Giannis Antetokounmpo debuted in the preseason for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday against LeBron James and the LA Lakers. The “Greek Freak” had an impressive game on both ends of the floor in 20 minutes of first half action. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks before halftime.
Antetokounmpo’s most spectacular play happened early in the second quarter. After missing a layup, the Bucks’ franchise cornerstone raced after James to reject the Lakers superstar’s layup. The sequence had the Bucks crowd going wild.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, promptly reacted to the play:
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“I see you @Giannis_An34 .It’s giving off Defensive Player of the Year vibes…”
While it was only a preseason game, the play was impressive and the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year was Milwaukee’s best defender when he was on the floor.
The eight-time All-Star was on top of every defensive assignment. He took on guards when forced to switch and protected the paint with gusto. Antetokounmpo even had to help Brook Lopez cover Anthony Davis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was all over the floor and his older brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, noticed that. The NBA regular season, an 82-game grind, is punishing. It remains to be seen if the All-Star forward can sustain that effort to contend for the DPOY award again.
Anthony Davis blocked Giannis Antetokounmpo early in the Lakers-Bucks showdown
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is hyping up his younger brother Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contention for the DPOY award. Anthony Davis might have something to say about that following an impressive play early in the first quarter against the Bucks.
Milwaukee’s MVP tried to drive past AD, who swatted the shot off the backcourt. The Lakers sprinted to the other end of the court to take advantage of Davis’ rejection. Rui Hachimura finished the play with an emphatic slam on the other end.
Davis was just as impactful defensively as Antetokounmpo in the game. The Lakers big man had three blocks, the most in the game, and altered a handful of shots at the rim.
