One of the largest companies in Antetokounmpo’s sponsorship portfolio has suddenly joined the 2024 Finals MVJaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2021 Finals MVP, have been tussling, and now one of the Milwaukee Bucks superstar’s sponsors has stepped in. During a 113-107 Boston victory, the eight-time All-NBA honouree and two-time league MVP offered Brown a handshake, but Brown declined. The three-time Celtics All-Star initially referred to Antetokounmpo as “a child” after the incident. P’s spat with the Bucks legend.
In addition to praising Antetokounmpo’s recent 59-point, 14-rebound, and seven-assist performance in a 127-120 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Nike, his clothing partner since his 2013–14 rookie season, also took jabs at Brown for the insult. In a funny commentary on his own personal X account, the three-time All-Star criticised the Oregon-based company for having “weird energy.”
For the 10-3 Celtics, the 28-year-old has been having yet another outstanding season. In his nine healthy games, he averages 25.4 points on.424/.295/.764 shooting splits, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Despite being the second-best player on Boston’s 2023–24 championship squad, Brown had a more reliable postseason run than five-time All-Star power forward Jayson Tatum, who finished first.
Despite missing just one game this season without starting centre Kristaps Porzingis, the team has been getting along well. Al Horford, his backup, has played well in 11 of the Celtics’ first 13 games. In his 26.5 minutes a game, the 38-year-old averages 8.6 points on.493/.440/1.000 shooting splits, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 steals. Even though Horford, who is currently in his 18th season, is a long cry from the five-time All-Star he was in his peak with the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks, he is still a solid two-way contributor. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, both All-Defensive guards, are still in their later years.
The 6 foot-11 Antetokounmpo is averaging 33.3 points on 61.6 percent shooting from the field and 61 percent shooting from the charity stripe, 12.1 rebounds, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 0.5 steals a game while playing 11 games for the 4-8 Bucks. To overcome this early-season deficit, Milwaukee needs an active Antetokounmpo. Fortunately for the Bucks, every team in the Eastern Conference has a record below.500, with the exception of the Celtics, 13-0 Cleveland Cavaliers, and 7-6 Orlando Magic. As a result, there is still little competition for a postseason berth.