For Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 65-game rule leaves too little room for error

Giannis Antetokounmpo will they be in the running for trophies at the end of the season? Nothing is less certain. A calf injury sidelined him for several weeks in December. Therefore, it is not certain that we will be able to reach this famous quota of 65 matches played, which allows players to be eligible.

The rule that, according to the Bucks starnot easy to follow. ” I will be honest with you. In 13 years in this league, I think I played 65 games every year. I’ll keep trying. I think I will play another 65 games, but it is difficult. It’s hard when you want to be a great player, help your team go far in the playoffs, and then come back and play 65 games again », testifies to the order of the seasons.

During his first six years in the big leagues, it was not difficult for the Greek to surpass the mark of 70 games per regular season. His playing frequency subsequently declined slightly, also due to shortened seasons with Covid, falling below 65 games played on several occasions. But at a time when the rule of the last years was not yet in force.

« I was selected to the league’s best teams (All-NBA) for the last nine consecutive years – including seven times in the top five. It’s hard to be regular. Simply imposing this rule gives you no respite. The margin for error is small: all it takes is one injury and you’re out of the race. I might not make it », continues Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has already missed 14 games this season.

Many stars have already dropped out of the race

Four more missed matches and mathematically he will no longer be able to be in the race for trophies. “(Nikola) Jokić may not succeed. LeBron (James) it won’t work. Wembi (Victor Vembanyama) it might not even work “, he states, referring to the stars of the Nuggets, Lakers and Spurs.

The former, who with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a big favorite for the new MVP title, is still in the running, with only 8 missed games. But a knee injury that will keep him out for another two weeks should disqualify him. Victor Vembanyama is in the same configuration as the Greek (26 matches played out of 40), also with question about his playing time.

LeBron James is almost certain to be out of the race having already missed 17 games. Therefore, at his age (41), he would have to play all 44 remaining matches in his training. And that’s while the Lakers remain very cautious with him during the back-to-back.

So many paths that Giannis Antetokounmpo ends up taking lightly: “ At first I was all for it because it could benefit me, but as I get older, I say, ‘Ah, take that away, take that rule away!’ But hey, these are the rules and you have to live with them. Who will be right in the end, only Shai? »

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.