(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LeBron James was not happy Thursday night after being denied at the rim by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks were in action Thursday night in what could be an NBA Finals preview. This meant one of the more exciting annual showdowns between LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two superstars met at the rim during the third quarter, and the Bucks star came away the winner with a clean block. James was not happy at all and thought a foul should have been called.
James not pleased with the call
James may have a case at the end of the play, well after Antetokounmpo got his hand on the ball. Lakers fans will be fuming, while those who despise James will be cheering at the rejection.
This is the type of intensity fans want to see. Fans still aren’t filling arenas, of course, but the players aren’t taking it any easier on each other. Antetokounmpo made a superstar play, and the whole Bucks team can use James’ reaction as motivation to take him and the Lakers down.
The Lakers are looking to stay undefeated on the road while the Bucks are looking to assert their dominance over the entire NBA. A win over James and the defending champions would accomplish that goal.
Antetokounmpo has proven the Bucks are a legitimate contender as long as he is around. Plays like this block of James are why, and the fact he can do so cleanly, aside from James’ complaints, shows why he is seen as one of the best in the game. Now he just needs to lead the Bucks to victory so the only highlight of the night isn’t one single block.