By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
During the latest NBA Night, the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Memphis Grizzlies despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds.
However, the game wasn’t the most interesting topic in the post-game press conference. As reported by The Athletic’s Bucks beat writer Eric Nehm, the Greek Freak had interesting answers when asked about Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. “I thought it was fake news. It’s insane.” he first reacted.
“I’ve played against Luka a lot of times and AD [Anthony Davis] and all the people that were included in the trade. This is the world we’re living in. It’s a business, you have to understand nobody’s safe, nobody’s safe […] Everybody in the world knows he’s one of the best players in the league,” he added.
“At the end of the day, I’ve said this in the past, you get evaluated every single day. You don’t take anything for granted. Being an All-Star, you don’t take it for granted, being able to go out there and put the jersey on and represent your team, you don’t take that for granted. being out there and representing your family, you don’t take that for granted,” Antetokounmpo followed.
“I want Jokic to the Knicks”
“Every second that you play in an NBA game, I love it, I try to play with joy. At the same time, I understand the business of basketball, that sometimes teams need to make the best moves that are good for their organization, for their position, and for their own pursuit of greatness and championships. But at the same time, it goes both ways,” he then continued.
Giannis Antetokounmpo believes there can’t be a “double standard” when talking about the NBA’s business. “When a player believes that he can go to a different team and believes he can have a chance to win a championship, we cannot crucify the person and say that he’s not loyal and he didn’t do the right thing and he let everybody down. Because history has shown you that you have to do what is best for you and your family. You have to do what’s best or most important to win,” he added.
Ultimately, he revealed a dream of his involving European players, provoking. “Let’s say something funny because I took it and spoke very very seriously. Now that a European will be, I believe, the face of the Lakers, this is something new for Europe. It’s never happened before. We had Pau Gasol. Obviously, he was a great player. Now, I just love it,” he said about Doncic to Los Angeles.
“You know what I want? I want Luka to the Lakers, I want Jokic to the Knicks. I want all the Europeans to go to all the big markets to see something incredible. This is what I want. This is my dream. But again, I wish both teams the best of luck, wish all the players best of luck with their journey moving forward,” Giannis Antetokounmpo concluded.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images