Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is included on the preliminary roster that Greece submitted this week for the FIBA World Cup, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Although it’s uncertain whether he’ll play, the move is an encouraging sign after Antetokounmpo underwent minor surgery on his left knee in June.
There have been concerns about Antetokounmpo’s condition in the wake of the operation, which was described as a clean-up procedure, and the back injury he suffered during Milwaukee’s first-round playoff series against Miami.
Vardon notes that Antetokounmpo has said that helping Greece capture a World Cup title is one of his professional goals. The two-time MVP is a frequent participant in international competitions, taking part in the World Cup four years ago and EuroBasket last summer.
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Tyrese Haliburton only needed to watch Pacers teammate Andrew Nembhard play one game during Summer League to know he was too good for the competition, according to an Indianapolis Star story. “Y’all can send Andrew home,” Haliburton told president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan after watching Nembhard dominate the team’s first game in Las Vegas. “He don’t need to be here.” Although Nembhard appears ready for a larger role in his second NBA season, Indiana’s offseason moves may complicate that. The Pacers signed Bruce Brown and drafted Ben Sheppard, and coach Rick Carlisle may decide to promote Bennedict Mathurin to a starting job in the backcourt alongside Haliburton.
- Obi Toppin never averaged more than 17.1 minutes per game during his three seasons with the Knicks, but he’s the Pacers‘ presumed starter at power forward, The Indianapolis Star adds in a projection of the team’s depth chart. Lottery pick Jarace Walker, who was impressive during Summer League, will probably be Toppin’s primary backup.
- The Bulls were exploring ways to sign Javon Freeman-Liberty, who starred for them in Las Vegas, when he agreed to a two-way contract with the Raptors on Friday, agent Keith Glass tells K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago (Twitter link). Chicago filled its final two-way slot later in the day by reaching an agreement with Onuralp Bitim.
Oh boy, Bulls signed Bitim and solved their stated goal of adding more shooting…oh wait a minute that was supposed to be Freeman Liberty. What was there to figure out? Put a piece of paper in front of him and sign him. These guys are just a joke.
As are 25 other teams too
Will pacers be good or just more aggressively mediocre?
I’m a homer, but I think they have multiple solid to above average players at each position (and mainly young players). I think its going to depend on how great Hali really is. He appears to be the real deal and if he is, I think they will be a top 3 or 4 team in the East and will be a team on the rise
Bucks healthy are the team to beat in the East. Imo this could be the last yr for this group. So I expect them to be focused on winning it. East is going to be a war this yr. Deep very deep.
Obi1 should have a breakout year starting with Pacers. His D does need work. You only improve that with consistent mins. He’s ready for prime time. Pacers made a wise move here. Wish him the best.