Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't here to make friends; he’s here to save the Milwaukee Bucks' season. In his return from an eight-game absence due to a calf injury on Saturday, the “Greek Freak” made a loud statement, literally and figuratively.
Late in the Bucks' 112-103 victory over the Chicago Bulls, with the game already decided, Giannis ignored the unwritten rule of dribbling out the clock. Instead, he soared for a thunderous windmill dunk, drawing the ire of Bulls players and fans alike at the United Center.
But if you ask Giannis, sportsmanship takes a backseat when you are fighting for survival. According to ESPN's Jamal Collier, Antetokounmpo was unapologetic about the exclamation point. “We're 11th in the East… Got to keep finding an identity,” Giannis said. “If that's to get a little bit scrappy at the end, so be it. We're not the champs. Why should we play the clock out, have respect, and fair play? We're fighting for our lives right now.”
The two-time MVP backed up his attitude with production, dropping 29 points and grabbing eight rebounds in 25 minutes of action. His presence sparked a much-needed win for Milwaukee (13-19), snapping the Bulls' five-game winning streak.
Ryan Rollins also stepped up with 20 points, but the night belonged to Giannis and his refusal to go quietly. He made it clear that if a windmill dunk is what it takes to wake his team up, he’ll do it every time. With the season slipping away, the Bucks are officially in desperation mode, and they don't care who gets offended along the way.
