"That guy was a bad mf'er" - Giannis Antetokounmpo gets honest on potentially winning $500,000 from NBA Cup victory
The stage is set for the second NBA In-Season Tournament Final on Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the NBA Cup. Each player of the winning team will receive $500,000, adding additional stakes to the matchup.
The Bucks took down the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 on Saturday night in the NBA Cup Semifinals to advance to the final, thanks to a 32-point performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ahead of Tuesday night's final, Antetokounmpo admitted the $500,000 reward isn't on his mind and told reporters he's looking to win for the younger players on the Bucks' roster.
"For me, I don't think, I try not to think about the money," Antetokounmpo said via NBA insider Brett Siegel. "I think about the money when we're talking about the young guys. Personally, I try not to think about the money, I think about the game. I don't play basketball, anymore, for the money."
Antetokounmpo also discussed the potential impact of $500,000 for some young players who are simply looking to take care of their families. He closed his comments by discussing the legacy he'd like to leave for his children and family to look back on.
"For me, it's [about] creating more art, creating more moments that I can remember, and creating more legacy for myself and something my kids can look back on and say, 'My dad was a bad mf'er when he used to play.'"
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks enter NBA Cup Final as underdog
Despite an impressive stretch from the Bucks, Milwaukee enters the In-Season Tournament Final as a 4.5-point underdog versus Oklahoma City. Milwaukee is in the midst of arguably their best stretch under Doc Rivers, winning 12 of their last 15 games.
The Bucks enter Tuesday's matchup with a 14-11 record and are looking to continue their hot streak with an NBA Cup banner after a 4-0 record in group play. Milwaukee is riding a three-game win streak coming into the In-Season Tournament Final and is led by led by their two-time MVP in Anteotkounmpo, who is in the mix to win his third with his stellar play through the first quarter of the season.
In 23 appearances so far this season, the "Greek Freak" is averaging the most points per game of any player in the league, notching 32.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 blocks per contest.
Do you think Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will win the NBA Cup this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.