After five weeks out and a trade deadline that sparked real uncertainty, Giannis Antetokounmpo returned for the Milwaukee Bucks in a loss to the Boston Celtics.
One former NBA champion has criticised the Bucks’ approach to Antetokounmpo, claiming it doesn’t make any sense to bring him back.
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Speaking on the “NFG Show,” three-time champion Danny Green said, “It just sounds crazy. They’re pushing for a play in, like Giannis is pushing for that sentence doesn’t make sense to me.”
“The teams that he’s been on, they’ve been able to be afloat and be decent. And when he comes back, usually it’s like, “All right, I’m back, you know, type of statement game.”
“They just got smoked by Chicago, who I don’t know what the hell they did at the trade deadline. They just traded for anybody. Then they get smacked by Boston with some of their best players not playing.”
Is Green right? Antetokounmpo is a huge trade asset for the Bucks in the future, and bringing him back in during a nothing season is an unnecessary risk.
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The Bucks have had a torrid season so far, winning 26 games and losing 34, and are in 11th place in the East, five games back of Atlanta for the final play-in spot.
Milwaukee has lost its last three, including a disappointing blowout loss to the Bulls, who have struggled to find any form in recent months.
Despite the Bucks looking like a team with no playoff ambition, the ‘Greek Freak’ is happy to be back on the floor with his teammates.
Speaking postgame against Boston, Antetokounmpo said, “I’m happy that I’m here. I’m just trying to get back in the rhythm right now.”
This season, despite the team’s obvious struggles, the legendary power forward has still been one of the most prolific players in the league.
Through 31 games this campaign, Antetokounmpo has averaged 27.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, shooting 63.6%Â from the field.
In his return game against Boston, the Bucks forward was rusty to say the least, contributing 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists, making 7 of his 18Â shots.
A whole host of teams are interested in acquiring his services in the off-season, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and the New York Knicks leading the charge.
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Since coming over from Greece to the United States in 2013, Antetokounmpo has pledged his loyalty to the franchise that gave a chance to a skinny teenager.
However, with Milwaukee looking to rebuild and the ‘Greek Freak’ being 31, it’s in the interest of both parties for him to stay healthy to ensure they get the best possible deal in the summer.
