ESPN Employee ?Solves? Giannis Antetokounmpo?s Game Ball Controversy With 1 Verdict

The Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers game was a freak show. The high-scoring game was a spectacle for the fans in more ways than one. From Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s career-high performance to the game-ball drama, the adrenaline was through the roof. What could have been a sweet memory for the Greek Freak, was turned into an emotional rollercoaster.

NBA veteran Richard Jefferson tried to break down the controversy of who gets to keep the game ball. The 43-year-old said that the drama is understandable because the Indiana Pacers rookie Oscar Tshiebwe also deserved the chance. After analyzing all angles, Jefferson delivered his verdict on the matter.

NBA veteran’s take on the Giannis Antetokounmpo controversy

Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 64 points in the game that ended 140-126 for the Bucks. This is also a franchise record so understandably the 29-year-old wanted to take home the memorabilia. As for the Pacers, their rookie Tshiebwe scored his first NBA points in that game and it has been a common practice to keep the game ball as a token. Jefferson said, “The minute a player scores the first point, he gets the game ball. Just like a coach getting his first win, he gets the game ball.” The 2016 NBA champion said, “Normally there’s no issue”, but this was no normal game.

By the time the game ended, the game ball was already given to the rookie. However, this did not sit well with the Bucks star as he demanded that the ball be given to him. Despite Antetokounmpo’s demand, the Pacers backed their rookie to keep the ball as it has been a tradition for a long time.

Jefferson said that he has a suggestion for Antetokounmpo on how he can get the ball back. He said, “Best thing I can do is suggest that Giannis should buy it back from the kid. Kinda like how you buy somebody’s number.”

Despite acknowledging that the 7x All-Star had a great night, Jefferson said that, “It don’t work that way.”

Read More: Giannis Antetokounmpo Storms Into Pacers? Locker Room In Agony After Season High Performance

Giannis Antetokounmpo was tossed over by Pacers star

The Pacers have recently lost the In-Season Tournament to the LA Lakers. While the Bucks were leading the game, the Indiana team took a more physical approach against the Bucks. This ended up in an altercation between Antetokounmpo and Aaron Nesmith as the latter wrapped him in his arms, tossing him down the floor.

After the incident, Bobby Portis was furious and ready to fight, and it took some effort to cool him down. Portis was seen charging at Nesmith despite people holding him back from doing anything that would get him suspended. The 48 minutes of the game were nothing short of a drama fest, executed in high emotion.

Watch This Story: Jimmy Butler accuses Damian Lillard of tampering after the Giannis Antetokounmpo betrayal, ?You didn?t hear it from me??