Milwaukee Bucks superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been struggling mightily with his free-throw shooting this season. So, ahead of Milwaukee’s home matchup against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, Bucks TV analyst Steve Novak took a playful shot at the two-time MVP.

As Antetokounmpo was warming up with his sons, Liam, and Maverick Shai, the camera zoomed in on his youngest child dribbling the basketball. Novak then joked that the two-year-old may be a better free-throw shooter than his father.

“Look at this guy. I guarantee you, he can make some free throws,” Novak said.

Showing off the skills! pic.twitter.com/eRzvPsMfo1

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI)

December 22, 2023

Through 26 games, Antetokounmpo is shooting just 66.2% at the line on 11.2 attempts per game. The percentage marks the third worst of his career. The seven-time All-Star shot a career-worst 63.3% at the line in the 2019-20 season. Additionally, he shot just 64.5% last season.

While Novak was not nearly the same level of player as Antetokounmpo throughout his 11-year career, he was still an elite shooter. The sharpshooter shot 87.7% at the line for his career. So, Novak certainly has the authority to speak about shooting.

Giannis Antetokounmpo playing through injury against Magic

Giannis Antetokounmpo was initially listed as questionable to play against the Magic due to a right midfoot sprain. However, the Bucks superstar was ultimately cleared to play through the injury.

Antetokounmpo has only missed one game this season. That came back on Nov. 15 when the Bucks defeated the Toronto Raptors 128-112. So, he continues to be one of the NBA’s most durable superstars thus far.

Additionally, Antetokounmpo has been dominant in December. Entering Thursday’s contest, he is averaging 32.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game on 63.4% shooting over eight games this month.

Meanwhile, the Bucks (20-7) are riding a five-game winning streak.

Patrick Beverley claims he’d have punctured Giannis’ 64 point game ball as a Pacer: “Would’ve poked a hole in that b***h”

Had Patrick Beverley been on the Indiana Pacers, Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn’t have gotten the game ball. The Greek Freak set the Milwaukee Bucks’ single-game scoring record against the Indiana Pacers with a 64-point outing in a 140-126 win on Wednesday. After the game, however, chaos ensued as the former MVP sought the game ball.

The heated moment saw him ordering Tyrese Haliburton to go get the game ball before Antetokounmpo eventually rushed the tunnel. The Pacers believed the ball should go to rookie Oscar Tshiebwe, who scored his first regular-season points in the regulation game after previously recording one point in the NBA Cup final.

The situation has continued to serve as a major talking point in the NBA community, with members weighing in on both sides. On the “Pat Bev Podcast,” Patrick Beverley weighed in.

“I would’ve poked a hole in that b*tch,” Beverley, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, said. “Beat me? Put 60 on me? Yeah, you can have this ball. Then I thought about it. I would’ve pealed that b*tch like an orange. Pieces of that b*tch. … ‘You want it? Here!’ Or I’ll sign that mf, here you go.

“They said they wanted to give it to their rookie … then I heard they gave him the wrong ball. NBA is a big a** soap opera, and I love this sh*t.”

Giannis would’ve gotten a deflated ball if it was up to @patbev21 😭 pic.twitter.com/fdAJWhQbcV

— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) December 20, 2023

Paul George weighs in on Giannis Antetokounmpo game ball drama after Patrick Beverley weighs in

Since the now-infamous Giannis Antetokounmpo game ball incident, several NBA players, both past and present, have weighed in. In addition to players like Patrick Beverley, staff members and executives are also giving takes.

Mark Cuban shared his perspective, telling TMZ that rookie Oscar Tshiebwe should have gotten the game ball. Had the former Mavericks majority owner been involved, he would have gotten Antetokounmpo’s teammates to sign the box score and framed it for the former MVP.

The way Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal sees things, Antetokounmpo should have gotten the game ball, given the historical significance of the moment.

During his “Podcast P” show, Paul George played devil’s advocate. He said, that while Tshiebwe deserved the ball, the Pacers overstepped as the away team given that the game took place in Milwaukee.

“That’s more of like a home team thing,” George said. “For Indiana to take the ball, they’re a road team. That’s where the problem lies. You don’t get that right to just take that ball. You’re the road team. The home team gets that ball.”
With Patrick Beverley, Paul George and Shaquille O’Neal all weighing in, it’s clear NBA players will continue to voice their opinion on the situation.