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Eric WoodyardESPN
The Bucks have won 11 of their last 12 games thanks to the 120-113 victory Saturday over the San Antonio Spurs in Milwaukee.
But the national hype was not the same for this year’s group as the past two seasons, when it was at the top of the league points ladder.
And for the ruling MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s just the way he likes it.
“We’re not playing for people to talk about us,” the Bucks star said after a 26-point, 15-assist, 8-rebound performance against the Spurs. “I like it. I just want to be left alone. I never liked bright lights. I never liked people talking about us. It just puts pressure on me and my teammates to come in and do. what we do.
“I like to be under the radar and we just come in, enjoy each other, enjoy basketball and we just get the job. But yes, there will be times that they will talk about us, there are times they will not talk about us. do not speak, but personally, as I said, I just like to be under the radar. ‘
During Saturday’s victory, the Bucks also had a debut performance from PJ Tucker, who did not score in 13 minutes but did grab three boards with a block. However, his presence was felt deeper than the score.
“He’s great. You can hear him everywhere,” said Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, who finished with 21 points and five rebounds.
“You can hear him even when he’s on the bench, but out there on the court it’s very nice. You love a man who communicates this way. He’s loud, very clear and distinctive and makes the game very easier.”
Antetokounmpo has matched his career high with 15 assistants. He also became the fourth player in Bucks history with at least 25 points and 15 assists in a game. He joined Monta Ellis, Oscar Robertson and Guy Rodgers, according to ESPN Statistics and Information.
In addition, he became the third player to score a triple-double 25 points and a 60% shot over a five-game period, joining Wils Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Yet he feels ‘they don’t have to talk about us’, the goal is a title.
“We are just going to keep doing what we are doing,” Antetokounmpo said. “We just keep going and keep winning games and playing the right way.”