The NBA In-season tournament is nearing its end. While it generated hype among NBA fans, its lasting impact is yet to be determined. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference quarterfinals. Despite a 31-point performance from Kevin Durant, LeBron James’s 31 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals were enough to seal the Lakers route to the Semi-Finals. The Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans who dismantled the Sacramento Kings on their road to the semis.

On the other hand, in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks entered the semi-finals after their win over the New York Knicks. They will face the Indiana Pacers in the semis to determine who out of their conference will compete for the first in-season tournament trophy. However, after the Bucks‘s win, Giannis Antetokounmpo might have taken an indirect dig at the league itself. Let’s break it down.

Did Giannis Antetokounmpo take a dig at the NBA?

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks had a resounding 146-122 victory over the New York Knicks in the NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals, securing $100,000 in prize money for each player as they advanced to the semifinals. Despite his substantial contracts, including a five-year, $228.2 million deal signed in 2020 and a three-year, $177.1 million extension in October, Antetokounmpo humorously remarked, “Are we getting money now? We got some money? The rich get richer.”

Looking ahead, the Bucks have an opportunity to increase their earnings as they face the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals. A win would mean each player receives $200,000. If they proceed to the championship game and emerge victorious, the prize money per player would be $500,000. While the amount may not have a significant financial impact on Antetokounmpo, he acknowledged the potential life-changing aspect for some teammates on smaller contracts. Upon learning about the $100,000 victory bonus, Antetokounmpo appeared momentarily surprised before playfully commenting on his ever-growing net worth. However, one thing to note is how beneficial is the tournament for the players of the league.

How are the NBA players benefiting from the In-season tournament?

The league will reward players on the victorious team in the tournament with a $500,000 prize, while the runners-up will receive $200,000. Semifinal losers will earn $100,000 each, and those eliminated in the quarterfinals will get $50,000. These payouts also extend to the coaching staff, with head coaches receiving the same amount as players, and assistant coaches getting 75 percent of the head coach’s total payout.

In a league where the average salary is approximately $10 million and the highest salaries exceed $50 million, a $500,000 bonus remains highly appealing. Several players have expressed the importance of the financial motivation to perform well in the tournament. “Who don’t like money? Aye listen, half a million dollars, that could pay for my Rolls-Royce,”
said Spencer Dinwiddie. Even last season’s Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero noted, “It has some meaning. Shoot, $500,000 on the line. I don’t know about you, but I’m going hard.”

Furthermore, even King James himself said, “$500,000 on the line, so we’re going for that.” The Bucks have a strong chance to win the tournament.

With a well-rounded offense, can the Bucks win the first trophy?

Following their victory on Tuesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo was questioned about the progress of the Bucks’ offense, which is spearheaded by him and his co-star Damian Lillard. The NBA champion emphasized the gradual development of chemistry within the Milwaukee team at the beginning of the season. “I think game by game, we are getting more comfortable,” Antetokounmpo said. He added, “As we play more minutes together, we’re gonna get even more comfortable together. We gotta stick together through the ups and downs. Sometimes we’re gonna play well, sometimes we’re gonna play bad. But at the end of the day, I think me and him, we’re setting the tone for the whole team.”

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Antetokounmpo concluded the game with an impressive 35 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals, shooting at an impressive 68.2% against the Knicks. Simultaneously, Lillard contributed 28 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and five 3-pointers with a 61.5% shooting accuracy.

The Tuesday performance underscored the Bucks’ formidable potential when operating at peak efficiency. If their offense can consistently excel in crucial matchups going forward, they stand a strong chance of securing the inaugural In-Season Tournament title. Moreover, they are poised to be a top contender for the 2024 championship. Do you think that Damian Lillard will win his first Championship with the Bucks? Will Giannis Win his second ring?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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