Giannis Antetokounmpo calls it 'disrespectful' that Bucks benched him in final weeks of season
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo said it was “disrespectful” for Milwaukee to bench him over the final weeks of the season while he said he was healthy enough to play, a stinging rebuke of the franchise as he enters a stay-or-leave offseason. Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP who led Milwaukee to its first title in a half century in 2021, said after Sunday's season-ending loss to Philadelphia that he learned that he had no control over his playing status as the Bucks limped to the finish. Antetokounmpo was the subject of trade speculation as the deadline approached, but he wasn’t dealt.
He since has been in a dispute with team management over his injury status. The 31-year-old Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since landing awkwardly after a dunk on March 15. Antetokounmpo said in the closing weeks of the season that he was healthy and wanted to play, but the Bucks continued to rule him out with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
Antetokounmpo did not play Sunday at Philadelphia in what was also likely the final game of Hall of Fame coach Doc Rivers' career. “Being cleared to play, I don’t understand. I’ve never in my life denied participation in practice,” Antetokounmpo said.
“Whoever came up with that is disrespectful towards what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself. “I did what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t able to come on the court now.
Who has that say? It comes from above. I thought I had control.