Giannis Antetokounmpo was not happy with a fourth-quarter foul by San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, which despatched him to the ground throughout Milwaukee’s 144-118 loss on Friday evening.
With 3:46 left and the Bucks down 131-111, Antetokounmpo obtained a bounce move from Taurean Prince and spun towards the basket as Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell, and Chris Paul closed in. Whereas maneuvering between Sochan and Paul, Antetokounmpo went to the ground after what gave the impression to be a shove from Paul.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s incident with Chris Paul
“They have not tried me. You have gotta strive me. Those that know me do not strive me. In the event you strive me, you see a distinct facet. In the event you strive me, you are gonna get that totally different facet of me,” the Bucks star mentioned after the sport.
The Milwaukee Bucks star crashed onto his proper hip and again, rapidly pointing at Paul and voicing his frustration. Gary Trent Jr. helped him up as Sochan stepped in to separate them. Khris Middleton and Victor Wembanyama pulled Sochan apart simply as Stephon Citadel stepped in to de-escalate the scenario. After reviewing the play, officers decided Paul’s foul to be a typical one.
Antetokounmpo’s frustration didn’t fade after the sport. He lingered close to half court docket for a number of seconds, eyeing Paul after the ultimate buzzer. The 2 shared a short trade as Paul received prepared for his postgame interview.
At first, Antetokounmpo downplayed the incident, calling it “a bodily play” and saying “nothing” actually occurred. Nevertheless, he later admitted, “I do not know if I used to be tripped or pushed.” When requested about ready for Paul after the sport, he supplied a extra detailed response.
The previous MVP not often finds himself in on-court altercations, a mirrored image of the respect he instructions. His presence alone typically discourages challenges, reinforcing the concept true energy doesn’t at all times have to be displayed.
Historical past between CP3 and Giannis
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Chris Paul has constructed a popularity as one of many NBA’s prime agitators, typically pushing the boundaries of bodily play. So when Giannis Antetokounmpo believed Paul performed a task in sending him to the ground after a spin transfer within the lane on Friday evening, the Bucks star made positive to let the Spurs guard hear about it.
The replay angles don’t make the play look notably extreme, however there does look like a refined further shove from Paul on the finish. It additionally appears doable that he prolonged his foot only a bit greater than the footage initially suggests.
It is also a case of the “straw that broke the camel’s again,” the place Antetokounmpo had grown pissed off with Paul’s antics over time, and this specific play, whereas not overly extreme by itself, was simply the tipping level that led to his sturdy response.
Let’s additionally not overlook that Paul and Giannis squared off within the 2021 Finals, the place tensions had been excessive and each gamers had been within the highlight. That rivalry positively provides further warmth to any interactions between the 2.
If Paul didn’t have the popularity he does, Giannis’ response may need been totally different. Nevertheless, contemplating Paul’s historical past, notably throughout their earlier encounters, it’s simpler to grasp why the play provoked a powerful response from Antetokounmpo.