The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t take down the New York Knicks at home on Friday night despite 30 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins, who was re-inserted into the starting five, added 20 points apiece, but a game-high 31 from Knicks forward OG Anunoby proved too much to overcome. The 116-107 loss dropped Milwaukee to 40-33 as they slip farther and farther behind the Pacers in fourth place. Entering today’s slate, the Bucks sit sixth three games back of Indiana and 1.5 behind the Pistons, who beat first-place Cleveland last night despite missing star Cade Cunningham.
Postgame, reporters asked Giannis for his thoughts on LeBron James’ compliment to the Milwaukee MVP, issued Wednesday when James appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. Ever humble, the Greek Freak tempered the praise. In fact, he flat out disagreed with it.
Abdul Jabbar Antetokounmpo
Giannis Deflects LeBron James Bait
Lounging in the McAfee studio, James declared that if Giannis played in the 1970s, he could have tallied 250 points in a game. Not uncharacteristically, Antetokounmpo began his reply with a joke.
“Yeah, I don’t know about that take,” he said. “I think if I played in the ’70s it would probably be more like 275.”
Breaking into a grin, Giannis quickly clarified that he spoke in jest and settled down to a more sober response:
“Great compliment, but I don’t like comparing eras. It’s not fair. If I’d played in the ’70s, how everybody practiced and how everybody played, we would have played the same way. That’s all you knew at the time. The game evolves. We got to 2020, and we know more.”
For his part, Giannis has been the face of the modern game’s explosive athleticism and playmaking for years, winning two MVPs in the process. This season he is averaging 30.2 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 60% from the field.
His thoughtful answer indicates a high level of self-awareness and a keen understanding of the game’s evolution. His insight helps explain the barriers inherent in the ever-present LeBron vs Michael Jordan GOAT debate. “It’s totally different,” Giannis said of the NBA in 2K25 compared to its ’70s self, only 25-30 years into existence.
Milwaukee Bucks Need Him To Dominate Down the Stretch
Although Giannis did not agree with James’ assessment, he made sure to acknowledge such high praise from the game’s Co-GOAT. “It’s a great compliment coming from one of the best players in the league,” he conceded. “It’s definitely a great compliment. I appreciate it.”
For the Bucks to bounce back from their recent struggles, Giannis will have to continue his superstar production and probably exceed it. On a three-game skid, they have now lost 8 of 12. Damian Lillard’s blood clot, which will keep him sidelined indefinitely, has thrown a major wrench in Milwaukee’s postseason plans. Bobby Portis should return from his suspension in several games, but Dame’s absence puts an enormous weight on Antetokounmpo’s Herculean shoulders.
Giannis would like to do more. “I wish at this era that I play at now, 2025, I wish I could score 250 points today,” he concluded. He might not need to clear LeBron’s challenge, but certainly the Bucks need him punishing the opposition if they want to finish strong and possibly win a playoff series.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
