Giannis Antetokounmpo “stole” the game ball from the Lakers rookie
An incredible streak at the end of the match between Bucks and Lakers. As Jared Vanderbilt prepared to quietly return to the locker room, game ball under his belt, referee Pat Fraher tried to steal it from him. A missed interception, initially for the official, the Lakers player didn’t want to let it go.
Only after a few seconds of the exchange, the Californian finally relented. This one wanted to give skin to his rookie teammate Adou Thierowho just scored his first major league run. “ I went to get the ball. Novak scored the first points. This is how it goes in the league », Vanderbilt saidthreatened… that the judge would sanction him at this point.
« He told me he would give me a report. I don’t know what he’s talking about. These judges, they just want to show that they have power or whatever. I don’t know what he was trying to do. It’s been around since before I was in the league. Is he going to take the ball home or what? », asks the California interior.
The fact remains that this funny episode did not end that way. Seeing the commotion at midcourt, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo intervened by taking the ball from the team stewards and giving it to his Lakers teammate, Luka Doncic. ” That shows a lot of class (from him),” comments Austin Reeves.
« I didn’t understand what was happening. I asked Thanasis (Antetokounmpo) and he explained to me: ‘They don’t give the ball to a rookie. I don’t know why.’ I don’t even know why they didn’t give him the ball. So I went and got it and handed it to the team », summarizes the Greek.
Big dunk for a good start
The latter was already involved in a similar situation two years ago. While he had just tied the Bucks record with 64 points, The Greek was twisted thinking the Pacers – whose rookie Oscar Chibwe scored his first league point – took the game ball.
Last night’s sequence ended more calmly, with Adou Thiero initially struggling to understand that this confusion concerned him. ” But I’m really grateful to this team. It shows how close we are and how much we want each other to succeed. », let the newbie godrafted by the Nets at No. 36 last June.
He has yet to step onto NBA courts due to knee surgery. In Milwaukee, he was able to play 5 minutes (4 points, 1 rebound), and above all, he stood out with a big dunk on the counterattack in the last moments of the match, on the serve of Brony James.
« When I knocked, I could hear them. It was quite difficult! Seeing everyone on the bench showing off their muscles, it was really nice to have everyone cheering for me “, reports the player released from Arkansas, coached by JJ Redick, who wants to play ” in the long run » with him, planned to send him to the floor for this match.
« Anyway, I’m glad he got it (match ball). He deserves it. Getting your first points in the NBA is a huge accomplishment, especially in a win », Vanderbilt terms.
2025-11-16 08:23:00
