Thanasis Antetokounmpo throws down a highlight-reel dunk and Giannis' reaction is must-see late in the Bucks' blowout playoff win
CHICAGO -- Typically Giannis Antetokounmpo is on all the highlight reels for a play during a Milwaukee Bucks game and older brother Thanasis is the one showing his amazement from the bench.
But Friday night the roles were reversed during the Bucks' 111-81 blowout victory in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Bulls. It was big brother Thanasis, 29, who had everyone dropping their jaws. And this time, Giannis is the one who couldn't contain his joy.
The outcome of the game was long decided as all the starters from both teams had been pulled early in the fourth quarter with the Bucks in complete control.
During that time, the play was pretty uneven for the Bucks and Bulls. New Bucks point guard Luca Vildoza and Thanasis changed that.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo dunks over Patrick Williams after receiving a behind-the-back pass from Luca Vildoza
With the Bucks up by 30 with just over 2 minutes 30 seconds left, the rookie Vildoza, who was receiving his first NBA minutes for the Bucks after being acquired late in the season, made a behind-the-back pass to Thanasis as he cruised into the lane.
"In the play groups, he's got some 'stuff' to his game," said Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer at Saturday's practicing, using air quotes when talking about Vildoza. "He can do some things that's just incredibly creative and has a confidence. Yeah, we think he's a good player. We're excited about seeing how he fits and how he can grow and develop with us. It was great. I think it was his first NBA game. Kind of cool to play in a playoff game. He showed he can play."
When Vildoza pushed the ball up the court, Thanasis Antetokounmpo initially thought Vildoza was going to go to the basket — but made sure to keep an eye on the ball.
"He has really good court vision, so you just gotta be ready at all times with him," Antetokounmpo told the Journal Sentinel. "I think it was more instincts."
Vildoza whipped the ball around his waist before firing it to Antetokounmpo near the left corner, took one dribble along the baseline and with a full steam ahead threw down a dunk over Bulls forward Patrick Williams.
"Obviously I'm not looking at who's in front of me, I'm looking at finishing at the rim," Antetokounmpo said. "So, whenever I can have this one way I'm going with force to the basket. I'm going to try to go with force. I'm not trying to lay up, I'm trying to go with force and finish because it's good for morale, it's good for me, to get some rhythm."
He smiled.
"I just try to get to the rim, just try to finish."
Just as the play was happening, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy wondered aloud why the game was still going on. The white towel had been thrown after all.
Well, moments like the dunk are why. And Giannis and Pat Connaughton's reaction and the rest of the Bucks bench are why.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo had seen the reaction photos and laughed at the looks.
"Oh my god, I love it," he said. "The guys are so supportive. That's one thing, just playing with energy, playing with intensity."
NBA Twitter remembered comments Patrick Williams made about Giannis Antetokounmpo
Twitter — at least Bucks Twitter — loved it and were quick to point out comments that Williams made about preparing for Giannis leading up to Game 2.
"Same as you get ready for anybody else," Williams said via Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports in Chicago. "First of all, don’t be scared. I feel like a lot of people in this league are scared or nervous to guard guys like that. … He puts his pants on the same way I do. He’s good, but he’s not God.”
Thanasis must have been listening.
Let's not forget about the dime that set up the dunk. We won't go this far but hey, let 'em have their moment.
Thanasis finished with four points, one assist, one steal and three fouls in nine minutes. His other basket was also a dunk assisted by Vildoza that put the Bucks up 99-64 with 6:38 left.
Luca Vildoza scores his first points of his NBA career
The other participant in the plays with Thanasis also had himself a night. Vildoza was making his NBA debut.
The 26-year-old from Argentina was cut by the New York Knicks before the season and he needed surgery on his right foot. Now healthy, the Bucks signed him April 6. He sure made the most of his first minutes donning a jersey in a playoff game for the reigning NBA champions.
Besides his passes to Thanasis, Vildoza drilled a three-pointer late in the game for his first points of his NBA career.
Vildoza finished with three points, one rebound, three assists and two steals in eight minutes.
More:Bobby Portis called his shot and rose to the moment in Bucks' Game 3 win over Bulls
Contact Christopher Kuhagen at 262-446-6634 or at christopher.kuhagen@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ckuhagen and our newsroom Instagram accounts at MyCommunityNow and Lake Country Now.
