Former NBA superstar Dwight Howard is not happy with those critics downplaying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 64 points for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo’s scoring explosion is his career-high. It also set a new franchise record for single-game scoring, surpassing the 57-point mark that Michael Redd set back in 2006. Furthermore, the Greek Freak made plenty of other history in the process, including the most points scored without a single 3-pointer (since the line was implemented, of course).
The 29-year-old forward also reached his amazing feat while attempting just 28 field goals, of which he made 20 for a 71.4 shooting percentage. Not only is his 64 points the most scored by a player who attempted less than 30 field goals, but he also became just the fifth player to score 60 or more and shoot at least 70 percent from the field.
Despite the incredible showing, however, many critics and haters are downplaying the achievement. In order to reach the scoring mark, Antetokounmpo needed 24 free throw makes (out of the 32 attempts he got). With that said, others think it wasn’t that impressive.
Howard is not having any of that narrative, though. After all, Antetokounmpo earned all those free throws. If anything, it only highlights how unstoppable Giannis was in the game, as the Pacers were left with no other choice but to foul him in order to slow him down.
“Why ya downplaying 64 points? Giannis cooked. The free throw attempts don’t matter, they were fouling for a reason…” Howard wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
It’s hard to argue with Dwight Howard’s comments here. After all, it is true that the Indiana Pacers just ran out of solutions on how to stop the Milwaukee Bucks star. The prime example of that was when Aaron Nesmith yanked Giannis Antetokounmpo to the ground early in the fourth quarter just to prevent him from getting to the rim.
Whether it’s an attempt to hurt Antetokounmpo, or get into his mind and throw him off his rhythm, the fact remains that it was the only option they had.
With that being said, Antetokounmpo deserves a ton of praise instead of criticisms. Besides, if it’s so easy scoring 60-plus points in the NBA, everybody would be doing it already.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Big Night with Milwaukee Bucks Marred with Controversy
Unfortunately for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the focus from his historic game was taken away by what many described as a classless act by the Indiana Pacers.
After the Milwaukee Bucks’ 140-126 win, Antetokounmpo wanted the game ball. But the Pacers took it. In fury, the Greek Freak ran to the tunnel in order to retrieve the ball. After failing to do so, he returned to the court and had a heated confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton.
In his postgame presser, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle explained that they did take the ball so they can give it to their rookie, Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first official NBA point. The Pacers have this tradition of giving game balls to rookies after scoring their first point.
Carlisle argued that there was some miscommunication and that they were not aware of Antetokounmpo’s record.
Later on, though, it was revealed that the Pacers didn’t actually get the game-used ball and had a backup ball instead. A Bucks staffer apparently had the ball all along, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Giannis eventually got the ball, though he told reporters that he’s not sure if it’s the real game ball because it feels brand new rather than a used one.
Controversy aside, however, it shouldn’t really take away anything from Antetokounmpo and the unforgettable night he had.
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