Giannis Antetokounmpo gives savage reaction to Milwaukee Bucks’ return to full strength: "How many points we scored today, 150?"
Giannis Antetokounmpo put the league on notice, issuing a savage reaction to the Milwaukee Bucks returning to full strength for the first time in 280 days. The Bucks were 100% healthy last during their 114-111 Game 2 loss in the first round of the 2022 playoffs against the Chicago Bulls.
The Bucks saw All-Star forward Khris Middleton go down with a sprained MCL. That hampered the team's chances of defending their title as they lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the second round. The Bucks had all their players available during their 150-130 blowout win over the lowly Detroit Pistons on Monday (Jan. 23).
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was himself returning from a five-game absence due to a knee injury, reflected on the team's chances of dominating opponents when healthy (via Milwaukee Bucks YouTube):
"Our team is like packed. There is no seat to sit on the bench. Sometimes you have to sit on the floor, sometimes you have to stand... Just look down at our team and damn, I'm like 'we're good,' as long as healthy, we have a chance."
After learning that the Bucks were 100% healthy after 280 days, Giannis Antetokounmpo said:
"How many points we scored today, 150? That does't mean we're going to score 150 points every single night but once we're in full strength like this team is really good. There's a lot of threats out there."
The Milwaukee Bucks have one of the most stacked rosters in the NBA. From boasting knockdown 3-point shooters to excellent wing defenders and rim protectors, with a superstar like Giannis Antetokounnpo, the Bucks cause problems in every facet of the game.
Despite their health issues, they have stayed afloat with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference (30-17).
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee Bucks decimate Detroit Pistons with a fully fit roster
Milwaukee Bucks All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton returned to the lineup against the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The former had missed five games, while the latter had been out for the past 18 games. Antetokounmpo seemed to have made the most of his recovery duration as he went all guns blazing from the get-go.
The "Greek Freak" bagged 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter, shooting 8-of-8 from the field. He also had seven attempts from the free-throw line, displaying his aggression early in the game. The Bucks were three points shy of breaking the Golden State Warriors' NBA record of most points in the first quarter after taking a 49-24 lead into the second.
The Bucks bagged another 100 points across the next three quarters to seal a 150-130 win. Coach Mike Budenholzer restricted Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton's minutes. The former played 24 minutes, while the latter bagged 15 off the bench. None of the starters touched the 30-minute mark.
The Bucks used 14 players in the rotation after putting themselves in a comfortable position early on.