"The referee needs to protect Giannis Antetokounmpo"
As a person who is not too loud in the media, especially when it comes to referees, but Milwaukee Bucks head coach - Mr. Mike Budenholzer - could no longer keep his composure at the last press conference.
Coach Budenholzer urged reporters to speak out to bring protection to Giannis Antetokounmpo, especially towards the referees who administer the match.
“The collision in Philadelphia was a rough situation and the impact was very strong, but then the refs did not consider it a rough foul. Another team did the same thing today with my player," the Milwaukee Bucks captain said.
“I think every time Giannis is fouled, the referees and the league officials need to take a look. There is a need for deterrence because these are dangerous and violent foul situations.
And it's not just Giannis, any player receiving such contact needs to be protected. The referee and the league need to protect Giannis Antetokounmpo.”
On November 19 when the Bucks faced the 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo received a very dangerous save from Joel Embiid. By this morning's match against the Portland Trail Blazers, "demigod" once again became the victim of strong collisions.
Giannis in an attempt to pass was illegally blocked by Jerami Grant causing him to lose his balance. While he was falling to the field, another Portland player intending to catch Antetokounmpo accidentally strangled the Milwaukee Bucks star.
Both actions were unintentional, but it made Giannis once again the victim of strong collision situations in the game.
The referees went to the technical table and reviewed the situation. However, they decided it was just a normal foul. This angered the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff.
“They were hugging my player, there was a bump to the head, an accidental blow to the center of the forehead. Looking directly at the situation on the pitch, I can also see it is a rough foul, I don't understand why the referee with so many slow-motion angles doesn't think so," coach Mike Budenholzer for the second time. continued talking about the referee at the press conference.
"When you're not aiming for the ball and you're hitting the opponent's head, not to mention here there's a body-and-neck hug. That's not basketball. It was a gross foul.”
As for "victim" Giannis Antetokounmpo, he knew he was always at the center of collisions due to his muscular style, so he didn't put too much emphasis on being "taken care of" by the opponent with fouls. rough fouls, especially in the last two games.
“To be honest, I took a lot of painful shots, but the important thing is that I always get up and try to keep playing. After all, this is basketball and it is a contact sport. I like to collide, I like to put myself in danger because that's the fun of this sport, "said Giannis.
"I don't blame the referee or the player. The referee does their job, and the opponent, like me, wants to win. Everyone is on fire with basketball, that's enough
I may get hurt and hit a lot, but it won't stop me from getting up and continuing to fight," the Milwaukee Bucks star added.
