Giannis Antetokounmpo Gets Real With Kevin Durant and James Harden Over Kyrie Irving Saga: “They Can’t Keep On Pressuring Him”

Defending champions Milwaukee Bucks registered their 26th win of the season by beating the Brooklyn Nets. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in 27 minutes and helped the Bucks win an important away game. Kevin Durant and James Harden combined for 45 points but couldn’t stop the Bucks at the Barclays Center.

Giannis scored a game-high 31 points and downed the Nets in their own backyard. Kyrie Irving, as usual, didn’t feature in the game due to New York City’s health and safety protocols.

Irving did start against the Pacers and scored 22 points in his season debut. He will play for the Nets on a part-time role and will only feature in the road games. So, the Nets had to the lineup without Kyrie against the Bucks and it appeared that they missed him. After the game, Giannis gave his thoughts on this whole situation around Kyrie Irving.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up on Kyrie Irving’s situation at Brooklyn Nets

After an emphatic win over the Nets, Antetokounmpo was asked about his thoughts on Kyrie Irving and what he would do if he was in the position of Brooklyn Nets. To this, Giannis replied: “When it comes to basketball, I feel like I can talk to them. When it comes to a personal decision like that, it’s… I’ve got to let them make their decision. They’re grown men.” 

“You know, and every situation is different. I cannot pressure somebody to do something that he doesn’t feel comfortable doing. I can tell you why I did it. Why I felt comfortable doing it. To protect my family, to protect my mom and stuff, stay safe, and you just hope he understands that. But if he doesn’t want to do it, I can’t keep pressuring him. I’ve got to focus on myself and come every day and do my job, because that’s what I get paid to do.”

He continued, “I don’t know what relationship they have, what kind of relationship they have. They probably have talked to him but they cannot keep on pressuring him to do something he doesn’t feel comfortable because it takes so much energy and takes energy away from basketball. That why we’re here.”

Indeed, the best thing that Nets stars such as Kevin Durant and James Harden could have done is explain their situation to him. Kyrie has maintained his status for a long time and he should be allowed to make his decision. Kyrie’s absence from home games has been one of the hottest topics in the NBA.

However, getting to play is a plus for Kyrie as he didn’t even play a single game before the game versus the Pacers. The Nets have been struggling due to several injuries, and that forced them to call Kyrie on a part-time role.

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