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Eric WoodyardESPN
The Bucks have won 11 of their last 12 games thanks to Saturday night’s 120-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Milwaukee.
But national enthusiasm was not the same around the group this year compared to the last two seasons, when it ended at the top of the standings.
And for the current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is how he likes it.
“We don’t play for people to talk about us,” said the Bucks star after a 26-point performance, 15 assists and 8 rebounds against Spurs. “I kind of like it. I just want to be alone. I never liked bright lights. I never liked people talking about us. It just increases the pressure for me and my teammates to come in and do what we do.
“I kind of like to stay off the radar and we just come in, we like each other, we like to play basketball and we’re just doing the job. But yes, there will be times when they will talk about us, there will be times when that they are not going to talk about us, but personally, as I said, I just like being under the radar. “
During Saturday’s victory, the Bucks also saw a debut performance by PJ Tucker, who did not score in 13 minutes, but grabbed three bags with a block. His presence was felt more deeply than the box score, however.
“He’s great. You can hear him everywhere,” said Bucks playmaker Jrue Holiday, who finished with 21 points and five rebounds.
“You can hear him even when he’s on the bench, but on the court it’s a lot of fun. You love a guy who communicates that way. He’s tall, very clear and distinguished and makes the game a lot easier.”
Antetokounmpo matched his career with 15 assists. He also became the fourth player in Bucks history with at least 25 points and 15 assists in one game, joining Monta Ellis, Oscar Robertson and Guy Rodgers, according to the ESPN Stats & Information survey.
In addition, he became the third player to score an average of 25 triple-double points and 60% pitches over a five-game break, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Still, he feels that “they don’t need to talk about us”, the goal is a title.
“We will continue to do what we are doing,” said Antetokounmpo. “We continue to enjoy each other and play to win games and play the right way.”