Giannis Antetokounmpo is always in the Top 5 of scoring since 2019. The Milwaukee Bucks star also set a record last season as the only player to have three consecutive seasons scoring 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, 5+ assists while shooting 60 percent on the field. He is among the best scorers but people still underrate him, like Jusuf Nurkic of the Utah Jazz.
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mar 24, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Antetokounmpo’s Greece and Nurkic’s Bosnia and Herzegovina are set to meet in the Group Stage of EuroBasket 2025 and the latter knows the challenge they will need to give the Greek Freak. He thinks there is a way to stop him.
“I think it’s different. Now he’s playing more at the ‘5’. Obviously, he will have to defend too,” Nurkic said in an interview with BasketNews.
“But at the end of the day, just stop him in transition and live with his shots. Generally, he’s sucked at those defenses the last few years he’s played in EuroBasket. But it’s not only him, so we will be ready.”
Jusuf Nurkic
Apr 13, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Jusuf Nurkic (11) shoots during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
To be fair, Nurkic indicated that his assessment of Giannis is only based on international games.
So far, Antetokounmpo has been tearing up defenses with great ease, averaging 29 points in two games above 60 percent on field goal attempts.
Fans come at Giannis Antetokounmpo’s defense
What Nurkic said is something many Bucks supporters have been hearing. That their star player’s bag is limited and is not made for big moments. He is an MVP candidate each year and yet he is still not appreciated enough by the media.
Naturally, they came for Nurkic for the ridiculous comment.
So tomorrow is the day Jusuf Nurkic dies, huh https://t.co/vyIxGS3nuT
— rcon14 (@rcon14) September 1, 2025
Why not just defend him like that in the NBA then?? pic.twitter.com/hqhkxy58rE
— 👑🐐 (@LukaToBron) September 1, 2025
bucks giannis antetokounmpo heat kelel ware
Jan 23, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes a shot against Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Giannis is shooting 70+% from the field rn https://t.co/hS0gq01Tg0
— Warriors comeback szn (like limited) (@BiasedSC30_fan) September 1, 2025
Hilarious quote https://t.co/IvDGRL5fZb
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) September 1, 2025
Greece are currently the favorites to win in this game happening in Cyprus. They are currently 3-0 while Bosnia are 1-2 after losing to Spain and Italy.
Greece have already qualified for the Round of 16.
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