Giannis Antetokounmpo needed only one game to answer Alperen Sengun’s claim that the Milwaukee Bucks star “lacks creativity.” Two days after Turkey eliminated Greece in the EuroBasket semifinals, the two-time NBA MVP carried his national team to the bronze medal and labeled the achievement the most significant of his career.
On-court reply
Facing Finland in Sunday’s third-place contest, Antetokounmpo piled up 30 points and 17 rebounds, giving Greece its first EuroBasket podium finish since 2009. The 28-year-old finished the tournament with averages of 27.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists over seven games.
Sengun’s criticism
After Turkey’s semifinal victory on Friday, Sengun told reporters Antetokounmpo was easier to guard because “he’s not creative.” Asked about the remark, the Greek star answered, “I don’t like to talk. I let my game talk. … You can go and check my clips on YouTube and then come back and ask me if I’m a good passer.”
Greece head coach Vassilis Spanoulis defended his player, calling Sengun “a very small kid to talk about Giannis.”
Defining the bronze
Antetokounmpo, who won an NBA championship with Milwaukee in 2021, said the EuroBasket bronze means more because of its national impact. “Winning an NBA championship is a huge accomplishment. Milwaukee is an incredible city, but it has 500,000 or 600,000 people,” he explained. “When you are able to make 12 million Greeks happy and inspire the next generation, I think it’s the biggest thing ever. It’s probably the best accomplishment I’ve had in my career.”
Source: Hoops Wire
