Giannis Thread - "The Finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks"

[CharityStripe34]

Greece win their first friendly against Belgium 74-60. Giannis did not play but was on the bench.

Looking like it will take a superhuman effort from Giannis for Greece to make a deep run this EuroBasket. They have a couple solid players in Mitoglu/Dorsey. Some vets who can still play but their age is starting to show in Sloukas/Papanikolaou. Larentzakis and Toliopoulos can shoot and have shown up in big moments. But overall the talent and depth on the team is quite poor and they really are lacking in shooters.

Good to see Thanasis playing again. Honestly looks like he's recovered well from the achilles injury. Same player as always, not very skilled, not very good at basketball but he's athletic and plays hard as hell. Kostas Antetokounmpo could make an impact too as the 3rd big (big man depth being something this roster really lacks).

Panagiotis Kalaitzakis (twin brother of Bucks 2021 draft pick Georgios Kalaitzakis) is also on the team.

This isn't a very deep year for EuroBasket teams in general though. Serbia will be an absolute powerhouse and has to be the favorite led by Jokic and a roster filled with quality NBA and Euroleague players. Germany will be a very tough out and have had the Greeks number for years now. France, Turkey, Latvia, and Spain are all talented and could pose a threat. The Greeks have a very real chance to medal although it might rely on them avoiding Serbia and to a lesser extent Germany early in the knockouts.

Yeah, much has also been made about Rogavopoulos and Papagiannis snubbing their invitations due to friction with Spanoulis.

Honestly, I prefer Sloukas and Dorsey flanking Giannis on the perimeter as opposed to Calathes and Walkup, who were poor shooters despite being good defenders.

[Sigra]

[x]

Read on Twitter

[/x]

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has yet to begin his preparations for the Euro 2020 (August 27-September 14) with Greece. A default on his insurance payments could explain his absence from the field.

The local portal SDNA revealed that the real reason for the absence of the former NBA MVP is not an injury, as stated by the Federation, but an unpaid insurance policy where the Milwaukee Bucks play a significant role.

Sources close to the top of the Greek federation indicate that everything possible is being done, but that the 'ball is in Giannis's club's court.'

[Jstock12]

Bucks should ban Giannis from competing in the EuroBasket. It's a pointless tournament anyway (as it doesn't act as a qualification for the World Cup or Olympics anymore), and Greece has almost no chance to win it (Serbia is virtually guaranteed to steamroll everyone with their full squad). And Giannis will be turning 31 in a few months. Minimize the risk of injury as much as possible. It just doesn't make any sense to take this risk from the Bucks POV. They were kind enough to let Giannis compete for many years already.

[Licensed to Il]

Bucks should ban Giannis from competing in the EuroBasket. It's a pointless tournament anyway (as it doesn't act as a qualification for the World Cup or Olympics anymore), and Greece has almost no chance to win it (Serbia is virtually guaranteed to steamroll everyone with their full squad). And Giannis will be turning 31 in a few months. Minimize the risk of injury as much as possible. It just doesn't make any sense to take this risk from the Bucks POV. They were kind enough to let Giannis compete for many years already.

Counterpoint: The Bucks letting Giannis do the things he is passionate about (playing for Greece, having his brother on the team) is a huge component of why he is so loyal to them. I totally agree that him playing in the tourney is dumb from every other perspective.

[nagawicka]

Bucks should ban Giannis from competing in the EuroBasket. It's a pointless tournament anyway (as it doesn't act as a qualification for the World Cup or Olympics anymore), and Greece has almost no chance to win it (Serbia is virtually guaranteed to steamroll everyone with their full squad). And Giannis will be turning 31 in a few months. Minimize the risk of injury as much as possible. It just doesn't make any sense to take this risk from the Bucks POV. They were kind enough to let Giannis compete for many years already.

