Giannis Antetokounmpo pulled off a football move with an over-the-top celebration after scoring a clutch bucket, and Stephen A Smith is not happy.
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The Bucks emerged 109-105 victors in an overtime game against the East-leading Sixers on Wednesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo had a characteristic MVP-caliber night with a complete two-way performance for his team.
He finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 13-of-22 from the field. Giannis was especially effective in the second half as he led the Bucks out of an offensive funk. A stifling Sixers defense had held them to a season-low of 31 points in the first half.
As Giannis found his groove and his teammates began hitting their shots, the Bucks wrestled their way back. They were able to take a 93-90 lead with 2.8 seconds left in the game. But Furkan Korkmaz sent it to OT with a late 3-pointer off an inbounds play.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the floor in celebration, much to the ire of Stephen A Smith
Giannis made three consecutive shots to stretch Milwaukee’s lead to seven points. However, after hitting a 19-foot jumper, he celebrated by sitting on the court. That move didn’t sit well with Dwight Howard:
“I wanted to go and Stone Cold Stunner him, but I had already got one tech,” Howard said in his post-game press conference. “It’s basketball. He wanted to have fun, but we’ll see these guys again.”
Stephen A was pretty much in agreement with 2020 NBA champion as he took shots at Giannis for his playoff success, or lack thereof:
“This isn’t the sitting I want to talk about when it comes to the Greek Freak. I want to talk about how Giannis has been sitting at home, on his couch, the last two years in the playoffs when it really, really counted. Far earlier than he was supposed to be, by the way.”
“I want to talk about how Giannis has been sitting at home on his couch the last two years in the playoffs.”@stephenasmith on Giannis’ sitting celebration 😬 pic.twitter.com/72AeupUHvQ
— ESPN (@espn) March 18, 2021
“If Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t want people to complain about him sitting now, can’t be sitting when it matters most in the postseason. He’s got to handle his business.”
