Ex-Lakers Star Jumps to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Rescue After Controversial Game Ball Criticism

The game ball controversy isn’t fading away anytime soon. At least, that is how it looks like as of now. Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s career-high performance against the Indiana Pacers didn’t go as well as he would’ve wanted to. The Greek Freak, after dropping a 64-point performance, was left with anger and frustration.

While Antetokounmpo thought that he should get the game ball to mark the landmark game, the Pacers thought otherwise and snuck the ball in for their rookie Oscar Tshiebwe. Since then, this issue has been discussed by several pundits and NBA veterans. The latest to voice his opinion is Lamar Odom.

Lamar Odom defends Giannis Antetokounmpo’s actions

The 64-point was not only Antetokounmpo’s career best performance but it was also the franchise record. On top of that, the game was being played in the Milwaukee Bucks home so many believed that the ball should’ve been given to the 29-year-old. However, because of the old tradition, Tshiebwe was given the game ball by the Pacers because he scored his first point in the league. Vouching for Antetokounmpo, Odom said that he had every right to react the way he did after the ball was handed to the rookie.

Odom said, “I would be really upset too. And, the NBA is a player’s league and Giannis has done WAY more than this kid who’s…a rookie”. As per the 2x NBA champion, Antetokounmpo’s contribution to the league outweighs the rookie’s so he should have been given the preference.

He said, “It’s supposed to be Giannis’s ball just because the kid is a rookie…Giannis has been in the league [he’s an] MVP. Give it to the MVP.” Doubling down on his Giannis agenda, Odom added, “And they should make him get Giannis’s food next time”.

Antetokounmpo’s special performance ended up in extreme chaos with the 2x MVP running down in anger to retrieve the ball. Although he was given another ball to keep as memorabilia, the Greek Freak wasn’t happy with what the Pacers did. Apart from Odom, other veterans such as Richard Jefferson and Shaquille O’Neal have also stated their feelings about the incident.

While Shaq took Antetokounmpo’s side saying that he should’ve received the game ball for a special performance in front of his home crowd, Jefferson presented another solution for the issue. The NBA veteran 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”.