The Milwaukee Bucks’ last game was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. While their talisman Giannis Antetokounmpo broke the franchise and his personal scoring record, there were moments they’d like to move on from as soon as possible. What created the most amount of uproar was the game-ball drama at the end of a highly contested affair.

Recently, NBA veterans Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye discussed the Antetokounmpo game-ball fiasco with the Indiana Pacers rookie. The two echoed similar sentiments as some of the other veterans and pundits, siding with the actions of 24-year-old Oscar Tshiebwe.

NBA veterans chime in on the Giannis Antetokounmpo game-ball drama

Frye said, “I would’ve booted that mother****ing ball so far…You’re not gonna bust my a** then debo our team for the basketball afterward. Nah homie. NO”. Jefferson immediately jumped into the conversation, backing up Frye’s thoughts on the issue. He said, “That’s what I’m trying to tell people”. The two veterans were of the opinion that for the Pacers, it was important to keep the ball because they just took a gut punch from the Bucks and the only saving grace for them at the time was that their rookie, Tshiebwe scored his first league points, so they should keep the ball.

Antetokounmpo dropped 64 points in the game which ended 140-126 for the Bucks. This match serves as retribution for the Bucks who were knocked out of the In-Season Tournament by the Pacers last week. Additionally, this was a career-high for the Greek Freak as well as the new franchise record for the Bucks. So, the sentimental value attached to the game ball was very high. On top of it all, the Bucks did it at their home court, in front of their crowd. After the game, Antetokounmpo was given another ball to keep as memorabilia. However, he wasn’t pleased with it because it simply didn’t compensate for what he thought was a clear robbery.

Now, this tradition of the rookie keeping the game ball has been going on for a long time, but Jefferson and Frye believe there’s more to the story than what meets the eye.

Read More: ESPN Employee ‘Solves’ Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Game Ball Controversy With 1 Verdict

Richard Jefferson breaks down the Pacers’ strategy

Jefferson has 17 years experience of playing in the league, so he knows how different franchises operate. He said, “What I’m expressing to you is within that culture the level of pettiness and fu*k you is beyond people’s really true imagination”. Jefferson said that having lost the game by a crushing margin, the Pacers had to get back at the Bucks, and stealing that ball away was one way to do it.

However, there were some people who did agree with the Greek Freak’s demand. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal said, “I think Giannis had the right to be upset.”

What’s your take on the recent ball-game drama? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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