MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo staged a dominant performance on Tuesday night to top Milwaukee Bucks by New York Knicks on national television and then brushed aside rumors that he had been mulling his future in the Big Apple over the summer.
As Antetokounmpo sat at the podium after scoring 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 16-of-22 shooting in the Bucks' 121-111 win, he was asked about ESPN report that the Knicks were the only team he wanted to play for outside of Milwaukee.
“Who said that? I haven't read this. I don't remember this. Right now I’m here representing my team and that’s it,” Antetokounmpo said. “We beat the Knicks.” [The trade rumor] doesn't really matter. The important thing now is that we have a game against Golden State in two days, try to stay in the game and win two games in a row. I didn't read that article. Try to stay away from all this – rumors, speculations, deals and all that. It doesn’t concern me one bit.”
Mike Brown mourns Knicks players who 'stand by and watch' as offensive growing pains cost them victory against Bucks
Sam Quinn
Antetokounmpo has had a phenomenal start to the season. He scored at least 30 points in all four of the Bucks' games and averaged 36.3 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists on 69.5 percent shooting. He seemed to have some strength Tuesday as he helped the Bucks improve to 3-1, although he said that was only because the Knicks beat the Bucks last season.
In one of the episodes of the third quarter, Antetokounmpo made a big block Mikal Bridgesthen hit a shot on the other end, forcing a Knicks timeout. He motioned for the crowd to rise to their feet as he approached the bench and appeared to shout, “This is my city!” something else follows. (He stated after the game that he then added, “I like it when it's hard. I thrive when it's hard. When you make it hard, I thrive.” The video doesn't seem to support that.)
“Yes, of course, there was a lot of unnecessary stuff. [to this game]. They captured us last year. They beat us,” Antetokounmpo said. “Last year they were much better than us, and we didn’t make it difficult for them.” In my opinion it was very easy. And as the leader of this team, I remember. I don't forget anything and I try to set the tone for the team from the beginning and remind them, 'They beat us last year, just like the Cavaliers.' So I think the team responded in the best way, so I'm happy.”
Antetokounmpo has been asked about trade rumors several times over the past month. since media day, when he admitted there was truth to offseason reports that he was thinking about leaving Milwaukee. However, during the training camp he made it clear that he was committed to the Bucks for the rest of the season. and will give his all to the team while he remains in the city.
“First of all, I haven't read this story. When the season starts, I try to get off social media and focus on my craft and the team, but yeah, I've said it many times, I want to be in a situation where I can win, and now I'm here,” Antetokounmpo said on Oct. 8, the day after Shams Charania's report on ESPN. “I believe in this team. I believe in my teammates. I'm here to take this team to where we can go, and it's definitely going to be tough. We're going to take it day by day, but I'm here. So all the extra stuff doesn’t matter.”
However, during the same press conference on October 8, he also said that he could change his mind in “six to seven months” if the team doesn't move in the right direction. As a result, trade rumors will haunt him until he signs an extension with the Bucks, requests a trade, or becomes a free agent, which he could do in 2027 if he opts out of the final year of his deal.
However, at this point, it is clear that this entire saga has not affected his performance on the court.
“I don't have time [to be distracted]. I'm not going to lie to you. I have four children: a seven-month-old, a two-year-old, a four-year-old and a five-year-old. So brother, I don't have time to read [rumors]. Even if I wanted to pay attention to such things, my life does not allow me,” Antetokounmpo said on Tuesday.
“I have four little gremlins running around, I have my skill that I need to improve, and then I have to lead the team, and then I have other things to do. I have a wife, I have a mother, I have brothers, I need to go to church. Dude, I don't have time for all this. So I'm very, very honest with you. I just love playing basketball and I try to talk on the court.”
