Giannis Antetokounmpo could have spoken out directly Friday about James Harden denigrating his game. He didn't.
Antetokounmpo's game, on the other hand, had a lot to say.
The summary: 32 points, 13 rebounds (11 defensive) and six assists in 27 minutes for the Bucks against a Thunder team that had won five in a row and 14 of its last 17. Giannis sat the final 14 minutes as his squad completed a 133-86 victory.
The Greek Freak does it again:
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 29, 2020
32 PTS | 13 REB | 6 AST | 27 MIN pic.twitter.com/0XxBn2R9fD
Antetokounmpo scored most of his points near the rim, because why wouldn't someone 6-11 with a nose for the goal score from there, but there were also two 3-pointers, which gave him 79 for the season. They were reminders, whether intentional or not, to Harden and everyone else that he's more than just a dunker and that he does have some skill.
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Before all that, Antetokounmpo tried to lower the heat on whatever is simmering between the two superstars. He looked to downplay his wisecrack at the All-Star Draft about wanting to play with someone who would pass the ball. He maintained he's not in a "back-and-forth" with Harden.
"I'm not that type of guy," he told ESPN. "I've never tried to take stabs at somebody. Maybe sometimes (it) might come out like that, but ... I'm just trying to do my job, which is win games and go back home to my family and my kid. At the end of the day, if that's what he believes, that's what he believes."
"There's not back and forth. ... At the end of the day, if that's what [James Harden] believes, that's what he believes."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 29, 2020
—Giannis Antetokounmpo on James Harden's comments about him pic.twitter.com/92XoqMxeGU
His postgame comments were more interesting.
Antetokounmpo insisted his game is "not just power" and listed ways he's attempting to hone his skills.
"I try to work on my game — midrange shots, 3s, being able to screen-and-roll faster, make the right pass. It's hard to drive full speed and try to make the right pass to the corner. Trying to get my passing more accurate and there's a lot of things I'm still adding," he told reporters, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"Hopefully, when I add all those things to my game, I'm a more complete player and I can help my team win games easier."
Milwaukee has had no trouble winning this season; it's 51-8 and has already qualified for the playoffs. Expect Giannis and Co. to be intent on grabbing another W when they play the Rockets for the final time in the regular season on March 25.
If a more complete version of Antetokounmpo shows up for that game, then expect him to make a more comprehensive statement.
