So much has been said about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent dispute with the Indiana Pacers over the game ball following Milwaukee’s 140-126 victory last week. Most folks will agree that Antetokounmpo had every right to go after the game ball following his career-high 64-point explosion after the Pacers decided to take it to their locker room shortly after the final buzzer.
For their part, Indiana wanted to give the ball to Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first-ever NBA point during the game.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Charged Pacers Locker Room
Giannis’ big night was spoiled by the events that transpired shortly after the game had ended. He got into a heated exchange with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton on the court before charging the Pacers locker room to try and retrieve the ball.
Things reportedly got physical in the tunnel with emotions running high after the hard-fought game.
Antetokounmpo eventually got his hands on the game ball but by his own admission, he remains unsure if that was the actual ball used in the game.
NBA Rookies Chime In
Given that the Pacers’ argument stems from their desire to honor an age-old rookie tradition, a couple of the top rookies of the 2023 draft class have chimed in on the hotly-contested debate.
According to Charlotte Hornets stud Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, he would have conceded the ball to Giannis if he were in that situation:
“Honestly, Giannis is Giannis,” Miller said. “If I was a rookie I would definitely give the ball — he just broke the record. You could always get another game ball. The real one, the fake one, it’s still the game ball. I’m still taking it. I understand the emotions, though.”
Toronto Raptors rookie Gradey Dicl, who has had his own on-court experience with the Bucks talisman, echoed Miller’s sentiments. however, the 13th overall pick does see where the Pacers and Tshiebwe were coming from:
“I got a thing too because it’s your first-ever NBA bucket,” Dick said. “Dream come true. It just so happens (Giannis scored) 64 points. … [Antetokounmpo] deserved it for sure, obviously, but first bucket… “
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