By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Overcoming Nikola Jokic’s brilliant performance, the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Denver Nuggets 121-112 in Fiserv Forum.
Giannis Antetokounmpo combined a 28-point, 19-rebound double-double with seven assists and one block. He lasted 32 minutes, pushing his side to 33-25 in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
The visitors fell to 38-21, despite Serbian Nikola Jokic producing a triple-double consisting of 32 points, 14 rebounds, and ten assists alongside one steal.
“To guard a player like that, it’s a team effort,” mentioned the Freak in a media session following Thursday’s game, “I am not going to explain our gameplan on him, but we were trying to be as physical as possible with him, starting with Brook, but whenever he got to the paint, we tried to show bodies, have our hands up, crowd the paint as much as we can and just make him keep on making plays, keep on making decisions, which he’s one of the best decision makers in the league, but just gotta keep on making it tough on him and just give him give him different looks and hope by the end of the night you’re the one with the ‘W’ and not their team.”
“He is such a good player and he was able to keep making that pass to Gordon,” he added, “You just have to give him different looks, make it as tough as possible for him, and be physical throughout the whole possession, until he gets down to the paint or the post. You just have to be physical with him and just try to make him as uncomfortable as possible. Because you know he’s still going to have his game, going to do what he does. I think we did just a good job, everybody overall, be locked in to our gameplan against him and the Nuggets.”
Answering a later question about several players coming out of the Paris Olympic Games and setting up career years in the NBA, Antetokounmpo explained how competing in FIBA basketball simplifies the game in the league based in North America.
“I’ve said it. Nobody listens to me. Nobody listens to the Greek-Nigerian kid from Greece because he doesn’t know what he is talking about. I’ve said anybody that plays FIBA basketball usually comes in the NBA season, and it’s easier for him. The spacing is easier for him. It’s more possession. It might be even less physical, to be honest with you,” he described.
“It’s harder to play in Europe than it is in the NBA,” continued the international star with the senior national team of Greece, “There is more space, you can operate easier here. And when you get used to playing with that type of space and with that type of… because there is more strategy, it is a slower pace, it’s less possession. And if you’re able to be effective there, then you come here and it’s… I don’t want to disrespect anybody, but it’s not easier with the players, the talent level is higher, but the way you operate and the reach are easier, because there is more space.”