Nothin' But Nets
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Nets: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s postgame quote proves BK should be scared

ByJerry Trotta|
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 02: Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets is fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on May 02, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 02: Blake Griffin #2 of the Brooklyn Nets is fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on May 02, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

It’s not often that you see Kevin Durant score 42 points in a losing effort, but that’s exactly what the shellshocked Brooklyn Nets were left watching in Sunday’s matinee against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

While Durant played well enough to be showered with praise, it was Giannis who stole the show on his home floor and led Milwaukee to a statement victory over a Nets team many analysts regard as the prohibitive championship favorite.

The two-time reigning MVP managed 49 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks while shooting 21-of-36 from the field, including a surprisingly efficient showing from behind the arc, as he knocked down four of his eight 3-point attempts.

Despite the dominant performance and thrilling victory, however, Antetokounmpo was frighteningly motivated in the postgame presser, going as far as to say that the game “doesn’t mean anything” in the grand scheme of things.

Nets fans won’t like Giannis Antetokounmpo’s postgame quote.

Downplaying the regular season has been a theme for Antetokounmpo (and the Nets, too, as a matter of fact) throughout this campaign after the Bucks were bounced out of the playoffs in the second round last year by the underdog Miami Heat, who ended up advancing to the Finals.

However, it was still surprising to see the Greek Freak stress it to this extent following arguably Milwaukee’s biggest win of the season. That alone proves that the Nets, for as dominant as they’ve been for most of the campaign, should feel a little vulnerable. Their chief competition knows beating them during the regular season is just a day at the office, at this point.

It will obviously help once James Harden returns from his hamstring injury, but it speaks volumes that Jrue Holiday was able to stymie Kyrie Irving as much as he did.

For someone who generally scores with ease against elite defenders, the seven-time All-Star had a rough go of it against Holiday, who limited Irving to just 20 points on 8-of-21 shooting, including 2-of-8 from three, in 37 minutes.

Antetokounmpo has obviously come up short in the playoffs throughout his career thus far, and that narrative will stick with him until he comes out of the East, but we’ve never seen him surrounded by as much talent this Bucks roster currently has.

While we wouldn’t think twice about siding with the Nets if these two teams met in the postseason, we also wouldn’t fault fans who would prefer to avoid Milwaukee until a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Fortunately for Durant, Irving and the Nets, they’ll get another crack at Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, who pulled within 2.5 games of Brooklyn following Sunday’s win, in a nationally-televised rematch on TNT on Tuesday night.