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The Bucks are enjoying the "best connection in the NBA", the Lakers are waiting for the "real race"
Durant realizes what the relative advantage of Milwaukee and Yannis is over the rest of the contender (but returns it from the big compliment), LeBron and Davis try to incorporate Westbrook (but know it will take time).
Summary of the first night of the season, including Harden's statement of confidence
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Russell Westbrook
Yannis Antocompo
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Wednesday, October 20, 2021, 10:27
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After becoming one of the NBA scumbags to champion, Milwaukee is aiming for the next step in the journey: becoming a dynasty. After tonight's (Tuesday-Wednesday) 104: 127 convincing win over Brooklyn in the season-opening game, the Bucks are convinced that the commentators' assessments that do not give them a high chance of a second consecutive ring are wrong.
Players in the league also cast doubt on the Bucks, including Kevin Durant who explained even after tonight's defeat, why the burden of proof is still on Yannis and his teammates, a few months after he had already defined them as a "dynasty".
"I may have exaggerated a bit with this definition," explained KD who scored 32 points, dropped 11 rebounds but saw the Nets get a lesson in teamwork, chemistry and intensity.
"I just understand how hard it is in this league to keep four or five players on the team for a long time, to stay with them in bad and good times, with early dismissals and disappointments, like the Bucks did. That people tend to think. "
More on Walla!
The NBA season opened: Milwaukee defeated Brooklyn, the Lakers disappointed
To the full article
He, too, understands: When it comes to teamwork, the Bucks have an advantage.
Durant vs. Yannis, tonight (Photo: GettyImages, Stacy Revere)
That night reminded Milwaukee of her twisted journey. Before the game, the players and coaches received the championship rings, and the championship flag hung on the roof of the home hall with a video summarizing the period in the background, in scenes that moved Yannis Antocompo. "When I saw the video they uploaded, I could not remain indifferent to it. Yes, I was excited," he explained. "You look back on everything we went through, you remember how it all started, where we were then, and where we are today. What's amazing is that this flag will stay here forever. You can retire from the game today, and that flag will still remain. Even in 2055, if we live Until then, he will still be here. "
The rings themselves also included a hint of the past, with the caption "Bucks In 6" ("Bucks in six games") on some of them, a reminder of former team player Brandon Jennings' failed playoff prediction (which over the years has become a joke) before the 2013 series against Miami, the champion On the way.
“We’re only just starting to digest the magnitude of our achievement,” says Pat Conaton.
"Being a part of such a great thing, it's an extraordinary experience, an amazing experience. No one will ever be able to take this championship from us, no one will be able to take from us the experiences we have accumulated together."
Commentators are already declaring Milwaukee as the "most connected contender" at the moment, especially in light of attempts by the Hunts, Lakers and other teams aiming for the championship to bring in new players.
Either way, Yannis doesn’t want to cuddle up to the past too much.
"We're part of history, and it's exciting, but it's over here. We have to focus on building good habits for the team, continuing to progress and playing good basketball. The goal is repeat, the goal is to win the championship every season we continue to play together."
On the other hand, Brooklyn knows that aside from the professional issues, the Kyrie Irving affair and his exciting absence still cast a shadow over the team. Despite this, their explanations for tonight's loss are quite simple.
"We weren't particularly good, and when you're not playing at a high level against the champion, you're not going to win," Steve Nash analyzed, and Durant put his finger on the amount of shots allowed for the Bucks: "We can not throw 20 shots less than the opponent. Imagine yourself coming into the game and saying "Here, take the ball 20 times more on offense. It can't really work."
The Nets nonetheless got a reason for optimism, when at the end of the game James Harden provided a statement for the future.
Harden did not sign a contract extension last summer despite negotiating with the team and in the United States rumors have already started that he is not convinced he wants to stay, but the bearded guard has removed the fog. "The money will come, I do not plan to leave in this situation," he explained. My focus is to win the championship this year, and I wish I would continue in the team.
I really enjoy it here.
The experience here is amazing, from start to finish.
I feel at home. "
Harden received special honor tonight
The Lakers understand: It will take time for the new team to form. Tonight a rather rare thing happened in terms of the team: LeBron James (34 points and 11 rebounds) and Anthony Davis (33 and 11) were at their best, but the Yellow-Purples lost, with 121: 114 to Golden State at Staples Center. In fact, it was the first time the Lakers have lost a game in which the two stars score 30 points or more, after seven such games that all ended in victories.
The loss came mainly due to the lack of contribution of the other players, led by Russell Westbrook. The explosive coordinator came to the team in the first place as a question mark, and the ability of a dominant player like him to fit into a team with better stars from him was questioned, and tonight the fears seem to have been confirmed. Westbrook finished with just 8 points with 4 of 13 from the field, lost as he handed out assists (4), and further direct to the ability he displayed in the preseason games, still seems not connected to the team.
"This is his first game with us, so he has to take everything on limited bail. I'm not worried about him at all. He has to be himself, play like he's used to and know, and he's going to be great," LeBron reassured, referring to Westbrook's tip "Let him go home and watch some good comedy, let him go to bed with a smile on his face, so that it will not be so difficult with himself."
Anthony Davis is also preoccupied with trying to integrate Westbrook into the team game, arguing that he should take on more, and stop playing with caution (not so typical of him).
"He was afraid of the ball and too many times gave up the ball and shots. He had a lot of opportunities to go to the basket today and he did not. He needs to be himself, and be more aggressive. We need to build ourselves around him better and make him feel comfortable," he said. AD.
Frank Vogel also knows that "Russ will have a longer acclimatization period than anyone else, probably. He came to a new team, to a new culture, with a different style. He has to find his own way. "And now he has to play next to players like LeBron and AD. It's just a little bit different than he's used to, but he's going to be a great addition later on."
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