By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron, 184-175, behind Jayson Tatum pouring a record-breaking 55 points.
Giannis Antetokounmpo selected the members of his team, but only played 20 seconds in Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City Sunday. Hurting his right wrist in the last game before the All-Star break, he is expected to undergo further testing in New York.
“Taking it day by day, try to get healthy,” the Freak commented on his injury and opting to restrict active participation in the All-Star Game, “Obviously, I had the incident three days ago. I don’t think it’s smart in any way to, you know, play a lot of minutes in the All-Star Game.”
The X-rays after the early exit against the Chicago Bulls came back clean. Resuming the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season with a back-to-back at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks are set to play hosts to Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Giannis might end up sidelined, depending on upcoming tests.
Despite being limited to 20 seconds, Antetokounmpo sneaked in two points with his only shot. His general manager duties, specifically shaping Team Giannis were the main job and successful. More of the same earlier in the All-Star weekend in helping coach Team Wade in the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
“I can be, like, Gregg Popovich, be the GM and the coach,” he made a reference to the San Antonio Spurs boss, “I don’t know. I just take it a day at a time, but I’m just happy that we were able to get a win, and I got one against LeBron, so I’m happy. I’m happy about that.”
New All-Star Game record
Tatum, 24, was determined not to leave the All-Star Game empty-handed and instead set a new scoring record, naturally corresponding to becoming the MVP, renamed NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player in honor of four-time winner Kobe Bryant.
“One of the best players in the league. Capable scorer. Like he showed it tonight,” Antetokounmpo proudly explained picking the Boston Celtics superstar for Team Giannis, “I knew he was going to play hard and take it serious, so it was a no-brainer.”
Sinking a free throw late in the fourth quarter broke the record set by Anthony Davis with 52 points in 2017.
“I found out midway through the fourth,” said Tatum on chasing the all-time high, “I remember running down the court. One of my assistant coaches told me. Then Dame — I think I had, like, 49, and Dame was, like, The record is 52, go get it. I was, like, all right, I’m going to go get it.”
“It’s extremely special for me,” he added on winning the Kobe Bryant MVP award as a long-time fan of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him. I remember telling myself that day that I’ve got to get one of those before I get done. To be able to wear my signature shoe today and break the record and take home this award of somebody that I idolized, it’s a hell of a day.”
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