By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A block on LeBron James highlighted the efforts of Giannis Antetokounmpo in his first appearance in the 2024 NBA Preseason on Thursday.
Lasting nearly 20 minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks in a loss, 107-102, to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Greek Freak finished with 20 points behind 10/18 two-pointers, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in Fiserv Forum.
“You are you who are and that is what makes him great,” Bucks head coach Doc Rivers described the Greek international putting in the extra effort to block James in the second quarter, “That is what makes all these players great is they just play. Those guys do not think about it because that is how they play.”
Freakish rejection. https://t.co/w6ksMkvoGz pic.twitter.com/sv8tm4kmvc
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) October 11, 2024
The 29-year-old big, a Finals MVP in the 2020-21 season championship run, last played for the Milwaukee organization on April 9. A calf strain forced a premature ending to his 2023-24 campaign. However, he represented Greece during the offseason, powering the senior national team of his country in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Latvian center Anzejs Pasecniks tallied four points, two assists, and two rebounds over ten minutes opposite the Lakers. Staying in Milwaukee, the Bucks host the Chicago Bulls to resume preseason action on Monday.
French Armel Traore had four points and four rebounds in nine minutes for the team coached by JJ Redick. The Lakers will face the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
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