And any Olympics participation. Could cost 'em another title. --OH, TOO LATE

[emunney]

1. Giannis is a Bucks employee, not Bucks property.
2. The Hellenic Basketball Federation should be paying to insure him, as they are the beneficiaries of Giannis playing the tournament, and the Bucks' liabilities are already literally immeasurable.

[Jstock12]

Bucks should ban Giannis from competing in the EuroBasket. It's a pointless tournament anyway (as it doesn't act as a qualification for the World Cup or Olympics anymore), and Greece has almost no chance to win it (Serbia is virtually guaranteed to steamroll everyone with their full squad). And Giannis will be turning 31 in a few months. Minimize the risk of injury as much as possible. It just doesn't make any sense to take this risk from the Bucks POV. They were kind enough to let Giannis compete for many years already.

Counterpoint: The Bucks letting Giannis do the things he is passionate about (playing for Greece, having his brother on the team) is a huge component of why he is so loyal to them. I totally agree that him playing in the tourney is dumb from every other perspective.

It's a good point. Although there's also a possibility that Giannis in some part would be glad if the Bucks didn't allow him to participate. If you're the best player in your country by a mile, and the country has such a rabid basketball fanbase as Greece, it can be very difficult to say NO to the national team for various reasons. Giannis isn't a 24 year old anymore. He has a young family with wife and 4 kids - I have no doubt that he'd be very content with spending 1-2 extra months with them, instead of fighting the impossible battle at the EuroBasket.

[AussieBuck]

Bucks should ban Giannis from competing in the EuroBasket. It's a pointless tournament anyway (as it doesn't act as a qualification for the World Cup or Olympics anymore), and Greece has almost no chance to win it (Serbia is virtually guaranteed to steamroll everyone with their full squad). And Giannis will be turning 31 in a few months. Minimize the risk of injury as much as possible. It just doesn't make any sense to take this risk from the Bucks POV. They were kind enough to let Giannis compete for many years already.

Counterpoint: The Bucks letting Giannis do the things he is passionate about (playing for Greece, having his brother on the team) is a huge component of why he is so loyal to them. I totally agree that him playing in the tourney is dumb from every other perspective.

It's a good point. Although there's also a possibility that Giannis in some part would be glad if the Bucks didn't allow him to participate. If you're the best player in your country by a mile, and the country has such a rabid basketball fanbase as Greece, it can be very difficult to say NO to the national team for various reasons. Giannis isn't a 24 year old anymore. He has a young family with wife and 4 kids - I have no doubt that he'd be very content with spending 1-2 extra months with them, instead of fighting the impossible battle at the EuroBasket.

Giannis ain't dodging playing for his country.

Everything else is say won't fit in the forum rules but he's going to care more about the national team than his club and that's totally cool and normal with maybe most of us. Sucks the national team is almost implausibly bad but that's where we're at.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

1. Giannis is a Bucks employee, not Bucks property.

You should read R/overemployed. Most US companies will instantly fire someone when they find out they have second job even if a high performer. (Just bringing it up because you are putting it as simple as he is a "Bucks employee" for someone who makes $55m a year.) Those subreddits are fascinating reads.

But yeah, let Giannis do whatever the hell he wants. He has earned it.

[CharityStripe34]

From what I've read, FIBA is simply waiting for a written consent from the Bucks. Interesting how insurance policies between sports leagues and confederations work. My guess is that I don't think Horst or the ownership are going to deny him the opportunity to play. I can certainly see why the organization would be reticent to allow it.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/QO2oiJ2dAd

We are living in a simulation

[Matches Malone]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/QO2oiJ2dAd

We are living in a simulation

https://www.brewhoop.com/2020/1/9/21058295/clarity-of-purpose-uncovering-giannis-antetokounmpo-little-known-acting-debut

[Bernman]

I'd guess at this point the Bucks dragging their feet on granting him permission to play are a pre-arranged compromise before games matter & possibly a mutual desire of Giannis. Because they bend over backwards for him. They have 2 weeks still.

