Gilbert Arenas calls OKC Thunder 'stupid' for not exploiting Giannis Antetokounmpo's foul trouble during NBA Cup Final
The Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Cup after an undefeated run during the second-ever In-Season Tournament, topping the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 on Tuesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 26 points, but some felt the Thunder could have attacked the two-time MVP, who was in foul trouble throughout the game.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas had strong words for Oklahoma City's offensive game plan versus Milwaukee. On Thursday afternoon, Arenas went in on the Thunder in an episode of his podcast, Gil's Arena.
"All y'all new coaches, y'all stupid," Arenas said, referring to Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. "When it comes to understanding the game, the gray area, you're stupid because (Giannis Antetokounmpo) had three fouls at the top of the second quarter and he finished with three fouls."
Arenas took issue with Oklahoma City shying away from driving the ball inside and potentially forcing Antetokounmpo to foul out of the game.
"(He's) going to try and block every shot, he's going to try and play defense, and you literally let him finish the game with three fouls."
Giannis Antetokounmpo shines in NBA Cup Final
As previously mentioned, Giannis Antetokounmpo finished the NBA Cup Final with a game-high 26 points, but his impact ran much deeper than scoring.
The eight-time All-Star was efficient in his 26-point showing, making 10-of-19 shots from the field. He also recorded game-highs in rebounds and assists, grabbing an eye-popping 19 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists to finish with a triple-double in the win.
It was Antetokounmpo's fourth triple-double of the season, which helped propel the Bucks to their first NBA Cup and their fourth consecutive win.
So far this season, the Bucks superstar is averaging a league-leading 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.
Thanks to Antetokounmpo's MVP-caliber play, Milwaukee has won 13 of its last 16 games and is 14-11 after a 2-8 start to the season. With the win over Oklahoma City, the Bucks are in sole possession of the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, entering a matchup versus the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.