As Jason Kidd watched an all-time great play his last game in Milwaukee, he saw a future star have a phenomenal game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Milwaukee Bucks (24-33) beat the Los Angeles Lakers (11-47) 108-101 Monday at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. After the game, Jason spoke about the respect he has for L.A. legend Kobe Bryant, who announced before the season that he would retire this year.
“Father Time, I think we all understand, wins,” Jason said. “But for him to carry the load that he did at a very high level, to win championships, to deliver as many times as he has and to have a vision of who he wanted to be from the very start just shows his determination and his work ethic.”
Antetokounmpo got the Bucks started early when he scored underneath to give Milwaukee a 6-0 lead not even two minutes into the game. At the 4:56 mark, Antetokounmpo ignited the Bradley Center with a big dunk off a feed from Michael Carter-Williams to extend the Bucks lead to 17-11.
“Giannis, we all trust Giannis. (He) is a playmaker, as much as a scorer, as much as rebounder. He has vision,” Jason said.
Greg Monroe, who finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, also added two buckets late in the quarter to give Milwaukee a 29-19 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Once the Bucks took a sizeable lead, they didn’t let go. With 6:43 remaining in the second quarter, Carter-Williams connected on a driving layup to bring the Bucks lead back up to 10 at 38-28. The Lakers went on an 8-2 run, but the Bucks withstood the Lakers surge to lead 54-48 at halftime.
“We want to get our shooters out, let Jabari and Giannis make plays in the open court. That’s what their strengths are right now,” Jason said.
The Bucks broke away in the second half. With four minutes remaining in the third quarter, Antetokounmpo threw down another dunk from an O.J. Mayo assist to pull the Bucks ahead 76-57. It was one of 10 dunks by the Bucks on the night.
“Giannis is playing at a very high level right now,” Jason said. “After the break, we’ve made some changes and we’ve kind of given him the ball as the point guard. We haven’t announced he’s the point guard but we’re letting him start the offense.”
Monroe scored at the end of the third quarter on an alley-oop from Antetokounmpo to give the Bucks a 90-65 lead. The Lakers made the final score more respectable with a 13-4 run to close the game, but the Bucks closed it out without worry.
BRYANT’S GOODBYE
After the game, Jason had some words for Bryant.
“I used to call him old all the time,” Bryant said. “Now he comes in the locker room and sees me icing down and he kind of returns the favor.”
Bryant has already proven himself, but Antetokounmpo still has much to prove if he wants to reach Bryant’s level someday. Jason and Bryant both see potential in the young standout.
“I was in there with Jason and we were just kind of talking a little bit,” Bryant said. “Jason was saying the biggest thing for him (Antetokounmpo) is to decide what he wants to be — does he want to be a great player or not? I said, ‘Listen, that’s just a choice you’re going to have to make. If you want to be that great player you have to make certain sacrifices and you’ve got to go after it.’”
NEXT UP
The Bucks are at the Boston Celtics (33-25) Thursday. The Celtics are currently in playoff position in the Eastern Conference, while the Bucks are still trying to climb into playoff conversation.
The two teams have met twice this season. Milwaukee has lost once and won once, with the most recent result ending in a Bucks 112-111 victory at Milwaukee on Feb. 9.
The game tips at 6:30 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Wisconsin.
