Giannis Antetokounmpo’s slowness in free throws annoys everyone

On Monday, Mark Cuban revealed thathe had called the NBA to complain about the slowness of Giannis Antetokounmpo in free throws. Each player has the right to 10 seconds to shoot his shot, but the Greek, like Rafael Nadal before serving, likes to take his time, and he is always on the verge of violation.

What annoys Mark Cuban even more is that the Mavericks had lost a point against the Bucks, and in this meeting, Giannis had taken 12 seconds to shoot one of his shots. On November 25, during the first confrontation between the Bucks and the Mavs, Jason Kidd had already complained about it.

“They are not going to whistle the 10 seconds… Already they are not whistling the walkers, how do you expect them to whistle the 10 seconds? This is the NBA…” sighed the Mavericks coach. “We don’t need to pay attention to it. It’s just a regular season game. »

Russell Westbrook counts out loud

A week later, rebelote, and this time, it is the Lakers who get annoyed. Specifically Russell Westbrook. “Seriously, it took 12 seconds! » he had launched to a referee. As the latter had not flinched, Russell Westbrook had begun to count aloud, and a few minutes later, on another throw, Giannis had received his first penalty of the season on free throws. “I felt supported, and it’s good that they pay attention to it” had reacted the leader after the match.

Since then, indeed, the referees have Giannis in the eye, or rather on the clock, and against the Magic, he was sanctioned twice. Same thing tonight against the Warriors. Remember, that each violation is transformed into a missed free throw…

“He is aware of it” replies Mike Budenholzer to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We had a brief discussion. He must have routines and keep them. I think overall he is in a good position. It just needs to be reduced a bit. »

Also a way to rest

The daily reports that at the start of the season, the double MVP took 8 to 9 seconds to shoot, and in the first twelve games, he was less than 60% in free throws. Then he decided to take even longer, largely flirting with 10, 11, even 12 seconds, and he gained 10 skill points to flirt with 70% in December. Knowing that this correct percentage is therefore weighed down by violations of the 10 seconds.

“I recognize it, I take responsibility for it and I assume it because it is the only way to improve myself, and to try to do better”replied Giannis. “Sometimes I’m not going to lie, I get so tired I take a few extra seconds to rest because I’ve just been coming all the way up the court, creating for my teammates, getting the rebound, trying to counter and to go to the circle. So sometimes I take a few extra seconds on throws. In the end, if I’m whistled for a 10-second violation, I respect it. I’m going to give them the ball back, try to get back to the throws, and this time shoot in under 10 seconds. »

One thing is certain, after the victory against the Warriors, he preferred to be ironic: “I’m not going to change, and I’m going to keep my routine. I’m just going to try to shoot in 9 and a half seconds, not 10.”