Giannis Antetokounmpo, an extra-terrestrial in his own right, called LeBron James “an alien” prior to their highly-anticipated showdown tonight in Milwaukee.
“It’s insane what he’s able to do but he’s LeBron James,” The Greek Freak said about LBJ, who’s turning 35 later this month and putting together a remarkable season.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Bucks are each 24-4, and both coming off losses.
Per The LA Times:
“Here we go again. … It’s not about the matchup, me going against LeBron. It’s about our team playing well, playing good basketball and going against the Lakers,” Antetokounmpo said Wednesday in Milwaukee when asked about his most-valuable-player potential.
It is the first time in NBA history that two teams with fewer than five losses have played each other this late in a season. This is only the fifth time that multiple teams have won 24 out of their first 28 games in the same season.
“Exceptional talent,” James said about Antetokounmpo. “His ability to rebound, push, pass, score, get downhill. Just puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He’s gotten better every single year that he’s been in the league. They’ve surrounded him with a lot of good pieces to help maximize his talent — more importantly. They’ve done a great job as far as the front office over there of bringing in guys that complement his game.”
The way he is playing in his 17th season has caused teammates and opponents alike to marvel.
“That’s crazy,” said Antetokounmpo, who turned 25 this month and is almost exactly 10 years younger than James. “It’s crazy. It’s insane. Obviously, for me that’s one of my goals, to be able to play at a high level for the next 10 years, but he’s about to turn 35 this month. He’s moving like that, playing like that. It’s insane. It’s insane what he’s able to do but he’s LeBron James. He’s different, he’s an alien so you expect it from him.”
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