Brace yourselves, because panic mode is setting in for the Milwaukee Bucks. What was expected to be an evenly matched series between Giannis Antetokounmpo’s squad and the Tyrese Haliburton-led Indiana Pacers has turned out anything but that, as the Pacers have now also won Game 2 of the first round of the ongoing Playoffs. Under such circumstances, no one can blame the ‘Greek Freak’ for getting frustrated with his team’s progress. Going on a 0-2 record has now caused Giannis to display his disappointment even off the court. However, the manner in which he chose to do so may get him into additional trouble.
In the aftermath of the Game 2 loss, Giannis Antetokounmpo, discussing the upcoming matchups, did not hold back in his use of profanity when he stated, “My mindset right now is Game 3. I know the f****** deal man. I just know the deal. I know what I gotta do,” in the presser.
As for the 0-2 record, all that the 30-year-old had to say was, “It’s not something that you have to panic, but also it’s not something that you have to be loose. It’s life or death. It’s life or death. That’s how it is for me.” Saying that one should not ‘panic’ while also calling it a ‘life or death’ situation is a sort of mixed bag. As Robin Scherbatsky would say, “Which one? I can’t do both”.
Giannis Antetokounmpo:
“My mindset right now is Game 3. I know the f****** deal man. I just know the deal. I know what I gotta do”
h/t @ohnohedidnt24
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) April 23, 2025
The passion with which Giannis Antetokounmpo highlighted his will to win in Game 3 speaks well for him. However, the NBA management might disagree because of the profanity he used in his remarks. After all, the league has seldom taken the usage of swear words lightly, even in post-game interviews. It was only a few months ago, back in January to be exact, when Houston Rockets star Dillion Brooks was fined $25,000 for using profane language during a live television interview after his team’s 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Knowing Dillon Brooks, using bad language after the game isn’t the worst thing he has done.
Before that, in December, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards was also fined $25,000 “for using profane language during a media interview”. That same month, after losing to the Warriors, Edwards famously criticized the referees by stating, “They’re f***ing terrible”, and “That s*** was terrible”. He received another $75,000 fine “for public criticism of officiating and using inappropriate and profane language” with the media during the post-game period. In fact, the use of back-to-back curse words, at one point, got Edwards his biggest fine of the season: $100,000!
Given all of this, you would think that Giannis Antetokounmpo would not wish to get into trouble with the league. Unfortunately, through his recent remarks, he has now put himself in danger of losing some major ‘dinero’. However, paying a $25,000 fine would be the least of Giannis’ worries at the moment (I mean, $93.8 million net worth, folks). So, no. His current predicament revolves around ensuring that another chance of securing a championship title does not slip from his hands.
If Giannis is being strict with the locker room, then he has a good reason for doing so. After all, the Greek-Nigerian forward did his part in both playoff games. He averaged 35.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. However, the lack of a strong offensive presence in Game 1, with AJ Green being the only other player scoring 15 points or above, left the ‘Greek Freak’ without support.
In Game 2, Damian Lillard was back in the lineup amidst his ongoing issues with DVT. However, the Pacers affected the Bucks’ confidence right from the start. Kuzma missed two layups, Lopez missed one, and the Pacers went down and scored eight straight points to go up 8-0. Indiana never trailed after that start. Even with Bobby Portis Jr. and Damian Lillard contributing 28 and 14 points, respectively, Giannis knew that the efforts were simply not enough.
In light of this, Antetokounmpo hopes that his stern message changes things. If not, then the player might have to finally take his chances with another team that could help earn him a second championship ring. While any team would be willing to accept Giannis, one in particular has already lined itself up at the front.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo go to the Brooklyn Nets?
New York Post journalist Brian Lewis recently put out a major report. According to it, “Multiple league personnel that have spoken with The Post”, saying that “Giannis Antetokounmpo has been and remains Plan A for the Nets”. Lewis further highlighted that if Giannis is traded to another team, GM Sean Marks will simply tank for another year. In that time, he will build through the lottery. Either way, the Nets will be after Giannis as if they are Gollum, and he is the ‘One Ring To Rule Them All’. Yes, I am a geek. Bear with me.
As per NBC Sports, league sources have revealed that the Bucks will not trade Giannis Antetokounmpo “unless he demands it”. The Milwaukee Bucks, after all, would not want to trade their star player if they could help it. No one wants to take the lead role in Nico Harrison Part 2.
Giannis, for his part, has not requested a trade. If it indeed was in his mind, he wouldn’t have signed a contract extension with the Bucks a year ago. That too, a contract that pays $186 million over 3 years! Then again, he also would have thought, when signing the deal, that he could lead the Bucks to at least the Finals. Instead, the team is now in danger of getting eliminated in the playoffs’ first round!
Apr 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets ready to play the New Orleans Pelicans at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
By pairing Giannis with Nic Claxton in the frontcourt, and under Jordi Fernandez’s tutelage, the Brooklyn Nets could emerge as an Eastern Conference contender as soon as next season. Plus, going into the next season, the Nets have one of the biggest cap spaces available. This is thanks to Ben Simmons’ big $41 million set to expire soon. All of this stands out as enticing offers for Giannis.
In the end, it depends on just how much frustrated he gets with the Milwaukee Bucks squad.
The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Risks Severe NBA Fine as Bucks Locker Room Receives Stern Message After Game 2 Loss appeared first on EssentiallySports.