By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
With Antetokounmpo announcing his inability to play and the Greek federation accusing the Bucks and the NBA for a plot to keep Giannis out of the Eurobasket, Horst gave details about everything that happened the last 20 days.
“After a brief time in training with the Greek National Team, Giannis reported to our basketball staff that he was having right anterior knee pain following certain movements. At this time, we contacted the Greek National Team and requested that Giannis stop on-court running and jumping for a period of time to rest. Bucks Team Physician Dr. William Raasch consulted with Dr. Voulgaropoulos of the Greek National Team regarding the injury and as a result, Giannis continued to sit out from training.
“Giannis recently left his national team to travel to China for an appearance. Here he was visited by Bucks Head of Strength and Conditioning Suki Hobson. Hobson put Giannis through a series of exercises to evaluate his knee and reported that he was still experiencing significant pain on basic movements.
“After reviewing the report filed by Hobson, Dr. Raasch recommended that due to the recurring knee pain, Giannis should not continue to attempt to play at this time and that the best course of action would be for him to return to Milwaukee for further evaluation and to begin a structured, daily rehabilitation program.
“While he is very disappointed that he will not be competing for his national team at this time, we agree with our medical staff’s recommendation and feel this is in Giannis’ best interest. He is scheduled to return to Milwaukee this week to begin his daily treatment and rehabilitation program in order to be ready for Bucks Training Camp.”
Meanwhile, the NBA via the Associated Press confirmed that everything was done according to the book. “The NBA and the Milwaukee Bucks have followed all appropriate protocol under the NBA-FIBA agreement,” said Tim Frank, the NBA’s senior vice president of basketball communications. “Giannis has an injury that has been confirmed through multiple examinations and any suggestion to the contrary is false.”