Jason Kidd expands–slightly–on Giannis Antetokounmpo benching day after Bucks loss
By Phil Watson
Coach Jason Kidd wasn’t in the mood to discuss his decision to sit out second-year forward Giannis Antetokounmpo Wednesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-99 at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
But on Thursday, he shared some of his insights into the move.
More from Giannis Antetokounmpo
- What Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Extension Could Be With Milwaukee Bucks
- The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Champions. Time to gear up.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is carrying the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Finals
- Bucks: “Belief” that Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Play Game 7 if Needed
- Giannis Antetokounmpo Timetable Unknown, Could he Return?
On Wednesday, Antetokounmpo was a DNP-Coach’s Decision, the first game he had missed all season. It also broke a string of 64 consecutive starts.
Antetokounmpo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he didn’t know going in that he was going to be a healthy scratch.
“He didn’t tell me,” Antetokounmpo said. “No, he didn’t tell me. I don’t know (why) It was a coach’s decision—I don’t know—for me not to play today.”
Kidd on Wednesday was adamant that it was his decision. The Milwaukee coach was just as adamant that was all he was saying on the topic.
“Coach’s decision,” Kidd said, actually using the phrase six times in his postgame press conference. “It was a coach’s decision. I don’t know what, you guys can’t hear? … You guys are smart. How about the game.”
Kidd did disclose Wednesday that it was not for injury-related reasons.
“No, he was breathing,” Kidd said when asked if a health issue was involved.
However on Thursday, Kidd offered some clarity. Not, you know, a lot … but still.
“Change is always healthy,” Kidd told the Journal Sentinel Thursday. “I thought the guys who played [Wednesday] played at a very high level, had a chance to win. This time of the year all the games count.”
For his part, Antetokounmpo is looking at it as motivation.
“Whatever he’s trying to do, he’s doing the right thing,” the 20-year-old forward said.
Kidd said he’s looking ahead to the future and trying to help a young team grow.
“Giannis is a piece of the puzzle for us,” Kidd said. “Understanding if you want to rest guys, you have that luxury. You don’t have to disclose it. If it’s disciplinary reasons, you don’t have to disclose it.
“Coach’s decision; it’s pretty powerful when it’s said. I think (San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) made it famous when he put for (Tim) Duncan, ‘old’ behind it. I could have said ‘young’ and you guys would have been like, ‘Wow.’
Live Feed
FanSided
“If (Antetokounmpo) said it’s motivation, that’s great for him to look at it that way, But for us it’s the culture, the standards we all stand by and we all have to abide by them. At the same time, this isn’t just like we did it for a punishment.”
Antetokounmpo was coming off one of his weakest performances in a while, going 3-for-12 with eight points and just three rebounds, with no assists, in 28 minutes of the Bucks’ loss to the Orlando Magic on last Saturday.
The bottom line is that Kidd is right. If coaches want to disclose that they are resting a player, that’s up to the coach. If Kidd doesn’t want to disclose it, that’s also up to him.
I’ve never been one of those fans who throws a hissy fit if a certain star player isn’t in the lineup for rest or whatever reason. The ticket says “Milwaukee Bucks,” it does not say “Giannis Antetokounmpo” or any other player.
And before anyone throws the “what about the children who may only get one chance to see their favorite player,” here’s my answer—whatever adult that was in charge of the outing screwed up by getting a ticket for Game No. 78, because at this point in the season, you don’t know who is playing and who isn’t.
The Bucks lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-99 and are two games ahead of the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with four games to play. Milwaukee (38-40) returns to action Saturday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.