional motivation towards the Knicks — although not due to the offseason noise.
“Yeah, it was a lot extra. They swept us last year. They were way better than us last year. We didn’t make it tough for them. It was very easy in my opinion,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “As the leader of this team, I remember. I don’t forget things. I try to, from early shootaround, set the tone for the team and try to remind them last year they swept us, same with the Cavs. I think the team responded in the best way, so I’m happy.”
