Seven-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo remembers his ‘welcome to the NBA’ moment against the Indiana Pacers

The Giannis Antetokounmpo that everybody is aware of now is among the premier abilities within the NBA. The 2-time MVP is a candidate for the award each season for the Milwaukee Bucks, and after being introduced as an All-Star captain earlier this week, the 2021 NBA Champion is now a seven-time All-Star.

“You may by no means take it with no consideration,” Antetokounmpo stated of receiving that honor for the seventh time.

The Bucks performed their first recreation for the reason that announcement on Friday in Indianapolis towards the Indiana Pacers. The Greek Freak completed with 41 factors in a win, and he was as dominant as ever. However he remembers not being so dominant, and in a full circle second, he recalled that his “welcome to the NBA” second coincidentally additionally occurred in Indianapolis throughout his rookie season

“I bear in mind I used to be right here 10 years in the past and I had my first ‘welcome to the NBA’ second. [I was] 18 years outdated. I feel it was perhaps just like the fifth or the seventh recreation of the season,” Antetokounmpo defined. It was really his sixth-ever recreation, and the Bucks eighth recreation of the 2013-14 marketing campaign.

“I didn’t know who we have been enjoying. I did not know folks I used to be guarding as a result of I by no means watched the NBA earlier than I got here right here. And there was this possession. Lance Stephenson is coming down the ground, form of in-and-out. And like, takes me with him after which [he] even dunked on me,” the Bucks star shared. The play came about within the first quarter and occurred on the basket on the North finish of the court docket at then-Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The dunk gave Indiana a nine-point lead.

“I used to be like ‘Man, he is so quick, he is so robust. How am I going to have the ability to sustain with them?’ They have been actually good, Indiana, again then, 2013,” Antetokounmpo remembered. “10 years later, I am like, ‘Man, seven out of 10 years [I’m an] All-Star. Three out of them captain.’ You may by no means take it with no consideration.”

The Pacers went on to win that November 15, 2013 recreation towards the Bucks 104-77. Indiana would go to the Japanese Convention Finals that season whereas Antetokounmpo and the Bucks completed 15-67. Video of the Stephenson dunk, taken and cropped from this linked video (across the 5:20 mark), might be seen beneath.

These days, issues are completely different. Antetokounmpo is way greater, stronger, and considerably higher at enjoying towards the Indiana Pacers. After shedding his first 4 conferences towards the blue and gold, The Greek Freak’s Bucks have received 10 straight vs the Pacers. The final time Indiana defeated Milwaukee in a recreation that Antetokounmpo really performed in was throughout December of 2018.

“I do know with [the Pacers], typically they appear like they’re a little bit on the smaller facet. We’ve got Brook [Lopez], Giannis in there simply going loopy within the paint. That is a bonus for us. Truthfully, I really feel like we simply form of lean on Giannis, and he does what he does,” Bucks guard Jrue Vacation stated of Milwaukee’s robust run towards Indiana.

Antetokounmpo has posted averages of 21.0 factors, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per recreation towards Indiana throughout his 10-year profession. As captain within the All-Star recreation, he’ll get to pick out his roster. There’s a likelihood he might choose Pacers level guard and Wisconsin native Tyrese Haliburton if NBA coaches title Haliburton a reserve. The remaining All-Stars will likely be introduced on February 2.

It may very well be the primary of many All-Star appearances for Haliburton. Antetokounmpo, in the meantime, already has many All-Star alternatives, and sure has extra to return. He hasn’t forgotten his journey, although, together with dunks towards him in Indianapolis throughout his rookie season. That is a part of what makes him particular, and a part of why he will not take something with no consideration.

• Tyrese Haliburton says he hopes to return from damage ‘to start out February’ for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
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• Myles Turner has improved considerably this season. Simply ask his former teammates and coaches. CLICK HERE.
• Bennedict Mathurin closes out the Chicago Bulls with a superb fourth quarter: ‘I like adversity so much.’ CLICK HERE.
• Comply with AllPacers on Fb: All Pacers SI
• Comply with AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers