Like one of the best players, LeBron, Michael Jordan, Kobe and all those guys ... Shaq, all those guys, they were extremely physical with their play. They made their presence felt in the paint, but obviously I try to work on my game, midrange shots, 3s, being able to screen and roll faster and make the right pass. I'll take that any day. "I gotta actually learn how to play basketball and how to have skill. Harden always has always been willing to go at those who use his game as a punchline, but saying Antetokounmpo’s game takes “no skill at all” is certainly something that will lead to people raising their eyebrows. He's a great player. A prod at James Harden by Giannis Antetokounmpo during the NBA All-Star draft has led to a fiery response from the Houston Rockets’ superstar. ", James Harden addresses the comments Giannis made during the All-Star draft about assists: "I average more assists him than him, I think....I don't see what the joke is. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at In his comments, Harden was clearly referring to Antetokounmpo's reliance on his size for his point production while implying that his own style of play requires much more skill and nuance. "I don't know who is criticizing him. Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo cracked a joke at James Harden's expense during the 2020 NBA All-Star Draft earlier this month. I had to actually learn how to play basketball and have skill. Everyone on the set had a good laugh at Giannis' jab, but one person who isn't laughing is Harden himself, who responded to the comment in a recent interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols and got in a return shot at Antetokounmpo in the process. MILWAUKEE -- On the heels of James Harden 's interview with ESPN's Rachel Nichols -- in which the Houston Rockets star appeared to take aim at Giannis Antetokounmpo 's skill set -- … In response to Nichols mentioning Antetokounmpo's joke about taking Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker over Harden during the All-Star draft because he wanted "somebody who's gonna pass the ball," the former MVP didn't see the humor behind it. What Does It Take To Reopen A Hotel During The Pandemic? The Bucks were able to win without All-Star Khris Middleton (neck soreness) to improve to a league-best 51-8 on the season. "My game is not just power for sure," Antetokounmpo said after the victory. 12:50 pm ET, Wolves' Beasley facing multiple felony charges, Roberts: NBA players dislike Dec. 22 start date, Rockets to hire Silas as next head coach, per report, Report: Clips interested in Rondo, Lakers want him back. He does everything. That takes no skill at all," Harden told Nichols during the interview, which aired Friday. Antetokounmpo cracked a joke at Harden’s expense when he said he was considering selecting either Kemba Walker or Trae Young, even with Harden still on the board. That takes no skill at all. Is Harden's assessment correct? He pushed his season total to nine games with 30 or more points in under 30 minutes, the most for a single season in the shot clock era (since 1954-55). "The kid brings it in every way, shape and form. Antetokounmpo cracked a … Team Giannis captain Giannis Antetokounmpo said after Sunday’s All-Star Game in Chicago that his team’s late strategy was to attack Houston Rockets star James Harden on the defensive end. Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world. "I want somebody that is going to pass the ball," Antetokounmpo replied to Barkley's comment. We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and get a winning edge. ", Ahead of the Thunder-Bucks tipoff, Antetokounmpo told ESPN that "there's not back-and-forth" with Harden and insisted that he "never tried to take shots at somebody.". He's a winner," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. https://t.co/vRKMXpr3Wp pic.twitter.com/ecOzFoDsiQ, — Aly Khan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) February 28, 2020, “I average more assists than [Walker], I think,” Harden said, with Nichols confirming that he was ahead of Walker on the assists charts heading into the break. I don't know how to describe his game. "Later: "But I wish I could just run and be 7 feet and just dunk." "I average more assists him than him, I think...I don't see what the joke is," Harden said. "That's what I want. I'll take that any day. 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Harden claimed that he didn’t see Antetokounmpo’s comments and he doesn’t pay attention to these sorts of things, but that he also isn’t sure what the joke is in all of this. “I wish I could just run and … seven feet and run and just dunk,” Harden said. Bucks keep making history, but do skeptics still have a case? Antetokounmpo said he understood that it might have come out that way, but he would rather put his energy into basketball and his family. Antetokounmpo became the second player in NBA history to average 25 points and 15 boards for a month without losing a single game he played, joining Abdul-Jabbar, who did it in March 1973. Antetokounmpo's plus-minus of plus-44 was not only a career best but also the highest by any player to log fewer than 30 minutes and take 20 shot attempts in a game over the past 15 seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That's up for debate, but one thing that isn't debatable is that the next meeting between the Bucks and Rockets (in Milwaukee on March 25) will be must-see TV. He brings it in practice and in the locker room. https://t.co/vRKMXpr3Wp pic.twitter.com/ecOzFoDsiQ. 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It was all in good fun, even if plenty of folks rightly pointed out that Harden is a prolific passer. All Rights Reserved. Harden went on to talk about how he doesn’t believe that what he does on the court will be fully appreciated until his career ends, and then, he turned his attention to Antetokounmpo, taking a swipe at the reigning MVP. He's a great leader. "I didn't even see it. “That takes no skill at all. "I wish I could be 7 feet, run and just dunk. And who knows? I try to get my passes more accurate and it's a lot of things I'm still adding, and hopefully when I add all those things in my game, I'm a more complete player and I'm better and can help my team win and the game is easier.". © 2004-2020 CBS Interactive. section: | slug: james-harden-responds-to-verbal-jab-from-giannis-antetokounmpo-i-dont-see-what-the-joke-is | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us |