LaMelo Ball exploded against the Milwaukee Bucks with 50 points. However, those attempts went in vain as the Charlotte Hornets lost the match 125-119 to the Bucks. Yet, at one moment during the contest, social media pointed to an incident involving Ball and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother, Thanasis. After LaMelo drained a three-pointer, the player pointed toward Thanasis. Apparently, the duo engaged in trash-talking before the Hornets guard shot the ball.

Yet, Thanasis appeared on his Thanalysis Show to clarify the infamous incident. First of all, he couldn’t believe it had become an issue. The cameras caught the two engaging in some words. Later, we saw Thanasis grinning when he caught the camera’s attention.

He responded, “This is crazy.”

With most people talking about how Thanasis got humbled, the Greek basketball player downplayed the incident. “Now I saw the video that was like, oh, had some words for me. He didn’t say nothing. He just pointed. That’s my guy… Yeah. That’s my guy, bro. I, I don’t know what bro, first of all, you don’t understand how much I love him. They’re, like, him and his family, bro. Like, they’re but, like, oh, they’re a basketball family, bro.”

The Antetokounmpo brothers are famous in the NBA and bring their European culture to the league. It’s refreshing to see unique personalities engaging in a bit of banter, which keeps the game interesting. Yet, fans worldwide had a different perspective on the touch-line interaction. They believed the two players despised each other. In the end, Thanasis mentioned, “I love them, bro. It’s crazy. And he’s there, then he bro, this is I don’t know why. Somebody texted me. He’s like, oh, babe. Yo, I was like, what?”

But yes, talking about Thanasis, he saw the light side by saying, “I love this. I love this. It’s crazy. It’s amazing. My dawg.” During these days, we wish we had social media in the 90s. But yes, trash-talking is slowly making inroads in the league with the newer generation.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co rekindle the excitement of rivalry

With LaMelo Ball dropping 50, other players in the league do the same. One of them is Anthony Edwards. Just like the olden generation era, Edwards’ competitive side makes him a solid trash-talker. For once, he would be talking to you. Soon after, he would be in your head. Later on, he would dunk on you shattering your confidence to the floor. If you get lucky, he will burn some words at you!

He irked the NBA legends earlier, by stating, “I don’t think anybody had skill back then, except Michael Jordan.” Oh yes, you probably hurt some sentiments out there. Well, let’s leave that part in the open, but one thing we appreciate remains the young guard’s chutzpah.

Unfazed by pressure, Anthony Edwards becomes the new breed in the NBA who slowly brings trash-talking, on-court, or even off-court rivalries, back to the NBA. The league needs them. Dillon Brooks, Draymond Green, and even Ja Morant bumping into LeBron James the other day, want to show their worth.

Thus, the NBA looks lively these days. There are off-court rivalries and the Thanasis-LaMelo narrative has potential. Hopefully, we will see a comeback from Thanasis the next time. Hopefully, Giannis Antetokounmpo could come out and get some edge. Let’s get our popcorn ready!