Giannis Antetokounmpo will return to the Bucks‘ lineup tonight against Golden State after missing Monday’s game with left Achilles tendinitis, tweets Jim Owczarski of The Journal-Sentinel. Coach Doc Rivers confirmed Antetokounmpo’s status after watching him go through his pre-game warmup.
In a full story by Owczarski, Antetokounmpo talks about the career breakthrough he was able to make when he learned to “get over” himself and accept that his performance doesn’t always have to be the difference between winning and losing. Antetokounmpo adds that he feels like this is the most mature he has been since he entered the NBA.
“I’m able to get to my spot better and execute. And if the ball doesn’t go in, I’m OK with it,” he said. “I think it’s called abundance mentality. I know what I’ve done in the past and that gives me like, confidence, and I’m able to go out there and execute without thinking, not having self-doubts about myself or think I’m not good enough. Kind of like being OK with me. So, that allows me to play good basketball. Mentally, I’m in a very good place.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Bulls guard Coby White has emerged as one of the top candidates for Most Improved Player, notes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. White scored 37 points in a comeback victory Monday at Sacramento — the seventh time this season he has reached the 30-point mark. “It would mean a lot to me,” he said of the award. “Just to show the progress I’ve made and to set the example to younger guys around the NBA that people can count you out and say what you want about you. But as long as you stay true to who you are, keep working and stay humble throughout, things can come your way.”
- Bulls wing Torrey Craig is getting close to returning from a sprained right knee that has kept him out of action since the All-Star break, Johnson tweets. Coach Billy Donovan told reporters, “There’s some optimism he could play tomorrow (at Golden State).”
- Dean Wade‘s 20-point explosion in the fourth quarter against Boston on Tuesday showed why the Cavaliers were willing to give him a three-year extension and part with Kevin Love last season, states Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. Wade’s production will become more important while Evan Mobley is sidelined with a sprained left ankle.
I love Dean Wade. Especially the way he plays defense. That said phasing out Kevin Love last season was a mistake. Love’s rebounding and 3 point shooting were sorely missed in the Cavaliers playoff loss to the Knicks. Having both Love and Wade available last April would have made a large difference depth wise. It could have prevented them from being bullied on the boards and falling behind whenever the starters had to rest. The Cavaliers defense showed up in that series. They kept the Knicks offense from scoring. They however had trouble scoring themselves. Partially because they were so heavily out rebounded. Partially because they needed more 3 point shooting to unclog the paint. Love would have been a huge help in both areas.
This 100%. The thing people don’t get about Wade is that he’s a wing who plays the 4, not a big man who plays the 4 like Love is. Wade has the height and the defense to guard 4s, but he’s not especially strong or physical and can’t really push guys out of the way to get to his spots for boards or buckets. He’s more of a prototypical 3 who just guards bigger guys.
I love Wade to death and when he’s aggressive he’s huge for this team, but there is a *reason* we had both him and Love, and why we still miss the latter.
Wade defends like a power forward but rebounds like a wing.In some ways he is a tall wing but he doesn’t run like a wing. The Mobley Brothers run like wings. But only Isaiah shoots like one. I wish JB saw Isaiah as more than a babysitting job to keep Evan happy. We could really use a guy with Isaiah’s skills while Evan is sidelined.
Coby is definitely the most deserving of the MIP, he has turned the Bulls season (and future) around.
For sure. I feel like his trajectory embodies what MIP should be about, guys like maxey and sengun were already good enough last year to where their progression this year was more expected. Wouldn’t be mad if any of them win it tho