Taking your ball and going home is never a popular move. This phrase garners new meaning after Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s record-breaking NBA game against the Indiana Pacers. Without mincing words, Stephen A. Smith analyzed the issue behind Antetokounmpo’s game ball and went straight into what happened in the aftermath of his astonishing feat.
All the controversy of last night stems from Giannis somehow being denied the game ball despite his historic performance. The game ball was instead taken by the Pacers and given to the rookie on their team who scored his first points. Stephen A. Smith made his thoughts clear on what transpired.
Stephen A. Smith cracked the code on the Giannis Antetokounmpo Game Ball Controversy
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Antetokounmpo broke the Bucks’ single-game scoring record by scoring 64 points in a Milwaukee 140-126 triumph against Indiana that surpassed Michael Redd’s previous record of 57 points. The game, however, had its unsavoury moments as evidenced by the fourth quarter incident when Aaron Nesmith hard blocked Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Breaking down the Giannis game ball nonsense pic.twitter.com/VRx7tq4TNv
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 15, 2023
In the post-game drama, Stephen A. Smith could not believe that the Pacers would do what they did. According to him, “The whole Giannis Antetokounmpo story that took place in Milwaukee last night, to me, is a silly story, however, it was made silly by the Indiana Pacers. Giannis dropped 64 points last night. A career high. And after the game essentially he’s looking for the game ball.”
He continued, “The Pacers took it, and according to Rick Carlisle, The Pacers did take the game ball. They wanted it for their rookie and he scored the first NBA points of his career. That might be the stupidest lie I’ve heard in the history of basketball.”
His skepticism was because he had covered the NBA for decades and the argument that it was illogical to take the game ball following a loss to commemorate a rookie’s achievement. This whole debacle left the Greek Freak irrate as he was seen sprinting into the back in pursuit of the game ball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Did Giannis Antetokounmpo Finally Lay Claim to the Game Ball?
After the heated post-game skirmish over the coveted game ball, the burning question remains: So, did Giannis Antetokounmpo seize it? In post-game chaos and with contradictory stories, the answer lies out. Antetokounmpo himself questioned the integrity of the ball he received in the press conference after the game.
A cloud of uncertainty, which made the story even more strange, surrounded the mysterious and much-prized object. On the other hand, Coach Carlisle admitted that there were several game balls, maintaining that his team only took one.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This leaves an interesting question to add to the thrilling story of the NBA as the dust settles. The Milwaukee Bucks are dominating the NBA central division with a record 17-7 record, leaving fans wondering what happened to such a great symbol of history.