He is used to playing a role at forward, but Giannis Antetokounmpo will start at point guard tonight in the latest Milwaukee Bucks’ pre-season clash.
ANTETOKOUNMPO TO START AT PG FOR BUCKS
Whether this is a bit of fun or a real experiment, Bucks coach Giannis Antetokounmpo has announced that the Greek international will start at point guard for Milwaukee’s pre-season game with Cleveland on Tuesday.
There were brief times during the FIBA World Cup where the young Greek forward did bring the ball up at times and looked comfortable and secure doing so.
Kidd announced his starting five as: Antetokounmpo at the point guard, Khris as shooting guard along with Jabari Parker, Ersan Ilyasova and Zaza Pachulia.
WESTBROOK: KD’S ABSENCE WON’T ALTER ROLE
It’s business as usual for Russell Westbrook. I mean, Kevin Durant survived with him last season, why can’t the roles be reversed?
Because in Westbrook’s absence, there was talented Reggie Jackson filling in – there is no replacing KD. Not one.
But Westbrook is adamant that there are no changes.
Via ESPN:
“It’s not about me. It’s about our team. I can’t win games by myself. I can’t do anything by myself,” Westbrook said Monday. “I kind of want to take the attention off me and put it more on the team. Everybody keeps asking what I’m going to do and how I’m going to change. I think it’s more about our team and what we can do.”
Durant will be sidelined for at least six to eight weeks because of a Jones fracture in his right foot. The league’s reigning MVP alerted the team Saturday of some aching in his foot, and after X-rays, it was discovered he had a small broken bone at the base of the small toe.
The Thunder will be missing a player who led the league in scoring last season with 32 points per game, while averaging 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. As Thunder coach Scott Brooks said, there’s no replacing Durant on the floor, but all the Thunder are aiming for is to attempt to keep their heads above water.
“One of the things I’m smart enough to realize is we’re not going to replace Kevin’s offensive efficiency, his scoring, his playmaking, his defense,” Brooks said. “But what we can do as a group is get better, so that when he does come back, when he’s ready to come back, we can be a better team.”
Westbrook, who missed 36 games last season himself because of complications stemming from a 2013 procedure to repair a torn meniscus, said he understands entirely what Durant is feeling.
“If anybody knows what it feels like, I would know,” Westbrook said. “I talked to Kevin; he’s in good spirits. He’s going to get back as soon as he can to help us out.”