Giannis Calls Out Team for Critical Mistake During Loss to Kings

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been incredible this season. Through five games, he is averaging career highs in points, assists, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage. He is averaging 34.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. 

The Bucks have faced multiple injuries early in the season, and they are still 4-2, good for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Of course, the Bucks’ success is primarily behind the stellar play and leadership of Giannis, but the Bucks' supporting cast has surprised with quality play as well. 

One of those surprises has been Cole Anthony. Anthony slid into an important role at guard after Kevin Porter Jr. got injured at the very beginning of the season. He’s been an impact player for the Bucks after the last few games, but wasn’t able to help much in the Bucks’ loss to the Kings on Saturday. 

Anthony was ejected after playing just 13 minutes and receiving two technical fouls. 

Giannis spoke about the impact of that mistake in his post-game comments. 

"That definitely hurt the team. We, as a team, have to be smarter, not just Cole. We gotta pull him away from the ref before. When he has his first one, we gotta talk to him to kind of calm down and don't get your second one because we need you in the game. (Porter) is not playing, like, we need you in the game. You gotta stay locked in.”

Giannis makes it clear that, of course, Anthony needs to take responsibility for his actions, but that the Bucks could have helped him avoid that situation. Anthony’s presence was missed and the Bucks narrowly lost the game. Hopefully, he and the team will learn from this experience and take the loss as an opportunity to grow.