Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverley claims that he would have poked a hole on the ball if Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 60 on him. Given his history, I actually believe Pat Bev would do that.
Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George also has an opinion on the much-talked-about game ball controversy involving Giannis and the Indiana Pacers, which George decided to share on a recent episode of his podcast.
Paul George Reveals Unwritten Rule
George, who is now in his 14th season in the NBA, confirmed that there is indeed an unwritten rule about rookies getting the game ball after scoring their first points in the league:
“Yeah, that’s definitely a thing,” George said. “That’s most important. That’s your first basket. You should get the game ball. That trumps everything. Everybody knows that.”
George explained that this is exactly what the Pacers did for him when he was a rookie in Indiana, which is why it came as no surprise to him that the coaching staff immediately grabbed hold of the ball after the final buzzer to give it to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe.
George Claims Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Deserved Game Ball
When asked straight up if he would have reacted the way Giannis did if he were in the Bucks talisman’s shoes, however, George said that he probably would not have. According to the Clippers star, it’s just not his thing:
“I can’t say he overreacted because maybe he values that,” George stated. “I don’t value that. So I can’t say he overreacted. I don’t know, maybe he values that.”
Then again, George also made it clear that he understands where Antetokounmpo was coming from. Regardless of the rookie rule he mentioned, George stated that it’s still the home team who has first dibs on the ball:
“That’s more of like a home team thing,” said george. “For Indiana to take the ball, they’re the road team, that’s where the problem lies. You don’t get that right to just take the ball because you’re the road team. The home team gets that ball. So under that light, that gives Giannis the reason.”
So I guess you can say George is siding with Giannis in this whole brouhaha?
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