[Dick Tate]

It's not the Bucks responsibility to provide an acceptable insurance policy. That's up to Giannis & Co to work out.

[MickeyDavis]

It's not the Bucks responsibility to provide an acceptable insurance policy. That's up to Giannis & Co to work out.

No. If Giannis gets hurt the Bucks have to pay him. The insurance policy covers the Bucks so it's on the team to get it done. FIBA has a policy but it doesn't cover his whole Bucks salary. Once it's in place the Bucks will give the approval. Luka and Joker had to go through the same thing. Theirs is done. Giannis will get done too.

[Dick Tate]

It's not the Bucks responsibility to provide an acceptable insurance policy. That's up to Giannis & Co to work out.

No. If Giannis gets hurt the Bucks have to pay him. The insurance policy covers the Bucks so it's on the team to get it done. FIBA has a policy but it doesn't cover his whole Bucks salary. Once it's in place the Bucks will give the approval. Luka and Joker had to go through the same thing. Theirs is done. Giannis will get done too.

So Em's suggestion that Greece covers what FIBA doesn't, isn't a possibility?

[MickeyDavis]

I'd guess at this point the Bucks dragging their feet on granting him permission to play are a pre-arranged compromise before games matter & possibly a mutual desire of Giannis. Because they bend over backwards for him. They have 2 weeks still.

Agreed. The FIBA–NBA agreement allows NBA players to join their national teams’ training camps starting 28 days before a major FIBA competition, which would be Aug 1 in this case. It's entirely plausible neither the team nor Giannis wanted him to go through a full month of camp.

[MickeyDavis]

It's not the Bucks responsibility to provide an acceptable insurance policy. That's up to Giannis & Co to work out.

No. If Giannis gets hurt the Bucks have to pay him. The insurance policy covers the Bucks so it's on the team to get it done. FIBA has a policy but it doesn't cover his whole Bucks salary. Once it's in place the Bucks will give the approval. Luka and Joker had to go through the same thing. Theirs is done. Giannis will get done too.

So Em's suggestion that Greece covers what FIBA doesn't, isn't a possibility?

Anyone can pay for a policy. But it's the Bucks who are financially on the hook. Sure the Bucks could play hardball here but that would be dumb. With everything the Bucks have done to appease Giannis they aren't going to piss him off now by making him miss the tournament.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

No. If Giannis gets hurt the Bucks have to pay him. The insurance policy covers the Bucks so it's on the team to get it done. FIBA has a policy but it doesn't cover his whole Bucks salary. Once it's in place the Bucks will give the approval. Luka and Joker had to go through the same thing. Theirs is done. Giannis will get done too.

So Em's suggestion that Greece covers what FIBA doesn't, isn't a possibility?

Anyone can pay for a policy. But it's the Bucks who are financially on the hook. Sure the Bucks could play hardball here but that would be dumb. With everything the Bucks have done to appease Giannis they aren't going to piss him off now by making him miss the tournament.

I wonder if there is any complication? Maybe the insurance went way up due to both Giannis's increased potential earnings with the new CBA and his higher risk based on injury history and age. I have zero idea but i wouldn't be shocked if it was millions to cover Giannis for the tournament considering an ACL or Achilles tear could result in a 9-figure settlement.

[soxperry]

So Em's suggestion that Greece covers what FIBA doesn't, isn't a possibility?

Anyone can pay for a policy. But it's the Bucks who are financially on the hook. Sure the Bucks could play hardball here but that would be dumb. With everything the Bucks have done to appease Giannis they aren't going to piss him off now by making him miss the tournament.

I wonder if there is any complication? Maybe the insurance went way up due to both Giannis's increased potential earnings with the new CBA and his higher risk based on injury history and age. I have zero idea but i wouldn't be shocked if it was millions to cover Giannis for the tournament considering an ACL or Achilles tear could result in a 9-figure settlement.

Its absolutely millions