MILWAUKEE (USA) - There are only two such monster clashes in the NBA regular season: The Greek Freak vs. The Joker. A battle of MVPs, a duel of European greats.
Last night, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Denver Nuggets 121-112.
Giannis?
28 points ✅
Season-high 19 rebounds ✅
7 assists ✅
The win ✅
Jokic?
32 points (13-16 shooting) ✅
14 rebounds ✅
10 assists ✅
27th triple-double of the season ✅
Is it that simple? Giannis won the bout - an NBA version of a 1v1?
"To guard a player like that, it's a team effort," answered Giannis Antetokounmpo with the media after the game. "I am not going to explain our game plan on him, but we were trying to be as physical as possible with him."
To guard a player like Jokic, it's a team effort
"Starting with Brook (Lopez), but whenever he got to the paint, we tried to show bodies, have our hands up, crowd the paint as much as we can and just make him keep on making plays, keep on making decisions, which he’s one of the best decision makers in the league, but just gotta keep on making it tough on him and just give him give him different looks and hope by the end of the night you're the one with the 'W' and not their team."
Giannis knows exactly what it's like to be on the other side of this defensive scheme. Every summer, he faces the same treatment from teams playing against Greece. He was asked about it during the press conference.
"I've said it. Nobody listens to me. Nobody listens to the Greek-Nigerian kid from Greece because he doesn’t know what he is talking about," he smiled. Giannis essentially said the same thing during media day before the start of the NBA season. And we've listened to you carefully, Mr. Antetokounmpo.
"I've said anybody that plays FIBA basketball usually comes in the NBA season, and it’s easier for him. The spacing is easier for him. It's more possession. It might be even less physical, to be honest with you."
"It's harder to play in Europe than it is in the NBA. There is more space, you can operate easier here. And when you get used to playing with that type of space and with that type of… because there is more strategy, it is a slower pace, it's less possession. And if you're able to be effective there, then you come here and it's… I don't want to disrespect anybody, but it's not easier with the players, the talent level is higher, but the way you operate and the reach are easier, because there is more space."
FIBA